The mystery continues in this week's Smallville as The World's Finest begin to show the beginning of a superhero bond. After it's return from a short hiatus last week, we're back at Stryker's and Superman is now taking the reigns on Batman's investigation. But was this issue as exciting as the ones before it?

Smallville's mysteries have always been extremely intricite and sometimes riduclously drawn out throughout an entire 22-episode season. But this new format feels different. Especially because it takes weeks to complete just one "episode". So I can definitely understand if some fans are feeling let down or even bored over the show's continuance.

But if we overlook the fact that this is a comic and focus on story, this is actually a pretty solid storyline that Smallville is giving its fans. I'd go as far to say that it's probably the best season the show has ever seen. At least it would be if it were being aired on television instead of being read on our mobile devices.

Bryan Q Miller's style is keeping up well with what was already established and breathing life into new characters within the universe. And that's not an easy feat because these "new" characters are actually quite beloved by longtime comic book fans. And we're not an easy crowd to please.

Miller is clearly establishing the relationship between Superman and Batman that fans have loved for years. This friendship straddles an invisible line between a lot of love and very little hate. They're like two sides of the same coin. Which is why when Batman's shrug and comment that Superman is just "trying to impress" him will give readers a smile and they'll know its a reference to the many adventures their other incarnations have had over the years.

It's finally explained why Barbara is going by the moniker of Nightwing. And I still don't buy it but I will accept it because I have to and it doesn't take anything away from the overall plot. That's all I will say on that. Barbara will always be Batgirl or Oracle to me.

Lois Lane has a small cameo as Superman's on the ground researcher. It's nice to see these two are still as much partners in work as in love. It's sad that they can't be together because of what Lex has done. But the fact that he's still around and watching over her (or stalking her to make sure she's not getting herself into trouble... knowing Superman... it could be both) is great.

Chloe's cameo also shows the very best of Allison Mack's Chloe, and that's snark. Love her or hate her, Chloe was the snarkiest of the bunch and that hasn't changed. The relationship between Chloe and Oliver was not one I ever enjoyed on the show. I always felt it to be completely shoehorned into the series. But in the comic its a bit more organic. I find myself actually enjoying them for once. Their little moments no longer make me cringe. Dare I say it, I might actually be a Chlollie shipper now.

But let's be frank. This issue was all about Batman and Superman. This "episode" will clearly be all about the two of them. It's something we've been waiting to see for years and Bryan Q Miller does not disappoint. I'm now really looking forward to Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne meeting for the first time. We know that Clark knows Bruce is Batman, but will Bruce learn the Man of Steel's secret identity just as quickly? Or will he be duped by the "disguise" like the rest of the world?

What did you think about the latest issue of Smallville? Did it soar up, up and away like Superman? Or did it crash land over Metropolis?