CATFIGHT #1/ Script by ANDREW WHEELER / Art by ILIAS KYRIAZIS/ Inks by AUGUSTE/ Colors by DENNIS YATRAS/ Letters by HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU/ Cover Art by ILIAS KYRIAZIS, MORGAN BEEM, ALEX MOORE, VERONICA FISH & SWEENY BOO / Published by IDW ORIGINAL

Felix Lamarr is a high-class cat-burglar, and, unbeknownst to him, the last of a long line of famous thieves. He learns of his family’s legacy after an unwanted meeting with his estranged grandmother, who kicked him out of the house for stealing. It turns out that she was not angry about the stealing – only that he got caught.

Unfortunately, someone has a grudge against Felix’s grandmother, who robbed the rich to help the poor as the infamous Kitty Midnight. The same someone who has been trying to recruit Felix for their organization, first by paying his debts, and then by threatening his life. Now the Cat has become the Mouse and Felix is on the run and in for the fight of his life.

The gentlemen thief is a classic stock character and a particularly prevalent one in the world of comics. Despite this, Andrew Wheeler manages to put a new spin on the concept with Cat Fight #1. While there’s little to separate Felix Lamarr from the likes of Lupin III or Danny Ocean thus far, the plot is unique enough to hold the interest of genre enthusiasts. Kitty Midnight is far more interesting, although that may be because I found myself hearing the late, great Eartha Kitt as I read her purr-fect dialogue.

The artwork is visually arresting, with a smooth sense of motion inherent to every panel Ilias Kyraiazis draws. The characters expressions are punctuated by the thick inks of Auguste and the vivid colors of Dennis Yatras. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou also knocks it out of the park with the lettering. All in all, this book will stick with you long after you put it down.

Cat Fight #1 releases on May 31, 2023 from IDW Original.