What’s Michael? (Dark Horse)

    (Dark Horse, 1997-2006)

A Japanese “everycat,” Michael finds himself in a slew of social situations which show how silly people really are. In these slender collections from the anthology Super Manga Blast, readers can flip through a series of six-page vignettes which covers the gamut of the human and feline relationship.

Either having multiple owners, nine lives, or many pals named after him, Michael has countless tales to tell. He deals with neurotic owners, boring dinner guests, rhythmic gymnastics, envious dogs, phobic yakuza, thick-headed cicadas, and even a hot night on the town.

This unusual series currently has the category of “cat manga sitcom” to itself. The ubiquity of the lead character truly raises the question posed by the title. Creator Makoto Kobayashi doesn’t supply the answer but does provide a cat-lover’s attention to detail. While his Western counterpart, Garfield, has lost its initial humor and goes through the motions backed up by a laugh track, at least Michael displays some curiosity and genuine earnestness. However, its focus on the feline persuasion may prove too cutesy for the general comics audience.

— Oliver Chin
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  NotesWriterArtist
What’s Michael? (Dark Horse) #1

April, 1997
Cover Price: $5.95
1 copy available for $49.99 		Makoto KobayashiMakoto Kobayashi
What’s Michael? (Dark Horse) #2

July, 1997
Cover Price: $5.95
1 copy available for $49.99 		Makoto KobayashiMakoto Kobayashi