The Authority volume 5. That does not bode well for a title. Volume 5? UUGG. I am a complete fan of the original… Ellis & Hitch how can you go wrong. The subsequent volumes were good as well but never duplicating the original. Then came Grant Morrison’s reboot. This was going to be great, 2 years later and I am still waiting for issue #3. Why would this be any different? I am a sucker – and had to check it out.

The WORLD’S END Prequel Trilogy (Armageddon, Revelations, & Number of the Beast) set up a good story so what the heck let’s give it a try. WOW did I hit gold on this one. For those of you that do not know what WORLD’S END is this is, well the end of the world. Picture a Mad Max sorta backdrop across the entire Wildstorm Universe. Things have changed dramatically for The Authority.

The Carrier has crashed into London, now known as UnLondon, and there is no more technology. No more “door” to make things easier and the team is in shambles. Haze and fog cover the Earth so Apollo has had to leave the team, and his husband, to live in the atmosphere above the sun blocked skies of Earth. Angela is no longer the Engineer and has no superpowers at all. Midnighter is well he is Midnighter but heartbroken without his man by his side. Jack… well if London is UnLondon then Hawksmoor should be called UnJack. He is as messed up as the city in which they live. Jenny and The Doctor were no where to be found but likely didn’t survive the events of the Number of the Beast.

This was one of the best takes on a post-end of the world takes that I have ever read. These are not the same characters in a different environment. The end of the world has changed them dramatically and they are struggling to get by day-by-day. The arrogance of The Authority is gone replaced by pity and a sense of disbelief that they couldn’t stop Armageddon.

The second part of the LYNCH back-up story in the end of the book was like the cherry on top. It frustrates me that you need to buy all four books to get the complete story but these backups might be worth the price of a book alone. WildCATS: World’s End was good last week. The Authority: World’s End this week was GREAT.

I think the writing, plotting, and overall storyline were amazing. I know that some people have been critical of the art but I thought it was very good. I would recommend this book to anyone who was ever a fan of The Authority or anyone just looking for a good book that you can grab right off the bat. You don’t have to be a fan from way back to get the book but if you are you will appreciate it even more.

Must buy PERIOD!! Story: 5 – Excellent Art: 4 – Very Good

I read it – I READ IT!!!! I seriously get so excited to read a new issue that typically I sit in the parking lot of the LCS to read it through (this is the only book that I make that claim).

Another fabulous issue Alex and Riley. I really enjoyed Riley’s choice of “Candyland” looking colors, Adam is doing a great job. Visually the books is stunning – and a whole splash page from a cryptoid was a wonderful treat. This is without question one of the most visually pleasing books I have ever read. Very stylized in the way that Hellboy is defined by Mignola’s original style Proof has that same trademark for it’s look.

Alex you keep pushing the story forward and I love that now we have multiple subplots going at once. (1) Proof is the devil and us God-fearing Midwesterners are out to kill him – wow, a kid? (2) Elvis is going to only take so much from Marc and have to kick his butt (3) Ginger and her old Captain are going on a hunt, (4) Joe is making some new boots in the sewer by snapping a crocs mouth, (5) an ink monkey appears, and (6) Noel is back and he and his dad are uneasy seeing each other…. did I miss anything tiring. Love this book.

Loved the extra pinup by Riley and enjoyed as always reading the letters column. I am only exposed to the world of Proof fans on the web (though I seem to hit about 30 sites to talk up the book) so it is always fun to see so many other fans out there. I am a little concerned about the friends Proof is making on MySpace though I also love the little intro you are doing on the opening cover now – love to see where the book has been, great for the first time reader.

Looking forward to #12 and really sad that it is a month away. You guys are incredible and I just want more and more.

Kelly – more Archie is a good thing.

Damn you Alex and/or Riley. I am not sure which one of you is a magician but how can I buy a book with 32 pages of Proof story and by the end feel like I read 50 pages worth of content and art but it flew by like there were only 12 pages there? I am confused and lost. I must have the same flu that Proof is suffering from right now. You guys do an amazing job.

