THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 24 ___________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, February 18, 2008

TINY TITANS #1 (All Ages)

Art Baltazar & Franco Aurellani (w); Baltazar (p/i/c); Nick J. Napolitano (l); cover by Baltazar

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue : Awwww yeah, Titans! Join us for the exciting first issue of Tiny Titans written and drawn by the amazing Art Baltazar and Franco! See what life is like at Sidekick Elementary and meet the new staff! Follow the madness that ensues when Beast Boy gets a puppy friend! Witness what happens when the girls meet a pink stranger with a melted ice cream cone! Find out what makes Cassie such a trendsetter! All your favorite Titans, in their cutest possible form, are here and waiting for you! (from dccomics.com)

Review: When I first heard about this book, I was curious. I figured it would be perfect for the young kids, but would adults dig it? Well, I can tell you this: I sure did. Baltazar and Franco, creators of PATRICK THE WOLF BOY (a comic I think I really should start reading), welcome us to Sidekick Elementary, where the new principal is Mr. Slade and the new substitute teacher is Mister Trigon. There's some great stuff here; my favorites are “Speedy Quiz,” in which Robin asks Speedy if he's called that because he can run fast, and “Dog's Best Friend,” in which Baltazar and Franco really prove themselves to be great storytellers, because the story is dialogue-free. Just TRY not to smile after seeing the final image in that story. This book isn't for the younger set; rather, it's for the young at heart.

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THE BATMAN STRIKES! #42

Stephan Nilson (w); Andie Tong (p); Rob Stull (i); Heroic Age (c); Sal Cipriano (l); cover by Tong

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Bruce Wayne in his early years as Batman.

In this issue : There's a new superhuman in Gotham City , and Batman has to find her before she gets squashed by Bane!

Review: As if Bane wasn't big enough of a problem, now they have to deal with Hotwire! But is this newcomer friend or foe? That's what Batman and Robin will find out when she shows up to help fight Bane. What I really like about this issue is the artwork. Stull's inks are nice and clean, and Heroic Age's colors are great, as usual. It's Tong, however, who deserves special mention; his take on this version of Batman is one of the best I've seen, and he gives Batman and Robin wonderful facial expressions. Check out the fantastic final page, featuring a surprise guest appearance by a fellow Justice League member.

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IRON MAN & POWER PACK #4: “Iron Many, part 2: Dangerous Toys” (All Ages)

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

Publisher: Marvel

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: Ol' Shellhead and the Pack team up in this series.

In this issue: Iron Pack Assemble! Iron Man suits the Power kids up in style for the series finale. And how do they repay the golden Avenger for the cool new costumes? By destroying all of the hero's classic armors...and then turning the fight against Iron Man himself! Geez...kids these days! It's hero vs. hero...as a sinister super-villain secretly pulls the strings! (from marvel.com)

Review: It's not a good day to be in Iron Man's shoes, as he has to fight $20 million worth of his suits that have suddenly turned against him! Fortunately, he's got the Power kids on his side, and they hold their own quite nicely until…well, I won't spoil THAT for you. Sumerak and DiChiara provide a solid, action-packed story that really has the kids “fighting iron with iron,” as Alex puts it. And Katie does something that leaves even Iron Man in amazement.

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

J. Torres (w); Alexander Serra (p); Rick Ketcham (i); Heroic Age (c); Sal Cipriano (l)

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of the Legion, based on their hit cartoon.

In this issue: With the Man of Steel a thousand years away, Brainiac 5 takes the time to complete his records of Superman's time with the Legion, including a never-before-seen adventure on Mars. One of Superman's future allies has a legacy at stake — can the Legion help Superman set it right? (from dccomics.com)

Review: One thing I like about this series is the signs of Superman's future that it shows. In this case, it's fellow Justice League member J'onn J'onnz, also known as the Martian Manhunter. The two don't actually meet in this story, but J'onn's likeness (statues), legacy and good name are well-represented…unless a group called the Hyperclan has their way. More than a typical action-adventure story, it's also about what can happen when people pervert good messages from those such as J'onn for their own gain…which makes it a timely story.

NOTE: TINY TITANS, LEGION and BATMAN STRIKES each contain a three-page sneak preview of the upcoming younger readers title, DC SUPER FRIENDS

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MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #8: “Day of the Defenders!” (All Ages)

Paul Benjamin (w); David Nakayama (p); Gary Martin (i); Michelle Madsen (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Santacruz, Fernandez & Sotocolor

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Caught in a blast of gamma-radiation, brilliant scientist Bruce Banner now finds himself living as a fugitive, cursed to transform in times of stress into the living engine of destruction known as the HULK.

