THE CAT'S MEOW: What's Good on the Shelf This Week  

Hello, faithful readers! Whaddaya say we get things started with an ADVANCE REVIEW!!!

WHITE PICKET FENCES #1 (All Ages)

Matt Anderson & Eric Hutchins (w); Micah Farritor (art); David Hedgecock (l); cover by Farrito

Publisher: Ape Entertainment

Format: three-issue miniseries

Concept: The worlds of “Leave It to Beaver” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still” collide in this exciting series!

In this issue: When young Charlie Hobson uncovers Martian weaponry hidden deep within his town, he ignites a world-threatening conflict between the American military and the eerie alien menace!

Review: The first thing you notice about the book is that it has a visual style that is truly unique. The best way I can think of to describe it is “classic storybook illustrations with a twist.” Farritor beautifully employs shading in the opening scene, where we see faceless military men for three pages before finding out what's really going on. As for the story, “'Leave It to Beaver' meets ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still'” really is an apt description; there's a mother and father who are proud of the fine boy they're raising, but there's also talk of bomb shelters and the “red menace.” I would describe it as “uniquely bizarre and charming,” with a backup Captain Odyssey story that is a lot of fun.

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MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #2: “Is There Anybody Out There?” (Teen/Young Adult)

Words and pictures by Mike Allred; colors and separations by Laura Allred; lettering by Nate Piekos

Publisher: Image

Format: monthly series

Concept: Frank “Madman” Einstein returns in an all-new series.

In this issue: Frank "Madman" Einstein has found himself in an alien dimension with more questions than answers. The big questions: Will he ever see the love of his new life, Josephine Lombard ever again? And more importantly, did she ever really even exist? Or has she only ever been a figment of his throbbing brain? Frank must begin a maze-like journey in order to find his way back to the " Snap City " universe. Mr. Excitement, Frank's childhood hero, makes his ghostly official debut. Thrills, chills, and spills await you! (from imagecomics.com)

Review: This issue begins with a recap that's done in a way I've never seen before. Instead of the usual one to two paragraphs of text, you get the entire first issue! That's right, EVERY PAGE of the first issue is here (sans dialogue), reduced in size so that they all fit onto the first page. How crazy and cool is THAT!! If said first issue left you scratching your head and going “what the HECK just happened,” hang in there, because some answers will be revealed. SOME answers. Longtime MADMAN fans will recognize some familiar faces, including the villainous Monstadt. And the artwork? As beautiful—and trippy—as ever.

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MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #1: “Heart of Steel” (All Ages)

Fred Van Lente (w); James Cordeiro (p); Scott Koblish (i); Martegod Gracia (c); Nate Piekos (l); cover by Michael Golden

Publisher: Marvel

Format: monthly series

Concept: Follow the adventures of billionaire inventor Tony Stark and his armor-clad alter ego, IRON MAN!

In this issue: The Armored Avenger blasts into the newest title in the critically-acclaimed, best-selling Marvel Adventures line! Who is IRON MAN, the world-renowned symbol of mega-conglomerate Stark International? And what terrible secret from his past forces billionaire inventor TONY STARK to become the Golden Guardian? Find out here! (from marvel.com)

Review: From the opening montage of Iron Man gearing up to the final battle, this is an entertaining and action-packed issue. It tweaks his origin story while maintaining its essence. Tony's plane crashes en route to the Amazon, badly damaging his heart. He learns what his company's technology is really being used for, and with the help of a professor who's being held captive, begins to develop his own armor. There's something for everyone here: newcomers will appreciate the action and great artwork; longtime fans of the character will appreciate the two sets of armor used here as well as the return of Jim Rhodes and Pepper Potts.

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This week, faithful readers, I present two trades (featuring the same character) that I recently had the pleasure of reading.

BUZZBOY: TROUBLE IN PARADISE and MONSTERS, DREAMS, & MILKSHAKES! (All Ages)

Written and illustrated by John Gallagher and various artists

Publisher: Sky Dog Press

Review: I ordered these two trades based on Todd Dezago's recommendation, and I really owe him one. Buzzboy, aka Tommy Paine, began his career at age 12 as Captain Ultra's sidekick. Fast forward several years, and our hero finds himself FIGHTING Ultra—and various other baddies—for the freedom of New Paradise Metrogrove. Powered by the Buzzbelt, and with “YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOO BUSTED!” as his battle cry, he leaps into glorious black & white action with Becca, who can bend reality in various ways; Doc Cyber, a former supervillain who got bored and gave up his evil ways for baking; and Zoomer, whose power is…you guessed it…super speed. Gallagher takes classic comics, classic TV dialogue and lots of humor, adds milk, puts them all in a blender, and then adds LOADS of extra toppings. The result is a sweet treat that goes down easy.

Both Trouble In Paradise and Monsters, Dreams & Milkshakes are available from Amazon.com.

To be reviewed in next week's column:

TEEN TITANS GO! #43

USAGI YOJIMBO vol. 3 #103

By thy side,

John “Figaro” Norris

5/26/07