NEMESIS: ROGUES GALLERY #5, by Dark Horse Comics on 1/8/25, concludes with Nemesis heading to the “other” Epstein Island to pull off the mother of all heists.
Credits:
- Writer: Mark Millar
- Artist: Valerio Giangiordano
- Colorist: Lee Loughridge
- Letterer: Clem Robins
- Cover Artist: Valerio Giangiordano
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: January 8, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (gore, language)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 22
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of NEMESIS: ROGUES GALLERY #5:
Recap:
When last we left the Dastardly Duo of Nemesis and Rookie in Nemesis: Rogues Gallery #4, their plan to steal a precious jewel went sideways when another thief robbed the gala disguised as Nemesis to cover his tracks. Meanwhile, the mercenaries hunting Nemesis crashed the party for a three-way brawl. The issue ended with Nemesis and Rookie making an Earth-shaking escape and the revelation that the mercenaries were formed by Nemesis’s former Rookie.
Plot Analysis:
Nemesis: Rogues Gallery #5 begins with Nemesis, disguised as the wealthy executive Albrecht, paying a hefty 8-figure fee for lifetime membership to become a VIP on the “other” Epstein Island. Nemesis narrates his adventure, explaining there are many such islands all over the world where the rich and famous elites go to indulge their darkest impulses. What’s the plan? He’s going to rob all the billionaires in attendance blind.
The island’s overseer, Zigo, gives Nemesis an intimate tour to show him all the carnal delights one could possibly imagine. When Zigo takes Nemesis to a private cabin where the most depraved animalistic delights await, Copeland, the island’s security manager, eagerly trains all video feeds on Nemesis to capture blackmail-worthy material.
Suddenly, Copeland’s feeds go dead. He sends his security detail to investigate, and they soon find Zigo tied to a chair with Nemesis, back in his white costume, pointing a gun at Zigo’s head. Nemesis demands every wealthy elite present transmit half of their wealth to Nemesis crypto wallets or the villain will detonate a series of bombs placed around the island.
Nemesis’s plans go off without a hitch… until Sang and his Nemesis Revenge Squad sneaks onto the island and attacks Nemesis, quickly overpowering him. Sang believes he has the upper hand, but the momentum changes when Nemesis sends a signal to Rookie to show the hacked recordings of all the elites engaging in the worst behavior with ta threat to release the feeds to the world if they don’t kill Sang.
The issue ends with Sang learning he’s still a Rookie, Nemesis taking on a new but familiar identity (if you use Twitter/X), and the new Rookie learning that sacrifices must be made for the sake of business.
First Impressions:
It’s fair to say that nobody does a better job of making the villain fun. Writer Mark Millar sends readers on a rollercoaster of action that ties up this latest adventure in a neat little bow AND reminds readers that Nemesis is truly a despicable villain.
Artwork and Presentation:
Valerio Gaingiordano gets readers as close to X-rated as possible without going there when Nemesis visits an island with all the depraved sin and debauchery you could imagine. Coupled with a last act that’s a wild, bloody action-fest, Giangiordano pulls you into the seedy, gritty action with grounded, pulpy visuals.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Mark Millar wraps up the latest volume in the Nemesis saga by elevating Nemesis as a world-class villain whose aspirations have climbed even higher. Surprisingly, Millar somehow manages Nemesis’s villainy to do some good in the world. That’s an impressive trick, no matter how you slice it.
The Negatives:
If it wasn’t obvious, Nemesis escapes his hunters, but the titular character manages to weasel out of his capture by thinking so many steps ahead that it’s almost too hard to believe. Yes, Nemesis is a master at planning and improvisation, so his escape tracks, but you have to choose to suspend a little disbelief.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Will Nemesis return? Yes. Nemesis spells out his intentions in the final scene. His time in the hospital gave him the space to concoct a world-dominating plan that nobody would see coming. Keep an eye out for the release announcement of Nemesis: Forever in the near future.
Final Thoughts:
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NEMESIS: ROGUES GALLERY #5 ends the arc by reminding readers there is no trap Nemesis can’t escape, and as soon as you start to like him, he reminds you he IS the world’s greatest villain. Mark Millar’s capper is an entertaining blend of action, depravity, and surprises, and Valerio Giangiordano’s grimy, grounded art strikes a perfect chord.
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