What an excellent Prog!
Unfortunately a Tweeted cover reveal for next week spoiled the surprise in The Order, but I'll live. And let's start there: we get that breather I was looking for last week, or at least a few pages where Burns has time to do some detailed art while folks chat about how things got to the present pass, and its to the benefit of the strip. And then the big crossover splash, which I'm in two minds about: I think the big guy fits perfectly into the complex inter-dimensional time-crisis world of the Order and its steampunky robot men, and I'm delighted to see him back into the bargain; on the other hand, I don't much like Burns' rendition, especially the Escher drawing that is his left arm, the topology of which I can't resolve at all. Let the mighty Burns draw his own batstomm designs, sez I! Anyway, cant wait to see where this goes, as ever.
Dredd is great again. Can't say I normally care for the judges enabling lawbreaking, no matter how useful, but if I'm honest it all feels like this is a missing chapter of The Crime Files and that is a Good Thing. I like that both gangs have a SF/Crazy dimension, and I like the procedural chat between the judges. Add some all-out fantastic art from Manco, which in places looks like Will Simpson at his very best, and I'm happy out. McConville's best work yet, fingers crossed he sticks the landing.
However, Best In Show has to go to Grey Area. If this series has been building to anything, it's this week's unassuming episode. Everything works, everyone looks and sounds like a real person; this is the setting and the characters and the storyline all syncing up perfectly. Highest possible marks to Abnett and Harrison, like Feo I sincerely hope this strip doesn't quit.
EDIT: Drokk, I've just realised I haven't read Mechastopheles or the FS yet! Only 60% read and I'm sated! That's the sign of a dense and statisfying prog if ever there was one. I'll be back...