THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 49 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, August 11 , 2008

SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE (Teen/Young Adult)

Sean McKeever (w); Takeshi Miyazawa (p/i); Norman Lee (i); Christina Strain (c); Randy Gentile & Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Miyazawa, Lee & Strain

Publisher: Marvel

Format: hardcover trade

Review: There are few writers who understand teenage life like Sean McKeever, and this collection is a perfect example. Mary Jane and Peter Parker's romance has been going on for quite some time in the comics world, but McKeever puts a fresh, adolescent spin on it. The title of the book might as well read "Mary Jane Loves Spider-Man," because there is no doubt that MJ is the star of the show. And she does it all: She hangs out at the coffee shop, tries to get a Homecoming date, tries to get a job, and deals with the highs and lows in her relationships with Liz Allen, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn and Peter Parker. Oh yes, and she not only fantasizes over Spider-Man, but continually runs into him. There isn't a moment that doesn't feel true, and all the characters are nicely developed; even Flash is more than the bully to Peter that he normally appears to be. Miyazawa's Manga-influenced art has a charm all its own, and adds greatly to the book's appeal. Collects MARY JANE #1-4, MARY JANE: HOMECOMING #1-4 and SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #1-5.

SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE SEASON 2 #1 (All Ages)

Terry Moore (w); Craig Rousseau (p/i); Guillem Mari (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Moore & Christina Strain

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Mary Jane Watson returns in her own series.

In this issue: At long, long, long, looooooooooooooooong last, SHE'S BACK!
Mary Jane Watson, in her very own adventures! Superstar writer Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise , upcoming RUNAWAYS) supplies story (and covers!) and artist Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts) brings his best for this all-new mini. It's the beginning of a new high school year. MJ finally feels like she's got her life in order. Good friends, good classes, good relationship with a certain Wall-Crawler.but is there someone behind the scenes that's got it in for our rambunctious redhead? (from marvel.com)

Review: Mary Jane is back, ready to start her first day as a sophomore. She's got one class with Harry Osborn AND Gwen Stacy. She's got Liz Allen and Flash Thompson for friends. She's got a job. And then, of course, there's Peter Parker and his wall-crawling alter ego, whom she still has a crush on, despite what she says. This is a wonderful first issue, and while it is suitable for all ages (and Marvel has it listed as such), teenagers-and those who remember their high school years-will probably get the most enjoyment out of it. Moore & Rousseau pick up where the last series left off, and they're off to a nice start.

VENOM: DARK ORIGIN #1 (Teen/Young Adult)

Zeb Wells (w); Angel Medina (p); Scott Hanna (i); Matt Milla (c); Joe Caramanga (l); cover by Medina & Hanna

Publisher: Marvel

Format: five-issue miniseries

Concept: Learn how Eddie Brock bonded with the alien symbiote and became Venom.

In this issue: On the unlikely day when an embittered, washed-up journalist met a spurned symbiotic organism from an alien planet, one of Spider-Man's greatest enemies was born - a force of evil and vengeance like no other in the Marvel Universe - VENOM! But is it as simple as that? Discover the true, twisted roots that gave rise to a lifetime of malevolence for Eddie Brock.AND the symbiote! Writer Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and artist Angel Medina (SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN) shed a little light on one of Marvel's darkest monsters! (from marvel.com)

Review: Venom has always been one of my favorite Marvel characters, and certainly my favorite character in the Spider-Man canon. Originally introduced during David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane's run on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, he went on to star in I-don't-know-how-many miniseries, and more recently in both MARVEL ADVENTURES and ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. Take a good look at the cover, for it's the only time you'll see Venom in this issue. Wells and Medina focus exclusively on Brock, taking us back to the beginning, to his childhood. The first two scenes, in which he "helps" a little girl find her cat and then goes home to a father and sister who don't like him, immediately establish the combination of bad luck and dishonesty that will cause his downfall. Brock reacts to his problems by lying, stealing, and manipulating situations to his advantage. Medina captures this nicely in the artwork; the creepy close-ups on Brock's face leave absolutely no doubt that something isn't quite right with him. And by focusing exclusively on Brock in this issue, Wells has created a fascinating study that manages to acknowledge Brock's history while fleshing out his character. Bring on the symbiote!

COLLECTIONS

MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #14 collects MA AVENGERS #14 and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS #2.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

THE BATMAN STRIKES! #48

FIREBREATHER vol. 2 #2

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31 st CENTURY #17

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #14

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #42

TINY TITANS #7

TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED: ARRIVAL #1

By thy side,

John "Figaro" Norris

------ Discuss this review on The Cat's Meow section of the Comics in the Classroom Forums ----- 

Note: The age ratings and opinions featured in these reviews are those of reviewer, John Norris, and may not be shared by the administrator of this web site.