Artists Fernando Blanco (pencils & inks) and Romulo Fajardo Jr (colors) alternate between frenetically bananas action sequences (Midnighter's two-page spread of pirate decimation was an absolute treasure), peaceful moments (the intimate time between the eponymous heroes), and spooky shit (any time you see main villain Henry ****ing Bendix).

And yes, it's Bendix returning to rain on the lovebirds' parade, and he's cooking up a doozy: there's a sequence of panels where he's trying to recruit a DC villain with supernatural powers to take on Midnighter, and then he finally finds the right magical assholes to put his plan into action. What's that plan, and how is it tied to the climactic end of the book? You'll just have to see for yourselves, but know that this is going to be a crazy-fun book.

Having ACO doing the covers and Orlando telling the story is a comforting notion for those who were extremely disappointed when Midnighter got the ax, and so far this story continues every bit of snark and violence that made the book so much fun. Now we get to see more about Midnighter as part of a loving couple, we get to see him unlock his emotions and dismantle any threat to him or his boyfriend. And it's all fast-paced and insane. God, I loved this book.

10 out of 10 Half-beards (or 5 out of 5 Full-beards)