Proof #18 -- I'm sad that nobody reads this comic. I'm glad Image has kept it going this far, at least. For those who don't know (so, Rick and Antony) this series is about a sasquatch named John Prufrock (nickname Proof) who works for a government agency that tracks down and preserves fantasy creatures. So, fairies, chupacabras, sewer alligators, etc. It sounds a little lame, maybe, but would a comparison to a wonderful mashup of Fables and The X-Files help? It's all tied together with neat, sketchy inks and solid, moody colors? You can brag to your friends you read Proof "before it was cool"?
Anyhow, this is a neat issue that really shows how much this series can expand. I really look forward to seeing what comes next in this book.
Battlefields: Dear Billy #3 -- This issue wrecked me, a little. After a few pages of Billy blabbing away, we get to the good stuff: Carrie's narration. As things start to get rocky, we see the real difference between her and Billy, and how their similarities and shared bonds ultimately doom their relationship. The last page is stunning, stirring and haunting all at once. I really don't know how the next Battlefields miniseries ("Tankies") can top this.
The trade of this short series comes out soon. Definitely keep an eye out for it.
Crossed #4 -- Garth Ennis has written about guys stuffing their own dicks up their ass after being told to fuck themselves, and Crossed is still the most messed up thing he's ever written. He spends this issue hammering home, as he has for the past few issues, that there's absolutely no Great White Hope in this world of zombies. They're not even zombies -- they're humans who, once infected, become the most evil and sadistic individuals the world has ever seen. They're smart (did a zombie ever think of spitting on someone to infect them?) and they've got a diabolical sense of humor (one word: horsecock). This miniseries is relentlessly nihlistic, and it's not even half over. Things can only get worse for the featured survivors, and I'll be there for every minute.
Guardians of the Galaxy #12 -- Okay, I think I'm getting the hang of what's going on. Drax (the dude who looks like a green-skinned version of Kratos from God of War) and Phyla (the daughter of Captain Mar-vell and inheritor of sweet Quasar power bands) were "killed" in effort to go to the realm of the dead to bring back Heather (the former's daughter and the latter's lover). It sounds a little convoluted, but it gets away with it with a fistful of dismemberments and one big black space dragon. I'm glad we're getting back to the rest of the gang so I can see some characters in the War of Kings event that I actually recognize.
Captain America #48 -- I'm only just now caught up with Brubaker's epic Cap run (cue: kicking self for waiting so long), just in time for Bucky's first big outing after donning the shield. It's a short and sweet bros-on-a-secret-mission with Namor and Black Widow for backup. Toss in a creepy, menacing villain and a mad scientist who's got a past with the Winter Soldier and you've got yourself a great chaser to a sprawling 40-some-odd issue saga. They're switching the numbering back to include all back issues in a few months (joining Daredevil's upcoming 500th issue, and matching Thor's recent 600 benchmark), but I hope Bru sticks around for a while. What else is he doing? Incognito? That comes out like what, every two months?
Nova #22 + 23 -- After catching up with the last two issues, I'm having a hard time deciding which Abnett/Lanning book I like better -- this or Guardians of the Galaxy. They're pretty different books (Guardians an ensemble series, Nova centering on The Richard Rider Show), but they share that same zippy DnA flavor. I guess I should just be glad I have both. I mean, check out the slick one-issue crossover with Nova 23 and Guardians 12; Quasar flies off at the beginning of Nova, makes his appearance in Guardians and still makes it back in time for the end of that same issue of Nova! That's what you get when one section of continuity and crossovers (in this case, Marvel's cosmic space) is handled by two dudes.
Jack of Fables #32 -- This issue suffers from the same rushed feeling that the last issue of Fables did, thanks to the impending Great Fables Crossover starting next month. Unlike Fables, though, Jack actually has some important, game-changing stuff to deal with in the latter half of the issue. It's a revelation that sort of blows away the reader and those affected in the story, but those explaining it (both the authors and the characters in the issue) seem to pass it off non-chalantly, like breaking up with a girl in a postscript. Anyway, glad to have everything sorted out for the crossover, which I expect big things of, Mr. Willingham. Don't disappoint, or else I'll... keep buying Fables. Bastard.
Air #7 -- This is one of the more compelling ongoing series around. Blythe's existential journey takes an even trippier turn this issue when she figures out she can travel not only through time and space, but through people, as well. I'm loving MK Perker's art, too -- detailed facial expressions, subtle body language and some of the most convincing kissing I've seen in a comic. This issue's on sale for a special price: one American dollar. You don't really have an excuse if you see this comic on the stands. Better yet, try out the first trade for a tenner. There should be all sorts of impressive quotes from comic creators on the back.
Deadpool: Games of Death -- Blargh. After Daniel Way's great run on the title character, this one-shot really disappoints. It's front-loaded with tons of exposition, while at the same time weighed down by uninspired cartoony violence and flat jokes in the last half. Mike Benson's got another shot with a Deadpool miniseries in a little while, so we'll see if some breathing room helps smooth things out a bit. Otherwise, I might have to drop Deadpool proper if this guy takes over after Way's run is through.
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