THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 3 - Week 32 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, April 13, 2009

AGENTS OF ATLAS vol. 2 #3: “The Dragon's Corridor, part 2/Interlude at Sea” (Teen.Young Adult)

Jeff Parker (w); Gabriel Hardman, Elizabeth Dismang, Clayton Henry & Jana Schirmer (artists); Nate Piekos (l); covers by Adi Granov & Ed McGuinness

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Reunited in the present to save their leader Jimmy Woo, an incredible team of 1950s FBI agents discovered Woo was the heir to an ancient underground empire known as the Atlas Foundation! Assuming command of the worldwide syndicate, Woo and his fellow agents plan to use its far-reaching influence for good. Now Master Woo, Gorilla-Man, Namora, the Urania, Venus and the killer robot M-11 are regarded as global threats—and known to the underworld as the AGENTS OF ATLAS.

In this issue : Back in the 1950's our heroes fall deeper into the mystery of the Dragon's Corridor- leading them to Communist plots and two mysteriously familiar bodies on ice. In the present day, a similar trail of intrigue winds back to secret plans of the Atlas Foundation. The Agents look to be building a hellish arsenal for Norman Osborn, and they've just gotten the attention of none other than CAPTAIN AMERICA ! (from marvel.com)

Review: Namora give us a “sea-nopsis,” and then we're back in the 1950s. The discovery of some red triangles strong enough to withstand even M-11's beam leads to a horrific discovery. In the present day, the team's attempt to “get the underworld mumbling “Atlas” all over New York ” succeeds in getting the attention of Captain America . I like that in the midst of these two tales of intrigue, Parker takes time for a beautiful, emotional scene between Namora and Venus in which we see Namora's softer side.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #50: “Sinister Six(teenth)/Nightmare Commute!” (All Ages)

Marc Sumerak (w); Sanford Greene/Sonny Liew (p); Nathan Massengill/Liew (i); A. Street/Liew (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Patrick Scherberger

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Bitten by an irradiated spider, which granted him incredible abilities, Peter Parker learned the all-important lesson, that with great power there must also come great responsibility. And so he became the amazing Spider-Man!

In this issue: Spidey celebrates his 50th issue milestone in true super hero style with a surprise party unlike any other. Too bad the hosts of this little get together are some of the webbed wonder's fiercest foes! Will our hero be able to defeat the new Sinister Six in time to blow out his candles? Or will he just end up with a face full of cake and a body covered in bruises? Make a wish, Spidey... it may be your last! (from marvel.com)

Review: For most people, there's no better way to celebrate a birthday than by having a party with six of your friends. The problem is that Peter Parker doesn't HAVE six friends. But that's okay…Spider-Man has six villains who would LOVE to show up! The Six may have a new leader (Green Goblin), but fortunately, that doesn't mean their efforts are more successful. Sumerak and Greene deliver another entertaining issue with fantastic artwork; my favorite panel is the one where Osborn puts on his Goblin mask. The backup story, “Nightmare Commute,” has a “classic comics” look and feel to it. Look out for an ELECTRIC COMPANY reference. All in all, this is a nice celebratory issue, with Scherberger's cover being the icing on the cake. Here's to 50 more issues!

SUPERGIRL: COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE 8 th GRADE #5: “Graduation Day, part 1” (All Ages)

Landry Q. Walker (w); Eric Jones (p/i); Joey Mason (c); Pat Brousseau (l); cover by Jones

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Supergirl stars in her own all-ages miniseries.

In this issue: It's graduation day, and things couldn't be more complicated! The whole gang is here, and the cosmic craziness is about to get way out of hand! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Let's see now…Supergirl and Lena are getting ready for graduation. Supragirl shows up. Belinda gets a device that truly makes her #1. Belinda becomes Superior Girl and creates minions. Streaky saves Supergirl. Lena creates her OWN minions. Superman and Luthor show up, and Belinda gets…oh, you just have to read it. It's absolutely nuts!!

COLLECTIONS

FIREBREATHER vol. 2: ALL THE BEST HEROES ARE ORPHANS trade collects FIREBREATHER #1-4.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: HEROES trade collects JLU #23-29.

PERHAPANAUTS vol. 1: TRIANGLE trade collects PERHAPANAUTS #1-5 plus the Annual.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

JOHNNY MONSTER #3

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #10

SUPER FRIENDS vol. 2 #14

TINY TITANS #15

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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