Violet Paige has a new girl in her life (cuz nothing says edgy like an alternative lifestyle). But it’s not going so well, because said new girl isn’t keen on Vi’s ability to defend herself, especially when it’s defense against a troll with a camera.

And her alter ego, Mother Panic also made a new friend (see last issue), but that didn’t pan out either. It seems his time in the Gather House has broken him beyond repair, making him almost as corrupt as the perverted souls who ran the place. And Mother Panic has no intention of adding to the legacy of that torture gallery.

But Vi’s mom on the other hand, has a new friend, and her kindness has indebted him to her. Evil? Weird, maybe, but I wouldn’t say evil. A monster? Homely, yes, but not hideous. But he just may be everyone’s salvation when they need it most.

On one hand I’m enjoying Mother Panic, though it doesn’t stray too far from the nighttime vigilante one sees in Batman, Daredevil or The Shadow. I appreciate being on familiar ground, but my expectations are low since comic books are so inbred and there really isn’t much variety to the genre. She has her own demented supporting cast, which is a little unfair given she’s not so stable herself.

But at the same time, I’m a bit flummoxed by her motives. Her target is so narrow, in the form of Gather House, rather than your more typical criminal elements. I keep waiting for the cry of, “Think of the CHILDREN!” I suppose every crime fighter has their own ax to grind, whether it’s street level crime, or threats too big for the police or military to handle. But I can’t help if but wonder if the book is also a form of therapy for someone. If so, and that aids the healing process, I’m fine with it, but in four issues I’ve yet to see Mother Panic take on an actual criminal.