Fables #63 (DC Vertigo) w. Bill Willingham; a. Mark Buckingham
“The Good Prince” series continues, as both the Fables and the Adversary’s councils plot the next moves in the war. Fabletown starts mustering its forces, both in the city and even amongst the dead. This is mostly an entr’acte episode, some nice character play and groundwork laid for future actions. I fear the war against the Adversary is going to be damned bloody.
Fallen Angel #18 (IDW) w. Peter David; a. J.K. Woodward
An odd adventure with Shi continues from the previous issue. They make an odd couple — which actually helps, because it gives the Fallen Angel someone to snark at. And from the other perspective, it actually makes me interested in Shi again. Some nice Peter David dialog, a few twists, and the menace of the Yellow City revealed on he last page. Some of the best FA action since the series moved to IDW.
Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #5 (Marvel) w. Jeph Loeb; a. John Cassaday
The series has been looking at how different individuals have dealt with Cap’s death. This issue focuses on Iron Man, his chief adversary in the Civil War. We see Cap’s funeral — a large affair of state, despite how things ended. Stark is unable to speak, leaving it to the Falcon to give a remarkable elegy. The Cassaday art is, as always, exquisite. And the final scenes, and the final laying to rest of Cap, will remain with us for a while. Probably one of the best post-Civil War books yet.
Fantastic Four #547 (Marvel) w. Dwayne Mcduffie; a. Paul Pelletier, Rick Magyar
The FF are back from their zombie encounter (in Black Panther), while Reed and Sue are doing scientific stuff together out near Saturn. Reed recovers an organic probe and takes a quick jaunt to earth to consult with Hank Pym on it, learning it carries a message about an invading alien force. Out in space, though, Sue’s under attack by the Frightful Four, who, upon her capture, tell Reed their going to kill her, so that he’ll take a booby-trapped space vehicle. It actually plays out a lot better than it sounds. The art resembles Alan Davis. Overall, quite readable.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #22 (Marvel) w. Peter David; a. Todd Nauck
This is another Back in Black tale, but Pete’s not behaving at all like he is in Amazing Spider-Man. Instead, he’s dealing with a creature who wants him to host her spider babies inside of him. Plenty of supporting characer action from Betty Brant and Flash Thompson, as Spidey figures out a way to deal with the spider woman permanently. That just leaves one problem — Joe Robertson’s been fired by Jolly JJJ. It’s all not-quite-nutty fun, a relatively light romp compared to some in the current Spidey-verse.
Hmmm. “F” was a pretty good letter.