Cat Ninja: Time Heist

Cat Ninja #2

by Matthew Cody, Chad Thomas (Illustrator)

From Epic Originals comes an action-packed graphic novel series about a new breed of superhero. Return to Metro City's furry underbelly in this exciting follow-up to Kirkus-starred Cat Ninja volume 1!

When Leon brings a mystery egg home from school, Cat Ninja and Master Hamster face their biggest challenge yet: babysitting! And while they’re pretty sure they can keep an egg out of trouble, they know they’re in over their heads when that egg hatches into a high-energy ball of feathers and cuteness. It’s baby’s first superhero adventure when they decide to bring their newest family member along as they uncover the identity—and nefarious motives—of Metro City’s latest foe.

Through the shared adventures of these former adversaries, kids learn the importance of:

• Using your powers—super or not!—to stand up for those who need your help
• Family, in all its forms
• Second chances
 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Comics, Animals, Fiction, Science Fiction, Epic

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

Originally from the Midwest, Matthew Cody now lives in New York City with his wife and son. When not writing books or goofing off with his family, he teaches creative writing to kids of all ages.

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun middle grade graphic novel that gets into some wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff but doesn't make your head hurt with the timeline shenanigans. Dynamic, bright art, fun characters, and some good lessons about right and wrong.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey fellow readers! I just finished this amazing graphic novel called "Cat Ninja: Time Heist," and it's like a purr-fect mix of action and cuteness! Let me spill the kitty secrets for you.

So, in this book, our superhero duo, Cat Ninja and Master Hamster, face a challenge even bigger than battling villains – babysitting! But it's not just any babysitting; it's an egg. Yeah, you heard me right, an egg. But wait till you see what hatches from it! It's a fluffy ball of feathers and cuteness overload. Baby's first superhero adventure is about to begin!

Our fearless feline and hamster heroes decide to bring their newest family member along as they uncover the identity and evil plans of Metro City's latest foe. It's like a fur-tastic, action-packed family outing!

Through the exciting adventures of Cat Ninja and Master Hamster, we learn some super important stuff. Like using our powers, whether they're super or not, to stand up for those who need help. And family, oh boy, family comes in all shapes and sizes, even with fluffy feathers. Plus, everyone deserves a second chance, right?

The book is full of awesome pictures that show all the cool moves and super cute moments. If you love superheroes, adorable creatures, and learning important life lessons, "Cat Ninja: Time Heist" is the graphic novel for you. It's like a ninja-cat party with life wisdom as the special guest. So, grab the book, dive into the furry adventures, and get ready for a meow-velous time! 🐾💥📖

[D.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so much fun, but I have come to expect great things from Epic!. They really know how to make a fun, engaging story for all ages. There is a super fun plot twist that I wasn’t even expecting that impressed me. I love this little series so much! It has humor, heart, tension, action, and a ninja cat called Cat Ninja (there’s a difference).

Sometimes, in stories with animals as the main characters the humans are a drag. But not the case here! The kids in the story have just as much character as the animals and are still, realistically, coming to terms with their parents’ divorce. And if it speaks to more of this story’s excellence, the main character, Cat Ninja never speaks outside of facial expressions, and it doesn’t hinder anything. I liked him as a character.

The cast of quirky heroes and villains all have some snazzy designs, and I can’t wait to see more of Thomas’ creations. Hoot was cute as can be!

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Cat Ninja: Time Heist' by Matthew Cody with art by Chad Thomas and Warren Wucinich is a graphic novel for younger readers about the secret life of animals.

Cat Ninja fights various criminals that are other animals with his hamster sidekick. When they find a baby owl, then that baby exhibits some superpowers, they set out to find out where the baby owl is from and that may lead them in to the future and some deceptive enemies.

This was my first introduction to Ninja Cat, er Cat Ninja, and it's a fun series. The characters are well rounded, the action is good and there is some heart to the story. The art works really well and is also fun.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

New from Epic and Andrews McMeel comes episode 8 in the Cat Ninja series. Even if readers have never listened to the online Epic series, the storyline is easy to follow and familial and pet relationships are quickly established. So are all the bad guys that Claude/Cat Ninja and his trusty sidekick/fellow crime fighting hamster must tackle as they attempt to reunite a newly hatched owl with her family and set the space time continuum back to rights. Graphics are outstanding and both they and the accompanying text are kept free of profanity, sexual content and the violence is very cartoon-like. Great choice for graphic novel sections in libraries serving grades 1-4.

