THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week 

PERHAPANAUTS: SECOND CHANCES #2: “Hindsight” (Teen/Young Adult)

Todd Dezago (w); Craig Rousseau (p/i); Rico Renzi (c); Dezago & Rousseau (l); cover by Rousseau & Renzi

Publisher: Dark Horse
Format: four-issue miniseries
Concept: There are place 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: In keeping with our tradition of not spilling even the slightest detail of what happens in upcoming issues of the Perhapanauts , we humbly submit the following totally fake listing. Enjoy!

Tonight on The Perhapanauts: Second Chances . . .

Big wakes up in the shower only to find out that the past three issues were all a dream! While on vacation in Las Vegas , Molly and MG accidentally get married by an ordained Elvis. And Choopie becomes attached to a stray dog only to be heartbroken when the owner arrives to claim him. Choopie and the little boy argue over who loves the pooch more, but eventually Choopie does (almost) the right thing and returns the little dog to the boy. . . sans blood. (from darkhorse.com)

Review: I find it fitting that they would post a fake synopsis, because it's hard to summarize the plot thus far in one short paragraph. Like the “Clone Saga” arc currently going on in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, there is a LOT going on here. (I pulled out the previous issue and read the two back-to-back before writing this review.) But stick with it, as there's a lot to love here. MG is becoming a more interesting character, as we have not only learned about his medical training, but we see that his relationship with Arisa is getting deeper. The way Choopie talks to his future self (and the questions he asks) is just hilarious. And then there's Molly—Dezago keeps the story moving along at such a pace with the other characters I found myself not even thinking about her until the end, when she hears something that future Big said to present Big in the previous issue and asks some important questions. As usual, Rousseau and Renzi provide some wonderful artwork. And for a cool “how many differences can you spot between the two pictures” activity, try comparing the first issue's cover with the second.

First issue cover

Second issue cover

__________________________ 

RUNAWAYS #22: “Live Fast, part 1” (Teen/Young Adult)

Brian K. Vaughan (w); Adrian Alphona (p); Craig Yeung (i); Christina Strain (c); Randy Gentile (l); cover by Jo Chen

Publisher: Marvel
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: At some point in their lives, all kids think they have the most evil parents in the world, but Nico Minoru and her friends really did. Discovering that they were the children of a group of super-villains known as The Pride, they stole weapons and resources from these criminals before running away from home and eventually defeating their parents. But that was just the beginning. Together, the teenage runaways now hope to atone for their parents' crimes by taking on the new threats trying to fill The Pride's void.

In this issue: Artist and co-creator Adrian Alphona returns! Still reeling from the events of YOUNG AVENGERS/RUNAWAYS, the teenage heroes must now confront a horrific new enemy who threatens to tear the team apart. (from marvel.com)

Review: Co-creator Alphona returns to handle the art in this issue, which marks the first time in a little while that both creators have been on the book together. Both are in fine form here. The dialogue is marvelous, particularly the scene with Nico and Victor, and especially the scene where Molly and Xavin discuss tolerance while playing Risk. Not that the art hasn't been good, but Alphona's return is certainly welcome. The art shines from the first image of the “cowboy werewoofs” to the haunting final image of Chase and Old Lace.

__________________________

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #102: “Clone Saga, part 6” (Teen/Young Adult)

Brian Michael Bendis (w); Mark Bagley (p); Drew Hennessy (i); Justin Ponsor (c); Cory Petit (l); cover by Bendis & Richard Isanove

Publisher: Marvel
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: The bite of a genetically-altered spider grants high school student Peter Parker incredible, arachnid-like powers.

In this issue: The revelations continue as we learn the secrets of Ben Reilly! Peter Parker tries his best to evade capture by Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., plus—the transformation of Mary Jane Watson—into what?! And just for good measure—the scarlet sicko, Carnage, goes on the rampage! Part 6 (of 7) (from marvel.com)

Review: There's a point in this issue where Peter wonders why he's not in a coma, and just how much crap he can take in one day. That is a very appropriate question, as there has been so much going on in this “Clone Saga” arc that I've had to read every issue at least twice in order to take everything in. But it's well worth it. We're treated to an explanation of the reasoning behind the cloning, and of Spider-Woman in particular. The fact that cloning is a timely subject makes it all the more interesting as Bendis and Bagley counter its potential benefits (as told from Ben Reilly's point of view) with the horrific results. And speaking of horrific results, we also find out what became of MJ, and who's responsible for it.

__________________________

USAGI YOJIMBO #98: “The Return of the Black Soul” (Teen/Young Adult)

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

Publisher: Dark Horse
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: The adventures of the rabbit samurai known as Usagi.

In this issue: The evil spirit of Jei is back, and Gen and Stray Dog are in big trouble! Internationally acclaimed storyteller Stan Sakai returns to the story of Inazuma, the swordswoman who has been possessed by Jei's demonic spirit. Unaware of this, our two favorite bounty hunters are hot on the trail, competing for the purse on Inazuma's head . . . and unfortunately for them, they've just found her! The rhino's last encounter with the murderous Black Soul left him with a fierce shoulder wound that never fully healed. Will he be an asset to Stray Dog in this fight-or a liability? And will the pair be able to stop quarreling long enough to focus on defeating Inazuma? Find out in "The Return of the Black Soul," this month in Usagi Yojimbo ! (from darkhorse.com)

Review: One of the many great things about this title is that sometimes Sakai gives the titular rabbit a break. He doesn't feel the need to have Usagi appear in every single issue, allowing the reader to spend time with some of the other great characters in the UY canon. One such character is Gen, the rhino bounty hunter, who's been absent for a while. Gen has fought the Black Soul before, and he still bears a shoulder wound that once again acts up when he fights this time. Speaking of the Black Soul, Sakai draws beautiful artwork, but he can do ‘creepy' as well…just check out that evil grin on Jei/Inazuma's face! Equally as unnerving is her innocent granddaughter, Keiko. When Jei's fighting, she's ruthless, but when she's alone with Keiko, there's an unsettling calmness. It's a nicely offbeat tale from a master storyteller.

__________________________

To be included in next week's column:

TEEN TITANS GO #37

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris
Nov 28, 2006

Any questions or comments, contact me at comicsintheclassroom @ gmail.com