In this issue : Hulk! Dr. Strange! Silver Surfer! The Sub-Mariner! For the first time ever in Marvel Adventures, the Defenders assemble! But can they stop arguing with each other long enough to save the world? (from marvel.com)

Review: The gang's all here! Dr. Strange enlists (against their will) the help of Namor, the Silver Surfer and the Hulk to help stop an invasion by The Nameless One (actually a two-headed beast) and his army. Benjamin loads the issue with hilarious dialogue, such as half of The Nameless One trying to decide on a name, or Rick Jones telling the guys that they're acting “like the local Best Buy's on its last Wii.” As for the art, it's just amazing. Nakayama, Martin & Madsen are one heck of an artistic team, and they really shine here. Namor and the Silver Surfer look fantastic (especially the Surfer), the battle scenes are MASSIVE, and some of the panels of the Hulk in action are just…well, incredible. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck with this one.
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MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #36: “The Good Son” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w); Cory Hamscher (p); Terry Pallot (i); Guru eFX (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Nakayama, Martin & Guru eFX

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 : Norman Osborn has bullied his son Harry into donning the guise of the Green Goblin to bust him out of prison. But when Peter Parker and J. Jonah Jameson get caught in the middle of the jailbreak, will Harry help Spider-Man...or destroy him? (from marvel.com)

Review: That Norman would get Harry to don the Green Goblin costume says a lot about the control he has over his son. That Harry would actually DO it says a lot about how much he wants to please his father. The sad thing about this story is that even after breaking into prison and attempting to stop Spider-Man, Harry's still a failure. Van Lente successfully taps into the feeling that you can get when you work so hard for something, only to discover that it wasn't all you hoped it would be. Spider-Man learned that the hard way, and now Harry has, too.

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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #182: “Fallen Angel” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); Jason Jensen (c); John Workman (l); cover by Yardley! & Hunzeker

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue : New Mobotropolis is rocked by the rampaging Enerjak, and even the combined might of Sonic and Shadow may not be enough to withstand his attack!  Will this latest onslaught cause Shadow to go too far, and how will the odds change when Eggman throws down into the battle?  “ Albion 's Shameful Secret”: The tragic origin of the mysterious villain Dr. Finitevus is revealed… and it just could spell the doom of our hero!

Review: Whew! There's a LOT of stuff going on in this issue! Let's see…Knuckles has revealed himself to be the new Enerjak, and like most villains, he believes that the whole world is corrupt. Look for lots of guest appearances, as everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—shows up to fight him. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Locke might just have to bring out a special weapon. All the action jumps off the page courtesy of the eye-popping artwork of Yardley, Amash & Jensen.

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SONIC X #26: “La Layends del Gran Gordo! (The Legend of the Great Big Guy!) (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); James Fry (p); Terry Austin (i); Josh Ray (c); Phil Felix (l); cover by Pat “Spaz” Spaziante

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: During a battle between Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman, an explosion hurled Sonic, his friends, and Dr. Eggman across dimensions until they found themselves on planet Earth. Dr. Eggman is determined to establish his Eggman Empire, beginning with Earth…and Sonic is determined to stop him.

In this issue : The newest heroic sensation to hit the mat is the mighty luchador El Gran Gordo! Why isn't Sonic impressed?  Because it's Dr. Eggman!  What's his wacky scheme this time?  Is this turn to the wrestling ring for real, or will Eggman have Sonic on the ropes soon enough?!  And what creepy new threat watches from ringside?   You'll have to see it to believe it!

Review: Could it be any more obvious that El Gran Gordo is really Dr. Eggman? Somehow, Sonic is the only one who doesn't buy it, and the only way to prove it is to actually fight him. This is the type or hilarious, action-packed shenanigans you expect from this book, but Flynn throws in a nice little moment between Sonic & Eggman towards the end that shows that even Sonic can show compassion.

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COLLECTIONS

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN vol. 9 hardcover collects USM vols. 17 and 18, with extras.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

FLASH vol. 2 #237

INVINCIBLE #48

MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #21

PERHAPANAUTS ANNUAL #1

RUNAWAYS vol. 2 #29

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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