This issue, Gail Simone finally . . after all these years . . tries to explain just why there's so much crazy stuff that goes on in Ivy Town. Apparently it all goes back to Chronos. After all his defeat and humiliation at the hands of Ray Palmer, he decided to fill the town with people from all across time, with the sole purpose of . . . "They're here to be Ray's conscious. They're here to die." The Dean is also one of his henchmen. This issue starts out with the Dean holding a letter-opener over the body of the, literally, pinned down Ryan. He has the Black Mercy flower on him and he's in that dream state where his every wish comes true. But Chronos makes the mistake of going in to antagonize him. But all it really does is further Ryan's resolve. And gives him a revelation. "Ray Palmer didn't beat you with his super-powers. He beat you because he was a genius. Which you sir, are definitely not. In fact, I'd say you're a bit of a chump for a time lord and all. This hybrid flower? The actual flower is meant to give you what you most desire, what you can't bear to give up. All you dreams. And it's good. It's really good. Except . . . all of my dreams are out there. Friends. Students. Being a hero. Being a teacher. And it turns out, that's really all I need." And with that, and the help of the ancient sewer dwelling cancer god that lives under Ivy Town, Ryan defeats Chronos and the Dean. Although, I think the Dean is still around. And Ryan goes back to being the teacher that he loves to be. This series, in my eyes, has really come a long way. I really like the way Gail Simone is handling it. And Mike Norton has really come a long way as a penciller. So I guess he's going to for-go his League membership, so he can focus on the town that needs him so much.
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