Review by Ian Keogh
Did you miss the first appearance of Max Meow in Cat Crusader? It doesn’t matter as John Gallagher provides everything you need to know in the recap opening Donuts and Danger. Podcaster Max developed super powers after biting into a space meatball, and his friend, scientist Mindy Microbe used the power of science to develop her own abilities.
Max faces the sort of problems that would even give Superman pause for thought. When was the last time he had to deal with a giant penguin robot stealing the contents of the firework factory after breaking in with a giant can opener?
Yes, this is more genial superhero action for youngsters featuring the often uncertain Max. He knows what’s wrong, it’s just defeating it that’s the problem, with Gallagher throwing ever greater complications into his life. The mastermind from the last adventure is still around and causing trouble at the food fair, there’s a Cat Crusader imposter in Kittyopolis, and still another villain has arrived. You can see the last pair skulking behind the tree just outside the Big Boss Tree Fort on the sample art.
That’s the kind of glorious cutaway kids ought to love. Which of them doesn’t dream of their own secret candy room? It’s also a rare moment of quiet, as for the most part Gallagher presents one continuous energy rush, as if he has his own secret candy room and can’t resist sampling. So why donuts? That’s because the Big Boss manages to acquire Mindy’s Size-o-Tron, and dreams of cornering the donut market with massive produce. His new allies, though, are more ambitious.
Gallagher throws a lot of balls into the air, introduces the concept of multiple universes and evil counterparts, and keeps adding to the resulting mayhem and confusion. He has a sparky creative mind for ridiculous situations, and how to inflate them into something greater than expectations, although some of his inspirations will be more obvious to people who’ve read the same superhero comics as Gallagher. Importantly, though, these moments are just in passing and Gallagher supplies them with a comedy twist. What kids will make of Elvis Purrsley is anyone’s guess and there’s more joyous mayhem to come in Pugs From Planet X.
