This stands out as the best issue of this series in some time, and it stems from not only a great character study but from the wonderfully moody artwork of Peter (Batman: Detective No. 27, JSA) Snejbjerg. Johns's proclivity for referencing past continuity without supplying some exposition for new readers isn't nearly as pronounced here, and he makes a psychological obsession that's practically unimaginable seem far more understandable and sad. These Rogue Profiles always seem to add something fresh and new to each one of these classic villains, and this one is no exception. Not only is this a strong, character-based issue, but it's got me even more excited about the upcoming "Rogue War" story arc.
Heat Wave is one of the former Flash's Rogues Gallery villains who's now working with James Jesse, the original Trickster, on a special FBI task force dedicated to taking down the Rogues who are still criminals. As the fire-gimmick former thief makes his way back to Keystone City to take down Murmur in the midst of his latest killing spree, he thinks back on the events and the obsessions that led him to this point in his life. Everyone thought he was a thief who reformed, but the truth is much darker and more unfortunate than most people suspect.
Snejbjerg's figures are a little stiff in the opening sequence, but his usual style takes hold soon after. The artist's shadowy style and wide-eyed characters suits darkly psychological tone of the story. There's an unusual mix of an almost cartoony, simple style combined with an intriguing and eerie kind of detail that makes his work appealing. Given the prominence of fire as a plot and character element, James Sinclair's colors are more important than ever here. I love how he bathes the characters in the yellow glow of searing flame.
Johns provides just about everything one needs to know to follow along with this story. Heat Wave isn't that well-realized a character, standing out as one of the more underused of the Rogues Gallery. Johns is able to do more with him as a result. The one element from his past that's touched upon briefly is his stay in Hell (due to the events of Underworld Unleashed) a few years ago. He refers to having seen Hell, but newer readers are left high and dry, with no direct clue that he's being literal.
What really won me over here was how Johns made the notion of pyromania something I could understand and to which I could almost relate. It really comes off as a sickness, but there's still a sinister quality to it in that Heat Wave knows he's not in complete control of it even today and does nothing to rectify the situation. Johns separates him from heroes nicely that way, but he remains the protagonist here. 8/10
