Editor's Desk 
Rogue Sun thrives on family dynamics. The entire series is built on the concept of protagonist Dylan Siegel learning that his estranged father, Marcus Bell, was the superhero known as Rogue Sun; further complicating matters is the revelation that Dylan’s mother Gwen was the villain who murdered Marcus and Dylan eventually forming a bond with Marcus’ biological family. I bring this up because Rogue Sun #35 features what might be the series’ most emotionally devastating moment yet, and it once again ties back to Dylan’s family.
Throughout the issue, writers Ryan Parrott and Nick Cotton don’t shy away from the issue of family, particularly when it comes to Dylan’s long-recurring enemy Hellbent. Hellbent blames Dylan for his father’s death, and has taken steps to make him suffer, including killing his best friend. By the end of Rogue Sun #35, he’s succeeded yet again, leading Dylan to make a desperate choice. It’s a completely unexpected turn of events, but it cuts through Dylan’s snark and bravado and shows deep down just how much he cares about his family.
Parrott and Cotton take the same approach with Dylan’s half-sister Aurie, who’s become the new Rogue Sun. While Dylan is fighting to free his friend Bryon from being Hellbent’s latest victim, Aurie is determined to make Gwen pay for murdering her father. This leads to one of the most interesting bits of dialogue in the issue, where Gwen tells Aurie: “Being a superhero isn’t like asking for a pony on your sweet sixteen. You can’t want it simply because someone finally told you no.” It raises an eyebrow and a few questions: did Aurie truly want to be Rogue Sun because she thought she could do a good job, or is it resentment that Marcus chose Dylan over her? The answers should fuel future issues and more of the strange family dynamics between the Bells and Dylan.
Rogue Sun #35 also features what might be some of Abel’s best work, as the entire issue is dedicated to the fight between Dylan, Aurie, Gwen, and Hellbent. Flaming swords and chains cut through the air. Bodies slam into the ground with enough impact to crack stone and snap spines. But where Abel really excels is in displaying emotion. A key moment features Dylan screaming in horror, with his face visible through his Rogue Sun helmet. You’ll be able to see the heartbreak, the rage, and the grief pouring through him, all from one single facial expression.
If that wasn’t enough, Natalia Marques brings some great color work to the table. Though the majority of the issue takes place within a warehouse, she lights it up with plenty of reddish orange flame, glowing green energy, and the different hues that each combatant is wearing. Those hues also provide great contrast, based on who’s fighting who; Hellbent’s ragged cloak and armor is a direct parallel to Dylan’s jet black Rogue Sun armor. The same goes for his word balloons, which Becca Carey gives the texture of jagged glass.
Rogue Sun #35 delivers what might be its best issue yet, as it features a major status quo change that ties into the series’ key themes. While Rogue Sun is going on a hiatus until 2027, it’s primed to deliver some truly great stories when it returns.
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