THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 29 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, March 24 , 2008

FLASH vol. 2 #238: "Fast Money, part 1: Spin Zone" (Teen/Young Adult)

Tom Peyer (w); Freddie E. Williams II (p/i); Tanya & Richard Horie (c); Travis Lanham (l); cover by Williams

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Wally West returns as the Scarlet Speedster.

In this issue : "Fast Money" begins! Don't miss the kickoff of this provocative new storyline by Tom Peyer (HOURMAN), as the Flash is pulled into an intense moral dilemma about superpowers - and Keystone's plagued by a menace who's using familiar mind-bending tactics! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Tom Peyer takes the script reins here, and he hits the ground running (no pun intended). We see a news clip of Flash saving some people from an earthquake and then cut to the West family around the TV, when Jai asks dad if Keystone City will ever have an earthquake. This opening scene beautifully sets up the rest of the story. This issue really focuses on the "Wally" side of Flash-that is, his human side; loving his wife and kids, stressing over lack of money, and making a mistake that will have major consequences. It's also a commentary on why it's important to watch what we say (and to whom we say it) and how public opinion is influenced by the media. And if that isn't enough, enter a villain who can spin the news to serve his interests.
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FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SPRING BREAK (All Ages)

Chris Eliopoulos & Marc Sumerak (story); Sumerak (w); Eliopoulos (p/i/l); Brad Anderson (c); cover by Eliopoulos

Publisher: Marvel

Format: one-shot

In this issue: Spring is finally here! The snow is thawing, the days are getting longer, and Franklin Richards is destroying everything in his superhero father's secret lab. (Wait...that last part happens every season!) Franklin Richards comes in like a lion this March in five brand-new tales filled with doohickeys and destruction...and it'll once again be up to his robot pal H.E.R.B.I.E. to handle the spring cleaning after the damage is done! This special one-shot is gonna make the Fantastic Four wish they had gone on a long vacation... (from marvel.com)

Review: It's spring break, which can only mean one thing.Franklin Richards is causing more mayhem! Once again, he does anything and everything; from recreating Iron Man's armor to stealing a time controller to creating a science fair project to accidentally drinking a burping tonic (wait until you find out why Reed invented it) to having "fun" with H.E.R.B.I.E. "Time Trouble" in particular really does a nice job of presenting Franklin as a kid we can all relate to; that story's for anyone who ever hated gym or had an extremely boring class in school.
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INVINCIBLE #49 (Teen/Young Adult)

Robert Kirkman (w); Ryan Ottley (p/i); Bill Crabtree (c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Ottley & Val Staples

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of young superhero Mark Grayson.

In this issue: The Reanimen are back, but now they're fighting for the good guys?! And if that's the case, why are they facing off against Invincible? It all comes to a head here! Events are set in motion leading up to our big issue 50 - coming next month! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Mark and Eve, along with all those other Image-verse superheroes, have been captured by Doc Seismic, only to be rescued by.Darkwing and the Reanimen?!? With that, Mark seeks answers to some loaded questions, and I probably don't have to tell you that he won't like what he learns. Kirkman takes a character whom Mark (and the reader) has never doubted before and presents a different side of him. And Ottley & Crabtree deliver some fine artwork, particularly two amazing double-page splashes featuring multiple characters in action. The next issue is the big 5-0. I can't wait.
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MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #22: "Wakanda Wild Side!" (All Ages)

Marc Sumerak (w); Ig Guara (p); Jay Leisten (i); Ulises Arreola (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Leonard Kirk

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Super-soldier from World War II. Weather Goddess. Super-strong alter ego of scientist Bruce Banner. Spider-powered web-slinger. Giant-sized crimefighter. Brilliant armored inventor. Feral mutant brawler. Together, they are the world's mightiest heroes, battling foes that no single super hero could withstand!

In this issue : The Avengers take a walk on the wild side as they go toe-to-toe--and claw-to-claw with the savage Sabretooth! Hope you all have current passports, heroes, because this adventure is going to take you deep into the heart of the African jungle...and right into the heart of the mysterious nation known as Wakanda! (Looks like Sabretooth isn't the only cat about to cross the Avengers' paths...) (from marvel.com)

Review: The Avengers receive news of Sabretooth, someone Wolverine knows all too well, and he's loose near Wakanda, someplace Storm knows all too well. Both Wolverine and T'Challa learn something. Wolverine learns that hero or not, no one can-or SHOULD-fight all of their battles alone. And with T'Challa, Sumerak asks us to consider the following question: When does a problem become OUR problem? Is it only when it happens to our loved ones or in our immediate community? Of course, Sumerak doesn't forget the witty one-liners. He must have a lot of fun coming up with Spider-Man and Hulk's dialogue. Who knew Hulk liked couscous?
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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #186: "Mogul Rising, part 2: Devil's Due" (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (layouts); Matt Herms (p); Jim Amash (i); Josh Ray (c); John Workman (l); cover by Yardley! & Jensen

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Sonic and pals, based on the hit video game.

In this issue : The nightmare has only just begun for Sonic's friends - especially when they learn he's become one of ancient villain Mammoth Mogul's many new followers!  How can that be?!  Is Sonic really involved in Mogul's dastardly schemes, and if so, how?  As if that weren't enough, the stakes rise even higher when the Chaos Emerald gets involved!  It's a mind-blowing tale of turmoil and intrigue you won't want to miss! 

Review: Mogul certainly has Sonic in a bind.forcing him to fight three of his friends! Sonic realizes that the only way they can be saved is to do exactly what Mogul wants, even though that could have serious consequences. The creative team has done a great job with Mogul. In a way, you could say he's like the Doctor Doom of the Sonic universe; he's smarter and more powerful than everyone else, and he's not ashamed to admit it. His holier-than-thou attitude comes through when he speaks; you can imagine what his voice would sound like as you read. Also included is a backup story entitled "Honor Bound," in which we find Enerjak-free Knuckles still blaming himself for all the destruction that has happened. It's going to take someone special to make him come to his senses-no, I won't tell you who it is-but what do they have to gain by doing so?
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SONIC X #30: "Big Top Terror!" (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); James Fry (p); Terry Austin (i); Josh Ray (c); John Workman (l); cover by Pat "Spaz" Spaziante

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: During a battle between Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman, an explosion hurled Sonic, his friends, and Dr. Eggman across dimensions until they found themselves on planet Earth. Dr. Eggman is determined to establish his Eggman Empire, beginning with Earth.and Sonic is determined to stop him.

In this issue : Step right up for the scariest show on earth as Sonic and his friends find themselves the unwilling star attractions in Ringmaster Eggman's circus!  It's three rings of trouble for our heroes with Chris and his family their (literally) captive audience!  Will Sonic's keen sense of showmanship rise to the occasion to help save the day, or can we count on a heroic rescue from offstage?  This is one high wire act of suspense you won't want to miss! 

Review: Laaaaaadies and gentlemen! Boys and girls of all ages! Dr. Eggman goes from the wrestling ring to the center ring as the ringmaster of The Greatest Evil Show on Earth! See Amy Rose face the mighty Eggephants! Watch as Knuckles battles Egg Clowns (one of whom bears a resemblance to the Joker) and gets creamed with pies! Marvel as Tails and Cream face robotic animals! Thrill as Sonic performs a dangerous high-wire stunt without a safety net! Laugh as Decoe and Bocoe find their inner acrobat! All this plus Bokkun in this fun-filled issue.
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TINY TITANS #2 (All Ages)

Art Baltazar & Franco Aurellani (w); Baltazar (p/i/c); Nick J. Napolitano (l); cover by Baltazar

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: It's all your favorite Titans, in their cutest possible form!

In this issue : The Fearsome Five have arrived, and they have their eyes set on the Tiny Titans playground! Plus, Beast Boy has a crush on a rock throwing lass and Cyborg helps bake a cake. All this and more in our second all-ages, all-fun issue! (from dccomics.com)

Review: In this issue we have bullies, a love triangle, Cyborg and Kid Devil. Baltazar & Franco fill these pages with comic gems. We see how Kid Flash thwarts the Fearsome Five at their own game, laugh at the antics of love-struck Beast Boy, who only has eyes for Terra, who only has eyes for Superman and watch as Wonder Girl finds a use for Cyborg that I can almost guarantee has never been seen in any other Teen Titans comic! Oh yes, Kid Devil heats up hot chocolate and hot dogs as only he can! All this plus an activity and a bonus pin-up from Baltazar.
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COLLECTIONS

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31 st CENTURY, vol. 1: TOMORROW'S HEROES trade paperback collects LEGION #1-6.

MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #9 collects MA FANTASTIC FOUR #31 and MA SPIDER-MAN #35.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

ADOLESCENT RADIOACTIVE BLACK BELT HAMSTERS #2

GARGOYLES vol. 2 #8

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #34

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #11

POWER PACK: DAY ONE #1

TEEN TITANS GO! #53

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #120

USAGI YOJIMBO vol. 3 #110

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS vol. 2 #10

By thy side,

John "Figaro" Norris

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