The art was point on amazing as always – Riley you kick more ass than Bruce Lee in his prime. Seriously the story could be told without words and I would love this book (remember that if Alex starts getting too big of a head on you). The characterization of each indivual is amazing and I love that you have a nack for drawing the ladies with a little more to love. There are no typicaly comic book girls in this books. For some reason I like it when you leave arrows to guide us around pages from time-to-time. Seems silly but I almost feel like I am reading a treasure map and I know at the end I am going to see one of your pictures (and I get to see them along the way too).

The writing, or the story, was it’s usually spectacular self. The banter with Ginger and her ex-boss was fun and kept with a nice flow. Ginger going into the sewer reminded me very much of how she was acting when she first met Elvis and didn’t exactly have a plan for stalling him. Speaking of Elvis? Hello where is Elvis and Marc? I was looking for a little more man-time with those two. Since Marc and Giner’s old boss are going to hook up (prediction) I am sure we will get to see his goofy self being charming in sewer in the next issue. The last line in the book was terrific and just a well thought out, priceless moment…. “I think it is a…. dragon”.

The backup stories were fun – and Nadine almost looked scary in this form than the other. All I could think of is I will never be able to read The Old Woman in the Shoe again. Kelly continues to deliver a uniquly intereting episode of Archie. I feel like I get so much more than my money’s worth out of Proof (raise the price next month if you want).

I am very excited to see the next issue; but I feel like that is the same feeling I have after every issue I read. Savage Dragon! Screamland! and most importantly more Proof. It will be like Christmas in October.

Thank you guys for putting together my favorite book each month (and it comes out on time each month… 12 for 12 now) and the quality keeps getting better. The story is always moving forward and with a purpose. Nothing in the story is ever filler. If it happens in Proof you better pay attention because down the road it will mean something. Looking forward to Mi-Chen Po next month (I already have my guess submitted).

As always keep the issues coming and I will be here each and every day talking up your book, singing your praises, and telling people that are not buying this book that they are missing out BIG TIME.

I believe in Monsters, and I need Proof

I read issue #183 and I walk away excited about the content, eager for more, and yet somewhat unfulfilled with the overall story. The book continues to move forward at a neck breaking pace… things are flying past us like we are driving 200 MPH down the road. I know the next issue will tie most of the lose ends together and put a pretty bow on it before H2 leaves the book.

Early indications are that Al’s little girl could be more of a villain and more of a threat than any of the people he has ever faced. Mammon looked really concerned like he had unleashed something that he could not control. I am of the mind that Mammon will die before the ENDGAME so maybe Morana is the one that kills him? The next issue will unveil a lot of things for us on that front.

Cyan going into the future has to be seeing herself in my mind. It is not Mambo Suzanne as he been suggested by other readers. I did find a little humor in the fact that the old lady was talking about not being able to finish “The Book of the Dead” – sometimes art and life are too closely related. I do question why Cyan is so powerful with regards to magic and everything else. Is it because she inherited something special from Wanda? If so then why isn’t Wanda that strong as well?

I found it interesting that Mother of Miracles was mentioned again. Could we be seeing a return of one of the more bizarre characters in Spawn lore? I was very disappointed by the return of Legion. I was not disappointed that Legion returned but rather that Legion was so few. Should we just call Legion something like Small Gathering now? It felt like to me something that was done so there wouldn’t be so many Spawn’s to draw. Maybe it is a timing thing but I think you could have had all of them return and Morana rip through half of them to get ride of them.

I am saddened to think the next issue is the last for David Hine and Brian Haberlin. You guys have done an amazing job and adding Greg to do layouts has really paid off high dividends in my opinion. You have deliverd the end of the world through Armageddon, you have shown us a history of Al Simmons and Wanda Blake that changed the whole perspective of the book, you have turned this book into a darker version of itself, and you have consistently produced one of my favorite books through your entire run. David and Brian – best of luck, you guys will be missed.

- BrikHed

WOW!!!! What a great first issue (purchased the wraparound cover as an aside). I had heard a lot of stuff about issue #0 being really a part of the story but I was happy to see that those who did not for the foresight to buy issue #0 are not punished (I personally bought it, got it signed by Ellis, and loved it). I am very intrigued by Carrick Masterson and his overall visions for Front Line/The Levelers and what he really is trying to accomplish. I get the impression he started doing it all for the right reason but something changed along the way. I don’t know if it was pure coincidence but there was a line by Matterson when he said “I don’t want to be the man, this isn’t THE AUTHORITY game.” Maybe it is just a coincidence or maybe he was dropping a little funny in there to say this isn’t like my past work so don’t compare it. I don’t know but it stuck out for me.

