Angel Catbird: Vol. 1

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.