Angel Catbird (2016), Volume 1

October 10, 2016
Atwood’s (The Handmaid’s Tale; Oryx and Crake) fiction is often complex and challenging to read, but in her first foray into the world of graphic novels, her wickedly funny sensibility as a poet shines through. The tale starts with the transformation of Strig Feeledus, who is struck by a car and finds himself bathed in a secret formula the driver (his boss) was carrying. Strig is now able to morph into a half-cat, half-bird humanoid hybrid, and he realizes that there are others like him. He and his comrades, including Cate Leone and Count Catula, must be on guard against the ratlike Muroid, who looks like he won’t be satisfied with
anything less than world domination. Christmas is just the right illustrator for Atwood’s narrative, not just because of his talent for drawing all things avian, rodent, and feline, but because of his acute understanding of how the human form changes when combined with these creatures. His illustrations also do an excellent job of showcasing Atwood’s humor.

March 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-With her graphic novel debut, acclaimed author Atwood tells the story of Strig, an ordinary man who mutates into a strange owl/cat/human hybrid because of a secret formula. Featuring familiar tropes-an unlikely superhero and an evil villain who laughs maniacally as he plans to take over the world-the tale is reminiscent of classic superhero comics. Added to the mix are Cate, Strig's coworker and love interest, and an entire underground community of hybrid creatures. The artwork is colorful, vibrant, and filled with action. Atwood's introduction explains how and why this book was created, touching on her childhood interest in comics and her adult pursuit of bird conservation. Overall, this is a well-intentioned book that sometimes feels too purposeful. There are pieces of statistical information and website links about cats scattered throughout. Often, these facts feel preachy and overly educational (for instance, a reminder of "The Importance of Fixing Your Cat"), and the placement is at times jarring, breaking up the narrative flow. VERDICT An attractive but sometimes disjointed offering; for larger collections with superhero fans seeking additional materials.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

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