Madame Mirage # 3

Paul Dini should be considered a candidate for some kind of sainthood after this issue. It truly is a miracle in storytelling.

As I mentioned in my review to the "First Look" preview of this series, the 'femme fatale' genre is not one of my favorites. But this issue is the payoff for my patience. I am now officially hooked.

This issue contains the origin story of Madame Mirage, and it's a true shocker. My expectations were high going into it, because of the buzz, but this issue delivered.

Beyond that, the... enhanced interrogation techniques Mirage uses on her captured enemy, the Brown Recluse, are quite amusing. I love it when the heroes play head-games with the bad guys.

I am enjoying this series, and all the more so after this issue. My only reservation is that Dini might not be able to top himself after this issue.

So we have the origin. I'm surprised. I didn't see this coming. I didn't think we'd get a full disclosure this soon. I'm not sure what to think. My one minor gripe was we didn't know Madame Mirage's motivation. She could be pretty cold and brutal with her enemies. It seemed a little weird to think of her as a hero when we didn't know why she would go to such extreme means to take care of the "bad guys." Now we know. Is it justifiable now? As much as vigilantism can go.

I think it was a ballsy move on Paul Dini's part. Like the solicit says, he's completely changed where Madame Mirage is going. I actually found myself surprised as the "origin" starting going. I kept thinking, yeah, this is just going to be some b.s. on her part. Maybe it still could be, but it doesn't seem like it. I'd say this is legit. Again, I'm just surprised.

I know I am being extremely vague. Since this is an advanced review, I will by no means spoil it. I'd hate it if it was spoiled for me. If you read this series (and if you don't, you should be), you'll want to read it for yourself.

I really have to hand it to Mr. Dini. Madame Mirage almost seemed like a novelty concept. He's proven that he has given this some thought. I think it was a brilliant move. I can't wait to see where this is going now. Madame Mirage has just moved up on my reading list.