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

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FANTASTIC FOUR & POWER PACK #1: “Attack Of the Super Bullies” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w); Gurihiru (p/i/c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Gurihiru

Publisher: Marvel

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: The Pack meet the Four in this all-ages limited series.

In this issue: Jack Power has competition for B.M.O.C. of N.Y.C.'s P.S. 616 ... the new kid in school, FRANKLIN RICHARDS, Son of a Genius! But when two older kids swipe the gear of WIZARD and the TRAPSTER and target both Frank and Jack, the FF and Power Pack have to team up to stop the "Attack of the Super-Bullies!" (from marvel.com)

Review: The gang's all here in this issue, but Van Lente has written a story that a lot of people will be able to relate to by focusing on four characters: Jack, Franklin and bullies Cole and Pete. Jack is the kid who loves to be the center of attention, and when he finds out he's not, he wants revenge. The intended recipient of said revenge is Franklin, son of Reed and Sue Richards, who is entering public school for the first time. And Cole and Pete, the sons of the Wizard and the Trapster, are the bullies who have a beef with both Jack and Franklin. Van Lente touches on several issues that affect people of all ages today: parental neglect and overprotection, the need to feel accepted as an individual, and coming to terms with the fact that you aren't always in control.

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JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #35: “The Cycle” (All Ages)

Matteo Casali (w); Scott Cohn (p); Al Nickerson (i); Heroic Age (c); Robert Clark, Jr. (l); cover by Zach Howard

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of the Justice League, based on the hit cartoon.

In this issue: Natasha Irons is tired of her Uncle Steel getting to do all the heroics in the family. But an attack from the Millennium Giants may prove she's in over her head! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Like Jack Power and Franklin Richards, Natasha Irons is easy to relate to in this story. She's smart and really wants to help, but she's constantly told by her uncle Steel that she's too young, which she does not like to hear at all. So she goes into battle anyway. I like the way in which Casali allows Natasha's opponent to give her a clue as to how to resolve the situation. The story deals with patience and learning to find your own way.

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THE LONERS #4: “What You Don't Know…” (Teen/Young Adult)

C.B. Cebulski (w); Karl Moline (p/i); Beth Sotelo (c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Jason Pearson

Publisher: Marvel

Format: six-issue miniseries

Concept: They used to battle evil, but now they're trying to save themselves. They're six former crime-fighters, with little in common, meeting as civilians in a spandex self-help group. A mutant, a monster, a renegade, a rebel and a lost soul. Before this story is over, they'll take off their masks, reveal their secrets and decide if they can truly stop being heroes.

In this issue: Can Marvel's former teen heroes stay out of the spandex life? Once she fought aliens and super–villains as the brainy member of Power Pack; now she's trying to become a star in Hollywood - - which is the tougher challenge for Lightspeed? Plus, why has the former Generation X mutant now known as Hollow reached out to the guy who used to be a Green Goblin? C.B. Cebulski (X-MEN FAIRY TALES) and Karl Moline (Route 666) keep you guessing in the latest installment of this RUNAWAYS spin-off! (from marvel.com)

Review: This issue focuses on Julie Power and explores the consequences of lying. All superheroes are good at keeping secrets. Julie is good at lying as well. But the problem with lying, besides that fact that no one trusts you, is that it's possible to do it so often that it becomes second nature. How Julie finally decides to try and drop the act is worth finding out.

Look out for: a rather scantily-clad female on the last page

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MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #29: “Rock and Roll” (All Ages)

Peter David (w); Pop Mhan (p); Norman Lee (i); Guru eFX (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Patrick Scherberger, Lee and Guru eFX

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Bitten by an irradiated spider, which granted him incredible abilities, Peter Parker learned the all-important lesson, that with great power there must also come great responsibility. And so he became the amazing Spider-Man

In this issue : Y'know, some people just don't like museums. They're cold, boring, super-villains are always stealing stuff—wait, what? Yo! GREY GARGOYLE! Stop stealing stuff! All right, fine…but you're gonna have to deal with SPIDEY! (from marvel.com)

Review: How for would you go to obtain a valuable work of art? Would it be worth a human life? That's the question that Grey Gargoyle asks himself. He's an interesting villain because, as Spidey puts it, he sees areas that are grey instead of being black & white. In other words, he causes a lot of destruction, but when push comes to shove, he realizes that some lines shouldn't be crossed. And that's a powerful lesson.

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NEW AVENGERS & TRANSFORMERS #1: “Man and Machine, part 1” (Teen/Young Adult)

Stuart Moore (w); Tyler Kirkham (p); Sal Regla (i); Annette Kwok (c); Todd Klein (l); cover by Jim Cheung, Mark Morales and Justin Ponsor

Publisher: Marvel/IDW

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: Optimus Prime and the Autobots meet Captain America and the Avengers in this limited series.

