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Nemesis Rogues' Gallery #2
Comic Book

Dark Horse Comics review 8/28/24 – Nemesis Rogues’ Gallery #2

Jeffrey Lyles , , ,

Nemesis Rogues’ Gallery #2 finds writer Mark Millar more focused on a very intriguing story beyond Nemesis indiscriminately maiming and killing anyone in his way.

With the return of the superheroes, Nemesis figures even he might need a helping hand in particularly sticky situations. And what better way to do that than by a team-up? Particularly with a sidekick? Nemesis is clearly the worst bad influence in the Millarworld. He’s hardly a role model unless said sidekick aspired to be a junior psychopath as well.

Enter Pedro Hernandez, a juvie on a fast track to nowhere. Nemesis decides for some reason likely to be revealed later on that Pedro would make for an ideal sidekick candidate. Vote for Pedro!

After testing his potential sidekick, Nemesis fully welcomes Pedro into the crime-committing business. And not too surprisingly the kid is a natural. Millar gets in a fun homage to Batman swearing in Dick Grayson to be his sidekick in case the Nemesis/Batman analogy was missed before.

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Seeing Nemesis have some level of attachment and investment in someone else opens up some potent story angles in this arc or in the future. Nemesis has always been a character Millar wrote with nothing to lose. If he actually takes on that full mentor role and starts to care about Pedro, could that become a previously undiscovered weakness?

This was an interesting angle for Nemesis Rogues’ Gallery #2, but what continues to make Rogues Gallery so intriguing is the forces teaming up to stop him. Family and friends of Nemesis’ victims have gotten hold of tech that could even the odds and actually could pose a threat to beat him. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for Nemesis to have an archrival that survives past this arc.

Artist Valerio Giangiordano has a style that is absolutely perfect for Nemesis. The harsher details and more photorealistic character models make Nemesis’ world feel more authentic and less superhero fantasy than ever. Millar has started collaborating with the same artists from one volume to the next. Giangiordano really seems like another artist Millar should lock up long-term to draw future installments of Nemesis.

Colorist Lee Loughridge’s work is always tailored so smoothly for seedier, darker characters. Even ones where the main character runs around in a white bodysuit and cape. Letterer Clem Robins ensures the sound effects and dialogues are easy to read and creatively placed.

Nemesis Rogues’ Gallery #2 keeps this enticing arc rolling with some fun developments that sets Nemesis and his new partner for a clash with more than cannon fodder.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: Dark Horse Comics

Check out these other Millarworld titles as the series resume at Dark Horse Comics:

Enjoyed Nemesis Rogues’ Gallery #2? Check out Nemesis Reloaded trade paperback on Amazon.

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