THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 35 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, May 5 , 2008

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #12: “Kiber the Cruel” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w); Scott Koblish (p/i); Javier Tartaglia with Chris Sotomayor (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Francis Tsai

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Billionaire inventor Tony Stark built a suit of armor that saved his life. He now fights against the forces of evil as the invincible Iron Man!

In this issue: At long last, Iron Man is reunited with his missing father in the heart of Africa --but he has to free him from the clutches of Kiber the Cruel! (from marvel.com)

Review: This issue contains what I think is some of the best artwork the title has seen to date. From Tsai's amazing cover to the opening splash to the panel of him breaking through the floor, Iron Man looks GREAT, and the artists are really to be commended. The story finds Tony reunited with his father (who, of course, doesn't know it's Tony under the armor) under rather unpleasant circumstances; Howard's been captured by Kiber. Van Lente handles the father-son aspect nicely, and anyone who's ever had a parent will understand how incessant nagging can drive one insane.
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TEEN TITANS GO! #54: “Makes You Wonder” (All Ages)

J. Torres (w); Ethen Beavers (p/i); Heroic Age (c); John J. Hill (l); cover by Todd 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: The Teen Titans visit Paradise Island for some fun and games, but someone who wants to take down Wonder Girl is about to put a wrinkle in their plans! Meanwhile, the villainous Trident has plans of his own for the Amazons and their friends! (from dccomics.com)

Review: It must be something to be Wonder Girl and live on an island where no one can beat her. So hungry for a little competition, she invites the female Titans to participate in some games. But one Cassie Sandsmark is so infatuated with Wonder Girl that she decides that Donna Troy just won't cut it anymore. It's one thing to be a fan of someone or something, but in Cassie, Torres gives us someone who has taken things too far, going so far as to steal things in order to gain the advantage. But she gets more than she bargained for when Trident shows up. Speaking of which, Beavers does a great job with the villain and his “army amphibious.” There's also a great panel involving Aqualad and an octopus.
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USAGI YOJIMBO vol. 3 #111: “Sakura, part 1” (Teen/Young Adult)

Written and illustrated by Stan Sakai; cover by Sakai & Tom Luth

Publisher: Dark Horse

Format: monthly series

Concept: The adventures of the rabbit samurai known as Usagi.

In this issue : Rabbit ronin Usagi and the bounty hunter Gen rescue a young girl without realizing it, only to find themselves the target of her captors, in this first part of a new story! Traveling through the countryside together, Usagi and Gen cross paths with another intriguing wanderer: a female gambler nicknamed "The Whip," who journeys across the land with a unique and mysterious mission. When The Whip meets a young girl at a gambling den who was sold into slavery by her destitute father, she determines to set the girl free. Unable to buy the girl from her owner, The Whip kidnaps her. The next morning, Usagi and Gen awake to a surprise-the girl has been left in their care, and they're surrounded by irate gamblers thirsty for blood! (from darkhorse.com)

Review: It's nice to see Sakai injecting more light-hearted moments in this issue, particularly between Usagi and Gen. From Usagi comparing Gen's leg to a radish to his trip down the mountain to the “pickled vegetables” discussion, there are wonderful moments here. That said, Sakai doesn't forget the drama, and Sakura's story is a sad one. The final panel left me eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #187

SONIC X #31

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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