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Review: Rogues #1

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Rogues #1

Rogues #1 is a damn fine crime comic by Joshua Williamson, Leomacs, Mat Lopes, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. It follows Leonard Snart, or the artist formerly known as Captain Cold, ten years after his last big score as he struggles to put his life back together in a rapidly gentrifying Central City. Yes, Rogues has timely commentary on the American healthcare system, city life, and capitalism through the lens of aging B-list supervillains. Also, Leomacs and Lopes’ visuals hit that nice sweet spot between super detailed art and cartooning while using silent montages and shifts in color to shift the mood of the story. For example, Snart’s windows turn blue when he gets back to work on his cold gun.

Rogues is definitely structured like an old school heist movie beginning with an extended flashback sequence set during the good ol’ days that foreshadows the job to separate introductory sequences for each crew member complete with nicknames and different art styles. Even if you’re not familiar with Leonard Snart, Lisa Snart (Golden Glider), James Jesse (Trickster), Ben Turner (Bronze Tiger), Frankie Kane (Magenta), Mick Rory (Heatwave), and the surprise seventh crew member, Williamson and Leomacs have their personalities on lock before their first mini-heist. Probably the most effective is Mick’s intro. Unlike the other Rogues, he hasn’t even tried to be respectable and is introduced wreathed in flames burning down a building for insurance money. On the other hand, Magenta is introduced in a pharmacy where she can’t afford the pills to help suppress her magnetic abilities, and Leomacs uses a loose line plus swatches of color from Mat Lopes to show her losing control. The shittiness of health insurance/pharmaceutical companies is as good enough a villain origin as any.

But before setting up the crew, Joshua Williamson and Leomacs spend a decent chunk of Rogues #1 digging into what Leonard Snart’s post-Captain Cold days are like, and it isn’t a pretty sight. Later, in the story, Snart is super manipulative and let’s say definitely gets into “Black Label” territory instead of the usual Rogues’ code of honor so showing him get jerked around by probation officer and the suits at the warehouse he works at help him score major sympathy points. Williamson and Leomacs nail the tedium and pain of modern existence as Snart gets a promotion at work, but finds out it’s because his bosses know that he’ll do whatever they want because he’s an ex-con. Then, he and Leomacs cut to the overcrowded train (Hey, at least, Central City has public transit unlike some American cities.), his old neighborhood getting torn down, and finally, his disorderly apartment. No wonder, he rages out and returns to a life of crime. Lopes’ palette shift from brown to red and finally blue is a story in and of itself, and Leomacs brings out the goggles and blue jacket to show this change when Snart begins to recruit his crew.

Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is a very underrated part of Rogues #1 from the opening scene where the ridges on the end of his balloons and the little bubbles show that the Ape (Of Angel and the Ape fame) is washed out and just wants to pick a fight at the supervillain bar because his girlfriend is dating Detective Chimp. Later, on in the story, Otsmane-Elhaou uses crooked curlicues when Leonard Snart speaks with his supervisors and waits for the other shoe to drop to symbolize him carefully picking his words so he doesn’t end up on his ass. Finally, to match the bustling city streets that Leomacs draws and Joshua Williamson’s dialogue, the lettering is all over the page when Snart begs and pleads for his sister to help him out on his last job even though she’s found fulfilling work as a social worker. Unlike the all-in Mick Rory or the desperate Magenta, it takes some cajoling for Lisa Snart to even have a conversation with her brother, and Leomacs’ body language for her shows that she doesn’t want any more from this interaction. As I mentioned earlier, each Rogue’s reintroduction is a mini-masterclass in different storytelling techniques culminating in a super tense set piece that isn’t the actual heist just yet.

