SKULL CAT AND THE CURIOUS CASTLE/ Story and Art by NORMAN SHURTLIFF/ Published by TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS

Scully Catterson is a typical young cat, who likes comics (especially Cathero) and dreams of being a hero… like Cathero. Too bad he’s a bit of a scaredy cat and has to work to take care of his sick father. Thankfully, he did just get a cushy job as an assistant gardener at a nearby spooky castle.

Unfortunately, the castle is home to a number of mysteries, a messy goblin and a creepy old woman who might be a vampire. And that’s all that has Scully worried before the other gardeners start going missing. Will Scully find the courage to be the hero of his dreams and uncover the truth behind Le Dark Chateau?

Skull Cat and the Curious Castle was a pleasant surprise. I freely admit to giving this book a shot purely out of curiosity as to how one writes an all-ages comic with the word “skull” in the title. I’m reasonably sure the Comics Code Authority forbid this sort of thing back in the day.

What I found was the first chapter in what will hopefully be a long-running series aimed at those adventurous youngsters not quite old enough for Dungeons and Dragons but old enough to appreciate Adventure Time or Gravity Falls. Norman Shurtliff has a gift for writing exciting but not too scary adventure stories and his artwork is friendly and thrilling at the same time. If you have a young fantasy fan who likes comics, this will be an ideal read for them.

Skull Cat Book 1: Skull Cat and the Curious Castle releases on February 21, 2023.