Dark Horse Comics
Although manga artist Pandania’s Cthulhu Cat is not the first time a Great Old One morphed to another form, I fell in love with the idea ever since I watched The Real Ghostbusters episode, “The Collect Call of Cathulhu.”
As a result, I often wondered if I’d see some iteration again? After all, most of Lovecraft’s ideas are now in the public domain. On the RPG front, Sixtystone Press’ Cathulhu for Call of Cthulhu about two years ago. To find renditions thereof is hit-and-miss when looking on the internet and artists’ alley during conventions. I have to mention Tentacle Kitty because I believe H.P. Lovecraft‘s love for cats inspired this IP.
None of those other products match what this manga artist offers, and that’s a wonderful 136 page yonkoma-style (four panel strips) collection! I hope there’s more! What’s presented has a finale and reveal about who the human in this story is. Wile through strange aeons death may die, Cthulhu Cat is bound to return once again!
Although this protagonist had no clue what he was getting into, the hijinks felt familiar. It was almost like reading Calvin and Hobbes. Ever since he found a tentacle mouthed kitty in a dark alley, nothing has been the same! Other “familiars” from this feline version of the pantheon come visiting. Some are there to say hi, but others have darker, sinister plans to turn the lad.
Although this artist discovered Lovecraft later in life, he clearly did his research! I loved how he integrated as much lore as possible throughout the series, and his drawings make me wish there is merchandise! His narrative approach is in line with many other Sunday Funnies and the colour scheme is more simple than complex. When considering where I’m at in reading this work, most of the tales convey a day-to-day look at taking care of a scheming cat!
In most manga collections, onomatopoeias are often used, and here, there aren’t as many. As for trying to form a pun around how cats sound in Japanese print (“Nya”), that’s a detail transposed over Meo Iä Iä instead. To have a play on words with Nyarlathotep may well be a lot more difficult, but I’d say translator Zack Davisson did a superb job at translating. He’s no stranger to Lovecraft’s work since he’s helped make other manga adaptations from this author to life.
After reading this book, I’ll have to look at Evil Secret Society of Cats, Monster Cats and Yokai Cats (Amazon links) next! When I’m a sucker for evil cat stories, I will have Pandania’s catalogue of works in no time!
5 Stars out of 5
Could this Chulhu Cat in The Real Ghostbusters Be the First?
