It's the end of the first volume and things are out in the open and starting to make some sense. I'll be honest with you. I haven't written about this book at all for the first seven issues, even though Ellis is my favorite working writer. My reason? I don't think I'm smart enough to really comment critically on what's come so far.

This is a dense, complex book that I want to reread from the beginning. I've enjoyed it, but there have been times when I've been a little lost. And I haven't been accessing the wiki for the book, either, so there's something that would probably be helping me along. But I haven't. I don't know why. Just lazy, I guess.

This issue, however, the final chapter of the first story arc, seems to be made just for readers like me. This is where Doktor Sleepless lays it all out and explains just exactly what he's doing. And it's freaking awesome.

Ellis manages to play with the stereotypes of the "mad scientist" and make Doktor Sleepless a sympathetic villain. What's that? You thought he was the hero? No. He's the villain.

Sort of.

I guess he's also kind of the hero, if you think destroying the world in order to save it is heroic. Oh yeah. The mystery behind the disappearance of his parents when he was five is explained as plainly as possible, as well as the connection between that event and the book, The Darkening Sky. And there are Lovecraftian Elder Gods involved. Say no more.

I think this was hinted at earlier in the series, but this issue, the good Doktor is quite explicit about what happened that night.

The book is essentially one long dialogue between Doktor Sleepless and his ex-girlfriend, Sing. As such, some readers might find it a bit too much talk and not enough action for their tastes. Well, those readers would be wrong. This is exactly what this book needed before moving into its second phase. This issue serves to focus everything and set up what's to come.

Rodriguez' art continues to be clean and easy to follow; controlled and realistic. For the most part, it serves the story well, although it does tend to be a little less effective when the eldritch elements begin seeping in. It's not ineffective, but I always prefer a little more indistinctness with my Lovecraftian higher powers.

So, essentially, if you've been reading this, you're probably going to get it no matter what. If you're waiting for the trade, this signals its imminent arrival. If you've got access to the issues and weren't sure whether to get them or not, or if you stopped reading somewhere along the way, I can't recommend them highly enough.

This is the good stuff right here.

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