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

THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #8: “Speedquest: Double Or Nothing” (Teen/Young Adult)

Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo (w); Ron Adrian & Art Thibert (p); Art Thibert (i); Richard & Tanya Horie (c); Travis Lanham (l); cover by Daniel Acuna

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Bart Allen as he assumes the identity of the Flash.

In this issue: Smackdown on the Strip! Bart Allen's dark twin Inertia lures the Fastest Man Alive to Vegas, determined to own the Speed Force at any cost. (from dccomics.com)

Review: The Flash is probably my favorite character in the DC universe. This is currently the only DC book I read that isn't connected to an animated property. Four characters have assumed the identity of the Flash over the years: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and now Barry's grandson, Bart. In a break from the norm for DC, Bart lives in a real city. Superman lives in Metropolis and Batman in Gotham City , but Bart has moved from Keystone City to Los Angeles , and this issue finds him in Vegas, where Inertia has kidnapped his girlfriend. Two things I have always loved about the Flash title are in full force here: the way the writers allow you into the Scarlet Speedster's thoughts as he attempts to resolve a situation, and the fantastic artwork. The art team does an outstanding job; the panels of the Flash in action with the speed force around him are breathtaking. Throw in a little science here and there, and you have a winner.

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INVINCIBLE #38 (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: Months ago, astronaut Rus Livingston was abandoned on Mars. He has been taken over by a parasitic race of aliens who need a host to link their minds as one. With their minds now linked - they are turning their attention to EARTH. Invincible is the only thing that stands in their way! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Wow…trust me when I say that a lot more happens in this issue than what's described above. We see Allen the Alien finally healed, but how did he get to be so strong? Rick Sheridan has recovered from his “Animan” plight, but will he ever get to lead a normal life again? Amber's friends finally get to meet Mark. We get to see Oliver's remarkable development. Some other things happen that will be rather major down the road, so I won't spoil those, but I must end by saying that Ottley and Crabtree provide us with a gorgeous final image of Mark…and Atom Eve.

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TEEN TITANS GO! #39: “Stupid Cupid” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Todd Nauck (p); Larry Stucker (i); Heroic Age (c); John J. Hill (l); cover by Nauck with Kanila Tripp

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue: It's Valentine's Day at Titans Tower ! But when Robin's number one fan Larry is playing cupid, will the Teen Titans really want to get struck by love's arrows? (from dccomics.com)

Review: Larry, the troublemaker from another dimension, is VERY happy that Robin and Starfire are officially together. He's so happy, in fact, that he figures ALL of the Titans should have someone to love…and who better to play matchmaker than himself? Thus, after Larry “borrows” Eros' (Cupid) wings and arrows, we find Mas y Menos loving on Pantha, Speedy and Cheshire falling for each other, and THREE ladies with the hots for Kid Flash. (Good luck explaining THAT to Jinxy.) Oh, yes…all this is going on while the Titans are trying to capture the criminal Leblanc. In the end, Larry learns that no one can make people fall in love; it has to happen on its own.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG #5

USAGI YOJIMBO VOL. 3 #100

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

1/28/07