THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 3 - Week 33 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, April 21, 2009

JOHNNY MONSTER #3 (Teen/Young Adult)

Joshua Williamson (w); J.C. Grande (p/i); Owen Hunter (c); Leif Giese (flats); cover by Grande & Jason Ho

Publisher: Image

Format: three-issue miniseries

Concept: From the acclaimed writer of DEAR DRACULA and Necessary Evil, Johnny Monster mixes Tom Strong with Godzilla movies by way of Tarzan and the Phantom to create a compelling and different monster mash!

In this issue : The peaceful habitat Johnny Monster created for the monsters has been invaded by violent mercenaries causing utter chaos! As a result, the largest monster the world has ever seen has been unleashed on New York City on a quest for revenge! Only Johnny can stop him... but does he want to? Don't miss the exciting conclusion to this monster-ous miniseries!

Review: What was once a paradise for monsters isn't anymore, thanks to Count Rawke. Needless to say, this makes Rex mad. And you know what? It's hard to blame him. This, of course, does not bode well for New York City . But it's Johnny who's lost the most—his secret, his mother, his home, and his family—in a very short amount of time. Grande's artwork, particularly when Johnny fights Rex, is wonderful. I like the way Williamson ends the book. There's no talk of mortal enemies; rather, it's more like Johnny and Rex have come to a mutual understanding. Things will never be the same for either of them.

Look out for: Rex kills Rawke and one other person, so expect some blood. This is one monster you don't want to make angry.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #10: “On the Job” (All Ages)

Todd Dezago (w); Derec Donovan, Scott Koblish & Vicente Cifuentes (p/i); Sotocolor (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Henry & Guru

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Join the Marvel Heroes for some amazing adventures.

In this issue: "ANT-MAN is On The JOB!!" Well, he's LOOKING for a job, anyway...But his employment is put on hold when the insidious SANDMAN crosses his path-and ANT-MAN needs to pull out all the stops to defeat the Granular Goon!
And, as ANT-MAN's popularity rises, so too do the suspicions of Vernon Van Dyne...! (from marvel.com)

Review: You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and in the case of Ant-Man, you shouldn't judge a superhero by his size…a lesson that the Sandman is about to learn the hard way. Both Hank and Flint Marko apply for a job at a warehouse, and the next thing you know, that warehouse has been robbed! I love Hank's “air support,” as well as the way he gets the better of Sandman. And what's not to love about two wisecracking ants for roommates? Thanks to this creative team, insects have never been so appealing.

SUPER FRIENDS vol. 2 #14: “Man's Best Super-Friend” (All Ages)

Sholly Fisch (w); Scott Shaw & Mike Kazaleh (p); Terry Beatty (i); Heroic Age (c); Sal Cipriano (l); cover by J. Bone

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Introducing SUPER FRIENDS - a brand-new series for younger readers to meet the heroes of the DC Universe, based on the hot toy line from Mattel! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash and Aquaman are here to save the day - and be your friends, too!

In this issue: When the alien Kanjar Ro invades Earth, he freezes all humans so that they won't mess with him – including the Super Friends! What he doesn't know is that he's about to face resistance from their super best friends – the Super Pets! (from dccomics.com)

Review: “Be a good friend to your super-pet, and your pet will be a super friend to you!” That's Aquaman's advice at the end of this issue, and the Super Pets prove that point when they come to aid the Super Friends in their time of need. (But don't call Ch'p a pet, because he isn't; he's a Green Lantern.) And who better than Shaw & Kazaleh to draw an issue featuring talking animals? Kanjar Ro has frozen all of the humans, but he's underestimated the Super Pets, which turns out to be a big mistake. It's a doggone entertaining issue. Activities include “On the Right Track,” a Secret Identity Dress-Up Kit, and more Super Stumpers. Fittingly, the Super Pets end the issue with a public service announcement regarding…pets. And I have to give props to J. Bone, who provides what I think is his most delightful cover for the series so far.

TINY TITANS #15 (All Ages)

Written by Art Baltazar & Franco; art & cover by Baltazar

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: It's all your favorite Titans, in their cutest possible form!

In this issue : Our magical friend Zatara visits the Titans' Treehouse and brings some new fuzzy friends to meet the gang. And it's Rose's turn to babysit the Terror Titans when a group activity yields fiery results. (from dccomics.com)

Review: What's Easter without bunnies? Thanks to Zatara, his pet bunny Abby, and Beppo, there are lots of them at Wayne Manor, much to Alfred's chagrin. Baltazar & Franco deliver another fun issue, and Franco even provider the bonus pin-up!

COLLECTIONS

MARVEL TRIPLE ACTION #1 collects WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #1, MA AVENGERS #19 and MA SUPER HEROES #1.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD #4

INVINCIBLE #61

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #47

WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #14

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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