After a somewhat lackluster second arc, Brubaker is back on his game for Fatale #11. As the blurb for this issue states, this is the “first of four standalone… issues” and I have to say that it has got me extremely optimistic for the next three. The issue reads closer to an issue of Criminal in the hard-boiled nature of the dialog but still is able to keep the gothic/supernatural tone that Brubaker has built up throughout the serious. Combine this second wind in writing with the fact that this issue contains a full beginning middle and end that come naturally with perfect pacing that does not feel forced, and you get an issue that brings this series out of it’s sophomore slump. The art is excellent as always and shows that Phillips is more than capable for these upcoming, time jumping, one-shots. If you dropped of this series because of the last arc or if you are looking for a new series to jump onto, Fatale #11 is a great issue to pick up.