Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun (Family Comic Friday)

Hey there, cat lovers! Family Comic Friday is proud to introduce to you Brina the Cat! This Italian import is the newest feline superstar to come your way from Papercutz!

Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun
Written by Giorgio Salati
Art by Christian Cornia
Published by Papercutz
Pages: 88
Retail: $14.99

Brina is a city cat. She has traveled to the mountains for a holiday with her people, Sam and Marge. Brina enjoys some minor freedom, roaming the backyard to the cottage her masters have rented. But when she meets a one-eyed wild cat name Vespucci, Brina begins to hear the call of the wilderness.

Running away from home, Brina learns what it means to be independent. This freedom means scrounging for your next meal, fighting off predators and angry humans, and trusting in the other members of your new family. In this case, it's Vespucci and his followers; the Gang of the Feline Sun! But is this truly the independent lifestyle that Brina yearns for? 

Brina the Cat is a new series brought to you by Papercutz. Brina's debut first saw print in 2018 in her creator, Giorgio Salati's native Italy. Now Brina and her owners come to you in this fantastic English translation! 

The interesting thing about this story was how evenly balanced this story was between Brina and her human owners. Lots of these type of stories about a pet's desire to live 
unencumbered usually focuses on just the pets. You might get a scene or two in which the humans are quite sad over the disappearance of their beloved animal. But the story is mostly from the eyes of the pets. Not here!

Giorgio Salati shows the reader the anguish of owners Sam and Marge as they desperately try to find Brina. This really helps the reader to  desire that Brina and her family ultimately reunite. Showing the story from the human's perspective adds a layer to depth to the story. Just as Brina meets an assortment of animals on her venture, Sam and Marge meet some interesting characters as they search for their missing sweetheart. Showing both the pet and owner sides of the story make for a very satisfying ending!

(Speaking of which, read all the way to the very back cover for a much needed and appreciated secret final scene to this adventure!)

I wish I could say that this was the purr-fect graphic novel starring cats. But there were a couple of scenes of animal cruelty that really stung. I understand that the writer felt that he needed to add those scenes to help make the reader more sympathetic to a couple of the characters. However with a suggested readership of ages 8-12, those scenes could be considered too intense for young readers

If the young reader in your life can't stand to view those ASPCA commercials in which Sarah Mclachlan sings while showing images of mistreated puppies, then this book may not be right fit just now. Or you could use this book as a teachable moment to teach about the proper care of a pet. Maybe Brina and company will even inspire you to adopt a kitty or doggie in need of a forever home!

Papercutz has introduced families to a variety of cats over the years. From the pusses in the work's of Smurfs' creator Peyo to the meatloaf known as Sushi in the adventures of Cazenove and Richez's Cat  and Cat, Brina the Cat is the newest star of the Papercutz family. With a second volume debuting in stores this Summer, be sure to make Brina a part of your graphic novel family today!

Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun debuted in print and digital formats on January 14th, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.