In this issue we got glimpses of Slade's background as he deals with his sons Grant and Joseph (aka Ravager and Jericho for long-time readers) on a camping trip, as well as his current mission taking money from a bloodthirsty general to annihilate all who oppose him. We can thank supremely underrated writer Christopher Priest for a tight story and frenetic pace in this book - each scene is integral to the overall story, moving the narrative along while giving the reader only what they need to know at this point.

Priest's handling of Slade also shows him as the ruthless killing machine whose morals are his very own: whether it's his harsh dealings with his son Grant (who he dragged along on a camping trip against his will) or with how he coldly addresses the fearful pleadings of the members of Jazaki's crew, this Slade is a man beholden to absolutely no one.

The art in this one-shot was done by Carlo Pagulayan, and he gives the reader quite a treat - while his art is tight & clean (thanks to sublime inks by Jason Paz) it is not too busy. He treats Wade very well, as a person who is cavalier when he's not getting paid, but a whirlwind of chaos and knives when he's on the clock. The colors, handled deftly by Jeremy Cox, convey background aesthetics extremely well. He takes such care in establishing the setting, finding the right tone to elicit the right feeling.

And the Stephen Platt cover? LURVE IT.