In this issue: It's time to Assemble–and Roll Out! What in the world could unite Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the Autobots? Maybe the Decepticons and Dr. Doom know! War is about to break out on the border between Latveria and Symkaria -- unless two unique teams of heroes can unravel a dark mystery… that is, if they don't destroy each other first! Stuart Moore (WOLVERINE, PUNISHER X-MAS SPECIAL) and Tyler Kirkham (X-MEN: PHOENIX WARSONG) bring together fan-faves like Wolverine, Megatron, Spider-Man and Optimus Prime in this all-new, four-issue, widescreen adventure! (from marvel.com)

Review: When you have a book that features the Avengers, Autobots, Decepticons AND Dr. Doom, you know that it's going to be entertaining, and is it ever. Not only are two nations on the brink of nuclear war, but Megatron has plans to use an Avenger (against their will, of course) to help the Decepticons achieve “their greatest triumph.” And just for good measure, there's a strange structure that's causing everyone to act more violently than usual…and for Wolverine, that's saying a lot! Will the Avengers and Autobots destroy each other before they can find out what's going on? Moore and Kirkham keep things moving and still allow Spidey to get in some hilarious lines. Good stuff.

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RUNAWAYS #27: “Dead-end Kids, part 3” (Teen/Young Adult)

Joss Whedon (w); Michael Ryan (p); Rick Ketcham with Jay Leisten (i); Christina Strain (c); Joe Caramagna (l); cover by Jo Chen

Publisher: Marvel

Format: 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: Has there always been a “Runaways?” No. Then what does the cover mean? You're going to have to read it to find out, True Believers. Joss Whedon (ASTONISHING X-MEN, Buffy) and Michael Ryan (NEW EXCALIBUR) bring you more twists and turns as the Runaways go somewhere they've never been before. (from marvel.com)

Review: Twists and turns are right! The team finds themselves transported 100 years in the past, find out that the Frog has holo-records, meet a group called the Wonders and…oh, you just have to read it.

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SONIC X #21: “Sub Sonic” (All Ages)

Mike Bullock (w); David Hutchison (p); Terry Austin (i); Josh Ray (c); John Workman (l); cover by Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: During a battle between Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman, an explosion hurled Sonic, his friends, and Dr. Eggman across dimensions until they found themselves on planet Earth. Dr. Eggman is determined to establish his Eggman Empire, beginning with Earth…and Sonic is determined to stop him.

In this issue: After being trapped on Earth all this time Sonic, Tails, Amy and the others may have finally stumbled upon a way to get back to their home world. Will the daring plan pay off or just put Sonic and friends in a mind-bending dilemma of universe-al proportions? (from silverbulletcomics.com)

Review: I'm not really into Sonic the Hedgehog. I've never played the games, and I have only watched a few episodes of the cartoons. So I picked up this issue not because I'm a Sonic X fan, but because I'm a Mike Bullock fan. Was I disappointed? Not at all. It's loose, light, fun entertainment featuring hilarious hijinks at the toy store. Kids and Sonic fans should love it.

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THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #2 (Teen/Young Adult)

Robert Kirkman (w); Jason Howard (p/i/c); Rus Wooton (l); cover by Howard

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: When Gary Hampton is mauled and left for dead, his life takes a drastic turn. Gary is cursed — when the moon is full he transforms into a beast of the night — a werewolf! But this curse will not be used for evil — witness the birth or the world's most unlikely new superhero — The Astounding Wolf-Man !

In this issue: Gary Hampton puts his newly acquired powers to the test. Wolf-Man finally takes to the streets – saving lives and doing good. How will the public react to him – and can he control the beast within? Don't miss out on the first action-packed adventures of THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: At last, the second issue is here, and it confirms that Howard is the right artist for this book. His art is beautiful and edgy at the same time—just perfect for visualizing a guy who's trying to do good yet trying to control his beastly side as well. Things seem to be looking up for Gary ; he's learning to control his powers and he helps save the day twice. And check out his sweet new costume, courtesy of a certain tailor whom INVINCIBLE readers may remember. But as INVINCIBLE readers also know, Kirkman doesn't allow things to stay calm for long. He lulls Gary (and the readers) into a state of complacency, and then suddenly goes in for the kill—literally. And he pulls it off beautifully.

Look out for: minor swearing and blood (on the cover and one other page)

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TRADES/DIGESTS

INVINCIBLE vol. 8: MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (Teen/Young Adult) from Image

USAGI YOJIMBO vol. 21: MOTHER OF MOUNTAINS from Dark Horse

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This week, I had the extreme pleasure of taking in the pure AWESOMENESS that is Michael Bay 's TRANSFORMERS film, and I highly recommend that you do the same; it's well worth it. I may as well tell you now that I am on a serious TRANSFORMERS kick—I can't look at a yellow car without thinking, “BUMBLEBEE!!!”—so I thought I would review some of the trades. What better way to begin than with the official movie adaptation itself? So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I bring you…

TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE ADAPTATION (Teen/Young Adult)

Kris Oprisko (w, based on the screenplay by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman); Alex Milne (p/i); Josh Perez, et al. (c); Robbie Robbins & Chris Mowry (l)

Publisher: IDW

Format: trade paperback

Review: Our world. Their war. The search for the Allspark has brought the Autobots and Decepticons to Earth, and their battle has been rekindled, putting mankind at risk. But a friendship between one of the Autobots and young boy may be the key to ending the confict. Those of you who have seen the film will notice a few small changes, such as Sam's online ID. Overall, however, Oprisko has done a nice job adapting the story from screen to page, and Milne's artwork is FANTASTIC. Also included is a great art gallery by Milne. It's available at bookstores everywhere.

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To be reviewed in next week's column:

THE BATMAN STRIKES! #35

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #3

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

7/08/07