THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 44 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, July 07 , 2008

SHAZAM! THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL (All Ages*)

Written & illustrated by Jeff Smith; colored by Steve Hamaker

Publisher: DC

Format: trade paperback

Concept : Jeff Smith, the award-winning creator of BONE, tells the story of young orphan Billy Batson who finds himself transformed into the World's Mightiest Mortal whenever he says the magic word "Shazam!" after being granted the magical powers of the gods by an ancient wizard. In this hardcover collecting the acclaimed 4-issue miniseries, Billy must use these extraordinary abilities to face an invasion of alien creatures as well as stop mad scientist Dr. Sivana and his Monster Society of Evil from taking over the world! (from dccomics.com)

Review: I had this book sitting on the shelf for the longest time, until finally I decided to actually read it. I'm glad I did. Smith brings his talents to DC, telling the tale of Billy Batson who, thanks to magical powers given to him by a wizard, gets to live out every boy's dream: with one magic word, he becomes a superhero-or, rather, the host for a superhero. Smith gives Billy and Captain Marvel distinct personalities, and their interplay is wonderful. He also makes sure that Billy learns that his actions, good and bad, will have huge consequences. While there is lots of action, the story connects on an emotional level in Billy's relationships with Talky Tawny and his sister, Mary. The extra features reveal the great care Smith took in retelling this story--originally serialized in CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES in the 1940s-and why he changed Tawky Tawny's name to "Talky". Add to that Smith's amazing character designs, from Captain Marvel himself to the alligator men to Talky in his tiger form, and you have a winner.

THE GIMOLES: SECRETS OF THE SEASONS (All Ages)

Mike Bullock (w); Theo Bain, Michael Metcalf & Bob Pedroza (p/i/c); Dave Lanphear & Troy Peteri (l); cover by Bain

Publisher: Image

Format: trade paperback

Concept: Follow Limmy and Ohgi Gimole on their quest to shut down the machines of winter when Ichabod Cornelius Frost, the nefarious Czar of Winter, refuses to let loose his icy grip in this all-ages adventure from the creator of the critically acclaimed, all ages sensation LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS. (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Back in April, I had the chance to interview Bullock, and GIMOLES was one of the things we discussed. One issue was published years ago, after which setbacks occurred; thankfully, now the story can continue. The characters, particularly Limmy and Ohgi, are wonderfully engaging; it's hard not to love them. The transition from Bain to Metcalf is absolutely seamless. Were it not for the credits page at the beginning, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell where one stopped and the other started. Both artists give the characters wonderful expressions, the coloring is gorgeous, and Tundra the ice dragonfly is a sight to behold. Also included is a story of how the Gimoles originated, the poem that started it all, and a short story done by Bullock and Bain for a charity anthology created right after the tsunami of 2004. Bain's artwork looks just as good in black and white as it does in color, and if the sight of crying, worried animals doesn't tug at your heartstrings, you might want to check your pulse. It's a worthy addition to anyone's library.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #7 (Teen/Young Adult)

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

Publisher: Image

Format: bi-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: The secret is out, the world knows that Gary Hampton, The Astounding Wolf-Man--is a murderer. Needless to say, his family doesn't take it well. Gary 's life is falling apart around him. (from imagecomics.com)

Review: The Hampton family has been growing apart for some time, so it was only a matter of time before things came to a head. But once again, Kirkman takes a situation and runs with it, carrying it further than I would have guessed. Add to that the situation with Zechariah, and trust me when I say that things will never be the same again. Gary 's world comes crashing down in a vortex of blood and Howard's amazing-as-always artwork.

Look out for: lots of blood

BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM! #1 (All Ages)

Written & illustrated by Mike Kunkel; lettering by Steve Wands; cover by Kunkel

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Welcome to the brand-new, all-fun adventures of Billy Batson as the World's Mightiest Mortal - Captain Marvel, from acclaimed writer/artist Mike Kunkel (Herobear)!

In this issue: Thanks to a magical rift created when Captain Marvel battled Mr. Mind's monsters, 14-year-old Theo Adam has been returned to Earth from banishment. For Theo, there's just one problem: He can't remember the magic word that gives him the powers of Black Adam. There's only one solution: follow Captain Marvel and get the word out of his alter ego, 11-year-old Billy Batson. (from dccomics.com)

