By now, you should already know that the second issue of Cheshire Crossing is out. If you did not know this, you are probably not signed up for the e-mail alerts, something you should rectify at once.

Now about the new issue, let me just say: wow. I thought the first issue was good, but this just blows me out of the water. There is more action, more drama, and lots and lots of fantastic dialogue. Weir has really stepped up his game here, and it’s very hard to feel sad that Casey and Andy is on hiatus when it results in this.

Go read it. Then read it again. Then read issue one, before you read issue two again. If you feel up for it afterwards, I’m commenting with spoilers behind the cut.

Right, from the top.

I’m really liking the page one flashbacks, which I’m now assuming to be a regular feature. It is amusing to see Dorothy call bullshit on Glinda, who for so long has been running around doing her little manipulations, never bothering to face the wicked witch herself. Possibly because of the fiendish defense system the witch has in place.

Following this fun flashback we get a good explanation for why Rutherford didn’t just steal Dorothy’s shoes, something I’ve wondered about, and a bit of exposition about Dorothy’s powers and their possible strengths. I find this interesting, can Alice take people with her through the mirror? Can Wendy carry even one person far enough?

Then follows some of the hilarious and fantastically quotable dialogue this issue is so full of. Really I’m in awe of how awesome this issue is.

We’re introduced to new characters, mainly the Knave of Hearts, aka Jack, and the Cheshire Cat, of which the latter is the far more interesting in my opinion. Jack looks cool enough, but he hasn’t got a big enough part to make much of himself. Maybe he’ll get a chance to shine some more in later chapters.

Then we get some action in the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West (are we calling her Elphaba, or what? Typing out ‘the Wicked Witch of the West’ every time seems excessive). The witch is fantastically characterized, and beautifully evil and cruel, as shown in the panel where she’s about to give the unconscious Wendy a black eye to teach her a lesson.

Also, I’m going to try my hardest to find situations where I can shout “To hell with the ruby slippers! This changes everything!” from now on.

The witch prepares to invade Neverland (it seems she’s very anxious to get out of Oz. Might be those pesky strange rules she’s escaping), as the cavalry arrives, trade amusing glibs, and make their way in through use of the most awesome distraction ever.

And then there is Mary Poppins.

I’m at a loss for words here, there’re just no way to describe the magnificence that is the fight between the witch and Poppins.

Mary Poppins rules. The witch rules as well. And they both get to look cool in this fight. It is awesome.

We’re left at just as much of a cliffhanger as in the last issue, but we also get a spiffy epilogue.

And when I say spiffy, I mean fantastic, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping greatness. Seriously, that last panel? Goose bumps. Delicious goose bumps.

Cheshire Crossing is already highly recommended, which I guess reveals a flaw in my system, as this is such an insane improvement over the already great issue 1. I’m tempted to make a higher category especially for this, but I think it will pass once the initial glee wears off.

But man, it’ll be a long few months to wait for the next one.