I know it is being a while with nobody posting here, but I've just finished the short story today and I want to comment about it.
I liked the story a lot, I think it was one of Jim's best. It was epic, with Cowl and legendary monsters fighting together. But it was also super cute. The way Mouse thinks about Harry, Maggie, Mister, Michael, Marcone was perfect. I also adored that Mouse thought the vest was magic.
Mouse learning a lot of things at school including reading
Will and Michael talking about Harry and his emotional status...so tender and sad.
Cowl mentioning Harry so casually, familiar...I think I am beginning to like the idea of Cowl being Chandler.
I thought several theories about who the 4 powers were. Mine is Harry, Butters, Mort and Marcone. Obviously Mac too but I do not think Cowl was imagining Mac involving in a "simple" case of murders. Perhaps Gard, Lapland?
Mouse powers are depicted with more detail here. I liked that. And I think he will be instrumental in the BAT.
But I am not sure what the plan for the children was? Feed him to the Lion, so Harry will be destroyed when he found that Mister had been the one doing the killings? I think that is a little weird. And Cerberus said Maggie was in danger but I do not see it in the story, There is no mention of any plan to hurt Maggie.