THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good On the Shelf This Week
INVINCIBLE #35 (Teen/Young Adult)
Robert Kirkman (w); Ryan Ottley (p/i); Bill Crabtree (c); Russ Wooton (l); cover by Ottley & Crabtree
Publisher: Image
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: Follow the adventures of young superhero Mark Grayson.
In this issue: What are Nolan's books, and why did he tell Mark it was important to read them? What stories do they tell, and how are they tied into the current events of his life? Secrets are revealed, and the stage is set for the next chapter in Invincible's life—and it's all leading up to the monumental issue #50.
Review: When the cover states that INVINCIBLE is “probably the best superhero comic book in the universe,” it's not a delusion of grandeur. The book is an absolute blast, with eye-catching artwork and nicely fleshed-out characters. Take Mark's father, Nolan, for example—thought to be a superhero, then revealed to be of an alien race seeking to conquer Earth, Mark recently discovers that his father still has a hint of kindness in him. And Mark is an easy character to relate to because, as his ‘girl stuff' conversation with his tailor shows, he is all too human.
Look out for: superhero violence and some blood
Visit Ryan Ottley's DeviantArt site: http://wya.deviantart.com/
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LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS VOL. 2 #3 (of 4) (All Ages)
Mike Bullock (w); Paul Gutierrez (p/i); John Rauch & Bob Pedroza (c); Dave Lanphear (l)
Publisher: Image
Format: four-issue miniseries
Concept: Follow the adventures of Joey Price, Courtney Donlolley, and the stuffed animals of the Night Pride as they fight to protect the Stuffed Animal Kingdom from the evil Beasties and Lord Valthraax!
In this issue: Joey, Courtney and the Big Cats of the Night Pride must journey through mysterious caverns in order to save the Stuffed Animal Kingdom. But even with their newfound ally in Marco the Polar Bear to guide them, something dangerous lurks in the dark of the caves.
Review: With this issue, Paul Gutierrez takes over for Jack Lawrence on the artwork. While there is a bit of difference between the two artists' styles, which is to be expected, the quality of the artwork does not suffer in the transition. Gutierrez holds his own beautifully, enhanced by Rauch and Pedroza's coloring. As for the story, courage has always been a main theme, but this issue has some things to say about the power of faith (and what happens when we lose it) and the consequences of unchecked pride.
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TEEN TITANS GO! #35: “Enemy Of My Enemy” (All Ages)
J. Torres (w); Khary Randolph & Adam Archer (art); Heroic Age (c); Nick J. Napolitano (l); cover by Sean “Cheeks” Galloway
Publisher: DC
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: Follow the adventures of the Teen Titans, based on the hit cartoon.
In this issue: General Immortus returns, and this time he's got some help in his war against the Teen Titans—look out for the new and improved Private Hive!
Review: You can tell this is a more serious story because Torres doesn't use side jokes or mini-Titans (also known as ‘chibis,' save for one panel). Private Hive learns a lesson about the potential danger of blindly following orders and unwisely choosing who to take orders from.
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ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #100: “Clone Saga: Part 4” (Teen)
NOTE: Marvel gives this title an ‘A' rating for "Appropriate for Ages 9 and up"; I'd give it more of a ‘teen' rating.
Brian Michael Bendis (w); Mark Bagley (p); John Dell & Drew Hennessy (i); Justin Ponsor (c); Cory Petit (l); cover by Bagley & Richard Isanove
Publisher: Marvel
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: The bite of a genetically-altered spider grants high school student Peter Parker incredible, arachnid-like powers.
In this issue: A true milestone for Peter Parker, Ultimate Spider-Man and the Ultimate line—our double-sized 100 th issue celebration! Chock full of secrets that date back to the book's beginning—finally, chillingly revealed! And there are three—count ‘em, three—mind-taggering shock endings.
Review: The clone saga continues, and it's a doozy!! There's so much going on that I really can't describe it all; suffice to say that when it is revealed how Gwen Stacy is alive…well, you'll just have to read it for yourself. Bendis' storytelling is great as usual, but Bagley is really given a chance to shine, from the wraparound cover to the gallery of unpublished art. There's even a nice recap of the first 99 issues.
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USAGI YOJIMBO #97: “Boss Hamanaka's Fortune, part 2” (Teen/Young Adult)
Written and illustrated by Stan Sakai; cover by Sakai and Tom Luth
Publisher: Dark Horse
Format: ongoing monthly series
Concept: The adventures of the rabbit samurai known as Usagi.
In this issue: All hell has broken loose in a small town after the death of crime boss Hamanaka. The two remaining factions of his gang are vying for control of the community, but it's the townspeople who are suffering the most. The tension comes to a head just as Usagi arrives on the scene.
Review: Sakai continues his run of excellent storytelling and artwork with a tale that says something about the corruptive power of greed and how people can be smarter—and craftier—than they appear.
Look out for: I gave this a ‘teen' rating because there are swordfights and death involved. But to Sakai 's credit, he never resorts to graphic violence. For example, you may see two characters charging each other, Usagi going for the final blow, and then the victim falling down with a skull over his head to indicate death. It's just enough information to get the point across, while showing little or no blood.
To be included in next week's column:
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #26
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #20
By thy side,
John “Figaro” Norris
Oct 2, 2006
Any questions or comments, contact me at comicsintheclassroom @ gmail.com