THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #182 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, May 26, 2010

THE FLASH #1: “Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues” (Teen/Young Adult)

Geoff Johns (w); Francis Manapul (p/i); Brian Buccellato (c); Nick J. Napolitano (l); covers by Manapul & Buccellato and Tony Harris

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, police scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the fastest man alive. With every step he runs, the scarlet speedster generates an enigmatic energy called the Speed Force, able to be tapped into by others throughout time who share is sense of justice. Today, Barry Allen protects and serves the world over as THE FLASH.

In this issue : A BRIGHTEST DAY tie-in! Get in on the ground floor of DC's next epic in the making! The Flash races out of BLACKEST NIGHT and into his own monthly title as the all-new adventures of The Fastest Man Alive start with "Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues!" Barry Allen runs back to his life in Central City, but when one of the Rogues turns up murdered under mysterious circumstances, it's up to The Flash to not only solve this bizarre crime, but protect those that are still targeted by the elusive killer. Plus, don't miss a peek into the future of the Flash universe in this special, extra-sized starting point issue! (from dccomics.com)

Review: Texting Iris, a high-speed chase involving the Trickster, saving a kid from debris…it's a typical morning for the Flash. Then Barry Allen returns to his forensics job at the Central City Police Department, and his first assignment involves the Mirror Master…or does it? From there, things just get stranger. One thing I've always loved about the book is the talented artists who have been a part of it, and Manapul is certainly no exception. He draws beautiful character expressions, and he really knows how to create a sense of motion, with Buccellato‘s colors adding immeasurably to the impact. There's no better example of this than the double-page splash in which the Flash disassembles a car that's headed right for a construction worker and his son. And when the kid sees the Flash standing in front of him, it's just an awesome moment.

IRON MAN: I AM IRON MAN! #1 & 2 (Teen/Young Adult)

Peter David (w); Sean Chen (p); Victor Olazaba & Scott Hanna (i); Chris Sotomayor (c); Joe Caramagna (l); covers by Adi Granov

Publisher: Marvel

Format: two-issue miniseries

Concept: Gear up for the hottest movie event of 2010! Superstar creators Peter David ( DARK TOWER ) and Sean Chen (MIGHTY AVENGERS) bring the blockbuster IRON MAN to comics…just in time for IRON MAN 2!

In this issue: Tony Stark is a billionaire weapons maker…who's given a taste of his own medicine. When he's wounded and taken prisoner in the Middle East and forced to build a missile for insurgents, Tony creates a suit of armor to keep him alive and blast his way out! Now Tony sees the folly of his greed, and sets out to right wrongs as the armored avenger…Iron Man! (from marvel.com)

Review: I should mention first that the rating on the covers of both issues is “T+”, but I'd be a bit more inclined to give it an “A.” If you (or your children) liked the first IRON MAN movie, then you'll love these issues. Peter David's script stays true to the movie's plot while expanding on it a bit. And the artwork is just FANTASTIC. Sean Chen's pencils are very solid, and they're nicely enhanced by the inks and colors. Adi Granov, who is certainly no stranger to Iron Man, provides two beautiful covers. Both mean really know how to handle the armor!

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #12: “Final Christmas” (All Ages)

Landry Q. Walker (w); Eric Jones (p/i); Heroic Age (c); Rob Clark Jr. (l); cover by James Tucker

Publisher: DC

Format: monthly series

Concept: Jumping out of your TV and into your comics comes the highly anticipated new cartoon BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD! Each month, The Dark Knight Detective faces challenges that only he can solve – with a little help from his DC Universe pals! Thrill as Batman visits new places and old friends. Chill as he chases down the most powerful villains in the DCU, armed with only his Bat-gadgets and his wits!

In this issue: It's our very special "Final Christmas" issue! Batman must team up with Adam Strange in order to save Earth, Rann, the Universe - and Christmas - before reality as we know it is destroyed forever! (from dckids.kidswb.com)

Review: Batman has certainly seen his share of activity during Christmas, but nothing quite like this! And though Christmas may not be his thing, when everything he's ever known faces the possibility of destruction…well, you'd probably have a change of heart as well. Yes, Batman and Adam Strange get to save Christmas and, well, EVERYTHING!! Walker and Jones have produced another winner.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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