Dark Knights Death Metal #1 Review

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Batman, Batman Who Laughs, Dark Knight Death Metal #1, Dark Knights Death Metal, Dark Knights Death Metal #1 review, DC Comics, Greg Capullo, Joker, Justice League, Metal, NCBD, Scott Snyder, Sjuperman, Wonder Woman

Dark Knights Death Metal #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

DC Comics major, world changing event of the year kicks off in Dark Knights Death Metal #1, reuniting the all-star creative team behind Dark Knights: Metal and Batman Last Knight on Earth, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, for an epic encore that is sure to rock your world and the DCU to the core!

Following in the wake of Year of the Villain and Scott Snyder’s run on Justice League, Dark Knights Death Metal #1 plunges us straight into the heart of a dark new DC Universe.  The Earth has been enveloped by the Dark Multiverse, Perpetua is cutting a swathe of carnage across the multiverse, and the Justice League are now almost completely at the mercy of the Batman Who Laughs. Humanity clings on, battling to survive in a hellish, twisted world, while Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman have become separated and continue to fight on against the terrifying horrors of this new reality.

Dark Knights Death Metal #1 rocks right from the outset, quite literally in fact. Scott Snyder weaves an engrossing narrative peppered with intricate exposition that effortlessly draws you into this warped new reality. Wonder Woman is now Queen of the Underworld, the realm which had formally been Themyscira is now a fiery gulag, with cages and pits for those unfortunate enough to have been condemned to its depths by the Batman Who Laughs. Its great to see Diana take centre stage, the banter with her loyal ally — a rather emaciated  Swamp Thing –  is also brilliantly written by Snyder, and the build up to Wonder Woman’s eventual face off with the Batman Who Laughs leaves you in no doubt that Snyder’s firing on all cylinders here. Of course the one, true Dark Knight is waiting in the wings for his moment to strike, and believe me when Batman makes his move everyone sits up and takes notice.

Needless to say artist Greg Capullo brings every aspect of Snyder’s head-banging action-packed script to life in the most amazing ways imaginable. Capullo’s depiction of the Earth, along with its heroes and villains, warped almost beyond all recognition by the Dark Multiverse is an awe inspiring sight. You will find yourself flicking backwards and forwards through the pages as you try and process the sheer scope and scale of everything Capullo has achieved here, together with the inks by Jonathan Glapion and colors by FCO Plascencia, as Wonder Woman challenges a furious dinobot Bat-Rex, Robin’s lurk like grinning gargoyles on the rooftops, the charge of Batman’s undead strike team will blow your mind, and the Batman Who Laughs sinister delight in the chaos he has unleashed is so palpable it almost seeps from the page. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking this all sounds a bit overwhelming, because you’d be right. It is a little. Fear not though, for, if like me you don’t tend to read big comic book events all that often these days, Dark Knights Death Metal #1 does feature an in-depth recap of sorts around the mid-way point, so even if you’ve not read anything leading up to this event, you will be able to jump right in and enjoy it without too much trouble as Snyder has done a superb job in ensuring the big reveal of the new prisoner in the pit provides you with all the backstory you’ll need to bring you up to speed.

Events in Dark Knights Death Metal #1 also build to a thrilling, jaw dropping showdown and cliffhanger that’s so ingeniously orchestrated it will rip your synapses to shreds as it sets the stage for the conflict to come.

The hype and expectation surrounding Death Metal has been phenomenal. Some might argue the Perpetua, Dark Multiverse and Batman Who Laughs storylines have now been milked for all their worth. For me though Dark Knights Death Metal #1 delivers the goods on every level, Snyder and Capullo are on great form, it more than lives up to the hype, and looks set to change the landscape of the DC Universe by the time it concludes next year.

As we begin to take our first cautious steps out of the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown here in the UK its has been nice to enjoy some new comics again. I have to say as well that DC Comics are really knocking it out of the park right now and leading the way with some fantastic new issues and events as the comic book industry begins to restart after the shutdown. Dark Knights Death Metal #1 gets this comic book event off to a fantastic start, and it has all the ingredients that will make it a sure-fire-hit!

