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.

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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.

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.

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.

art by Adrian Alphona and Ian Herring

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

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.

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.

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.

art by Dan Mora and Gabriel Cassata