John Carver seems like a young idealist and I have to think that along the way he is going to see Masterson in a different light and become a problem (note: I have not read future solicitations intentionally so not to spoil this so I am just guessing here). He has big hopes and big dreams and I think it would be very Warren Ellis to tear those down and show him how bad the world really can be, even when you are trying to do the right thing. I am curious to see how this plays out and what happens next. We have learned in the #0 issue that this super hero medicine, “FX7” can mess people up. Looking forward to one fun ride.

I think there is a potential for a terrific back story to be told about the early years but I fear it will be like Black Summer and not revisited again in the future. I felt like, while a violent book, Ellis didn’t force it to be over the top as he does sometimes. I am eager and ready for more.

Where to start? OK I will start with the obivous – David and Brian you two guys will be missed. Brian’s art was not always my thing but it started really coming around with the bubble boy story arc and I have been happy with it for the most part. David’s writing has always had a purpose and a direction and that is one of the things that has kept Spawn in my top books each month. I have read all 184 issues since day one and this run has been as fun of a ride as any point in the Spawn lore. You guys are great and I hope we bump into you both in the Spawn Universe again.

Now on to the issue. I pretty much figured that the old lady was Cyan (though I am not sure why her name wasn’t Cyan Fitzgerald when she signed the last page). As for Mammon and Morana being put into a “binding spell” by Nyx to restrain them I get that was done so they aren’t dead and could return but that is one of the threads in this story I was ready to see severed. I was ready for Mammon to die and consider his legacy a part of the past 34 issues. I feel like Morana was the Darth Maul of this book. A really cool character that had so much potential but fell due to nothing more than timing.

I am botherred that it was Nyx who ended up really being the hero in this book and Al just went off into an empty desert of skulls to walk. I wanted to see Al come out guns blazing and be the effen badass that ended the world. I wanted this run to go down with a blaze of glory and didn’t get that at all.

Legion could have been a whole story until themselves from this issue. I appreciated that specific members of Legion were mentioned and I found it interesting that Christopher was specifically pointed out to go away to a better place. I was just hoping for more to come from that fight scenes. I think the art missed a great opportunity with this section of the book. This was the chance to the one of the greatest fights in Spawn history and it didn’t deliver.

The issue was good. It was not one of H2’s best by any means but endings are tough and they never really come across the way we all want. The expectations can never live up to the hype. I look forward to reading the past 4 or 5 issues in one sitting to take in a full appreciate on the story that Hine and Haberlin delivered to us readers.

So Mammon and Morana are bound in the middle of nowhere. Wanda, Cyan, and Nyx have left to go off on their own. Al heading off to be alone again. We are starting with a clean slate as we enter into the ENDGAME. Who does Al face now? What are his next challenges? What happens to Spawn? I guess that is why we buy the issues. I am looking forward to three weeks from now when we get that book in our hands to see what is next.

Thanks again to David Hine (and I personally appreciate the shout out in your good bye letter in the back – you are the man). Thanks Brian for bringing a darker feel to the character that was always known for pushing the edge when it came to art and for suggesting to Todd that David get a chance on this book. Finally thanks to Todd for trusting your baby with these two guys. I honestly hope that you think the book and character of Spawn is better of now then it was the day you let them play in your sandbox.

Dynamo 5 #17 – Spoilers Included

What a great issue. Maddie has been in a coma for a few issues and the “original” Dynamo 5 has disbanned. In a desperate attempt to revive Maddie, Doc Noble sends Scrap to find Scatterbrain so that he can use his mental powers to enter Maddie’s mind and bring her out of the coma. Scatterbrain shows up and finds Maddie taking a walk down memory lane. We get to see one of her first meetings with Captain Dynamo and also the last time they saw each other before Captain Dynamo was killed by Widowmaker. We also learn that Maddie was engaged prior to becoming involved with Captain Dynamo. I find Tom, her finance. to be an interesting introduction to a character because I do not believe that Jay adds a ton of throw away threads in his stories. I have a feeling that Tom will turn out to be the person that employeed Widowmaker to kill Captain Dynamo to get revenge on Maddie for dumping him for the good Captain. This is just pure speculation but something that I could see developing.

