THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-3/31/07

GARGOYLES #3: “Clan-Building, chapter 3: Invitation Only” (Teen/Young Adult)

Greg Weisman (w); David Hedgecock (p); Dustin Evans (c); cover by Greg Guler & Stephanie Lostimolo

Publisher: SLG Publishing

Format: bi-monthly series

Concept: Stone by day, warriors by night, the Gargoyles were betrayed by those they had sworn to protect. In modern Manhattan , the spell that held them frozen for a thousand years is broken, and the Gargoyles live again! 

In this issue: It's Halloween in Manhattan ! The one night a year the clan can be seen in public without starting a riot. (Or that's the theory anyway.) You are all cordially invited to a Masque being thrown by David Xanatos atop his castle skyscraper. Expect good food, amazing costumes and more than a few nefarious party-crashers! (from slgcomic.com) 

Review: Here's where things start to get interesting. This issue marks the beginning of original stories for the series, and I think I speak for all GARGOYLES fans when I say that I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. It's Halloween, which is the best night for a gargoyle in Manhattan (according to Broadway). While everyone's preparing, Goliath and Elisa have a serious talk about their relationship and an F.B.I. agent shows up. Some familiar faces appear, such as Talon…and a villain whose name I won't mention for the benefit of those who haven't read the issue yet, but trust me when I say that his appearance makes for a great final page. 

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TEEN TITANS GO! #41: “Bad Girls!” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Todd Nauck (p); Larry Stucker (i); Heroic Age (c); John J. Hill (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: The Teen Titans battle a slew of new female villains — Marionette, Joy Stick, Pink X and Mad Maud — all modeled after some of their deadliest villains. Can Robin and the gang discover the secret behind them? (from dccomics.com)

Review: This issue manages to combine typical Titans action with activities that make use of the artwork, while touching on the importance of the father in a child's life. Several girls appear at different times, all claiming to be the daughters of various villains. But as Robin eventually figures out, it all comes down to Killer Moth's daughter Kitten, trying to get daddy's attention the only way she knows how. Without being preachy, Torres manages to convey the message that children need their fathers; even Robin and Raven lament for a moment about not being able to see their dads.

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TEXAS STRANGERS #1 (All Ages) was reviewed in last week's column.

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ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #107: “Ultimate Knights, part 2” (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: monthly series

Concept: The bite of a genetically-altered spider grants high school student Peter Parker incredible, arachnid-like powers.

In this issue: If you thought Peter would get some time off after the soul-shattering changes that came at the end of “Clone Saga,” think again! Things keep heating up, as Ultimate Daredevil attempts to enlist Spider-Man in a crusade to bring down the Kingpin—permanently. But with his Aunt's life hanging by a thread and his serious girl problems…not to mention the new student at Midtown High…crime-busting may be the last thing on young Mr. Parker's mind. So what happens when the rest of Daredevil's new super-team shows up? Learn who stands with Peter—and who stands against him! (from marvel.com)

Review: Man…Peter just CANNOT get a break. Just as his relationship with MJ is healing, in walks Kitty Pryde…literally. That you can feel the tension in every word of dialogue and expression is a testament to Bendis & Bagley's talents. You can also tell that Spider-Man both does and does not want to have anything to do with Daredevil's plans for the Kingpin. Will his plan work, or is someone ratting on him? The twists just keep on coming.

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USAGI YOJIMBO #101: “Fever Dream” (Teen/Young Adult)

Written and 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: A lethal game of cat-and-mouse catches Usagi in its trap as the rabbit ronin steps in to protect an ally, only to become a victim himself! Ousted by the head of the Neko Ninja Clan, Chizu is an outcast, on the run from the same assassins she once considered her brothers and sisters. When her former comrades catch up to her, Usagi raises his sword in her defense. However, in the heat of battle, Usagi is struck by a poison dart. Now, Chizu has mere hours to find an antidote while her enemies continue their deadly pursuit. As the poison takes hold, Usagi's mind is driven into a twisted nightmare. Will he ever recover? (from darkhorse.com)

Review: This cover, featuring a possessed, extremely creepy-looking Usagi, does exactly what a cover should do: grab your attention and make you want to read the story. While fighting alongside Chizu, Usagi is poisoned, and Chizu must try to save him. Sakai expertly alternates between the reality of Chizu trying to find an antidote and ward off some pursuers with the nightmare going on inside Usagi's mind as the poison tries to take over. I probably wouldn't recommend this issue for small children.

Look out for: As the poison affects Usagi, he imagines himself possessed by the demon Jei. As he and Chizu fight, the battle becomes rather bloody.

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TRADES/DIGESTS:

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL. 8 HARDCOVER collects ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #86-96 and USM ANNUAL #1-2.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

HULK AND POWER PACK #2

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #32

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #26

RUNAWAYS vol. 2 #25

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris