In All New Ultimates #10, the original creative team is back together and back to their old tricks. Unfortunately upon Pinna’s return to art duties, All-New Ultimates #10 falls back to old habits in many ways. Thankfully, we get some great one-on-one time with the bombastic Lana Baumgartner as well as confirmation that Taskmaster is back and he’s out for revenge.

Fiffe seems to be trying so hard to make Lana the breakout character of this series. With earnest development and focus from the author, #10 gives eighteen pages of internal dialogue on Lana’s behalf. This was a sorely missing element in this series. Rarely has Fiffe let us into the heads of these characters, hoping instead that action and speech would give us the development we desire. First person narrative on a team book is truly tricky. Fiffe does a pleasantly great job at writing it here as we learn a lot about what makes Lana tick, particularly her attempts to overcome her mother’s legacy.

But what the heck is going on with Miles in this issue? Not only does he not web up Diamondback (because her coat might get icky!) but he also willingly brings her to the rooftops of the city so they can discuss things in private. Throughout Miles’ series he has displayed compassion when it is properly needed and an butt-kicking when it’s called for and he has never split hairs, except with his Uncle. I get he’s a young man and she’s a bad-girl who is flirting with him, but he has time and time again proven that he is dutifully responsible. Here, he comes off ignorant and irresponsible. It feels as if Miles has forgotten the entire incident that nearly cost them all their lives and that Diamondback’s cohorts brutally murdered Lana’s boyfriend and then invaded her life and her mind. We aren’t given the moment of crisis on Miles’ part where he wrestles with this information (again, this is where internal dialogue is useful).

Fiffe takes a moment to introduce us to Ecstasy (“a.k.a. Renee Delandier”) who long-box fans of Cloak & Dagger may know as the villain who temporarily possessed Cloak’s abilities. It makes sense to have her in this series now, especially with Mr. Jip, but it seems like it’s on short notice. A sense of dread may overcome readers that too many last-minute elements are being introduced so close to the end.

All of the other problems readers may come across in this issue all have to do with passage of time. It seems in this issue the weather has gotten dramatically colder, though it was only five issues ago it was blistering hot and the teens needed a beach day. Now, several characters are putting on winter coats. Four issues ago, Brigid O’Reilly and her special task force team allowed the Ultimates to walk after the big cluster fudged situation with the gangs. Now, she has apparently been fired and spends her time hanging out in her private gym. When did this happen and how does she afford a private gym, especially with an unemployed roommate? Not to mention, she is letting her zombified ex-boyfriend Terry Schreck crash with her.

To Pinna’s credit, he does a lot to improve over the last time he appeared in this title as the artist. His action scenes are tight and there’s no missing limbs or uncertain locations of characters. Woodard has some strong coloring moment, especially in the final panel, and the portrayal of Shreck as a pale, green-skinned man instead of Kirkmanesque zombie is a massive improvement.

The series has thus far has its ups and downs but it would be a real shame to have it end on a sour note. Without knowing what is in store for these Ultimates, I certainly hope something important at least comes out of this story. Lana has come too far as a character in these last two arcs to stop being interesting now. Hopefully the masters of this title are up to the task of delivering a final hurrah for the All-New Ultimates.