Original Sin #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Aaron gets right to the point again in this issue, ticking off the answers to a number of mysteries that I feel like we'd usually have to wait issues to see addressed.  In doing so, he introduces a number of new mysteries, making this series generally compelling and not just a series of rehashing the same questions (***cough***"Batman Eternal"***cough***).

We get confirmation that the mysterious figure who assembled the teams of detectives last issue is NOT Nick Fury, raising all sorts of questions about his or her motivations.  We learn that the mysterious figures likely to be the Watcher's murders are Oubliette and the Orb, and we get confirmation that they're not only in charge of the Mindless Ones but likely used them to kill the Watcher.  We also get confirmation that all the Mindless Ones are experiencing the same cognitive awakening that drove the other one to commit suicide last issue.

But, these answers don't really reduce the number of outstanding questions that we have, because Aaron adds layers of mysteries here.  We learn that someone connected to the killers has been killing "giants and monsters" for a long time, both at the center of the Earth and in the dimension "somewhere far beyond the realms of man."  Moreover, we don't really know how this other killer is connected to the Watcher's killers, with the Black Panther simply saying, "The facts will make me certain.  Once we have them."  Also, Oubliette and the Orb are working with an apparently other dimensional Thing, and Oubliette is apparently attached to him.  (Is it her father?)  Plus, the narrative boxes announce that the Orb changed the world when he revealed himself, but he doesn't really seem to have anything.  It's clearly referring to his efforts to open the Watcher's eye to get its secrets, but it's unclear how.

All in all, Aaron is spinning a great detective story, and we're moving at a good clip.  Good stuff.

*** (three of five stars)