THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week- #183 ____________________________________________________________________
Reviews by John Norris, June 9, 2010

BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM! #11:  “Mirror, Mirror” (All Ages)

Art Baltazar & Franco (w); Byron Vaughns (p/i); David Tanguay (c); Travis Lanham (l); cover by Vaughns

Publisher:  DC

Format:  monthly series

Concept: Welcome to the brand-new, all-fun adventures of Billy Batson as the World's Mightiest Mortal — Captain Marvel!

In this issue :  Billy has been told never to say the magic word when at the Rock of Eternity. Why? What would happen if he did? Find out exactly what happens when Billy calls upon the magic with results that will surprise everyone!  (from dckids.kidswb.com )

Review:  Something has been causing Captain Marvel to turn evil, and it's begun to affect Billy Batson as well.  The only one who can help him is the Wizard.  I won't reveal what happens when Billy says the magic word at the Rock of Eternity, but it turns out to be much worse than anyone imagined.  I will say that Baltazar and Franco have written another page-turning issue, and Vaughns does some of his best work to date.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #58 (All Ages)

Paul Tobin (w); Matteo Lolli (p); Terry Pallot (i); Sotocolor (c); Dave Sharpe (l); cover by Skottie Young

Publisher: Marvel

Format:  monthly series

Concept:  Bitten by an irradiated spider, which granted him incredible abilities, Peter Parker learned the all-important lesson, that with great power there must also come great responsibility. And so he became the amazing Spider-Man!

In this issue:  With his relationship with Chat in turmoil, and with Gwen Stacy oddly claiming she's his girlfriend, and with Aunt May suddenly needing $25,000, life is a little shaky for Peter Parker. Finding out that Tombstone and the Torino crime family have put a price on his head doesn't exactly cheer him up and, now, on top of everything else, the Blonde Phantom Detective Agency is looking to contact Spider-Man, but do they want to recruit him, or join in on the hunt?  (from marvel.com )

Review:  Spider-Man proves once again that he's one of the most relatable characters around as once again, he has girl trouble, financial problems and criminals who want his head.  Fortunately, Blonde Phantom steps in and gives him an outlet to discuss his feelings.  And I have to say that I'm proud of Spidey for remembering what he learned the hard way:  making money off of being a superhero doesn't work out.  Peter's conversation with Captain Stacy is very well-done.  Tobin continues to be on a winning streak.  And I've got to give it up for Lolli, who draws some WONDERFUL action sequences here.

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

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