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

INVINCIBLE #39 (Teen/Young Adult)

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

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of young superhero Mark Grayson.

In this issue: The Martian armada is headed for Earth - and Invincible is the only thing that stands in their way! Led by the parasitic SEQUIDS the Martians plan to invade Earth and provide the Sequids with a new slave race. If Invincible fails, it's all over - luckily he brought along some HELP. (from imagecomics.com)

Review: In this issue, we get some backstory on the Sequids and the Martians, and we see some reactions from Eve and Amber. Ottley expertly handles facial expressions, particularly with these two females. Though Eve says she understands that Mark doesn't have the same feelings for her as he does for Amber, one sad look on her face tells you that she wishes that weren't the case. Amber has only one scene in the issue, but her teary-eyed expression and use of her phone tell us what we need to know. There is also a nice scene with Robot and Amanda. For all its action, some of the best scenes in this title involve nothing more than two characters talking to each other. This scene is a good example, in which they talk about Robot's new look…and his real name. As for the rest, it's a build-up to what is sure to be an epic battle.

Look out for: a little bit of blood

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KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG #6: “Deliver Our Mail Carrier”/”You Bet Your Sweet Beppo!” (All Ages)

Jesse Leon McCann (w); Min S. Ku (p); Jeff Albrecht (i); Dave Tanguay (l/c); cover by Scott Jeralds

Publisher: DC

Format: six-issue miniseries

Concept: Flying in from his hit TV cartoon, Krypto the Superdog arrives with a fun-filled six-issue miniseries!

In this issue: All dogs chase mail carriers, and Krypto's no exception! But why are he and the Dog Star Patrol chasing a space mailman? (from dccomics.com)

Review: Krypto and the gang may be superdogs, but they're dogs just the same, which means they growl at mailmen…even the Intergalactic Mailman! (The hilarious running gag is that being the nice dogs that they are, they always apologize after growling.) Poor guy, all he wants to do is drop off everyone's Fun Day mail. Unfortunately, Mechanikat and Snooky Wookums have other plans. There's a hilarious panel with Snooky and a Martian Manhunter action figure. In “You Bet Your Sweet Beppo,” McCann takes us back to that fateful moment when Jor-El and Lara send their infant son Kal-El off to another world just before planet Krypton is destroyed. Unbeknownst to them, there's a stowaway on board…Beppo the monkey! Unfortunately, Beppo isn't appreciated on Earth. Then he spots Krypto and finds out that everyone loves him! So “monkey see, monkey do,” which causes all sorts of confusion. How Beppo's situation is resolved is best left up to you to find out, faithful readers. Since this is the final issue, the creative team makes sure that Krypto gets the send-off he deserves, courtesy of a WONDERFUL final splash page. So long, Krypto…hopefully we will see you in the funny pages again!

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MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #10: “Medieval Women” (All Ages)

Jeff Parker (w); Juan Santacruz (p); Raul Fernandez (i); Adriano Lucas (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Cameron Stewart & Guru eFX

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: In the year two thousand and six did the veiled kingdom of
Avalon reappear in the New World . The magical realm is defended by the legendary and unbeatable Black Knight. Be there any heroes brave enough to challenge its queen, Morgan Le Fay? Then let these Avengers speak! (from marvel.com)

Review: If you are a gamer or like to attend Renaissance festivals, this issue is for you. While Spidey and Giant Girl are playing a video game, Bruce notices a strange energy source coming from the upstate area. As it turns out, Morgan Le Fay, the queen of the mystic kingdom of Avalon , is in town. For those unfamiliar with her (such as myself), Parker provider background information on her and her champion, the Black Knight, who is counting on someone to unseat him in a jousting tournament. Iron Man accepts the challenge, but is he in over his head? Just wait until you see the steed he is given to ride!

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To be reviewed in next week's column:

FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #9

RUNAWAYS vol. 2 #24

TEEN TITANS GO! #40

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

2/25/07