THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 25 ___________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, February 25, 2008

FLASH vol. 2 #237: “Superman's Cape ” (Teen/Young Adult)

Keith Champagne (w); Koi Turnbull (p); Art Thibert (i); Tanya & Richard Horie (c); Travis Lanham (l); cover by Freddie Williams II

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Wally West returns as the Scarlet Speedster.

In this issue : Wally West is at a crossroads — now that he's got a family, how does he provide for them when he's never wanted to be anything else but The Flash? The question dogs him throughout an adventure high above Metropolis in this moving stand-alone tale by guest team Keith Champagne (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) and Koi Turnbull (SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL). (from dccomics.com)

Review: “You don't tug on Superman's cape,” as Jim Croce used to sing. But in this issue, Jai almost does, because he and Iris have been sent to Metropolis to find it! Guests Champagne and Turnbull do a nice job of showing us Wally's all-too-human nature and what it's like to be a father and The Flash at the same time; spending quality time with the family, fighting alongside Superman, worrying about the kids…and forgetting to do important things. At the end of the day, though, there's nothing like coming home to your family.

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INVINCIBLE #48 (Teen/Young Adult)

Robert Kirkman (w); Ryan Ottley (p/i); Bill Crabtree (c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Ottley & Val Staples

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of young superhero Mark Grayson.

In this issue: After months locked away in prison, Doc Seismic returns. Once a name that brought fear to the hearts and minds of heroes from years gone by, he's out to reestablish himself as a major threat and events are set in motion leading up to our big 50th issue in only two short months away! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: The first thing you notice about a comic book, of course, is the cover. And one thing I noticed about this cover is how the word “probably” in the tagline has been covered up so that it reads, “The Best Superhero Comic Book in the Universe!” And you know, it's hard to argue with that. Speaking of universe, Doc Seismic has found a new way to wreak havoc that causes nearly the entire Image universe to get involved. Savage Dragon, Dynamo 5, Capes , Wolf-Man and Zechariah, Brit and the Invincible cast…they're all here. Seeing Ottley and Crabtree's take on these characters is a real thrill, as are the massive battles scenes they handle so well. As usual, Kirkman balances the action with dramatic moments involving Mark's mom, Eve and William. And what would an Invincible tale be without a cliffhanger of an ending that leaves you wanting more immediately?

Look out for: blood

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MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #21: “From Russia …With Hate!” (All Ages)

Marc Sumerak (w); Ig Guara (p); Jay Leisten (i); Ulises Arreola (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Leonard Kirk

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Super-soldier from World War II. Weather Goddess. Super-strong alter ego of scientist Bruce Banner. Spider-powered web-slinger. Giant-sized crimefighter. Brilliant armored inventor. Feral mutant brawler. Together, they are the world's mightiest heroes, battling foes that no single super hero could withstand!

In this issue: The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Get ready to cry "Wolverine!" at the top of your lungs, 'cause Avengers Tower is about to go all "Red Dawn" when the Crimson Dynamo invades! But who is the super-spy on the armored villain's trail...and can she be trusted? (from marvel.com)

Review: Black Widow makes her MARVEL ADVENTURES debut. She's the perfect secret agent: always one step ahead of the game, able to overcome any obstacle, and very stealthy. And she's been assigned to keep an eye on Iron Man. After watching him for a while, she begins to admire him, but Sumerak remids us of why she's called “Black Widow” in an ending that's both surprising and not surprising. A nicely done issue.

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PERHAPANAUTS ANNUAL #1: “ Jersey Devil!” (Teen/Young Adult)

Todd Dezago (w); Craig Rousseau (p/i); Rico Renzi (c); covers by Rousseau and Mike & Laura Allred

Publisher: Image

Concept: There are places in this world where the fabric of reality has worn thin, where strange and terrible creatures have crossed over to lurk in the shadows and the night. There is an organization dedicated to finding these creatures and sending them back from whence they came, sealing the rift behind them, and maintaining the integrity of those borders. The organization is called BEDLAM. Its agents are…THE PERHAPANAUTS!