The art was beauiful as always but it really popped for me this issue. The splash page to open the book with Captain Dynamo and the Red Scare fighting was amazing. Mahmud out did himself on this one. The use of coloring in the mind sequences was also very point on for this issue. I felt like this was one of the strongest issues of Dynamo 5 I had read. The story was full of backstory information and it took a fair amout of time to digest the book. I think this is one of the top issues of an amazing series.

Love this series and if you are not picking it up you really are missing out.

Proof #15 – Spoilers Included

First, I will start with the obvious praise that is well deserved – great issue. The book delivered again, just as it does month after month, after month. I am happy to be through this story arc so that I can now sit down and read it all in one sitting. I know there are things that I missed.

Alex, the story was great. You brought together a lot of things at one time and pulled it all together to close out this story arc. My biggest complaint to this point is that you are not close enough for me to strangle you because I left with more curiosity and questions now than I had going into this issue. The Rabbi is obviously a much more pivotal figure than we had seen to this point. He knew who Po was and what he was up to and even spoke Mandarin to him (show off). Who is the Rabbi?

Joe has come of age and wants to go out on his own? Get an apartment maybe and meet a nice young girl :roll: There is a tall man with no shirt wandering the streets of NY and nobody might notice, what a crazy town. It was interesting to see him not pick either side…but I am sure he will be back. Now Po goes after Ginger? Did she really forget meeting him or is she on his side now?

Proof is back in good health and Dragon was really no where to be seen once they leave the cave.. was he ever there? We will never know. I did like to see Proof step in with the crazy mom and see that her son got taken away. It was a small detail but something that shows the character of Proof and a great part of the story. He needs to job on Bella’s offer though – she is a cutie :twisted:

Marc? What can I say about my boy Marc? He lost his watch… :shock:

Riley, the art was incredible as always but to be honest you are going to have a tough time topping what you did in issue #14. So it is hard to say this is a let down but that issue was so incredible that it set a really high bar. I loved the the thunderbird scenes and really liked how you were able to draw in backdrops like the phoenix as the flowed through the story. Question though – was the one alligator supposed to be white? If so is there significance to that one?

All-in-all you guys kicked butt again and I am eager to read this whole story arc at one time and get a better feel for the pacing and overall story.

Wildstorm has been kicking some major butt and I am not sure how many people have noticed but the old status quo had changed. This is no more true than in THE AUTHORITY. Long gone is the Carrier floating through the bleed to allow our heroes a sanctuary to party, and pontificate. The end of the world has come and gone through the events of WORLD’s END and The Authority is now a beaten team.

This issue was everthing that great about this book and harkens back to a time of Warren Ellis and Mark Millar offering a creative and fresh perspective on superhero books. We get our obligatory conflict meeting between Stormwatch and The Authority but it works so well in this environment. Jack is a beaten man and King takes it easy on him and offers mercy. I personally would have preferred to see King be an ass for a while but good for him for taking the high road.

Christine and Angie seem to be the cooler heads and are abl to get parts of the crashed carrier operating again as they try to create a livable environment in UnLondon. Limited power is restored and refugees are being transferred from SkyWatch III down to the surface. This issue plays as a real drama with the two teams interacting and seems more story driven until the end when Eidolon and his gang come to attack the carrier because it has regained power. It was great to see Angie find enough power to become the Engineer on the last page.

All-in-all it was another steller issue and I am shocked more people are not picking up this book. I actually think the pacing was a little fast and they could have drawn this out over a few more issues through the rebuild but I understand why the jumped into the action so quickly at the end. I wish more people would give this books a chance – it is worth the price of admission and some :-)

How many pages were in this issue? 50? Maybe more. I swear Kirkman is a freaking magician. There were a ton of stories going on at one time and all of them lead you to believe that HUGE things are on the horizon… i.e. #60. So let’s talk about Issue #58 which I will entitle Fantasy Island (is that title taken)

