THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #158 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, September 14, 2009

ASTRO BOY MOVIE PREQUEL: UNDERGROUND #3 (All Ages)

Scott Tipton (w); Diego Jourdan & Jorge Santillan Studios (p/i); Tom Smith (c); Neil Uyetake (l); cover by Jourdan & Santillan Studios

Publisher: IDW

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: He's back! Astro Boy makes his amazing return to comics, paving the way for his exciting feature film debut later this year!

In this issue : Astro Boy is caught between sides in a subterranean civil war, and finally comes face to face with the commander of the fierce reptilian army! Can Astro win this war all by himself? And maybe the better question is, should he? (from idwpublishing.com)

Review: You have to hand it to those Lucertos…they're tough and determined! No matter how many times Astro has thwarted their plans, they've kept coming back. And at last, they have succeeded in retrieving the gemstone! As Astro tries to get it back, he learns that he just might be on the wrong side. Tipton and Jourdan keep the plot thickening in this great issue.

BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD #8: “Batman Versus the Yeti!” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Carlo Barberi (p); Terry Beatty (i); Heroic Age (c); Pat Brousseau (l); cover by Scott Jeralds & Hi-Fi

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Jumping out of your TV and into your comics comes the highly anticipated new cartoon BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD! Each month, The Dark Knight Detective faces challenges that only he can solve – with a little help from his DC Universe pals! Thrill as Batman visits new places and old friends. Chill as he chases down the most powerful villains in the DCU, armed with only his Bat-gadgets and his wits!

In this issue: Things get hairy when Batman teams up with The Great Ten, China 's ultimate super team, in a battle that finds our heroes fighting against an army of yelping Yetis. Yikes! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Batman sure does do a lot of traveling. He's fighting alongside Rising Sun at the beginning of the issue, and then it's off to Tibet to face Yetis! Fortunately, some members of The Great Ten, China 's answer to the Justice League, are on hand to help, especially since the Yeti may be one of their own teammates! Having never heard of the Ten before now, I was quite amused with the names of the members shown here (August General in Iron, Accomplished Perfect Physician, Celestial Archer and…Yeti). Torres and Barberi deliver a fun story. Oh, one last thing…don't call the Ten “superheroes”…they prefer “super functionaries.”

BILLY BATSON AND THE MACIG OF SHAZAM! #7: “Deception Reception” (All Ages)

Art Baltazar & Franco (w); Byron Vaughns (p/i); David Tanguay (c); Swands (l); cover by Vaughns

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Welcome to the brand-new, all-fun adventures of Billy Batson as the World's Mightiest Mortal — Captain Marvel!

In this issue: Billy and his sister Mary are off on another all–new, amazing adventure as they fight side by side (as well with each other) against the robotic might of the frightening Mr. Atom! (from dccomics.com)

Review: This issue begins with a wonderful page in which the wizard talks about shadows. And one of the Marvels' smallest foes casts one of the largest shadows…Dr. Sivana! And his plan to defeat Captain Marvel is sure to work because it involves Tawky Tawny! Baltazar, Franco and Vaughns did a nice job on this one. Sivana's over-the-top dialogue is great, and Vaughns really plays up the “mad” aspect with some fantastic expressions. As for Tawny, it's nice to see him again; he really is the heart of the issue.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #202: “ Dangerous Territory /A Lonely Girl's Story” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Steven Butler/Jamal Peppers (p); Terry Austin (i); Matt Herms (c); John Workman (l); cover by Tracy Yardley! & Jason Jensen

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue: Sonic and Monkey Khan storm the city of New Megaopolis to nip an evil invasion in the bud, but have these heroes bitten off more than they can chew? And will a shocking betrayal save them - or doom them? Plus, learn the guarded secrets of the Eggman Empire's new empress in this intriguing tale! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: Dangerous territory, indeed. Sonic and Khan arrive at New Megaopolis only to be greeted by a surprise attack by the Dark Egg Legion. And believe me, that's the first of MANY surprises that Flynn and Butler throw in. You'll find out surprising things about Espio, Khan himself, and even the Iron Queen in the backup story. And just in case all these surprises aren't enough to keep you interested, the non-stop action should be.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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