When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!)

Max Meow #6

by John Gallagher

Max Meow—the superhero with cat-itude and his best friend, Mindy (aka Science Kitty!) are back in the sixth volume of this action packed, laugh-out-loud funny graphic novel series that Kirkus Reviews called "catnip for fans of Dav Pilkey's Dog Man."

Kittyopolis is in chaos! Pancakes are turning monstrous and FLIPPING out. Mindy's inventing in her sleep! And a bunch of Max's old foes are organizing themselves into a Legion of Nasty to put our favorite feline on PERMANENT PAWSE.

Luckily, Max's pal Rex Rocket, Cosmic Weiner Dog, is here to help. But will their combined efforts be enough to clean up such a massive mess?! Will Agent M be able to stay a good guy and resist joining the Legion of Nasty?! Will breakfast ever be the same?! Stay strong, heroes-- Kittyopolis needs you more than ever!

"Max Meow's super heroics will have kids meow-ling with laughter!" —John Patrick Green, creator of the InvestiGators

Genres: Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Childrens

224 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

Born in London, John Gallagher grew up in Ireland, and is currently resident in Japan as a writer and translator. He holds a BA in History and English Literature from the National University of Ireland, and an MA in Translation Studies from Dublin City University.

Reviews

[Leland Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it a lot

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

When an alien with a monster ray comes to Earth, all sorts of weird monsters appear and Max Meow and Science Kitty can’t find out who is causing them. Agent M is falsely accused of being behind the monsters, and he is tempted to go back to the dark side by the bad press and his old boss begging him to join her and her new alien friend. Meanwhile, Mindy has been overworking herself and created some helper mango nanobots in her sleep who think it is their job to grant her every wish, but they seem to be getting a little out of control.

I don’t know if I was just exhausted this week (which I have been) or this plot was a little too all over the place, but it didn’t hold my attention like some of the past Max Meows. It was still good, and the good guys win the day through kindness and getting to the root of the issue. I especially liked the conclusion for Agent M’s part of the story.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Some battles with things like giant pancakes that get melted by liquid.
Ethnic diversity: Mindy is Black American, the others are all animals.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: False accusations tempt one character to go back to being bad if no one will give him the benefit of the doubt, but it ends well.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sixth installment of this feline superhero graphic novel series finds Agent M unsure about his loyalties, especially since the untrustworthy Sunny has his head turned around. While Science Kitty deals with mangobots who've been convinced that Max Meow is a distraction, things get crazy in the Cat Crusader's hometown. There's explosive popcorn that has to be tamed with butter, a special milkshake machine, and treachery afoot everywhere. Not only is there nonstop action, but the book features splashy panels filled with color and bits of snort-worthy humor; for instance, Tyrano Wreck, Furry Bureau of Investigation, and laboratory retriever. Read this one if you're feeling a bit grumpy. It will make you smile.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This was fun like the others in the series. I'm not loving the dog character who is apparently getting his own series soon. It felt like Gallagher was a little bit using this book to advertise that.

Students who like Dog Man will like Max Meow.

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cool, Max Meow, Cat Crusader is like the cat version of Dav Pilkey's Dog Man! And I love it.

[Grace Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine- my students who like Dog Man will probably enjoy it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stale 6th entry reads more as a launch pad for next season’s new dog in space series. The charming interludes are replaced by cracker commercials. Maybe Max and his team need a vacay reboot.