Eve and Mark are a security company now managing prisons and power plants? Could this lead us to a crossover with the fine folks from Capes, Inc. to claim he is crossing into their turf? Why not just get a job with them so that he can get enough money to buy a house? Eve in the professional look – nice touch (fantasy #1)

Oliver is going to hook up with his tutor. She is going to become a bad influence on him and she is going tell him how much better than Mark he really is and convince him to go out on his own. His is going to hook up with the hot teacher (fantasy #2)

Immortal and Dupli-Kate are getting a house together. This is an interesting twist because the future version of himself didn’t remember Kate. She wants to have kids? Immortal kids that can make more and more of themselves? Can he even have kids? All I can think of is the famous line when it comes to her (and I walked in and there were more than one of here – fantasy #3)

All things are calm in the ocean, not much else to say there (no fantasy but I can sleep easier at night).

Killcannon has known Eve since she was a kid? Could there be more to the relationship than she is letting on? Eve might be a naughty girl after all (fantasy #4)

Shapesmith is a cheap ass? Art should put a hit out on him (no fantasy just an observation)

Darkwing is having doubts? Maybe this will lead us to the Darkwing RIP story arc in which we get a reasonable conclusion to how one darker hero’s life comes to and end (fantasy #5 – take that Grant Morrison)

Rus Livingston is going to return soon (no fantasy but this proves I can read).

Monster Girl is not getting any younger. Robot is the bomb and could solve any problem known to man – I bet he could solve the economic climate of our country. Monster Girl is going to be so appreciative that she is going to be willing to do anything and he is going to make her dress up like Rossie the maid from the Jetson’s and get kinky (fantasy #6 – give me a break we have all thought it).

Angstrom Levy is back and going to make Mark’s life miserable (fantasy #7 – seeing Mark suffer a little bit just sounds like fun).

Loved that page with all of the different Marks. Spider-Mark, Grifer-Mark, Michael Jackson-Mark, mustache-Mark, Omni-Man-Mark…and they just keep coming. Great job.

Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, Cliff, FCO, Rus and anyone else associated with this book please take a bow because you should be proud of the product you put out each and every month.

6 stars and 3 thumbs up because you are that good

So I just finished issue #188 and it read a lot better than some of the previous issues, and I am sure some of that has to do with story coming into focus. I know it is hard to start from scratch but to think the opening arc for the new Spawn is 6 issues might have been asking too much of the readers for patience and too hard for Team Spawn to pull off. For the most part when I put down a current issue I am thinking “what the heck did I just read”. If this would have been a new series I picked up I would not be moving forward with the finish of this arc. Spawn has bought some credibility and staying power that I will give you the benefit of the doubt.

There are a lot of stories building and I am hopeful but I am also hoping that at the conclusion of ENDGAME I will have a freaking clue as to the direction of Spawn. I am not a fan of the Incredible Spawn (aka changing like the Hulk) but I was hopeful with the Power Meter at the end of this issue.

The art continues to be a concern and just isn’t knocking it out of the park like I would have hoped. I would be pleased though is Jay Fotos is the new PERMANENT color guy for the book. That would give me a lot of hope.

Undecided but sticking around for a while.

Issue #16 was incredible. As much as I love the stories in Proof and the meaty arcs of great drama and action I am starting to appreciate these between story stories. The characters day off type of stories. This is an amazingly underutilized portion of story telling that most comic book writers miss and Alex Grecian nails with a two ton hammer. The story is always mindful to tie up loose ends when needed and leave others out there when there is more story to tell. The drama with Noel and his dad Wayne was a great moment and a real life issue that you do not see most people willing to address let alone tackle in a comic. Belinda joining The Lodge was an interesting twist and I would love to see her and Elvis in action. There is a lot of potential with them as partners. Proof and Bella was a nice moment, especially seeing how her husband died. The character development continues to push forward and build upon the greatness that has already been established. I am excited to see that Marc is now a player and staying in the game.

Riley knocked it out of the park again with the art.. though there was a weird shadowing on Elvis in one panel after he talked to Dover Demon… yes that is picky when you talk about a single panel but that is Riley’s art – perfect each and every time so it is odd when anything is a little off. I loved the return of Autumn and how that was played out in the end. I am not sure if that was Alex’s idea of Riley’s idea but you nailed it. For all of the challenges you had with this issue (drawing 9 real fans into different pages) you killed it. Loved the tributes you paid on the various pages that were used for inspiration from the originals. You just have an incredible style and I cannot get enough of your art.

