After keeping its fans in long anticipation, Kick-Ass #7 finally jump starts the series from a long four-month hiatus, delivering an issue that pushes its own envelope of drama and brutality. With a plate full of fan complaints concerning the neglect of a timely released issue, creators Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. answered the patience-stolen outcries by following last issue’s cliffhanger through an electrifying climax.

Issue seven bursts through the gates from Red Mist’s betrayal, revealing Kick-Ass’s partnership with him as just an elaborate plan to trap the father/daughter team of Big Daddy and Hit-Girl. What follows next is a slew of teeth-clenchingly painful scenes and yes, some much needed ass-kicking to celebrate.

Cornered by the series’ thus-far villain, John Genovese and his crime organization, we see Hit-Girl make an attempt to turn the tables with shameful consequences and Dave Lizewski at his most defeated, providing us with a literally balls-out torture scene. We also experience the painful demise of Big Daddy, which in turn finally answers the long-awaited question of what the heck is in that damn case of his. What’s revealed only fuels the issue’s skillful storytelling and drives us to see the core of more believable humanism that sets Kick-Ass from other exaggerated comics that feature costumed heroes—the “what-if?” question of Average Joe paired with heroic drive.

Artist John Romita Jr. beautifully matches Millar’s story with darker visuals and tones that support the dramatic turn that raises the series’ bar. Needless to say, there’s a lot of blood to go around, almost present at every page turn.

With only one more issue to bring Kick-Ass to a close, this lead-up opens up the fears of closing the series with a big cliffhanger that may force us to look to the movie adaptation for closure. There is definitely a lot more room for development, and an issue as strong as Kick Ass #7 may lead up to a finale that promises either a masterfully executed conclusion, or one that leaves the reader feeling high-and-dry empty. Let’s cross our fingers and hope we don’t have to wait another four months to find out.