Rogues #1 is proof of an adage that I like to trot out for Marvel/DC/corporate IP characters that in the right hands that any of these action figures can be compelling. Joshua Williamson, Leomacs, Mat Lopes, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou connect B-list villains to economic insecurity in a fast-paced, character driven act one of a heist story. Before jumping into the action, Williamson and Leomacs provides insight into each crew member’s personality and motivation and make the stakes Mount Everest high. Like seriously, I have no idea how the Rogues are going to pull off this last job even with Leonard Snart in “give no fucks” mode. With one exception, the team is really endearing in their desperation though, and going after one of the richest beings of the world gives the comic a blue collar Robin Hood vibe.

All in all, Rogues #1 is a reminder that superhero and crime stories complement each other nicely, especially with such gorgeous layouts and color palettes from Leomacs and Lopes.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Leomacs
Colors: Mat Lopes Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics/Black Label provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Iron Man, The Tick, and Captain Cold Comes to Funko’s Vinyl Soda

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Funko has revealed a trio of new Vinyl: Soda figures based on comic characters. You can choose from Iron Man, the Tick, and Captain Cold. They’re available for pre-order now.

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Diamond Select Coming in 2018: DC, Marvel, Kingdom Hearts, Cthulhu + More!

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While kids across the country are getting ready to crack open their textbooks, comic retailers across the country are getting ready to crack open the new Previews catalog, which is chock-full of the latest items from Diamond Select Toys! Scheduled to ship in late 2017 and early 2018, DST’s offerings include items from Thor: Ragnarok, Kingdom Hearts, Black Panther, DC Comics, Joseph Michael Linsner, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Marvel Comics and the world of H.P. Lovecraft!

Cthulhu Vinimates Vinyl Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s 2017, and Cthulhu has a new look for a new year! “Old god” and literary superstar Cthulhu is the latest 4-inch figure to join the Vinimates vinyl figure line. With an articulated neck, he can cast his gaze at the faithful and unfaithful alike, summoning all to join his shambling host! Packaged in a full-color window box, Cthulhu is the perfect addition to your Vinimates or Cthulhu collection and will tower over your Minimates mini-figures! Sculpted by Eli Livingston! (Item #AUG172648, SRP: $9.99)

DC Vinimates DC Comics Vinyl Figures Series 2

A Diamond Select Toys release! The heroes and villains of the DC Universe are back in the second series of comic-based DC Vinimates! Three new 4” vinyl figures – Superman, Joker and Wonder Woman – are sculpted in the block-figure style, each striking an iconic pose straight from the comics. Each Vinimate comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Superman Vinimate (Item #SEP172467, SRP: $9.99)

Joker Vinimate (Item #SEP172468, SRP: $9.99)

Wonder Woman Vinimate (Item #SEP172469, SRP: $9.99)

DC Vinimates Flash TV Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys release! The DC Vinimates line is off to a racing start as it barrels full-speed into the world of DC TV shows! This assortment of Flash characters is based on the hit CW TV show and includes 4-inch versions of Flash, Reverse Flash and Captain Cold! Sculpted in the block-figure style, each pre-posed vinyl figure comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Flash Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172649, SRP: $9.99)

Reverse Flash Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172650, SRP: $9.99)

Captain Cold Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172651, SRP: $9.99)

DC Gallery Batman Beyond Batman PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! How big is your gallery? For the next entry in the hit DC Gallery PVC Diorama series, DST is leaping into the distant future of Gotham City, to capture the high-tech hero – Batman Beyond! Terry McGinnis hovers above a cloud of smoke with his wings extended and his boot-jets firing in this approximately 10” PVC sculpture. Packaged in a full-color window box, the figure and base feature detailed sculpt and paint work. Dynamically sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #SEP172471, SRP: $45.00)

DC Gallery Batman The Animated Series Robin PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Boy Wonder is joining the DC Gallery PVC line, as Batman’s first sidekick, Dick Grayson, steps to the fore in his classic red yellow and green outfit! With his bolo spinning, Robin can stand on his own or pair with the previously released Batman PVC to form a larger diorama! Measuring approximately 10 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item # AUG172647,  SRP: $45.00)