Thanks for the finished copy, Andrews McMeel!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Bonnie B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Cat Ninja: Time Heist 2 by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Yehudi Mercado, after getting stuck while working on my own book reviews. While trying to decide what to read next, I noticed a classmate had posted about the first book in the series, which made me curious to look at the reviews and check it out for myself. Published in 2021, this is the second book in the six-part Cat Ninja graphic novel series. I did not think to look for books to read on Epic. Like the first book, it balances humor, action, and everyday life in a way that is easy to follow and very engaging.
In this story, Claude is an ordinary house cat by day, but at night, he becomes Cat Ninja, the city’s secret protector. When a new villain threatens Metro City, Cat Ninja must use all of his ninja skills and clever thinking to save the day. Meanwhile, Leon and his sister, Marcie, continue to adjust to life in two households after their parents’ divorce, and their sibling rivalry adds humor and relatable family moments. The book separates calm, everyday scenes from fast-paced action, and the illustrations effectively show movement, emotion, and setting, helping readers follow the story.
Cat Ninja: Time Heist 2 has received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Foreword Reviews. The book has appeared as a bestseller in Amazon categories, including “Children’s Superhero Comics.”
I would recommend this book for grades 1–4. As a teacher, you can have students identify story elements such as problem and solution, or they can compare characters like Cat Ninja and Master Hamster. It can also serve as a model for writing and illustrating comics, showing how speech bubbles, sound effects, and action words bring stories to life. Overall, Cat Ninja: Time Heist 2 is an entertaining and engaging read that effectively balances humor, adventure, and everyday life, appealing to many young readers.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing - Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was like watching your favorite 90's Saturday Morning Cartoon. This had creative illustrations, drama, action, adventure and pure magic. I can even see this turning into a cartoon on a major platform and a series that will take off with the appropriate accommodations. This book also immediately grabbed my attention with the dialogue and illustrations being clever, colorful and just plain hysterical. I really can see a lot of our young readers forming a fan base with this series and being well circulated.

We will consider adding this title to our J Graphic Novel collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book to my 5-year-old at bedtime.... but I (age 40) loved it so much I kept reading it til I was done. As a parent, I love how the split family is part of the arc - Marcie is really struggling with it in this volume. But the rest of the story emphasizes family, and how families all look different. And it's not just words we see this theme of family through the book. That gives this seemingly light hearted children's story a lot more depth and impact. It's truly very heartwarming. Plus I always enjoy the banter and body language between Cat Ninja and Master Hamster. The comedy is pretty enjoyable, even for grownups who are young at heart.

[Mairéad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bright, engaging graphic novel perfect for readers aged 7+ who enjoy light hearted, adventurous, superhero stories. The heartfelt message about all families being equally valid and important that was woven into this entertaining time travelling tale offers this some lovely additional depth for its target audience too and I would happily introduce this series into any middle/senior primary classroom library.

[lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was cute, it would have been cuter except the format was very irritating. It was annoying that each book was a short chapter. Why not bind them together and have one book and one complete story to read in 15 minutes, instead of 3 minute one chapter books? Every time we'd start to get comfortable, we'd have to go looking for the next chapter.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now vastly amused by this series. Cody needs to write faster now.

[Mack Attack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a purrrr-fect children’s graphic novel!

[Diana Orellana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son

[Nathan W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“One of the best books ever made.” (From an 8 year old boy) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun!
And includes a very cute new characters for kids that love babies.

Wouldn't recommend as a read aloud.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished 1/4/2026

[Wade Brugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

They time traveled to different timelines with new villains.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss 9 enjoyed reading this. She found it a quick read and asked for the next book in the series :)

[Donald Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st Line: " 'Be free, my fishy comrades.' "

Prose (Story): Volume two in the epic Epic! Cat Ninja graphic novel series finds the gang perplexed when Leon brings home an egg to babysit for school ... and out pops what appears to be a high-energy baby owl that may also bear some super powers! The newest member of the crime-fighting team - or a possible link to a nefarious new villain on the horizon, out to get Cat Ninja for good via the ability to seemingly manipulate time? Even as Master Hamster begins trying to find out an answer to such questions, both Cat Ninja and Metro City find their hands full, and time literally running out!

Don's (Review): I LOVED the first Cat Ninja book; from the hilarious characters and sardonic humor, to the positive messages about family and solving problems together, and to Chad Thomas's art that compliments author Matthew Cody's inventive storyline - it was a winner. So imagine my thrill when this sequel, Time Heist, easily matches (if not surpasses) the original! In true superhero style, both the danger and the stakes to our heroes are ratcheted up here, and the resolution of the mystery behind the new, feathery member of the team is not just satisfying but also funny and - dare I say it? - even gives you an attack of the warm fuzzies. The villains are upgraded, as well, causing a real threat to the city and our heroes - while at the same time, just like book one, the humor is perfect at both breaking the tension and winking at the adults, in a few cases with a line that might otherwise go over a kid's head. Which is one of the things I love most about this series (this one such a fast read, when done I turned back to the front and read it again), and why I will read ANYTHING with Cat Ninja (not Ninja Cat, mind you, but Cat Ninja) on the cover: you don't have to be a kid to enjoy all the pulp in this fiction. Onward, volume three! (Available November 23) 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

- from booksinaminute.blogspot.com

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five more comic episodes featuring the ninja cat that everybody calls Cat Ninja. A whole story arc threaded through things concerns the birth of a hatchling bird both he and his hamster nemesis have to look after, and for once this story more than engages and stops this being a series of one-shots to become a proper, combined book. Before then things brighten up whenever a new baddy appears – with the Combat Wombat a clear best (at least until Elan Mollusk turns up). It's bright and breezy, it's got the intellectual level of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon, and it should go down well as a bit of exuberant entertainment – it's certainly, in the finish, a lot less disposable than first appearances suggest.

[Rosario Juarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this graphic novel at walmart and brought it for storie time with my son. My son loves the whole book. The pictures were well done, and we loved the characters. In just found out this is book 8 in a series im definitely going to find all the other books..