(No Spoilers)

This was another solid issue by Edginton and Fernandez.  This issue is proof that the shorter page count (due to the backup stories) shouldn’t be a problem.  I felt I got a good concise story with plenty of character and action moments.  I didn’t feel cheated at all.  It’s an interesting dilemma they’ve set up with Fuji.  It’s been done in a way that it’s very hard to see where this is going but that’s what makes it exciting.  And Fuji’s situation is also allowing more of Jackson King’s “dark side” to show through as he continues to make questionable decisions which he believes are for the greater good.  There were also lots of great moments in this issue.  I loved the story with Team Omega (Deathblow, Flint, and Fahrenheit) heading down to the planet to rescue the operative.  It’s hard to discuss it and not give away too much, but let’s just say we’re getting more interconnection with the Wildstorm titles by the appearance of a certain character from Deathblow’s past.  And it is this character who reveals yet another group intent on taking over Earth now that it’s in ruins (something I’ll cover more in the backup story review).  It’s sad that this title is going bi-monthly.  This has been such a solid book from the beginning of World’s End but it also seems to be the one getting the least attention.     

Overall, I’d have to say the Defile backup story has been my least favorite so far.  Ben Oliver’s art is great but there were a lot of times I couldn’t tell what was going on.  The story does set up something big though.  Again, without spoiling anything we have another group looking to take advantage of Earth’s weakened state.  This seems to be the theme starting to come together in World’s End overall.  Which makes sense because each group that wants the Earth has their own reasons and some have been wanting Earth even before World’s End, so they see this as an opportunity.  It is a great setup for the “something big” that Wildstorm is working towards in December.

Synopsis:

http://wildstormresource.wetpaint.com/page/StormWatch+PHD+%2320