THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week-Year 3 - Week 47 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, July 27, 2009

AGENTS OF ATLAS #7: “Secrets of the Deep, part 2/Mr. Lao Is Sleeping” (Teen/Young Adult)

Jeff Parker (w); Gabriel Hardman/Carlo Pagulayan (p); Hardman/Jason Paz (i); Jana Schirmer/Elizabeth Dismang (c); Nate Piekos/Tom Orzechowski (l); cover by Leinil Yu & Laura Martin

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Reunited in the present to save their leader Jimmy Woo, an incredible team of 1950s FBI agents discovered Woo was the heir to an ancient underground empire known as the Atlas Foundation! Assuming command of the worldwide syndicate, Woo and his fellow agents plan to use its far-reaching influence for good. Now Master Woo, Gorilla-Man, Namora, the Urania, Venus and the killer robot M-11 are regarded as global threats—and known to the underworld as the AGENTS OF ATLAS.

In this issue : Journey to the Deep!! The Agents and the Sub-Mariner face not only a deadly attack beneath the ocean, but Namor and Namora's budding relationship is hit with some ugly facts of Atlantean history. Also: what does a Lung Dragon dream? Peer into the most treacherous space imaginable, the ancient and diabolical mind of Mr. Lao! (from marvel.com)

Review: On the first page, Parker presents some questions, all of which are answered (except the one about Ken's game of Scrabble) in this great issue. My respect for Jimmy Woo has gone up a notch after seeing how he allows Namora to follow her heart as well as seeing how Derek Khanata is beginning to fit in. Ken, of course, gets in some great lines. And in the main story's most visually exciting scene, Bob discovers something quite dangerous. Speaking if visuals, the Pagulayan/Paz/Dismang artwork for the backup story is simply gorgeous. Both stories are quite intriguing, and make for a great read.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #17

Robert Kirkman (w); Jason Howard (p/i); FCO & Ivan Plascencia (c); Rus Wooton (l); covers by Howard & Ian Churchill

Publisher: Image

Format: 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 of the world's most unlikely new superhero — The Astounding Wolf-Man!

In this issue: Stronghold prison is under attack! Wolf-Man must now face his most deadly adversary yet! Everything changes as we enter the next stage in Wolf-Man's life – leading up to the monumental issue 25! That is, if Wolf-Man survives the battle. (from imagecomics.com)

Review: I'd been anticipating this issue because I had been wondering, as I almost always do, how Kirkman and Howard were going to follow up last issue's conclusion. As always, they follow it up quite nicely. It's great to see Chloe's eyes finally opened to what's really been going on, and one of the highlights of the issue are the heartfelt, if bloodstained, moments they share together. It's also interesting to see Zechariah powerless. And as with every single issue, Howard's terrific final splash page has me wanting more.

Look out for: blood

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #201: “Change In Management” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Terry Austin/Jim Amash (i); Matt Herms (c); John Workman/Teresa Davidson (l); cover by Yardley! & Jason Jensen

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue: “Change in Management”: Sonic and his friends are ready to relax after the series-shaking events of #200, but their plans soon change with the explosive arrival of an old villain!  A villain who brings grim tidings of a new threat that's claimed the world!  Who are the new faces of evil?  Will Sonic rise to the occasion, or will he be busy fighting a mystery guest star?  “Devotion”: Espio the Chameleon gets a visitor of his own, and news that will change his standing in the Chaotix forever! 

Review: Poor Sonic…he just doesn't seem to know what to do with himself after defeating Robotnik. But one thing's constant in Sonic's world: things don't stay peaceful for long. The bearer of bad news is a character from Sonic's past, and unfortunately, the two must work together to stop Snively and his new threat, the object of his many chat sessions in previous issues. In the backup story, which takes place during the events of the main story, Espio gets an unwelcome visit from his brother, Lightning…as well as orders that could change everything. In both stories, Flynn and Yardley set the stage for more exciting things to come.

SONIC UNIVERSE #5: “Mobius: 30 Years Later: Five Years Of Peace” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); Tracy Yardley! (p); Jim Amash (i); Jason Jensen (c); Teresa Davidson (l); cover by Yardley! & Hunzeker

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

Concept: A thrilling new Sonic series that raises the stakes and expands the comic book world of Sonic!

In this issue: It's now thirty years down the line and King Sonic is on the throne. He has his hands full with the tiny royal twins, but fan-favorite Lara-Su is there to help. As the world prepares to celebrate the new royal family, a deadly plot is hatched from the shadows - and you'll never guess who shows up at the end! It's the action and adventure you've come to expect from Mobius: 25 Years Later tales, not to mention all your favorite good guys and bad guys! The future has never been more frantic, and it's up to Sonic to make sure it's infinite! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: Proving that the Sonic universe is not bound by the clock or the calendar, Flynn and Yardley take us thirty years into what could be Sonic's future. He's now the king, married to Queen Sally, and has two children. Mobius has known peace for five years. Sounds good, right? Well, like I said in the review above, things don't stay peaceful for long in Sonic's world. I won't tell you who's plotting against the royal family, nor will I tell you who shows up at the last minute to stop it, but I will tell you that they certainly know how to make an entrance! Flynn and Yardley offer proof that Sonic truly is timeless.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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