A Rogue's Look at the Indies #1: Proof
For every Marvel or DC book being published, there's always going to be a need for DDP Comics or Zenescope. For every issue of Amazing Spider-Man that Marvel creates, there's books like Cerebus and Madman. Just like people come in many shapes and sizes, there are a diverse range of comics being produced that appeal to different tastes. So, why is it that everyone knows about Spider-Man while it takes the hard core comic geek to tell you who Madman or Cerebus is? The biggest reason is that Spider-Man is produced by Marvel, one of the big companies, while Madman and Cerebus are self-produced or produced by smaller companies who don't have the fan following that Marvel and DC have.
Ocassionally a story would be more popular among fans and the general public if only the fans knew the story was out there. That is something I hope to provide with this column as each weekk I bring focus to an independant title that I feel deserves some recognition.
For my inaguaral, column, I'd like to introduce you all to a comic produced by Image comics called Proof. Proof is an ongoing series about a secret government organization called The Lodge that locates and acts as ambassadors to the creatures of myth known as Cryptids. The definition given by the book is that a cryptid is a creature that has been witnessed and for which some evidence (such as a blurry photograph or footprints) may exist, but the creature itself has never been captured or officially documented. The chief agent of The Lodge is a cryptid himself known to the world as Bigfoot, but he prefers to be called John "Proof" Prufrock.
If the general premise of a book about Bigfoot leading a team of agents to investigate sightings of dinosaurs or fairies doesn't hook you, then let me inform you that there's way more going on in Proof than the generic premise can sum up. In the first five issues alone, which make up the first story arc called "Goatsucker" and is out in trade form now, the reader is introduce to the main cast: Proof, his human partner Ginger Brown, small-town sheriff Elvis Chestnut, Lodge caretaker and Proof's old partner Wayne Russet, head of The Lodge, the mysterious Leander Wight, and the always full of attitude Autumn Song. But, the reader also discovers some of the cryptids that make up the background of the series, creatures like The Dover Demon, The Cottingley Fairies, and the Chupacabra named Nadine.
With the complex writing of Alex Grecian and the stylized but beautiful art by Riley Rossmo, Proof is clearly a winner that deserves checking out.
I was a little late getting into the Proof series, so I've had some catching up to do. But even though I'm only on the 10th issue out of the 14 already printed, I'm so impressed with this series that I've chosen to bring attention to this independent book over the many others that I love and will be sharing with you in the coming weeks.
RogueFan
Posted to Review on 3 December 2008
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: image comics, independant titles, proof
Glad I made ya read this?
Glad J.R. made me read it!
r...
Yes, very glad, thanks R and J.R.
Initially I picked up the series as Riley is the clerk at my comic shop. I must admit though I am very glad I did. The little cryptids of information throughout are enough entertainment in themselves.
Glad you guys enjoy it!