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Comics/Graphic Novels

Supurr Heroes: Cats in Comics

Jenn Northington

Director, Editorial Operations

Jenn Northington has worked in the publishing industry wearing various hats since 2004, including bookseller and events director, and is currently Director of Editorial Operations at Riot New Media Group. You can hear her on the SFF Yeah! podcast nerding out about sci-fi and fantasy. When she’s not working, she’s most likely gardening, running, or (obviously) reading. Find her on Tumblr at jennIRL and Instagram at iamjennIRL.

It is time to remedy a deep injustice, friends. We all know how hard the heroes and heroines of the comics universe work, and reward them for it; but whither their feline companions? These unsung cats provide vital and timely assistance, regularly participate in world-saving endeavors, advance plotlines, give added depth to characters, and yet are regularly overlooked. In fact, for some, we don’t even know their names. At Panels, however, we choose to honor them for their skills and efforts. Feline friends, we salute you! Name: Lying Cat Comic: Saga Occupation: Professional assassin’s assistant. Skills include lie detection, babysitting, tearing out throats as necessary, and advanced snuggling.
Lying Cat and Sophie in Saga

art by Fiona Staples

  Name: Ayane’s Cat Army Comic: Wayward Occupation: Fighting the opposition yokai forces and/or anyone else who gets in Ayane’s way. So don’t even try it.
Ayane cat army from Wayward

art by Steve Cummings and Tara Bonvillain

  Names: Unknown Comic: Ms. Marvel #17 (with possibilities for future appearances) Occupation: Apartment cats, specializing in: incorrect use of household objects for purposes of maximum cuteness; professional grade side-eye; goggle-eyed confusion; creating instant attachment in the heart of the beholder.
cats from Ms Marvel 18

art by Adrian Alphona and Ian Herring

  Names: TBD Comic: Lumberjanes Occupation: Saving the world through maximum adorableness; hijinks and shenanigans; purring.
kittens from Lumberjanes 8

art by Brooke Allen and Maarta Laiho

  Name: Mew Comic: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Occupation: Companion to Nancy, friend to Tippy-Toe and Doreen. Knitting and crime-fighting assistant. Excellent conversationalist.
Mew from Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

art by Erika Henderson

  Name: Unknown Comic: Storm #10 Occupation: Executive assistant to the Headmistress at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Excellent communication skills. Experience in conflict mediation, substitute teaching, and anxiety management.
Storm and her cat in Storm 10

art by Victor Inanez, Al Barrionuevo, Neil Edwards, and Ruth Redmond

  Name: Reginald Comic: Hexed Occupation: Executive assistant to art dealer, under-the-couch inspector. Detects the presence of evildoers, not that anyone pays attention. Has absolutely, positively never peed on a Serapi rug, or any other rug for that matter, and resents the accusation.
Reginald the cat from Hexed

art by Dan Mora and Gabriel Cassata