Femme Fatales Gallery Sinful Suzi PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Femme Fatales are back! The Gallery PVC line returns to its pinup roots with this PVC Diorama of one of Joseph Linsner’s sexiest creations – Sinful Suzi! Holding her pitchfork, this devilish diva measures approximately 9 inches tall atop a black pedestal base. Packaged in a full-color window box, this seductive sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications. Sculpted by Sam Greenwell! Coming soon: Dawn! (Item #SEP172472, SRP: $45.00)

Kingdom Hearts Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys release! Kingdom Hearts is back! With the 15th anniversary in progress, and a third game on the horizon, the video-game world of Kingdom Hearts is as magical as ever! These four block-based figures take the main characters of the franchise — Sora, Donald, Mickey and Goofy — and transport them into the world of Vinimates, where each 4-inch vinyl figure has an articulated head for additional posing options! Each figure comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Sora Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178984, SRP: $9.99)

Donald Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178987, SRP: $9.99)

Mickey Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178985, SRP: $9.99)

Goofy Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178986, SRP: $9.99)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Thor PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! Let’s get ready to thunder! The God of Thunder is ready to cut loose in his newest outing, Thor; Ragnarok, and DST has captured the Odinson at his most heroic, in the newest Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama! Standing atop a rocky outcropping, this battle-ready Thor wields Mjolnir, ready to face the hordes of Hela herself. Standing approximately 10 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! (Item # SEP172483, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Hulk PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The highly anticipated Thor: Ragnarok movie is bringing us one of the most exciting Hulk looks ever, and this Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama captures him at his most enraged! Measuring approximately 12 inches tall, this sculpture of a fully armored Hulk wielding twin weapons is the must-have collectable from Thor: Ragnarok. Featuring detailed sculpting and paint applications, this 9-inch scale diorama comes packaged in a full-color window box and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! (Item # AUG172642, SRP: $50.00)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Valkyrie PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! Out of the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe film comes the newest big-screen Marvel character, Valkyrie! Based on her appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, this 9-inch scale PVC diorama depicts actress Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, standing on part of the Grandmaster’s planet. . Featuring detailed sculpting and paint applications, this 9-inch scale diorama comes packaged in a full-color window box and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! PRODUCT NOT FINAL. (Item # AUG172643, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery NOW! Captain America PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! How big is your Gallery? Expand your hall of heroes with the first-ever Marvel Gallery PVC of Captain America! Depicting the star-spangled Avenger in his Marvel NOW! outfit, this PVC diorama of Steve Rogers shows him charging an opponent (or an army of them) as bullets ricochet off of his vibranium shield. Measuring approximately 9 inches tall, this PVC figure features detailed sculpting and paint work, and is in scale to all Femme Fatales and Gallery releases. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item # AUG172640, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Silk PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! One of the Marvel Universe’s newest Spider-people is now one of the newest Marvel Gallery PVCs! Cindy Moon, the second victim of the spider that made Peter Parker Spider-Man, leaps into action as a 9-inch-scale PVC Diorama, and spinning a web on a spider-symbol base. Measuring approximately 9 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira! (Item # AUG172646, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Spider-Man: Homecoming PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The first Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-film is here, and we couldn’t be happier! To celebrate, we’ve created a Marvel Gallery PVC figure of Spidey in his new duds, clinging to the side of a building in typical Spider-Man fashion. Measuring approximately 10 inches tall, this diorama features detailed sculpting and paint and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios! (Item # AUG172644, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Minimates Series 74 Greatest Stories 2-Pack Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! The record-setting 74th series of Marvel Minimates is one for the ages, and it’s only available at comic shops and specialty stores! Spanning four different storylines from Marvel’s history, this assortment of four two-packs captures four of the greatest Avengers in four of their most epic battles, with four new outfits and four never-before-made opponents! From the “Surtur Saga,” Ages of Thunder Thor takes on the first-ever Surtur Minimate! From “Planet Hulk,” King Hulk takes on the first-ever Red King! From “Old Man Logan,” Logan takes on the never-made Ashley Barton Spider-Girl! And from “Secret Empire,” Agent of Hydra Captain America takes on the all-new Ironheart! Each 2” Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation, as well as fully interchangeable parts! Each 2-pack comes packaged in a full-color window box. (Item # AUG172641, SRP: $9.99/ea.)

