Pugs from Planet X

August 15, 2021
Space pugs have invaded Kittyopolis, and it's up to Max, Mindy, and friends to save the day! Max Meow, a cat, and Mindy, a brown-skinned human girl, became superheroes Cat Crusader and Science Kitty, respectively, because of powers bestowed upon them by a space meatball. Now a group of pugs have arrived by spaceship with the intent to steal it. Meanwhile, previous foes Agent M, a mouse, and Big Boss, a squirrel, are in prison until robot Reggie comes to break them out. Thankfully, these former evildoers decide to, at least temporarily, join forces with Max and Mindy. Rounding out their crew is newcomer Rex Rocket, aka Cosmic Wiener, a blue dachshund (Mindy remarks that "he really needs a new nickname"). It'll take teamwork and a bit of science to save the town and maybe the whole galaxy. While a prologue brings newcomers up to speed, this story will be most satisfying to readers of previous installments, particularly as it finally provides background information about the mysterious meatball. As with the other volumes, readers can expect a great deal of silliness, sometimes veering into the absurd, tons of action, and numerous pop-culture spoofs. Vibrant colors and a lot of movement within the panels add appeal. Underneath the goofiness, there's a nice sentiment about the transformative power of books and the delights of friendship and acceptance. Fluffy fun with extra wackiness. (drawing instructions) (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)

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December 3, 2021

Gr 2-5-Max Meow the Cat Crusader and Mindy the Science Kitten pursue an escalating threat in their third outing. A pug named Captain Quincy uses a UFO to terrorize the city of Kittyopolis into giving up a hidden space meatball (introduced in a previous book). Meanwhile, a separate collection of series villains, including a scheming mouse and an earnest robot, are also after the meatball. There are numerous pop culture references (Star Trek, Star Wars, The Matrix), and the narrator breaks the fourth wall to pose suspenseful questions at the end of each chapter. Science fiction machinery, musical numbers, and endless gags propel a ludicrously silly, meandering, and entertaining adventure. The stakes keep rising until some of the villains change sides and the antics spread to outer space. A prologue explains some of the previous adventures and cast, including Max, Mindy, and several villains. There are drawing guides for a couple of characters in the back. Max is a feline, while Mindy is a young Black girl. VERDICT The real superpower in this book is Gallagher's ability to weave such a twisty, outrageous story that never slows down.-Thomas Maluck

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