Just to follow up my OP... I'm a few issues into Time Killer now (last night's instalment heralded the introduction of the Guledig) and I've settled into the series' style a bit more. I do like the lengthy exposition from Myrddin on the nature of good and evil and how it's controlled and exploited by extra-dimensional beings; and none of that comes at the expense of the story, which moves along nicely thanks to the integration of Slaine's journey with Murdach through the netherworld. And yes the El-women are very striking.