Review: Who better than the man who brought us a comic about a superhero bear and a kid to bring us a series where the superhero and the kid are one? Kunkel acknowledges Jeff Smith by recapping the events of THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL, and then picks up where Smith left off. It's interesting to see how Billy interacts with grown-ups; it's hilarious watching Captain Marvel do the same thing. The scene in which he has a meeting with the principal at school is just wonderful. Kunkel's animation background serves him well; the characters' movements and facial expressions are right on. Theo Adam should prove to be an interesting character, and I hope Tawky (Talky) Tawny will eventually show up as well. Kunkel is off to a great start. Be warned, though: Reading pages 1-3 and the last page will take some time, since you will have to decode at least half of the words on each page using the Monster Society code.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #41: "The Need For Speed Stampede!" (All Ages)

Marc Sumerak (w); Ryan Stegman (p); Gary Martin (i); A. Street (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Sean Murphy

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: Start your engines, Spider-Fans, because Peter Parker is about to hit the highway on one of the most exciting adventures of his young life -- Midtown High's Driver's Ed course! But the road to four-wheeled freedom becomes bumpy when the monstrous Man-Bull stampedes through the city streets! It's high-octane hijinks at the speed of Spidey! (from marvel.com)

Review: Ah, driver's ed. I don't know of any teenager who doesn't look forward to getting their license, and Peter Parker is no exception. But most of us don't have spider-senses that could go off while driving, nor do we have to face man-bulls on a rampage. The problem: ditching the driver's ed teacher. How Peter manages to do this is for you to find out, but it's hilarious, as is the whole issue. Sumerak fills Peter's thoughts with great lines ("with great horsepower comes great responsibility"), and Stegman's Man-Bull looks great. Look for an appearance by the Spider-mobile!!

THE PHANTOM #24: "Checkmate, part 4" (Teen/Young Adult)

Mike Bullock (w); Silvestre Szilagyi (p/i); Bob Pedroza (c); Nate Pride (l); cover by Rick Leonardi & Terry Austin

Publisher: Moonstone

Format: monthly series

Concept: "The Ghost Who Walks" comes alive, as the classic comic strip character is put through his paces in all new adventures. Thrilling adventure fraught with dire peril!

In this issue: Bangalla Invaded! The biggest arc in Moonstone's Phantom run, culminating in the double sized issue #25, continues! In the aftermath of last issue, the Phantom must hurry to follow the murderer's trail before it grows cold. However, the hunt leads him to a place no man, even one Who Cannot Die, wants to go! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: Hell, it seems, has come to Mawitaan.and so have the Phantom and Devil. They find a clue that leads the Phantom where he needs to go, but when he gets there, he's in for quite a shock. Actually, make that "shocks". Bullock and Szilagyi keep the surprises coming, making this issue a real page-turner.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #189: "A Bold New Moebius, part 1: Unwelcome Guests!" (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); John Workman (l); Josh Ray (c); cover by Yardley

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of Sonic and pals, based on the hit video game.

In this issue: The Freedom Fighters face an unexpected challenge when the Suppression Squad drops by - and they haven't come over for tea! Meanwhile, Sonic, Knuckles and the Chaotix are in New Megaopolis keeping Eggman's New Dark Egg Legion at bay. Includes an appearance by Anti-Rotor, now known as "Boomer," a name that will be familiar to long-time Sonic comic fans! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: The Freedom Fighters face the Suppression Squad, which means that everyone's seeing double! Anti-Rotor, Anti-Tails, Princess Alicia, Patch.they're all here. Meanwhile, the effects of Knuckles' actions as Enerjak are still being felt as he tries to help the Dark Egg Legion. I like how Flynn creates scene transitions by having two characters say the same word or phrase, or something similar. The artwork, as always, is great, especially on the final page, when a special guest makes a grand entrance.

SONIC X #33: "Meteor Madness" (All Ages)

Joe Edkin (w); David Hutchison (p); Terry Austin (i); John Workman (l); Jason Jensen (l); cover by Pat "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: For once, the heroes of Knothill Village have a chance to relax and enjoy a nice quiet picnic together - yeah, right! Things go from picnic to panic when Chuck spots a meteor hurtling toward earth, and it has a Chaos Emerald embedded inside! Now the heroes must travel to the South Pole and keep Eggman from getting his hands on it. To make things more interesting, they decide to make it a competition and split up into teams. Before they're through, readers will witness more action, romance, and inter-squad squabbling to rival a certain fantastic foursome! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: Chris wants to prove that he can be a great adventurer as well as anyone else, so he devises a game plan. Things go pretty much as planned in the beginning, but nature and each other get in the way.except for Chris and his team. This is a "Tortoise and the Hare" story featuring the Sonic characters, and the lesson is that being a winner isn't always about who's fastest, strongest, or bravest.sometimes, all it takes is a bit of brains.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

THE BATMAN STRIKES! #47

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31 st CENTURY #16

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #13

By thy side,

John "Figaro" Norris

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