Max Meow: Cat Crusader

Max Meow: Cat Crusader
John Gallagher
Random House, 2020
228 pages
Grades 2-6
Graphic Novel
Max Meow series #1

Welcome to Kittyopolis, where cats rule and science is cool! Max is a somewhat dopey cat, more concerned with building up his YouTube following than fighting crime. While visiting his good friend, Mindy the scientist, he accidentally nibbles on a giant radioactive meatball, resulting in superpowers. Max immediately develops his superhero costume and persona and jumps into fighting crime and saving the day. Unfortunately for Max, his attempts are sabotaged by an evil mouse disguised as a cat and his computer side-kick. They have been assigned by the big boss to get their hands on the radioactive meatball. Meanwhile, Max and Mindy get in an argument about Max's growing ego and hurtful words are said. Can Max see the errors of his ways in order to get back with his friend to protect the meatball and save the world from the evil mouse? The worst happens when Max loses his superpowers, but luckily Mindy can solve the problem with science. The day is predictably saved, but who exactly is this evil mouse working for? All is revealed as the comic reaches the conclusion, leading readers to the next installment set to be released next month.

Designed to target the Dogman audience, Max Meow is the perfect next step. Full color illustrations, silly situations, and a lot of action will give Dogman fans the perfect place to turn once they have plowed through the mega-popular series. The plot rolls along at a rollicking pace, sometimes not making perfect sense, but the audience will eat this right up. There is a loose STEM connection, involving the scientist character and promoting scientific experiments and inventions, yet no real science is delved into. Mindy the scientist for some reason is not a cat-or even an animal, but a woman of color, which is great representation, but I kept wondering why she wasn't feline. The full-color illustrations are frantic at times, but easy to scan and will appeal to the readership. Exciting chapter endings keep readers moving along and the book as a whole reads effortlessly and quickly. This book will be enjoyed and devoured. More dessert than a main course, it will serve in encouraging reluctant readers to crack into a book, making it worth the money and shelf space in my library.