In this issue : NOW FROM IMAGE! Making the leap to Image with an all-new, easily accessible, over-sized annual is THE PERHAPANAUTS, the most popular book you've never heard of! This annual is the perfect jumping-on point for any reader, providing a great introduction to The Perhapanauts in a self-contained tale that leads directly into the all-new series, beginning in April! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Like MG sliding from one dimension to another, THE PERHAPANAUTS has moved from Dark Horse to Image. The talents of its creators, however, remain intact. For fans of the series, this story takes place before the events of “Second Chances” #3; for new readers, the story is a nice jumping-on point, as each character is introduced with a quick recap of who they are and what they do. It's great to see Choopie and Hammerskold not only playing very important roles, but also having to work together, even though this particular assignment could literally drive them both crazy. Even by Perhapanauts standards, this isn't business as usual. Dezago, Rousseau and Renzi continue to seamlessly mix horror with humor (Choopie has a hilarious line in a scene that takes place in Big's apartment) and will soon be doing so on a monthly basis. I can't wait.

Look out for: blood and minor use of language

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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #183: “Desperate Times/Ashes and Dust” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); Jason Jensen (c); John Workman, Jr. (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 : Sonic and Julie-Su have been abducted by Knuckles' father, Locke, who wants them to find the one weapon that will destroy Enerjak.  But why don't our heroes want to use it?  And can they even get a shot in edgewise as Enerjak and Dr. Eggman's army square off?  It's a clash of the villainous titans that's sure to rock Sonic's world!  “Ashes and Dust”: This is it, the answers you've been waiting for!  Learn the dark secrets behind Enerjak, Angel Island , the Guardians, the Dark Legion… and more! 

Review: Like this week's INVINCIBLE, this issue has EVERYBODY in it! Locke, Sonic and Julie-Su are looking for a weapon. Scourge and the Destrutix don't want them to have said weapon. Meanwhile, Dr. Eggman, Snively and Dimitri try to stop Enerjak and Dr. Finitevus. And then there's Archimedes, who redefines the phrase “fire ant.” It's an action-packed issue with an ending that promises a battle royale in the next issue. I have to give credit to Jensen, whose colors continually make Yardley and Amash's art leap off the page.

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SONIC X #27: “Conquest Is Like a Box of Chocolates” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Steven Butler (p); Terry Austin (i); Josh Ray (c); John Workman (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 : Evil genius Dr. Eggman continues to enjoy his “retirement” from villainy while relishing his secret new career as the mighty luchador, El Gran Gordo! With Eggy preoccupied in the ring, the door is left open for a new evil to arise, and once-faithful sidekick Bokkun seizes the opportunity to be an even evil-er evil genius. He's helped on his quest by a massive sugar rush that renders him unstoppable… impervious to all including Sonic! Sometimes only an evil genius can stop a fellow evil genius, but who can lure him from his glamour of the stretchy-pants wrestling ring? The answer is just a pin… or at least a tie or technical fall… away! Don't miss the raucous conclusion everyone will be talking about!

Review: I've heard of sugar rushes making people hyper before, but Bokkun takes it to the extreme! With Dr. Eggman posing as El Gran Gordo, Bokkun takes it upon himself to assume the role of evil genius. This is probably the wackiest, most purely entertaining SONIC X yet. Nearly every page is a hoot and a half, from Gordo's moves to Decoe trying to get into the house to talk to Sonic (the ‘girl bot' bit is particularly funny) to…well, just about everything else. Thoroughly enjoyable!

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COLLECTIONS

THE FLASH: BLOOD WILL RUN new edition collects FLASH #170-176 plus stories from THE FLASH SECRET FILES and IRON HEIGHTS .

LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS vol. 2: BETRAYAL TP

THE LONERS: THE SECRET LIVES OF SUPER HEROES collects LONERS #1-6.

MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #8 collects MA FANTASTIC FOUR #30 and MA SPIDER-MAN #34.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #33

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #10

TEEN TITANS GO! #52

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #119

X-MEN FIRST CLASS vol. 2 #9

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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