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: Scott Snyder / Artist: Greg Capullo

Inks: Jonathan Glapion / Colors: FCO Plascencia / Letters: Tom Napolitano

Cover: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

 

Justice League #30 Review

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DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Justice Doom War, Justice League, Justice League #30, Justice League #30 review, Legion of Doom, Scott Snyder, Year of the Villain

Justice League #30

Review by Paul Bowler.

The Justice / Doom War kicks off big time Justice League #30 as writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV take this sweeping comic book opus to a whole new level. With their arch nemesis Lex Luthor now transformed into a super-powered apex predator powered by the dark entity Perpetua, the Legion of Doom look even closer to defeating the League and succeeding in their goal to bring chaos and destruction to the DC Universe.

With the Year of the Villain now well under way Justice League #30 presents a chilling glimpse of the consequences of Luthor’s scheme if indeed that grim fate should come to pass. Snyder and Tynion collectively bring the far reaching threads of numerous story-arcs together in this issue. Indeed, it is now clear just how much has been set into place to bring everything to this point, the sheer scale and ingenuity of it all is really quite astonishing, and the Justice / Doom War looks set to take things even further – across, space, time and even the Multiverse itself!

Arguably one of the biggest revelations in this run of Justice League has been Snyder’s and Tnyion’s reintroduction of Starman’s character. Now as the core members of the Justice League gather their forces against their impending doom, Starman not only galvanises the heroes into action, his place at the heart of the plot entwines beautifully with the overarching narrative of the mythologies and forces that bind the DC Universe together.

Jorge Jimenez’s art in Justice League #30 easily rises to the occasion to match the high drama of the plot. Utilizing bold, striking page layouts, Jimenez skilfully builds the pace, the characters dramatic poses are beautifully framed, and the sheer scope of the issues grand design is quite simply breathtaking to behold. The colors by Aljandro Sanchez vibrantly complement Jumenez’s art, dazzling the eye with a glorious blend of tone and hues.

Each branch of the issues key storylines has villains plotting to strike while the heroes embark on a daring plan to turn the tide in their favour. Set against this dramatic backdrop, some grave reservations are voiced, and darkness lurks waiting to strike as the issues time-warping cliff-hanger builds to the momentous return of some old favourites…

Justice League #30 crams a hell of a lot in but there’s no denying that the final page is the one that is really this issues big selling point. I won’t spoil it – even though its already been well documented that this issue of Justice League features the return of some much beloved characters – but people who know me know that I’m a big fan of these classic Golden Age characters and needless to say that final page left me with a big silly grin on my face.

For an issue that has so much going on and so many plates spinning in the past, present and future its all the more remarkable that Justice League #30 is also an excellent jumping on point for new readers. If you haven’t been following this version of Justice League, or read Metal, or any of the other tie-in issues from previous events then this issue will quickly bring you up to speed as it sets up some tantalizing possibilities for the future. Most of all though Justice League #30 is one of those joyous issues that makes you punch the air with delight. Providing both a blockbusting opening to the Justice / Doom War and a most welcome return to the classic era of comics, this is indeed one of the finest issues of Justice League that Snyder and Tynion have crafted so far!

Writers: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV

Art: Jorge Jimenez / Colors: Alejandro Sanchez

Letters: Tom Napolitano

Cover: Francis Manapul / Varian Cover: Jay Anaceleto & Romulo Fajaroo JR

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New Justice League Trailer!

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Aquaman, Batman, Ben Affleck, Bruce Wayne, Cyborg, DC Comics, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Justice League, Justice League Comic Con Traler, Justice League movie, Justice League NYCC Trailer, New Justice League Trailer, Steppenwolf, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Zack Snyder

New Justice League trailer!

Warner Bros have released the new Justice League Official Heroes Trailer!

In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash — it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions!

Justice League is directed by Zack Snyder, from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a story by Snyder and Terrio, Justice League stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.

Justice League opens in theaters on November 17, 2017.

