You’d think after all this time I would figure out a Grant Morrison comic by now? But no, I get frustrated every time a new comic comes out by him. Not just because of the constant delays of this series, but with his very confusing writing. But that seems to have gone all behind me know because I really enjoyed this issue.

Now I think the pacing of this is pretty fast if I may say. We got from set piece to set piece quickly and it certainly feels like he had to rush to get to the conclusion. Hell the introduction of ‘The Hood’ (no not that one) feels like an afterthought as all parties go into the lair of Dr. Dedalus. It’s an exciting issue with a lot of fighting going down and some mysterious semi-solved along the way. I’m intrigued to learn more about Dedalus and the Leviathan group that seems to be the big baddies. Again with all the fun though, the pacing just didn’t feel right for me. The ending is certainly weird because we get a random look at a Bat-man from Africa. I’m sure it’s going to be important for the next issue, but it feels like Morrison took the first couple of pages from the next issue and put it here.

The art by Yanick Paquette is certainly a lot better here. Maybe it’s because he’s had more time then he should have to finish it, but there’s some good stuff here. Whether it’s the Scorpiana/Kate Kane fight or Batman confronting Dedalus he handles it all pretty well. I certainly like how he takes a ‘J.H.Williams III’ approach to drawing Batwoman. The inking and coloring is still a problem for me. Too many thick lines around everything and the color is just too flat for my tastes. I’m not sure if this is Paquette’s and Lacombe’s last issue but in the end I am glad we’re getting different artists the next few issues.

So like an abused spouse I am back on board the person I love. Maybe it’s just that Morrison handles fight sequences like a pro or maybe it’s because Paquette’s art is just good enough for me to enjoy it. Whatever the case is I hope this is the start of the book coming back into top form, or at least issue #1 quality. Because I want to love this series, but it doesn’t feel like Morrison has the same idea.