Next issue, we are left with only a mere tease: "Next Month...Time-Bending Adventures!!!" - Well that, and the promise of some of the best cartoon art, comedic stories and times for ADVENTURE ever!

As a side note, after seeing the Avengers movie, this story line seems very familiar. It is not that the cast of characters on the "hero side" is the same - it is the whole feel of "orchestrated chaos" that links the movie and this book together. You will know exactly what I mean when you hit the last page. All that said, if you loved the movie ending, you will love this issue's ending. Promise.

I realize that every review I write for this series simply praises the great work of John and Rob. Can you blame me? Just the fact that everything lines up perfectly from one year ago (and change) to now, proves how well planned this series actually is. Planning like this deserves praise.

The "Gallery" at the back is well worth the price of admission as well. It just goes to show you, POYO transcends all artistic boundaries!

With a bit more forgotten than remembered, this parable of good vs. evil in a time long ago, provided us with much needed insight on the Shade, his kin, and who has been keeping the skeletons company in the labyrinth of family closets... We need all the background we can get, as there are only four issues left... up next, "Of London now and of Egypt old" as we edge ever closer to the promised origin of the Shade and conclusion to this amazing series!

While at times these issues have quite a bit of dialog (which some people feel slows the story down - no complaints here BTW), this one has enough action, violence and intrigue to satisfy even the pickiest reader. It also leaves you with a great cliffhanger - one of the best since Issue #1.

Everyone against The Shade feels they know exactly what is going on, that they are in control, and that they have the power. Even the reader is taken along on this ride - continually left with that familiar "How will The Shade get himself out of this one?" feeling. When, in fact, the only one who really has any semblance of control is our favorite Master of Darkness - that is until everything erupts and his plans have to change slightly...

The final page is as somber as it is perfect. We see an end of a story, told from the very beginning by both The Shade and James alike. The story, perfectly packaged and delivered, as a tale of prevailing heroism, wrought with regret, despair and human frailty.

As always, whenever the second story's arc ends, I always wonder what the next story will bring... for this, we are left with only two words, the teaser, "Bat Lash!". What does this mean? Which characters will be highlighted? Until next time, with Issue #10, where we find what's next for Jonah, Tallulah and the second story of this very All-Star Western masterpiece!

As a side note, the cover for this issue is awesome. In fact, many of the covers for this series have been great (with some exceptions). The next cover, from the preview, "Stay Angry", with the Punisher looks fantastic too. I am definitely looking forward to where this series goes, especially with what happened and was revealed in this issue.

There were some really nice battle scenes between the Avengers and the Badoon. I will not spoil the surprise that Tony had in store for the climax of that battle, but suffice to say, it was clever and refreshingly unique.

I want to extend my condolences to the Blick family. It was a very heartfelt and personal story to share with everyone. I have to admit, it made me tear up. I wish all the best to the family in this difficult time.

Finally, I have to say that I quite enjoyed the ""twist"" at the end. I was not expecting it. I was also not expecting the mental state of Banner throughout this entire part of the story - really surprising, given how this entire series started out.

I knew this issue was going to be interesting. The whole mini-series has been interesting. You do have to be in a very specific state of mind to read and consume the work though" it is not something you can read distracted. It is madness. It portrays madness. It is madness.

To say that Image has been cranking out really great comics lately is the understatement of the year. I have even said, that if I had to drop all but one publisher, I would likely choose Image. They publish my favorite comics of all time: Chew, Creator-Owned Heroes, Saga, Fatale, Manhattan Projects" oh, and those all-time fan favorites: Walking Dead and Invincible. Seriously. They have and continue to knock it out of the park. I believe Revival has the potential to fit in with these greats.

The last page ends nearly a year of storytelling for The Shade, and sets up his final story for the maxi-series, his origin. Now this, this is what we have been waiting for!

Check out my 3-minute Audio Review of this issue here @stacksofcomics: http://stacksofcomics.tumblr.com/post/22913941725/marvel-zombies-destroy-issue-1-of-5-point-episode-review

The only real reasons to pick this up would be for collection completion aspects, and to see if I am as nuts as Jason Aaron. I would love to know the truth about this series - why is it a joke? Why does it go from great to cheesy in a blink of an eye?