Marvel Minimates Black Panther Movie Box Set

A Diamond Select Toys release! It came from Wakanda! The highly anticipated Marvel Studios film Marvel’s Black Panther joins the Marvel Minimates Universe with this exclusive box set! Featuring Black Panther, M’Baku, Killmonger and Shuri, this set of four 2-inch Minimates mini-figures features 14 points of articulation on each figure, as well as fully interchangeable parts. Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #SEP172485, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Premier Collection Moon Knight Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! By the blessings of Khonshu, the Moon Knight walks again! The white knight of the Marvel Universe returns in this new, approximately 12” Marvel Premier Collection statue! Depicting the Fist of Khonshu slightly battle-damaged and perched on a rooftop with Egyptian architectural details, this resin statue is limited to only 3,000 pieces, and comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #SEP172484, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Spider-Man Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! The ultimate Spider-Man collectible is here! This large-scale resin statue of Spider-Man depicts a classically styled wall-crawler vaulting over brickwork as his webline whips around him! Dynamically hand-sculpted by the legendary Clayburn Moore, this high-end, 12-inch-scale collectible is a must-have item for any Spider-fan! Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this statue features a hand-numbered base and comes packaged in a full-color, hand-numbered box with a certificate of authenticity. (Item # AUG172645, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Spider-Man Homecoming Movie Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! Hey, you aren’t the Avengers! Relive the scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming when Spidey takes on a bank-robbing gang of Avengers impersonators with this approximately 12-inch statue based on the film! Featuring a screen-accurate Spider-Man standing atop an ATM and surrounded by discarded alien weaponry and superhero masks, this resin statue is limited to only 3,000 pieces, and comes packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item # SEP172487, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Select Black Panther Movie Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! The king of Wakanda joins the Marvel Select action figure line! The first Marvel Studios film of 2018 takes us deeper into the world of the Black Panther, and now you can recreate the action of the movie with this 7-inch scale action figure of T’Challa! Packaged with a diorama of the movie’s Warrior Falls, this figure comes packaged in the famous Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for easy shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #SEP172486, SRP: $24.99)

Superman Animated Darkseid Resin Bust

A Diamond Select Toys release! Who’s the next resin bust in the Superman series? DARKSEID IS! The legendary ruler of Apokolips arrives in his animated form in advance of his Justice League film appearance, with this bust based on his appearance in classic Superman: The Animated Series episodes. Posed in an intimidating fashion atop a Metropolis architectural pedestal, this approximately 6-inch Resin bust is the perfect addition to your DC Animated Universe bust collection. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #SEP172470, SRP: $59.99)

The Strangest Members of the Justice League

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snapperThe Justice League of America is best defined by its core of main characters.  As opposed to other major superhero teams like the X-Men, Avengers, or Teen Titans, the core seven members of the team are considered as almost sacrosanct.  Without Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter, the League is considered to not be at full power (though Manhunter has been somewhat replaced on this list by Cyborg.)  That being the case, the membership of the League has mostly remained constant over its publication history, but as with every team there are always the odd ones that find their way in.

Snapper Carr – The modern reader of comics might not recognize it immediately at a glance, but the history of comics is the history of trends.  Characters that might seem to represent some diversity in the modern day such as Power Man/Luke Cage or Shang Chi were in fact added to comics as they helped to capitalize respectively on the popularity of blaxpoitation and kung fu films.  One character long before them was Snapper Carr.  Although he existed as a sidekick more than actual superhero, he was nonetheless a vital member on some missions, (such as the first involving Starro).  The character was inspired by the Beatnik generation which was somewhat popular at the time, and for those that might look for a related Marvel character, they would be wasting their time, because the trend of beatnik characters came and went long before Marvel got established.

