Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

This graphic novel will screw with your head, making you question what is happening, and why.   And yeah, that twist at the end?    It all made sense, and at the same time, it felt like it came out of nowhere. 

It didn't.   There was a hint at the beginning, but something that I thought was a mere oddity, not a clue to the real ending.   I think I finally figured out why I couldn't read this in one sitting, though.   It was fantastic, but it was a little much: it was so much, with so many feels, that I had to take breaks.  

And the breaks worked, breaking the tension I felt.   Then again, this is a testament to this book.   Rarely do I get so worked up that I feel like I just can't take it.   Clearly this book tapped into something within me, something that was dark and scary.   Something that almost made Batman cross the one line he swore he would never cross.   

It reminds me, in a way, of Secret Invasion, except on a smaller scale.   And I'm not bashing the scale here.   In fact, it worked better on a smaller scale: it was more claustrophobic, and it got under my skin due to that smaller scale.   Because what it really means is that it could narrow down the focus to one person, making it so personal that it felt like my teeth were rattling at times. 

And while I felt like I was being screwed around with - which made me feel grumpy - this does two things: further explains why I needed breaks, and just shows that it really got to me.   It got to me on a personal level, too, and I've never felt that protective of Batman.   I've never really related to him at all.  

I did here.   I didn't want to see him getting screwed around with like this, I found myself relating to him, to what I'd do in this situation.   Yes, it's roller coaster of feels, but it's well worth the ride.