We Don't Commit Crimes, We Are Crime

Do you remember being a kid? Hanging out with your friends, playing outside and making up adventures. Maybe you were the kind of kids who made a club. Club oaths, secret bases, "No Girls Allowed" signs hanging off a bedroom door handle, real Goonies type of stuff. These days there are clubs for almost anything, car clubs, golf clubs, you name it. But lurking within the confides of DC Comics, there's a club of individuals who only have one interest: Crime! These men and women have formed a gang to overpower any law enforcement. They are The Rogues.

Debuting in 1963, The Rogues are a band of super-criminals and enemies of The Flash. While there have been many men to be The Flash, The Rogues have remained a staple threat to the character. While other super-villain teams are secretive organizations fighting for world domination, The Rogues are a bit more basic as they have a set of rules and regulations. They can be considered the uptight country club of villainous comrades, as those who wish to join The Rogues must prove how capable they are at committing crimes. Members of The Rogues usually do not commit crimes alone and must allow the team's involvement, simultaneously should a Rogue be harmed or killed, his/her fellow Rogues are obligated to avenge them. A Rogues cannot take the identity of a fallen Rogue and should someone outside the team try to inherit a fallen Rogue's identity they are not automatically allowed to take said Rogue's place on the team. This team is well-known for their more traditional brand of crime as they commit petty robberies and vandalizations while wearing colorfully-clad costumes, using diverse superpowers and bearing thematic codenames. They're usually led by the criminal Leonard Snart AKA Captain Cold who established rules like no killing, no leaving a Rogue behind and working together as a unit. The rotation varies, but staple members include flamboyant villains like Heat Wave, Golden Glider, Weather Wizard, The Trickster, The Top, Pied Piper, Mirror Master and Captain Boomerang. Yeah, that last guy gets around. Because of their rules and code of conduct, most Rogues actually have a sense of honor and mutual respect for The Flash. To them, crime is just a job and heroes are part of it. Much like The Flash is a policemen who's powers enhanced his desire to fight injustice, The Rogues are criminals who use their powers to fuel injustice.

The Rogues show an uncommon factor among antagonists. Despite being criminals, The Rogues have often protected their home city and The Flash from outside threats, showing they are protective over their territory. They are villains who may be considered respectable and admirable for their commitment towards their craft. While Batman has his psychos, and Superman has his aliens, The Flash has honest, hard working people who live for their work. Their work just happens to involve tights. Thanks for reading!