Rogue Sun #31: College Trip Shenanigans

Rogue Sun is at its best when it remembers that Dylan is still a teenager with all the self-absorbed priorities that most teenagers have. This is exactly what happens in Rogue Sun #31 as Dylan takes a college trip, leaving Aurie behind to tend to all matters Rogue Sun.

Aurie and Dylan’s dynamic continues to add a fresh flavor to the series as is seen in Rogue Sun #31. In many ways, the relationship boils down to Aurie reading to the manual and Dylan improvising. But it goes beyond that with Aurie prioritizing Rogue Sun more than Dylan does. These two characters allow Parrott and Cotton to explore two versions of the teenage superhero dynamic. Oftentimes teenage superheroes manage to put aside the being a teenager part in favor of the larger responsibility of being a hero. Rogue Sun has never done that with Dylan. So now, thanks to the advancement of Aurie as a Rogue Sun, the series is able to do both and contrast them in real time.

The Dylan college trip sequence has its fair share of shenanigans and irresponsibility. In short, it is exactly the kind of college trip readers would expect for Dylan. In this case he brings along Vanessa and Byron, getting them caught up in his whirlwind. When the sequence begins, it feels like just one more self-centered Dylan screw-up. These can be both charming and not the greatest look for the character. This one takes on added meaning, though, when it actually turns into a teachable moment and a genuine opportunity for the character to grow.

Parrott and Cotton leave the question of whether that growth will stick very open ended. But if it does, it represents another small step Dylan is taking from being a teenager to eventually being a young man. A large part of why Rogue Sun works is because it tracks Dylan’s growth as a person alongside his growth as a hero, often intertwining them. Rogue Sun #31 is another great step in that direction.

Despite the shenanigans and irresponsibility, the college trip story arc is relatively low key. A lot of the dialogue is expression dependent. Verbal rebukes from Vanessa could be light hearted and playful or stern and authoritative. The art team’s ability to convey emotion via expression is key. Indeed, with the kind of emotional range common to teenagers, it’s been critical throughout the series.

Abel and Frenda don’t drop the ball in this respect  in Rogue Sun #31. That teachable opportunity Dylan encounters late in the issue is helped along considerably by Vanessa’s, Byron’s, and Dylan’s expressions. These are always subtle. Shading to accentuate features is usually accomplished by barely visible lines. Much of the emotion is translated through a character’s eyes. A change in shape can convey a radical mood change. This is especially true for Dylan who Abdel and Frenda can depict as sullen at the drop of a hat. The critical scene that happens at the end of Dylan’s sequence wouldn’t work if the art team didn’t have his underlying emotions down pat.

Dylan’s orange/red hair is usually a standout on any page and in any panel he appears. If the panel is bright because it’s the middle of the day, Dylan’s hair is just a touch brighter. If it’s nighttime, Dylan’s hair has a greater immunity to the darkness and shadow than everyone else. Certainly it’s an attention getter. In the final college trip scene in Rogue Sun #31, the repeatedly referred to teachable opportunity, Dylan’s hair, its relative brightness and high contrast, is a perfect way to keep the scene centered on his character. Other things are going on, but the moment is entirely about Dylan.

Carey picks just the right color green for the puking sound effect that makes its appearance late in the issue. She also uses it effectively to split up dialogue bubbles as Byron vomits more than once. It’s a fun touch.