daleDale Gunn – After the X-Men took over the medium of comics in the 1970s it was determined that the Teen Titans became DC’s best hope to fight against this success.  After the youth oriented book performed well it was decided to give the Justice League a makeover as well, and what resulted was what has become known as Justice League Detroit, a weaker version of the team, but one focused more towards the street.  Out were Batman and Wonder Woman, in were street level characters like Gypsy and Vibe, the latter of which was enough of an attempt to cash in on the breakdancing genre that was actually popular for a while, for those that remember their Electric Boogaloo.  The stranger character though was Dale Gunn, introduced as a ladies-man character that was the custodian/tech expert for the new team, who wore a superpowered suit of armor in his first appearance, but then just faded into the background.  Zatanna and Vixen both fell in love with him almost from the get go, but his impact was never really noticed after a few issues.

maxMaxwell Lord – Whereas the X-Men had Dazzler and the Outsiders had Looker, the Justice League never really managed to capitalize on the big hair and big money 1980s, or at least they wouldn’t have except for the influence of Maxwell Lord.  The character was essentially a Gordon Gecko rip-off, and one whose moral code was also somewhat skewed.  He served as the bank roll for the team, but had delusions of heroism at times, and eventually went bad when he almost had every superhero killed during Infinite Crisis.

Blue Beetle – The Justice League of the post-Legends DC Universe was one very different from what came before.  Legends was kind of an attempt to do the final clean-up on what had happened during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and it resulted in a new Justice League.  Whereas a lot of titles were getting darker at the time, or at least geared more to a mature audience, this team went the opposite route, becoming goofy.  Another trend at the time was that the Justice League becoming a dumping ground for characters who couldn’t hold their own series.  Thus the League assimilated Booster Gold, Blue Beetle and Captain Atom among others, but it really became the Blue Beetle and Booster Gold show, with their not-so-serious antics proving to be the fodder for most issues as opposed to real threats.  The character had been serious before, but never really recovered before being killed off.

drfateZan and Jayna – The so-called Wonder Twins didn’t come from the Justice League exactly, but instead came from the children’s show spin-off, the Super Friends.  It might have seemed likely that the characters might have just retired into obscurity as many others did, but they were actually revived for a time in the 1990s.  As a bit of a running joke before hand they never really caught on, and were used for only a few issues.

Dr. Fate/Guy Gardner – These two are not exactly the strangest characters exactly, except in how they were used.  Once again another influence of the post Legends Justice League, the writer Keith Giffen was a big enough fan of gender swapping some of his characters.  Not as in the usual sense of making a separate character like Supergirl or Batgirl, but in simply finding a way to switch genders.  It was done first with Doctor Fate and recently with Guy Gardner.

Ambush Bug/Super-Chief  – After Infinite Crisis the creators promised to give exposure to pretty much every character that had ever shown up in the pages of DC Comics.  This meant that some strange and obscure characters had to be brought in.  In this case it was a Firestorm led Justice League that contained among its members the Ambush Bug and Super-Chief.  They showed up for a couple of panels and then were never seen of again.

poisonivyPoison Ivy, Lex Luthor and Captain Cold – It turned some heads in the pages of the Waid led JLA when the rotating cast of team members included what was kind of Catwoman for one issue.  People wondered how it was that a thief was allowed membership to the team, even when she didn’t really join.  This was later rendered somewhat moot in the era of rooting for the bad guys in comics.  In the modern day, many series focus on villains, and Lex Luthor, Captain Cold and poison Ivy have worked alongside the Justice League, the latter in the most recent issue of Justice League United.  As villains become the new cool characters, it is not surprising to see some join the ranks of the superheroes.

To read the list of the strangest members of the League is partially a way to read the trends which have defined the medium of comics since the team’s inception.  There have been characters that have been stunts, or put in place to take advantage of what was happening in popular culture.  The team usually goes back to the main seven, but it is interesting to note that they are not always there, and sometimes some odd choices are made.