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Brand New Justice League Trailer Released At Comic-Con

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Aquaman, Batman, Ben Affleck, Bruce Wayne, Cyborg, DC Comics, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Justice League, Justice League 1st official trailer, Justice League Comic Con Traler, Justice League movie, Justice League sneak peak trailer, New Justice League Trailer, Steppenwolf, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Zack Snyder

Brand New Justice League Trailer Released At Comic-Con

Warner Bros have released a new Justice League trailer at Comic Con International San Diego. The special sneak peak Justice League trailer reveals loads of new footage!

In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash — it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Justice League is directed by Zack Snyder, from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a story by Snyder and Terrio, Justice League stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.

Justice League opens in theaters on November 17, 2017.

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Justice League 1st Official Trailer Released!

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Aquaman, Batman, Ben Affleck, Bruce Wayne, Cyborg, DC Comics, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Justice League, Justice League 1st official trailer, Justice League movie, New Justice League Trailer, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Zack Snyder

Justice League 1st Official Trailer!

Warner Bros. have released the new trailer for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Check it out, this looks amazing!

Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder, stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen Queen Hippolyta and J. K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon

Justice League’ is release November 17, 2017.

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First Trailer For Justice League!

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Aquaman, Batman, Ben Affleck, Cyborg, DC Comics, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Justice League, Justice League Comic Con Traler, Justice League Trailer, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Zack Snyder

First Trailer For Justice League Released!

Warner Bros. have released the first trailer for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Check it out, this looks awesome!

Justice League’ is set for release November 17, 2017.

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Batman #35 Review

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Batman, Batman #35, Batman #35 Review, Batman Endgame, comics, Danny Miki, DCComics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, James Tynion IV, Justice League, Kelly Jones, Scott Snyder, The New 52

Batman #35

Review by Paul Bowler

A new chapter in the Dark Knight’s legacy begins in Batman #35, as writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo brings us their most epic story to date: Batman Endgame. With a mysterious gas attack right in the heart of Gotham City, a new base of operations and his oldest friends having seemingly turned against him, Batman must use the most extreme countermeasures of all… Together with its vast cast of characters and major life-changing events, Batman Endgame will challenge the Dark Knight’s resolve like never before – this is the story that could end him…

Following their reinterpretation of Batman’s origin with Zero Year, the critically acclaimed creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo bring us Batman Endgame, the story to end all Batman stories. Batman #35’s new story arc brings the series back to the present, where Batman Endgame is set during timeframe of the events and continuity that will be established after the conclusion of DC’s weekly series, Batman Eternal. Batman Endgame is Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s big story event for Batman’s 75th anniversary, and they’ve crafted their deadliest and most exciting adventure yet to celebrate this momentous landmark for the Dark Knight.

Batman #35, with its opulently crafted prologue and quick flash forward, gives us plenty to ponder over before Batman Endgame Part 1 begins in earnest in the present. With its subtle references to Zero Year and The Court of Owls, we rejoin Batman following a run in with the Scarecrow, where Scott Snyder quickly establishes a new set-up: Alfred is well on the road to recovery, its good to see his daughter, Julia, is still around too, and we also find that Bruce has moved into a new high-tech base in a very familiar part of the city.

From here Batman #35 hit’s the ground running and the excitement doesn’t let up for a moment! If anything, the no-holds-barred smack down that takes up the bulk of this issue is so well thought out, and so ingeniously clever, that you’ll be left thinking half way through the issue about how the hell Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo going to top this? That’s just in the first few pages, and you won’t have even finished the issue yet. Suffice it to say, this is a battle like no other you’ve ever seen before, and it makes you wonder what other contingence plans the Dark Knight might have secretly prepared for.

Greg Capullo’s art for Batman #35 is as breathtaking as ever, from the beautiful crafted opening, with stunning aerial views of Gotham, followed by a quick look round the new base of operations, Capullo throws us into the midst of Batman’s battle royal with the Justice League – and it’s a fight that will quite simply blow you away! Greg Capullo has gone all out for Batman’s slugfest with the Justice League, the action is fast and brutal, the “Justice Buster” suit is magnificent, and the way it functioned in this issue was brilliant. The inks by Danny Miki bring added texture and energy to every page, the scenes in the theatre look amazing, and the action feels even more intense with Miki’s excellent ink wok. FCO Plascencia’s colors enrich every page, with vivid hues for the aforementioned early glimpse of the theatre, through to the clinical opaqueness of the new base, and the battle with the Justice League sees FCO’s colors mirror each Leaguer’s abilities perfectly.

