The Project

After the death of the second Flash, many of his enemies lost interest in crime. Without the thrill of battling the champion of Central City, they turned their energies toward more profitable pursuits. In particular James Jesse, the original Trickster, followed a stint as a special effects designer with a job at the F.B.I. After an encounter with the fugitive Pied Piper and semi-heroic Heat Wave, Jesse proposed a project: reformed Rogues, working together to become heroes.

The group picked up one more member: Magenta, whose time as a villain stemmed from a combination of psychological problems and brainwashing. The F.B.I. wanted them to take down the Rogues—the clearest example of an organized super-villain group.

Unfortunately, most of the Rogues who had gone straight had done so because the Top had adjusted their minds. On their first mission, as they battled the remaining Rogues, the Top returned and removed his “programming,” restoring their original personalities. Trickster and Heat Wave rejoined the Rogues. Piper appears to have been restored by regaining his memories of his friendship with Wally. Magenta’s status is unknown. She had never been altered by the Top in the first place, and by the time he arrived, she was out of the battle.

• Appearances

Significant Appearances

• Flash #190 (November 2002): “Rat Race,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #208 (May 2004): “The Red Carpet,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #210 (July 2004): “Reconnected,” Geoff Johns (cameo)
• Flash #214–216 (November 2004–January 2005): “The Secret of Barry Allen,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #217 (February 2005): “Post-Crisis,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #218 (March 2005): “Rogue Profile: Heat Wave,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #½ (2005): “Rogue Wars Prologue: Tricksters,” Geoff Johns
• Flash #220–225 (May–October 2005): “Rogue War,” Geoff Johns

Notes

There was no official name for this group, but “The Project” seems to fit.

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