Great back-up story by Alex and Paul. You crammed even more greatness into a already great book. I also appreciate and enjoyed all of the letters in the back of the book, not just because they were all about me dying, but because they were fun and Alex appreciated them enough to put them in the book. Very rarely does a creator listen to their audience but Alex not only listens but he is part of the fun. Riley and Alex put out the best book month-in and month-out… it is just a bonus that they are two of the coolest guys on this planet.

Not to be forgotten is THE LIAR back-up story by our man Kelly. I am looking forward to going back and reading the whole story in one sitting. Archie Snow seems like a fun character that you can do a lot of things with and I hope we get more of his adventures.

A Plus to Team Proof for knocking it out of the park 12 different ways. There are so many people complaining about crap books right now that should be checking this title out. Brilliant each and every time.

Until next time…. I believe in Monsters

Dynamo 5 #19 – Spoilers Included

So the team is back together again and are able to take down the rag-tag super villains that Widowmaker had hired. Great to see the group all together again. The big question coming into this issue was “who is Vigil” and we all had our guesses, I have 8 or 9, and it turns out that it was Myriad the whole time. I believe that was my guess, or one of them. Great to see that Scrap wasn’t the only person to stick with protecting Tower City.

Firebird, the little one, really came out of her shell and demonstrated that she may be a force to deal with in the future. Visionary proves that once the visor goes on he is a ladies man after all. Looking forward to the upcoming issue with the two of them on a date. Should be fun.

I am curious is Quaker aka Jacob and Scrap might be seeing more of each other. It was only a few issues ago that he was hitting on Firebird, the big one. Also who good is a speedster with only one good leg?

This brings us to the real Oh My Goodness moment in the book – Sandy is behind all of this? The man in charge of FLAG for Tower City is a criminal mastermind? Also his has that tattoo on his neck… is that a sign of a cult? We know that there is a Father Gideon coming up in the near future. Does Sandy belong to a religious cult of some sort?

Jay and Mahmud (and Ron on colors) continue to put out a great team book each and ever issue. There is a likable dynamic with the kids and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out now that the gang is back together. I can only wait to see where you talk us on this journey.

Well done. Myriad? Yep I guessed that

I can sum this book up in one word – FUN. I am not sure if that is the most complimentary word you will hear to describe this book but it is the one that comes to my mind first. I actually found myself smiling as I was reading this book because it has a youthful joy applied with a grown-up slant on the whole superhero genre.

As we meet the characters for the first time we learn a lot about each of them. Zoe is high maintenance. We know this from the previews and from the solicitation but knowing it and seeing it are two different things. Several wardrobe changes before she heads out on her date… her date to get dumped, AGAIN. You feel so sorry for her boyfriend as they are shopping and you understand why every man runs away as fast as he can.

Our hero for the book is Barock and he seems like a straight laced good guy. Plays by the rules and stands for Truth, Justice and the Neboron Way. We also get the feeling that he has either lost a love in his life or she left him… maybe she is a villain now? Just guessing but that is always fun.

Helius is smoooooth. Calm cool and cocky. His dad is somebody of importance and he has been handed everything on a platter throughout his entire life. He is a good friend to Barock but he is a playa (not “er”) and you don’t want to leave him in a room alone with your sister.

Then finally there is Rushmore. There is something about this guy that you just have to like. He is not your typical wimpy speedster – he is cool. I picture him like the Fonze with quicks or something along those lines.

The writing was well done and I can tell that Glen has a great grasp on these characters and the stories that he wants to tell. I am looking forward to seeing what else we have in store. I do want to punch you for leaving us with such a cliffhanger after the first issue – I was planning on coming back anyway so having another part of this story is fine by me I guess.

Dan’s art is incredible. To me this is a loose style that you would associate with some of the comics from the past with tight lines that keep it from looking sloppy. I really enjoyed looking at each and every panel and just taking in the visual story as much as the written story.

Jersey Gods is off to a great start. My only regret was that I only picked up the regular cover to issue #1 (though it is a sweet cover I now find myself wishing I would have grabbed one of each). New books come and go but I am optimistic that this one has something special that will keep it around. Here is to looking forward to issue #2 and issue #200.

