The story in this riveting graphic novel follows a family of cats on the eve of returning home, where a father recounts to his children the tale of their grandfather. What begins as a bedtime story quickly becomes a dark memory of captivity, vengeance, and rebirth. Through a mix of folklore and horror, the grandfather’s story shifts from being a tale of survival to one of transformation, wrath, and liberation, ultimately leading to the cats’ uprising and the claiming of Ulthar as their own. It’s framed as a fable meant to soothe children, but the truth hidden beneath is haunting and violent.

I felt the writing carried a sharp edge. The narration had a mythic quality, but it didn’t feel distant. It gripped me with its bluntness, its willingness to hold nothing back. I found myself unsettled, yet strangely compelled. The pacing worked in waves. Quiet moments of family warmth gave way to gut-punch images of horror and then swelled into something almost triumphant. The ideas in the story were compelling. Comfort as a prison, freedom as something bought in blood, and vengeance as both a curse and a gift. Those thoughts stuck with me long after closing the book.

The art and writing played well together; each panel really captures the scene beautifully. I appreciated the artistic way it conveyed the sense of dread. What I really enjoyed about this book was the tone. It never preached, it never softened. Instead, it whispered through shadow and silence. The ideas about rage and justice made me uneasy, though in the best way. I felt torn, both rooting for the cats and recoiling at the brutality. The line between freedom and cruelty blurred, and that tension made the story more than just a horror tale. It made it human, even though it was about cats.

Cats of Ulthar left me shaken and thoughtful. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy dark fables, horror, and fans of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s for those who want a story that claws at them a little, one that scratches the surface and digs into the tender parts beneath. If you like tales that balance beauty with terror, this graphic novel is for you.

Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0FMC1X9J1