THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #165 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, November 03, 2009

MICKEY MOUSE AND FRIENDS #296 (All Ages)

Stefano Ambrosio (w); Saida Temafonte (translation); Lorenzo Pastrovicchio, Roberto Santillo and Marco Giglione (p/i/c); Troy Peteri (l);

Publisher: BOOM! Kids

Format: monthly series

Concept: First BOOM! Kids issue! One of the longest-lived, most-successful comic book series in the industry's history comes to BOOM! and brings a little magic.

In this issue: Presenting Wizards of Mickey! Student of the great wizard Grandalf, Mickey Mouse hails from the humble village of Miceland . Allying himself with Donald Duck and his pet dragon named Fafnir, and team mate Goofy, Mickey's come to the great tournament to get his revenge on Peg Leg Pete, who has stolen the Rain Crystal from Miceland! Join Mickey Mouse and his friends on an epic tale of magic and wonder! Join BOOM! Kids for a whole new epoch in Disney publishing! (from boom-kids.com)

Review: Even if you haven't seen any of the classic Mickey Mouse cartoons, you will find a lot to love about this issue. But as someone who HAS seen the classic cartoons, I appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into the story. It's not just that Mickey is reprising his most famous role as the Sorceror's Apprentice here. It's that the story really hearkens back to the mouse's glory days, when he faced overwhelming odds and villains (such as Peg Leg Pete) with nothing but his wits (and friends) and a whole lot of determination. It's a really entertaining issue that to me represents Mickey at his best.

PERHAPANAUTS HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR (Teen/Young Adult)

Todd Dezago (w); Fred Hembeck/Mike Thomas/Rich Woodall/Ken McFarlane/Craig Rousseau/Rico Renzi (p/i/c); covers by Rousseau, Francesco Francavilla, Mike Ploog & Matt Pott

Publisher: Image

Format: one-shot

Concept: There are places in this world where the fabric of reality has worn thin, where strange and terrible creatures have crossed over to lurk in the shadows and the night. There is an organization dedicated to finding these creatures and sending them back from whence they came, sealing the rift behind them, and maintaining the integrity of those borders. The organization is called BEDLAM. Its agents are.THE PERHAPANAUTS!

In this issue : Four fantastic Halloween covers--all in one book! Three terrifying Halloween tales to thrill, chill, and amuse! A great one-shot jumping-on point for new Readers to get everyone in the spooky Halloween spirit! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: Yes, yes, I know…I should have reviewed this issue BEFORE Halloween. But better late than never, right? In this issue, you get three stories for the price of one, and they're all great. If you've read my reviews, you know that Big is my favorite character in this series, so it's no surprise that “Big In Brazil” is my favorite of the three stories. It's a great example of Big's scientific curiosity and humanity meeting halfway, and of course, it's got Craig and Rico's great artwork. Fred Hembeck is not my favorite artist, but he's ideal for “Choopie's Halloween,” which is just hilarious. “Night of the Tatzelwurm” let's Choopie get some action of a different sort, and I must say I loved the way the story ended. And I have to give MAJOR props to Lauren Monardo for her hilarious Perhapa-pin-up!

SONIC UNIVERSE #7: “30 Years Later: What's Old Is New Again” (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 : King Sonic has been evicted from his castle with only Lara-Su at his side! What's a deposed king to do? Gather up some Freedom Fighters, that's what! But who? And from where? This pulse-pounding tale allows readers to see some familiar faces as the Future Freedom Fighters assemble for the first time! (from grahamcrackers.com)

Review: King Sonic does indeed allow us to see some familiar faces…and some children of familiar faces, including Skye Prower, Melody Prower. Jacque and Belle D'Coolette, and Vector's son, Argyll Crocodile. Another familiar face, but much less friendly, is King Shadow, who isn't pleased with the way things have been going in the five years he's been gone. And boy, is he determined to do something about it! Yardley gives Shadow some fantastic expressions. And the best moment is when Lara-Su and Argyll “geek out” as King Sonic issues a battle cry.

USAGI YOJIMBO #123: “The Death of Lord Hikiji” (Teen/Young Adult)

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

Publisher: Dark Horse

Format: monthly series

Concept: Once a loyal retainer until his lord's death in battle, Miyamoto Usagi is now an unemployed ronin walking the warrior's pilgrimage, in search of harmony.

In this issue: Before wandering the country as a masterless samurai, Usagi served Lord Mifune. But Mifune was killed in battle against the forces of the Dark Lord, Hikiji, leaving Usagi a ronin. Years later, Usagi meets some old comrades from his days as Mifune's retainer. The bereaved warriors have long been trying to avenge their lord by killing Hikiji, but over the years their numbers have dwindled. Now they have the perfect opportunity, and Usagi is pivotal to their plans. (from darkhorse.com)

Review: Usagi and Masaki have a history together; both were loyal to Lord Mifune until his death. Since then, Usagi has walked the warrior's pilgrimage, while Masaki and comerade Kenta never stopped serving Mifune. Now there is a chance to kill Lord Hikiji, and Usagi is asked to join. Through Usagi, Sakai makes an important distinction between blind loyalty and throwing your life away. It's a great issue with a beautiful, if somewhat sad, ending.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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