THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #177 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, March 11, 2009

IRON MAN & THE ARMOR WARS #4: “The Golden Avenger Strikes Back” (All Ages)

Joe Caramagna (w); Craig Rousseau (p/i); Val Staples (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Takeshi Miyazawa

Publisher: Marvel

Format: four-issue miniseries

Concept: Cash, cars, boats, houses…Tony Stark has got it all. The only thing that could ruin his day? If every single one of his IRON MAN armors were stolen, and then turned against him. Join us for a nail-biting, strapped-to-your-seat adventure as Tony battles his greatest creations, and tries to discover who could (gasp) OUTSMART him!?!?

In this issue : Tony Stark goes toe-to-toe with his deadliest creations! Can the man that created every version of IRON MAN armor defeat all of them at the SAME TIME???

Review: This final issue is an action-packed good time, as Tony gets his armor back and goes up against Red Barbarian. But my favorite moments are small ones, particularly the conversations between Director Stone and Congressman Wyndham and Jim Rhodes and Agent Dekker. Oh yes, there's also Tony's sudden sift in his thoughts from Rhodes to Darkstar—even captured, he's still a playboy. Caramagna and Rousseau have handled the big and small moments very nicely, and it's all added up to an entertaining series.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #207: “Blackout/The Iron Queen” (All Ages)

Ian Flynn (w); James Fry/Renae De Liz (p); Terry Austin (i); Matt Herms (c); John Workman (l); cover by Pat “Spaz” Spaziante

Publisher: Archie

Format: monthly series

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

In this issue: The Iron King wants the force-field over Sonic's home city gone, so he heads to its power source: the radioactive remains of Robotropolis! This could spell doom for our heroes – not to mention the surrounding environment! As Sonic races to the rescue, Princess Sally finally comes to a pivotal personal decision. PLUS: “The Iron Queen:” The second half of this intriguing new villainess' thrilling origin is revealed! (from archiecomics.com)

Review: The Iron King is quite a formidable opponent…in fact, he's invulnerable. How are Sonic and Monkey Khan supposed to stop someone like that? By using their brains. It's always great to see Sonic use his head instead of his feet to solve problems. It's also nice to see Princess Sally off the battlefield. Her two scenes with Khan and Bunnie are wonderful and very heartfelt. Much praise goes to all three artists (Spaz, Fry and de Liz) for their fantastic work on the Iron King; every panel he's in, he just exudes power and attitude, especially when he snorts at Snively in “The Iron Queen.”

SONIC UNIVERSE #9: “Echoes of the Past, part 1” (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: By popular demand, Knuckles makes a triumphant return in this thrilling spin-off tale!  Knuckles presses into the heart of the desert to find the sinister secrets of his hated enemy, Dr. Finitivus, but what he finds leads to a deeper mystery... and deadly danger!  With Knuckles away, it's up to Vector to protect the Master Emerald from the newest threat… but who, or what, are they?  It's the pulse-pounding start of the next epic story arc, and you can't afford to miss it! (from archiecomics.com)

Review: In case the solicitation didn't make it clear; the cover leaves absolutely no doubt: Knuckles is back with a vengeance! Thanks to General von Stryker, he's found Dr. Finitevus's lab, and with the help of Julie-Su and Mighty the Armadillo, he's going to get some answers…but not before he runs into some trouble. Meanwhile, Vector and Ray the Flying Squirrel have some trouble of their own. But what's trouble for them is great fun for the reader. Flynn's story draws you right in, while Yardley and crew celebrate Knuckles' return in style; that cover is one of the best images of the echidna I've ever seen, and the final page isn't half bad, either.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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