The Flash’s Rogues have always been interesting villains to me. They’re criminals and villains who have a code of ethics they try to follow. They’re not about world domination, they’re common thieves with flashy tools for their heists. As described in the description of Rogues #1, they’re blue-collar criminals. They’re villains who I’ve at times had sympathy for. They don’t come off generally as bad people, but people who are down on their luck and turn to crime in an attempt to turn their lives around. And that’s sort of what Rogues #1 is about.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Rogues #1 features a team that’s broken. Members are dead, on parole, or attempting to turn their lives around. At the center of it all is Leonard Snart, aka Captain Cold. On parole, he’s harassed by his Parole Officer and laughed at behind is back at work. Williamson makes you feel bad for the guy. He’s a sad sack and that pops from the page in Williamson’s words and situations as well as the art by Leomacs.

After a rough day, Snart has had enough and decides to get the band back together. Well, almost. There’s some new members. But, the team has moved on trying to build their own lives. Does he succeed? Is it one last heist for the group? What is the plan even!? Williamson delivers it all in a debut issue that takes you through a range of emotions about the characters.

Leomacs are is solid. With color by Matheus Lopes and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the comic visually nails its “sad sack” feel. Snart’s shoulders slump, his posture screams sad. The visuals nail down the difference between Snart has himself and as Captain Cold. There’s an amazing difference in body language and how he carries himself. It’s all very interesting visually and adds to the story quite well. The colors chosen for the story too deliver the rather overall depressing feel of the opening.

Rogues #1 is a hell of a debut. It’ll have you feeling empathy for Snart of the other Rogues and quickly go to disdain. It touches upon a glaring gap in so many comics that there’s little when it comes to programs to help reform former villains to prevent them falling back into old habits. It also emphasizes the years wearing on us and our regrets. It’s a fantastic start that has us excited to see what’s next.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Leomacs
Color: Matheus Lopes Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW