THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 3 - Week 12 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, November 23 , 2008

FIREBREATHER vol. 2 #3: “All the Best Heroes Are…” (Teen/Young Adult)

Phil Hester (w); Andy Kuhn (p/i); Bill Crabtree (c); cover by Kuhn & Crabtree

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Divorce is tough for any teenager, but when your mom is a normal human housewife and your dad is a 300-foot-tall, city-stomping monster, things get a little tougher. This is Duncan Rosenblatt's reality. His mom wants him to keep up his grades and go to community college. His dad wants him to ascend to his rightful place as king of all monsters.

In this issue : The first action packed arc nears its earthshaking climax. The violent world of Belloc starts to threaten Duncan 's adopted hometown. Duncan has sworn to defend his friends and family, but will he have to become a murderer to do it? (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Poor Duncan just can't seem to get a break. First it was school dummies, then it was school buses (not his fault), and now school cars! Anyone who's been through driver's ed will love the opening scene. But it's when Belloc appears and prepares Duncan for things to come that the heart of the issue is revealed. As father and son talk to each other, their relationship seems to deepen. Hester's wonderful dialogue and the great Kuhn/Crabtree artwork reveal a side to Belloc that shows he's a deeper character than I would have thought. Their scenes are beautifully done, right up to the final panel, in which Duncan learns the seriousness of the situation. The Li'l Firebreather backup “Monster Day Care” is bizarre, but any story that makes visual references to Devil Dinosaur, the Herculoids and Godzilla (including Godzooky) earns MAJOR points in my book.

Look out for: blood

FLASH vol. 2 #246: “This Was Your Life, Wally West part 3: Infection” (Teen/Young Adult)

Alan Burnett (w); Carlo Barberi (p); Drew Geraci & Jacob Eguren (i); the Hories (c); Swands (l); cover by Freddie E. Williams II & the Hories

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Wally West returns as the Scarlet Speedster.

In this issue: As Queen Bee circles in closer for the kill, everything The Flash holds dear starts slipping away from him. His powers, his wife – what's next to go? (from dccomics.com)

Review: After having been the victim of a bee attack, Linda is barely holding on, and Wally knows it. Burnett continues his look at Wally's life by examining Wally and Linda's relationship, from their first meeting to their wedding day, and all the adventures in between. It's a heartfelt look at a superhero whose powers can't help him save the one he loves the most. The artwork beautifully conveys Wally's emotions, and Williams' cover is simply wonderful.

INVINCIBLE #55 (Teen/Young Adult): “Lock Down, But Not Out!” (Teen/Young Adult)

Robert Kirkman (w); Ryan Ottley (p/i); Fco Plascencia (c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Ottley & Plascencia

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of young superhero Mark Grayson.

In this issue: Omni-Man has been awaiting execution in a Viltrumite Prison for months, but Allen the Alien has different plans for Invincible's father. The stage is set for the final confrontation with the Viltrumites –- and it all starts here! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: You can bet that any issue featuring Allen the Alien is going to be a lot of fun, and that is certainly the case here. He's got a plan to break Nolan out of prison, and once he sets that plan into motion, things kick into high gear. The reappearance of a certain bestial fighter makes things even more interesting. I like that Allen and Nolan are becoming friends; it's certainly a far cry from the days when Allen mistook Earth for another planet. This is Kirkman and Ottley doing what they always do: balancing high-octane action scenes with thoughtful character-driven moments. Few teams do it better.

Look out for: lots of blood

MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #30: “The Lady & the Tigra” (All Ages)

Paul Tobin (w); Matteo Lolli (p); Christian Dalla Vecchia (i); Ulises Arreola (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Nolan & Arreola

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 : THERE'S A TIGRA ON THE LOOSE!: The Griffin is on a rampage, and it's up to the Avengers to stop him! But why is Tigra secretly observing the fight from afar, and why has she been spying on the Avengers for days? And who, in turn, has been spying on HER? Plus, a new Avenger joins the ranks! (from marvel.com)

Review: The Avengers may battle foes that no single super hero could withstand, but some foes, including the Griffin , are tough even for them! Thank goodness for Tigra. Tobin keeps things building nicely until the end, when we learn that Tigra hasn't been the only one spying.

SUPER FRIENDS vol. 2 #9: “Happy Birthday, Superman!” (All Ages)

Sholly Fisch (w); J. Bone (p/i); Heroic Age (c); Travis Lanham (l); cover by Bone

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Introducing SUPER FRIENDS — a brand-new series for younger readers to meet the heroes of the DC Universe, based on the hot toy line from Mattel! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash and Aquaman are here to save the day — and be your friends, too!

In this issue : Happy Birthday, Superman! The Super Friends get together for a party celebrating DC's first and greatest hero! But Lex Luthor wants to wish Superman a very un-happy day! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Everyone loves birthdays, but not everyone loves Superman…particularly Lex Luthor. It's no surprise that he would want to ruin Superman's birthday, but he doesn't stop there…he wants to ruin ALL of Superman's birthdays. How he plans to do that is not for a review to tell you. But beyond the giant balloons and birthday cake, the story's real message is the importance of considering things from another person's point of view, even when that other person is a criminal genius. I like the way in which Fisch allows Superman to demonstrate this lesson. I also like Bone's artwork, particularly of Flash and Superbaby (again, read to find out) running at super-speed. Activities include a Photo Fumble, Costume Corner and Birthday Card Cut-up.

TINY TITANS #10 (All Ages)

Art Baltazar & Franco (w); art & cover by Baltazar

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue : It's girl's day out as Supergirl and Batgirl try to find the perfect location for a tea party. Let's just hope they don't forget about Streaky and Ace! (from dccomics.com)

Review: No pet likes it when their owners forget to feed them, so what are Streaky and Ace to do? Follow Supergirl and Batgirl, of course! “Tea Time” is the only story in this issue, as opposed to others which have several, and I like this approach. In addition to Streaky and Ace, a few other faces make appearances as well; namely Krypto, Killer Croc and Bizarro. Also included are a word link puzzler and a bonus pin-up by Franco.

WOLVERINE & POWER PACK #1: “A Fight At the Museum” (All Ages)

Marc Sumerak (w); Gurihiru (p/i/c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Gurihiru

Publisher: Marvel

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: The Canadian mutant joins forces with the Power kids.

In this issue : "All right, bub. Gimme my appearance schedule for October..."
"Sure, Mr. Logan! There's your regular solo title, of course. Plus, the usual line-up of team books."
"So that's just UNCANNY, ASTONISHING, NEW AVENGERS and X-FORCE. No prob."
"There's also your side projects. ORIGINS, FIRST CLASS, MANIFEST DESTINY, another FIRST CLASS..."
"Uh huh. Anythin' else?"
"Don't forget cameos! Possibly AVENGERS/INVADERS... maybe a SECRET INVASION appearance..."
"Hmph. Sounds like a light month to me. Think I got room for one more book. You got anythin' FUN?"
"Actually..." (from marvel.com)

Review: “Fun” is just the word to describe an issue that combines Wolverine, Power Pack and dinosaurs. Alex is at the museum preparing a report on the Cretaceous Period, when Dr. Lykos suggests that dinosaurs still exist. This, of course, interests Alex and Jack. But Dr. Lykos soon shows that there's more to him than meets the eye…and that's where Wolverine comes in. It's great to see Gurihiru handling the artwork again; their style is simply perfect for the Power stories. Everything from Sauron to the dinosaur exhibit looks great. And how can you not love a cover which shows Jack using his makeshift claws?

COLLECTIONS

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR: SPACED CRUSADERS digest collects MA FF #37-40.

MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #17 collects MA HULK #7 and MA SPIDER-MAN #43.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #42

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #5

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #128

WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #9

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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