Comic Book Review - Chrono-Cat

Rob reviews Chrono-Cat from Stu Perrins & Armando Zanker...

Chrono-Cat tells the story of Charlie; former pet and lab mascot to quantum scientist Dr Jarvis Fairbeard. During a routine test of Fairbeard's experimental time-travel device, Charlie gets caught up within the device, and as such he's "aged" at a molecular level to become an "ass-kicking" super-powered feline. However, Charlie wasn't the only person caught in the temporal shenanigans. Faithful lab assistant Luther and his pet goldfish - Mr Tiddles - were also caught in the effects of the machine, and as such have been fused into some horrifying man-fish hybrid.

Now Charlie (who goes under the moniker of "Chrono-Cat") has to foil Luther's plot as the arch-villain threatens to destroy everything that Charlie holds dear. And what better place to start, than billions of years into the past...

In terms of story, Chrono-Cat is a pretty fun read. Fundamentally an origins tale, Stu Perrins gives us a great script that has a perfect balance of exposition and action that detracts from making this one your typical information dump that many origin stories become. Away from exploring the character's origins, we also have the main narrative that features Colonel Krypto and his journey into the Jurassic. In an attempt to make a quick buck, Krypto threatens the U.N. with destroying the first being, unless they deposit a wad of cash into his account. There is one basic flaw in his plan - by destroying all life, he theoretically kills himself too! But who said comics had to make sense? 

Naturally, Chrono-Cat is on the case, and we're soon given a pretty interesting action sequence involving a wayward T-Rex. With this wrapped up, we're taken back to the future where Perrins explores the origins of his character, to then end with a cliffhanger that promises more time-travel fun heading our way. 

Armando Zanker brings a style to his artwork that will appeal to both young and older readers. Characters are highly detailed with each portrayed with a 'Saturday morning cartoon feel. The action also comes across pretty well with the use of bold fonts and close line work that gives everything a fast pace. Colourwork is also of a high calibre, with each page filled with bright bold colours which make everything stand out. 

All-in-all Chrono-Cat is the perfect example of an all-ages comic done right. Zanker's bold colourful art will instantly appeal to younger readers. While Perrins' script manages to captivate readers with an entertaining story that makes you feel as if you've been reading Chrono-Cat for years. For us "oldies" Chrono-Cat is a great nostalgia trip that will certainly appeal to those of us who grew up with the likes of Samurai Pizza Cats, Rude Dog and the Dweebs, and SWAT Kats.

Rating: 9/10 

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