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

PERHAPANAUTS: SECOND CHANCES #1 (of 4): “Too Big!” (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: They're BACK! Still glowing from the heat of their first mind-numbing miniseries, those prowlers of the paranormal--The PERHAPANAUTS--are back to confront more creepy cryptozoological creatures and extradimensional entities!

Review: This is indeed a big issue, and it picks up right where the last series ended. The Skorm are infiltrating BEDLAM, and Arisa's still in critical condition from her encounter with the Aswang. What makes this issue so interesting is that we are finally allowed some information on MG when he turns out to be the only one who can help Arisa. Big, whom I think is becoming my favorite character, gets a surprise all his own—literally! And Choopie has GOT to be the first chupacabra in history, comics or otherwise, to have its own theme song. There's some wonderful dialogue exchanges, particularly with Big and his ‘surprise' guest, and Rousseau and Renzi once again deliver the goods on the artwork.

TEEN TITANS GO! #36: “ Troy ” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Todd Nauck (p); Larry Stucker (i); Heroic Age (c); John J. Hill (l); cover by Glen Murakami and Chris Hooten

Publisher: DC
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: Follow the adventures of the Teen Titans, based on the hit cartoon.

In this issue: Celebrate the debut of an all-new Titan with a special cover by the cartoon series' producer and character designer, Glen Murakami! When there's trouble, you know who to call…but who does Robin call when the other Titans are in danger? This time he recruits Aqualad, Kid Flash, Speedy and…Wonder Girl!

Review: I'm not sure if Wonder Girl has been introduced on the show or not (as I don't have cable), but she makes her comics debut here. She proves herself to be quite a worthy addition to the team, as she is smart and level-headed. As the title of the story suggests, Torres includes references to Troy and the Trojan warriors, including a Trojan Horse joke involving Beast Boy. (This could make a nice companion in history class.) Once again, Torres cites references to other Teen Titans stories. This time, it's the TV episode “Go” and the comic story “The Beast Boy Who Cried Wolf” (found in TTG issue #2).

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #101: “Clone Saga, part 5” (Teen/Young Adult)

Brian Michael Bendis (w); Mark Bagley (p); Drew Hennessy (i); Justin Ponsor (c); Cory Petit (l); cover by Bagley & 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 Clone Saga continues! Carnage is back! The Ultimate Fantastic Four guest star. The most important chapter in Peter Parker's life is beginning, and nothing you've seen before can you prepare you for what will occur.

Review: Man, oh man, the twists just keep on coming. Aunt May's had a heart attack! Carnage attacks! Nick Fury tries to arrest Peter! The Ultimate Fantastic Four show up! Peter's clone reveals what he did to MJ, and she…oh, you just have to read it. Bendis keeps the surprises coming and the action non-stop. And Bagley, Hennessey and Ponsor make the art leap off the page. Absolutely thrilling, can't-put-it-down stuff.

TRADES/GRAPHIC NOVELS

This week sees the debut of a new feature for the column. Each week, I will list apropriate trades or graphic novels that have come out. I won't write much about them, especially if the individual issues have already been reviewed in this column. This is mainly to let you know that they are out there.

RUNAWAYS VOL. 6: “Parental Guidance” TP (digest) collects RUNAWAYS #13-18. (Teen/Young Adult)

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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