Batman #35 also features a backup story, The Pale Man, and the way this links into the main story arc of Endgame is ingeniously done, written by James Tynion IV, with fantastic art by Kelly Jones, and colors by Michelle Madsen, this dark tale follows the escape of five inmates from Arkham. Doctor Zaheer gets some late night visitors on her return home from Arkham Manor, tortured souls who each have a story they must divulge. The Pale Man is a frightening glimpse beyond the veil madness, James Tynion IV weaves a macabre web of intrigue here, which together with Kelly Jone’s art, creates a brooding atmosphere of gothic horror. A masterfully structured tale, it will be fascinating to see how these events will tie-in to the main arc of Endgame.

Its clear that from the outset that the landscape of and tone Batman Endgame is influenced and woven into the shared fabric the current bat-titles, while also drawing on elements established throughout Snyder’s and Capullo’s run; and Snyder ensures that everything knits seamlessly together in a way that’s easily accessible to new readers as well. Batman Endgame gets of to a great start with this issue, setting the groundwork for this epic to unfold, and delivering one hell of a shock ending that will catch you completely off guard. Batman #35 is the start of something really special; Snyder and Capullo have excelled themselves once again with this issue, and with its surprise ending Batman Endgame looks set to be one of their best stories ever!

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The Fury of Firestorm #17 Review

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Dan Jurgens, DC Comics, Firestorm, Hi-Fi, Jason Rusch, Justice League, Karl Kesel, Kid Flash, Ray McCarthy, Red Robin, Ronnie Raymond, Solstice, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52, The Teen Titans

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #17

Review by Paul Bowler

With the Continuum Facility destroyed Ronnie and Jason are determined to clear Firestorm’s name. They make a start by repairing the damage done to Mt Rushmore by Dr Megala, but they come under attack by a helicopter sent by General Eiling, who is still convinced that Firestorm is a threat to national security.

Firestorm tries his best to avoid a direct confrontation, even phasing himself into the helicopter cockpit to talk to the pilot, but they refuse to listen so Firestorm decides to leave, unaware that the Teen Titans are monitoring him from Lex Towers in New York. Firestorm returns to Ronnie’s house in Walton Mills, changing back into their civilian identities just as Ronnie’s mother is about to leave for another date with Jason’s dad. Ronnie and Jason meet up with Tonya, who wrote a history paper for Ronnie while he was busy being Firestorm, and she tells him how that same paper has now won first prize in a young scholars competition.

Jason isn’t impressed that Tonya’s work won’t get the recognition it deserves. Ronnie feels bad about it as well and promises to make it up to her, but first Ronnie and Jason have to use their Firestorm powers to try and rebuild the S.T.A.R Quantum Physics Lab they destroyed. Firestorm arrives at the demolished building and is attack by Kid Flash, Solstice, and Red Robin from the Teen Titans who believe he is working for N.O.W.H.E.R.E.

Tired of being pushed around, Firestorm deflects the Teen Titans attacks with a devastating energy blast that knocks them senseless, before focusing his transmutation powers at the lab. But try as he might he cannot rebuild the entire building, it collapses again, leaving Firestorm exhausted by the effort. The Teen Titans realize that they were wrong about Firestorm and rush over to help. Red Robin says he believes he didn’t cause all the damage, he warns Firestorm about N.O.W.H.E.R.E, and even offers the Nuclear Man a place on the Teen Titans.

Firestorm politely declines the Titans offer for now, but says he will keep in touch. Later that day Ronnie goes back to High School and tells Mrs Schmidt the truth about his history paper, revealing how he cheated, and got Tonya to write it for him. As he told the truth Mrs Schmidt decides to give Ronnie a second chance to write his own paper and hand it in on Monday. As he rushes home to share the good news, Ronnie is shocked to find the house ransacked and his mother his mother missing…

The Fury of Firestorm #17 is one of Dan Jurgens best issues yet. It features some great banter between Ronnie and Jason as they restore Mt Rushmore to its original state, with Ronnie teasing Jason that he might uses their combined powers as Firestorm to carve The Simpson family onto the monument instead! There are some nice character building moments for Ronnie as well in Firestorm #17, particularly when he tries to reason with the helicopter crew, and even the Teen Titans bit of more than they can chew when they make Ronnie angry.