If anyone is looking for a new book that is worth picking up this is the book for you. It gets to the heart of what comics should be… FUN!

Proof – Issue #17 (spoilers included)

Another great issue and really odd to have such a true “standalone” issue. I will start with a first obvious – Riley I missed your art on this issue (glad we go it for the back-up story but you were missed because your art is Proof). The next point I would like to make is Kelly you kicked a lot of butt with your art on the issue. You do blood and gore very well, it suits your style, and I would love to see you on a regular book or have an Archie Snow mini come out or something. Loved it.

The story was entertaining and actually felt a little less sophisticated that what I feel Proof brings to the table and that was perfect because of the characters that were involved in the story. The tone of the story really reflected the character. We have people getting killed in a slave labor environment, hearts being yanked out, and some guy trying to get a girl to go behind the barn and “snoggle”. This was a wonderful back story into El Chupacabra and the events that lead us to The Goatsucker.

The back-up story made my jaw drop (first yea Riley on the art) but the content. We are now seeing alliances form and people chose sides. All of the sudden El Chupacabra seems like a major player in organizing things rather than just the muscle behind the scenes. We also get to see that tasty pie show up again… nothing ever happens in Proof for no reason at all – there is always a purpose.

I am so eager to see what is next and where we are going but the next story arc takes us back to where Proof has been when he was with the circus.

All in all this is another fabulous issue and I continue to shout to anyone that listens that Proof is best, most complete book that is out on the market right now. Great job to Team Proof (including Kelly) and you guys go ahead and take a few weeks off…. but make sure that issue #18 is not late

Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard deliver another incredible issue. This book just does not know how to disappoint. As much as you keep waiting for that down issue it has yet to arrive. Thank you and congratulations to TEAM TWD for #59 just knocking it out of the park in a big way.

So Rick, Carl and Abe pickup Morgan and out to restock on the police station. During this process we learn that Morgan is insane, more than we thought, and Carl just might have to shoot the guy. Morgan’s appearance has everyone freaked out and his actions are not making the journey back to the rest of the group a fun one.

In the process of the trip back we finally get to see a ZOMBIE HERD. Abe has talked about them and to this point I pictured a group of roamers (or biters – your choice). This was something completely different… this was a herd. The scene where Rick crashes the car and Abe goes flying into the pile was one of those pages you just had to stare at for a few minutes because the art told so much more of a story than any words could portray.

So the small party of survivors are on their own and without a car while being chased by a zombie herd. They are now far from the rest of the group and they are on foot. Could this lead us to the “stalking” teasers that we have seen. Rick and company are now hunting for the larger group and they feel like they are being followed? Just a thought.

This issue went by way too quick, but they all do. This is the ultimate story of human drama and Kirkman and Company deliver more frequently than the post office. Cheers to all and thanks for another winner.

WOW – this is another great issue of Proof (I think I start off every month saying that phrase… and for good reason). We know very little about Proof’s background to this point other than what we learned in Monster Pileup and a few tidbits dropped here and there so this issue is a treat.

Seeing Proof in a 19th century circus seems to make all of the sense in the world to me. I was however shocked to see some other familiar faces there. Mi-Po Chen and Dover Demon (or was it another demon?). I always thought of Dover Demon as a he but maybe he is a she. Regardless we are seeing some familiar faces showing a lot of history together and therefore they are going to have a lot more feeling and emotion towards each other moving forward.

Springheel Jack is one bad mo fo that is fo sho (I shouldn’t try to talk like that). Riley’s interpretation of the character is a bizarre and scary depiction of a truly insane killer. Seeing how Thomas treats Julia and Proof’s admiration for her sure tugs at the heart strings in a weird sort of way (Bigfoot, the Bearded Lady and a circus owner… even Jerry Spring couldn’t top that love triangle).

There is a lot going on in this issue and I can only imagine that I will find more with the next reading. This is a great jumping on point for a new reader and an even bigger treat for us long-time fans of the book.

Congratulations to Alex for finally getting to tell the story that he has wanted to write for years now. Great art, amazing colors, and an all-in-all gem of an issue. Proof rocks!!