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

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FRANKLIN RICHARDS, SON OF A GENIUS: WORLD BE WARNED! (All Ages)

Chris Eliopoulos & Marc Sumerak (story); Sumerak (w); Eliopoulos (p/i/l); Brad Anderson (c); cover by Eliopoulos

Publisher: Marvel

Format: one-shot

Concept: Follow the hilarious misadventures of young Franklin Richards (son of Reed and Sue Richards, AKA Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four) and his wise-cracking robot companion, H.E.R.B.I.E!

In this issue: Marvel's massive summer smashfest begins...over in WORLD WAR HULK. But Franklin Richards isn't about to let the green goliath have all of the fun! Exiled by his parents to the depths of his room, Franklin has always used his father's inventions to keep himself entertained. Now Franklin has returned to the lab to wreak more accidental havoc on the FF, the Hulk, the Marvel Universe -- and anyone else who gets in the way. More reckless than ever, accompanied by his robotic babysitter H.E.R.B.I.E., Franklin may (unintentionally) tear the planet in half! The epic stories of Franklin unbound continue in this special one-shot by Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos. (from marvel.com)

Review: In this new collection of hilarious misadventures, Franklin does everything from walking on ceilings to trying to stop a bully to talking to zoo animals to swiping a candy bar meant for the Hulk. That's all well and good, but the big question is this: Will H.E.R.B.I.E be scrapped and replaced with H.U.M.P.H.R.I.E.S.? What the heck does H.U.M.P.H.R.I.E.S. stand for, anyway? You will have to read to find out, faithful readers!

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THE BATMAN STRIKES! #34: “Shtick Shift” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Christopher Jones (p); Terry Beatty (i); Heroic Age (c); Robert Clark, Jr. (l); cover by Sanford Greene & Nathan Massengill

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Bruce Wayne in his early years as Batman.

In this issue: The Riddler's playing a deadly game, and Batman's the prize! Batgirl and Robin will need all of their training, wits and guts to save the Batman. (from dccomics.com)

Review: How Batman gets captured is not explained, but you can bet that Riddler's not the only villain in this game! Batgirl and Robin get a chance to shine, as they not only have to use their combat training, but also solve Riddler's riddles in the process! Torres comes up with some clever ones that can easily be taken out of the context of the story and used as fun brain teasers.
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MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #25: “What If…?” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w), with lyrics by Crystal Skillman; Cory Hamscher (p/i); Lee Loughridge (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Smith & Strain

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Irradiated by cosmic rays and transformed to possess superhuman powers, they joined together to fight evil. Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch and the Thing. Together they call themselves the Fantastic Four!

In this issue: The Human Torch falls into a probability rift and finds himself flung across innumerable alternate realities, including: a world where a heroic Victor Von Doom, a.k.a. Doc Iron, battles against Mr. Devious, Monsterman, The Human Pyre, and The Unstoppable Woman ... a.k.a. The Frightful Four, a world where the Femmetastic Four defends a world completely depopulated of men (then Johnny shows up) and a world where Johnny's arch-nemesis runs the FF ... That's right, SPIDER-MAN! Can The Watcher help Torch get back to his timeline, or will he wander forever through "The Worlds of What If?" And a warm welcome to new cover artist PAUL SMITH! (from marvel.com)

Review: Suffice it to say that this is probably the NUTTIEST story that this book has seen to date! There's really not much else I can think of to say beyond that, except that it's nice to see Watcher attempt to help Johnny out. I mean, what good does it do anyone if all you do is observe but never take any action?

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And now, faithful readers, I present a recent trade paperback that came into my possession this week. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you…

TEDDY SCARES, vol. 1 (Teen/Young Adult)

Jim Hankins (w); Ben Roman, Dustin Evans, Christine Larsen, Rolando Mallada, Drew Rausch (p/i/c); David Hedgecock (l)

Publisher: Ape Entertainment

Format: trade paperback

Concept: You should've been nicer to your toys! The Teddy Scares, zombie teddies back from the grave, make their graphic novel debut! Based on the popular toy line, TEDDY SCARES VOLUME 1 features work from Image artist Ben Roman, and SLG/Tokyopop artist Drew Rausch. (from apecomics.com)

Review: I first discovered Teddy Scares through the APE ENTERTAINMENT COMIC SPECTACULAR Free Comic Book Day offering, and it was love at first sight. The back cover says “mature readers,” but I don't think that's true, which is why I labeled it “teen/young adult.” These are delightfully macabre stories for the young at heart. It's to the credit of Hankins and the artists that we care about each character in spite of—or perhaps because of—their looks. Each bear has a distinct personality. Edwin is the poet, Redmond is the psycho, Rita is the mean witch, Hester is the genius, and Abnormal Cyrus is the lovable idiot. That the stories deal with the pain of rejection and the need to feel loved adds to the book's emotional weight. I for one have a soft spot in my heart for Edwin and Cyrus.

Look out for: Small children may be put off by the images of Redmond wielding his ax, and Rita does some mean things to Cyrus, which only makes you love the little guy even more. And believe it or not, you might just end up caring for Rita as well.

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To be reviewed in next week's column:

FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #13

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31 st CENTURY #3

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #2

SPIDER-MAN & FANTASTIC FOUR #3

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #110

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

6/17/07