Ronnie also has to face up to the fact that even Firestorm’s powers have limits, when Firestorm is unable to rebuild S.T.A.R. Labs. There is also a nice moment when the Teen Titans offer Firestorm the chance to join the team, and it certainly leaves things open for the future. After Firestorm’s recent appearance in the Throne of Atlantis issues of Justice League and Aquaman, it was good to see the Teen Titans guest staring in Firestorm #17. Ronnie also finally comes clean about his history paper to Mrs Schmidt, it’s a great scene by Dan Jurgens, and it clearly shows just how well he understands these characters.

Dan Jurgens art for Firestorm #17 is as consistent as ever, with inking duties handled by Ray McCarthy and Karl Kesel; with everything dynamically coloured by Hi-Fi, and lettering provided by Travis Lanham. Sadly, after publishing my review of Firestorm #16 last month, DC revealed that Firestorm, along with a number of other titles, would be cancelled. I am bitterly disappointed that Firestorm has been cancelled after all the hard work put in by the new creative team.

But I don’t want to end this review on a negative note. We still have a few issues left to enjoy, so let’s take this chance to celebrate the fantastic work by this creative team, and make sure that Firestorm ends on a high. The flame may flicker, but it will never die. Its been great to see Firestorm featuring in so many comics over the last few months, and I’m really looking forward to seeing even more of Firestorm as a member of the Justice League!

Aquaman #16 Review

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Aquaman, Batman, Black Manta, Cyborg, DC Comics, Firestorm, Geoff Johns, Justice League, Ocean Master, Paul Pelletier, Scepter of Atlantis, Superman, The New 52, Throne of Atlantis, Wonder Woman

Aqua man #16

Review by Paul Bowler

 

As the Justice League battled valiantly to defend Boston from Ocean Master and his forces, not even the intervention of Aquaman could prevent Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman being captured and imprisoned inside pods at the bottom of the ocean. Aquaman breaks free from his pod next to Batman’s and quickly realizes they have been left near the Mid-Atlantic trench to fed to the amphibious creatures that dwell there. Batman sets up a subsonic emitter inside his pod to help Aquaman find the temple in the trench so they can rescue Superman and Wonder Woman.

Back on dry land Professor Shin and Vulko are trying to find a way to stop Ocean Master, while Cyborg sacrifices another piece of his humanity with an upgrade that will allow him to function underwater and rescue the Justice League. While Cyborg’s father begins the operation the heroes that were recruited to help the Justice League are managing to hold the line against Atlantis and Ocean Master.

Soon the identity of who really instigated the war between Ocean Master and the surface world is finally revealed, someone who not only managed to steal the Scepter of Atlantis, but also used Black Manta as part of his grand designs.

Aquaman #16 sees writer Geoff Johns deftly handling the multiple plots strands that come together in this fourth instalment of Throne of Atlantis. The scenes were Cyborg has to give up his remaining lung are particularly heart wrenching, showing just what he is prepared to go through to save his team mates. The action in the dark waters of the Mid-Atlantic trench are fraught with tense moments as Batman and Aquaman explore the temple, finding some strange Atlantean hieroglyphics on the walls that provide some vital clues, before being overrun by the trench creatures as they try and free  Superman and Wonder Woman from their pods – fortunately Cyborg and Mera arrive in time to help.

The art by Paul Pelletier is outstanding; the underwater sections are really spectacular, as are the scenes depicting the reserve members of the Justice League fighting to save Boston. We get to see some of this new team in action: with Firestorm, Hawkman, and Black Canary being just a few of the heroes battling for their lives against Atlantis.

Aquaman #16 is one of the best issues yet; it’s packed with jaw dropping action and has a sensational reveal at the end. Throne of Atlantis has been a terrific crossover event and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this storyline concludes.