As we get farther and farther into this storyline, we see that this really is all about the Milestone characters. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I'm not really sure which just yet, I never really followed that line of characters, or books. So I have no preconceived notions of who or what they are. As I'm sure is the same with most of the rest of the readers. I mean, obviously the line was cancelled for a reason. Not enough interest or lack of readers was I'm sure principal among them. Anyways, the Justice League is thoroughly enmeshed into their world with this issue. Dr Light jumped into Starbreakers warp last issue, only to find herself immersed in darkness. But she soon discovers that she's actually in his dark-matter field. It's what he uses to transport from place to place as it's " . . a finite piece of nothingness that happens to touch every point in infinity." With that realization, she then uses it to follow him. The strength of the dark-matter also seems to be what gives Starbreaker his power. Well, that and eating the suns of the systems that he finds himself in. Which begs the question, why hasn't he attempted to do so here, yet? Our rag-tag team here quickly hooks up with Hardware, and they find themselves going to try to help Dr Light. After following Starbreaker, she is at the Shadow Cabinet's secret headquarters in the Himalayas. When they get there they find out that Starbreaker has taken down most of the Cabinet already and is currently fighting Icon to a standstill. While they're ready for a fight, Dr Light begs them to aid Dharma, the Cabinet's leader, whom Starbreaker has just tried to kill by slashing his neck. Icon quickly tells them . . "Your help may be too late . . Starbreaker just killed the man who was holding the universe together." We see 2 earths floating over Dharma's body . . intertwined. I assume they represent the DC Universe and the Milestone Universe. Which, I also assume, is how they're going to become enmeshed into one. All of this was very interesting, and actually kept my interest this issue, but . . to me the important part of the story was when Anansi, the god in Mari's totem, brought forth Paladin. While in the Shadow Cabinets hide-out, Anansi contacts her. "Normally, except through you, I have no influence outside of the Tantu Totem. But this place overflows with power. So, tapping that power, spider spins his web . . . if necessary, he will do what must be done.", and Paladin comes walking out of her dream. He's a cowboy looking dude. But, what really gets me, and Mari and Zatanna, is how much he looks exactly like . . Bruce. He may not be him. Maybe his appearance is just coincidentally that striking, but . . underneath his 'cowboy' leathers it appears that he's wearing Batman's tunic. We can see the emblem underneath the open part of his coat. Maybe Anansi created him out of an amalgamation of references. This issue we don't know anything . . other than . . he's here to help. That and, I assume, be an extension . . the physical manifestation, of Anansi's power and purpose. Overall though, it turned out to be a very interesting issue. The kind of issue that leaves you wanting more. So in that respect, Dwayne McDuffie accomplished what, as a writer, he set out to do. I really liked the story this issue. Rags Morales steps in for the pencils on this one. Personally, I think Rags is a greatly underrated, and under-appreciated talent. I think he does a fantastic job. But, I've said that before. This issue was a fantastic effort by all involved.
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