THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #173 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, January 19, 2010

FINDING NEMO: REEF RESCUE #4 (All Ages)

Marie Croall (w); Erica Leigh Currey (p/i); Veronica Gandini (c); Marshall Dillon (l); covers by Amy Mebberson & Currey

Publisher: BOOM! Kids

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: The biggest selling DVD of all time comes to comics!

In this issue: Nemo, Dory and Marlin conclude their dangerous journey, searching for a way to rescue their dying reef! Facing incredible odds, Nemo travels the great blue sea to save the one thing that matters most of all—home. Will the mysterious jellies finally provide a course of action that will save the reef? (from boom-kids.com)

Review: Nemo and company helped Seth the squid in the last issue. Now he returns the favor by pointing them to a tribe that can help rid their reef of the starfish. But who is this tribe, and will there be too many starfish for them to handle? Croall and Currey wrap things up in a very entertaining way while incorporating two messages: Size doesn't matter, and don't judge a book by its cover.

MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD #3: “Imperius Wrecks!” (All Ages)

Todd Dezago (w); Cort Lane & Todd Dezago (story); Marcelo Dichiara (p/i); Sotocolor (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Dichiara & Sotocolor

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Join the Marvel Super Hero Squaddies in all-new adventures.

In this issue: Check out an ALL-NEW tale featuring the characters from the upcoming MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD SHOW! (from marvel.com)

Review: All Thor wants is his turn at leading the Super Hero Squad. I mean, that shouldn't be a problem for a thunder god, right? You know what they say: be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it. And considering that it's Namor who's on the attack, the Squad's about to REALLY get it! As to why Namor's so upset, well, you know Doom's gotta be involved. I could mention a number of hilarious moments, and the fact that Dezago and Dichiara are ideal for this title, but two things that really stand out are the hilarious opening scene with MODOK and Abomination, and Thor talking trash—and making a Spongebob Squarepants reference!

UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #4: “Sisters Of the Dragon” (Teen/Young Adult)

Scott Gray (w); David Williams (p/i); Veronica Gandini (c); Nate Piekos (l); cover by Roger Cruz

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: The early days of the X-Men's second generation are revealed in an all-new series starring Cyclops, Storm, Banshee, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine and Phoenix !

In this issue: Storm was expecting a wild night on the town with fellow X-Man Jean Grey, plus new friends Misty Knight and Colleen Wing – so why is she battling S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, busting into the Helicarrier and becoming Public Enemy Number One? Could the deadly, diabolical Nightshade have something to do with it? For sure, sugar! Don't you dare miss a funkadelic-kung-fu-femme-fatale-showdown that we just had to call… “Sisters of the Dragon”! (from marvel.com)

Review: Sometimes girls just need a night out…but for Storm and friends, it'll be a night they'll never forget, thanks to Nightshade! IF you like all-girl action comics, then this is certainly the issue for you. I rated this “teen” because of the costumes…nothing too revealing, but there's certainly some skin. The best way to sum this issue up is this: a 70's exploitation flick with female super heroes.

X-MEN VS. AGENTS OF ATLAS #1: “The X-Heist” (Teen/Young Adult)

Jeff Parker (w); Carlo Pagulayan (p); Jason Paz (i); Wil Quintana (c); Joe Caramagna (l); cover by Ed McGuinness, Vines & Ponsor

Publisher: Marvel

Format: two-issue miniseries

Concept: It's a monster-sized throwdown as the Agents of Atlas go toe-to-toe with the Uncanny X-Men!

In this issue: Venus has been kidnapped and the Agents will scour the Earth to find her! The Uranian needs a bigger boost to enable his mind to scan the globe, and intel suggests the one machine that can help is CEREBRA- which brings the Agents of Atlas head to head with no less than THE X-MEN! (from marvel.com)

Review: One of their own is missing. The Agents need a machine to help them find her. Said machine is in the hands of the X-Men. That's the story in a nutshell. If you've been reading AGENTS OF ATLAS, you know that M-11 and Wolverine have a not-so-nice history. If you haven't, you can still enjoy what Parker and Pagulayan have presented. Given their history, it's fun seeing the rematch between the two. A most entertaining issue.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #19 (Teen/Young Adult)

Robert Kirkman (w); Jason Howard (p/i); Fco & Ivan Plascencia (c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Howard

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: When Gary Hampton is mauled and left for dead, his life takes a drastic turn. Gary is cursed — when the moon is full he transforms into a beast of the night — a werewolf! But this curse will not be used for evil — witness the birth of the world's most unlikely new superhero — The Astounding Wolf-Man!

In this issue : Behind enemy lines! The Face's master plan is now revealed! Will Wolf-Man be able to stop him before it's too late – or will his cover be blown? Wolf-Man embarks on the most dangerous mission of his life... all leading up to our monumental issue 25! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: The Face's reveals his plan to Wolf-Man (and everyone else), and let me just say that the Face is way in over his heads. (That's not a typo.) But when a gigantic creature is unleashed, it gives Wolf-Man, Mecha Maid and Howard a chance to cut loose. Howard's artwork of the Gorgg is amazing, but my two favorite images in the issue are of a Maid-enhanced Wolf-Man dripping wet and smiling in the final panel.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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