Final Crisis Review – “Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge”

Due to a glitch in my PVR, the “Smallville” review will have to be postponed until I catch a later broadcast, possibly Saturday’s. In the meantime, here’s a Final Crisis review.

General Information

Title: Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge

Author: Geoff Johns

Illustrator(s): Scot Kolins (artist) and Dave McCaig (colourist)

Cover Date: September – November 2008

Cover Price: $3.99US/Can each issue

Premise

Following the death of Kid Flash, the Rogues have decided to turn in their gear and retire. Libra’s not on board with that plan, and sets up a situation which will make that retirement very difficult.

High Point

Dealing with the New Rogues.

Low Point

The rather calm encounter with Libra. After all he’d put them through, that’s how they react?

The Scores

This is original, but in terms of the setup, and in terms of how it compares to the other tie-ins. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is very gritty. Honestly, I found it quite off-putting when I first read issue 1, but when I reread the complete series today, I found it had grown on me and I started to enjoy it. The style has an odd mesh of highly detailed images at the forefront, but a surprising lack of detail in some of the backgrounds. (Entire faces often disappear, for example.) I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is well written, revealing aspects of Libra’s plan not seen in the main event, while telling a useful story for the rogues themselves. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization of the Rogues is very well done, revealing a lot about their motivations and views of the world. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is quite good. The only issues of The Flash I’ve read are in the Showcase Presents volumes, when these characters were shown in a very different light, and this was very enjoyable. It convinced me to pick up some of Johns’ work on the title in trade paperback form, but I haven’t had time to read them yet. This really lays out the world and their interactions with it quite nicely. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is nice, with everything holding together nicely in a relatively short span of time. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, this is an enjoyable miniseries, moreso than the main series. (It’s certainly easier to follow at this point.) If you are a fan of the Flash, or are tempted to give the title a try, this is a good place to start. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge receives 34 out of 42.

Final Crisis Checklist

  • DC Universe #0
  • Final Crisis #1-2, 3, 4: October 22, 5: November 26, 6: December 31, 7: ??, complete series: ??
  • Final Crisis: Requiem
  • DC Universe: Last Will and Testament
  • Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge #1-3
  • Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #1-5: ??
  • Final Crisis: Revelations #1-5: December 31
  • Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2: ??
  • Final Crisis: Submit: October 22
  • Final Crisis: Resist: November 5
  • Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns: October 29
  • Final Crisis: Secret Files: December 24