THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 21 ___________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, January 28, 2008

AMELIA RULES! #19: “When the Past is a Present” (All Ages)

Written & illustrated by Jimmy Gownley; cover by Gownley

Publisher: Renaissance Press

Concept: Join Amelia and the gang as they go through the ups and downs of childhood.

In this issue : Amelia McBride gets to learn about her family history, but this isn't just any lesson in genealogy. This spectacular overview of the 20th Century is brilliantly illustrated in multiple styles that reflect the most popular comics on the last 100 years. A must-have for not only Amelia Rules! fans, but fans of classic comic strips and groundbreaking storytelling. Plus, a mind-blowing conclusion which must be seen to believed! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: In this issue, Gownley put his innovative storytelling skills to amazing use as Amelia learns her family's history. Instead of this being a straightforward family history lesson, Gownley uses comic strips to tell the stories of past generations. Each generation is represented by a comic that was popular during the time the particular stories take place. Thus, you will see shades of LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE, PEANUTS, and several others. It's a storytelling device that works to great effect, producing a rare kind of issue: one that will appeal to children, Amelia Rules fans, and fans of classic comic strips.

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MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #9: “The Bunker” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w); Graham Nolan (p); Victor Olazaba (i); Martegod Gracia (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Tommy Lee Edwards

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Billionaire inventor Tony Stark built a suit of armor that saved his life. He now fights against the forces of evil as the invincible Iron Man!

In this issue: Deep beneath the Nebraska prairie lurks a vast bunker that has lain undisturbed for nearly four decades. Built by Tony Stark's long-lost father to survive a global holocaust, the subterranean city is accidentally discovered by a young boy who then gets lost in its depths. The modern-day Iron Man has to come to the rescue. Can he discover the reasons behind his father's mysterious disappearance too? Unfortunately, the complex is defended by an army of original gray Iron Man armor automatons, which could spell Armageddon for the Armored Avenger! (from marvel.com)

Review: This story concerns two boys: Eli, a kid who accidentally discovers the place while playing with a friend; and Anthony Stark, a bright kid who grows up and inherits Stark Industries from his dad—but, unfortunately, never receives any support or encouragement from him. But as he discovers the secrets of the bunker that his dad built, he might discover that there was more to his dad than he thought. The art team really shines here, especially Gracia, whose colors make Iron Man stand out in sharp contrast to the original gray armor, and Nolan's facial expressions on Tony really show us the man in the iron mask. When Tony, in Iron Man gear minus the helmet, finally discovers what's inside the bunker, it is a powerful moment. Underneath the armor is a human being who still wants to be accepted by his dad. I think it's the best issue in the series to date.

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TEEN TITANS GO! #51: “Metamorphosis” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Todd Nauck (p); Lary Stucker (i); Heroic Age (c); Sal Cipriano (l); cover by Nauck & Kanila Tripp

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of the Teen Titans, based on the hit cartoon.

In this issue: Introducing Geo-Force! He's Terra's big brother and he looks like big trouble! What happens when he thinks the Teen Titans are the enemy? Find out in "The Secret Origin of Terra"! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Geo-Force makes his debut (looking great, thanks to the artists), and he only wants to know one thing: where his sister is. For the benefit of both Geo-Force and those of us who have not watched Season 2 of the TEEN TITANS cartoon, a recap is provided, in which Torres comments on corruption, sacrifice and how leaked information can lead to distrust and breakup in a relationship. The ending recalls St. Francis of Assisi 's “serenity prayer,” which talks about accepting the things we can't change, having courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Geo-Force's action suggests that there is also wisdom in knowing the difference between things we CAN'T change and things we SHOULDN'T change. For me, this was the right way to end the story; a tad bittersweet, but very positive.

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USAGI YOJIMBO #109: “Sparrows, chapter 5” (Teen/Young Adult)

Written & illustrated by Stan Sakai; cover by Sakai & Tom Luth

Publisher: Dark Horse

Format: monthly series

Concept: The adventures of the rabbit samurai known as Usagi.

In this issue : The gripping "Sparrows" saga comes to its surprising conclusion as Usagi, Gen, Stray Dog, and Sanshobo find themselves trapped in a small temple surrounded by bounty hunters! These hunters are after one thing-Boss Bakuchi's reward for his son's killer: Inazuma. Yet Usagi and his companions cannot turn the swordswoman over to the mob while she is still possessed by Jei the Black Soul. Sanshobo must exorcise the demon, but where will it go when it leaves Inazuma? And what does the mysterious samurai Isamu have to do with all this? Find out Isamu's true identity and the fate of Inazuma, this month in Usagi Yojimbo! (from darkhorse.com)

Review: “Sparrows” reaches its conclusion, and leave it up to Sakai to wrap things up and leave things open at the same time. Usagi, Gen and Stray Dog try to protect the temple while Sanshobo attempts to exorcise Jei. Is he successful? And if so, what will happen to Inazuma? This is epic storytelling as only Sakai can do it.

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X-MEN FIRST CLASS #8: “Adventure Into Fear” (Teen/Young Adult)

Jeff Parker (w); Eric Nguyen (p/i/c); Nate Piekos (l); cover by Nguyen

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: The next step in human evolution has arrived—Homo Superior. Mankind isn't sure whether this represents hope for the future…or the end of the human race. In a private school in upstate New York, one brilliant mutant is teaching a group of five such gifted students what they'll need to survive in this new world. These are the untold stories of Professor Xavier's first class of X-Men!

In this issue : In the strangest swamp in the world, untold horrors await the young mutant team. Only one even stranger creature can walk this unfathomable realm intact. The X-Men face a nightmarish future... possibly the true one—when they JOURNEY INTO FEAR. (from marvel.com)

Review: Remember the end of the last issue, where the entity that disrupted the X-Men's powers hitched a ride back into space? Well, it apparently opened a portal in the very swamp occupied by the MAN-THING. What follows is really too bizarre for me to try and put into words. Nguyen's art isn't bad, but I think I prefer Roger Cruz.

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COLLECTIONS

GARGOYLES, vol. 1: CLAN-BUILDING collects GARGOYLES #1-12.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #6

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #32

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #118

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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