THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 23 ___________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, February 11, 2008

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #42: “Raw Deal” (All Ages)

Dan Raspler (w); Christopher Jones (p); Mark Propst (i); Heroic Age (c); Sal Cipriano (l); cover by Jones & Propst

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of the Justice League, based on the hit cartoon.

In this issue : Untold tales of the Justice League! Before they were Unlimited, the League had their individual tales to tell. Wonder Woman has faith the Queen of the Royal Flush Gang can really make her parole stick. Will the Queen let her down or live up to new expectations? (from dccomics.com)

Review: This issue brings back the Royal Flush Gang, whom I haven't seen since their appearances in BATMAN BEYOND. After three years in jail, Queen (aka Una Hitchens) finally has a chance to go straight. Wonder Woman thinks she can do it, Green Lantern thinks she can't, and the other gang members don't want her to. What's nice about this story is that it presents two different points of view. The reader is asked to think about whether an ex-convict really does deserve a second chance, and if so, how closely they are to be watched before they can be trusted.

______________

THE PHANTOM #21: “Checkmate, part 1” (Teen/Young Adult)

Mike Bullock (w); Silvestre Szilagyi (p/i); Bob Pedroza (c); Nate Pride (l); cover by Bret Blevins & Terry Austin

Publisher: Moonstone

Concept: "The Ghost Who Walks" comes alive, as the classic comic strip character is put through his paces in all new adventures. Thrilling adventure fraught with dire peril!

In this issue : Rebels warring in Bangallan jungles, terrorist attacks in the streets of Mawitaan and an old enemy suddenly freed from prison for no logical reason. Is this a series of unrelated events or part of something far more sinister? Find out in the beginning of the biggest arc in Moonstone's Phantom run, culminating in the double sized issue #25! (from Amazing Fantasy Books & Comics)

Review: Bullock manages to make this issue a great jumping-on point for new readers while moving things along for current fans. The first page provides a nice, quick recap, and we're into the story. Two villains' names are mentioned; one is an old foe from PHANTOM #1 & 2, another may have ties to HIM and a famous historical figure. Who that is, I cannot say, nor can I say how Diana Palmer-Walker fits into all this. Suffice to say, the situation heats up enough to make the Phantom angry. And as the saying goes, “When the Phantom is angry, the jungle shakes.” That's just one of several reasons you should give this series a try, if you haven't already. 

COLLECTIONS

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN VOL.2: IRON ARMORY digest

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL. 19: DEATH OF THE GOBLIN TP

______________

To be reviewed in next week's column:

THE BATMAN STRIKES! #42

IRON MAN & POWER PACK #4

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31 st CENTURY #11

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #8

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #36

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

------ Discuss this review on The Cat's Meow section of the Comics in the Classroom Forums ----- 

Note: The age ratings and opinions featured in these reviews are those of reviewer, John Norris, and may not be shared by the administrator of this web site.