THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 2 - Week 36 _ _________________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, May 12 , 2008

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #187: “Mister Popular” (All Ages)

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

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue : Sonic's immortal enemy Mammoth Mogul is back and their battle has taken on a whole new twist. Can Sonic find out who or what Mogul is going after? With hordes of villains from today as well as from Sonic's past emerging to attack the blue blur, does Sonic have a chance of defeating the massive power of Mammoth Mogul?

Review: You may remember that Mammoth Mogul, who had Sonic's friends under his control, let them go and said that he could afford to wait for Sonic's demise. Apparently, he decided not to wait too long, because he's at it again...and this time, he doesn't need to use his mind-control power, because he's got a slew of Sonic's enemies on his side! Flynn has always done an impressive job of maintaining the series' continuity, and this issue is a shining example; events from issues as far back as #134 are referenced, but new readers need not worry. And the list of villains that appear in this issue is a “who's who” of bad guys: Mogul, Geoffrey St. John, Rogue, Scratch, Grounder, Coconuts, Nack the Weasel, Bean & Bark and Sleuth Dawg and Destructix.
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SONIC X #31: “The Return of El Gran Gordo!” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Terry Austin (i); Josh Ray (c); Phil Felix (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: Who is that masked mass of meanness battling his way through the wrestling ring?  Can it be?  It is!  The crazy Dr. Eggman is once again pretending to be masked wrestling sensation El Gran Gordo!  But if that's really him, how can Dr. Eggman be robbing Station Square at the same time?  It's up to Sonic to decipher this doppelganger of a mystery! 

Review: That's right, it's more nuttiness in the ring! Dr. Eggman dons the costume once again after being called out by Andes the Ginormous (who, not surprisingly, bears an uncanny resemblance to Andre the Giant). Meanwhile, Dr. Eggman seems to have suddenly developed a huge sweet tooth, and Sonic has to find out who's who. To Flynn's credit, even though you know El Gran Gordo is a villain in disguise, you can't help but root for him, especially when Chris cheers him on.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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