Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us
Creators: Ananth Hirsh + Yuko Ota
Publisher: Oni Press
A review by Insha Fitzpatrick
From the creators of Lucky Penny and Barbarous, Ananth Hirsch and Yuko Ota bring their collection of stories, memories, and adorable cats from their website to print in the collection Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us.
Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us focuses on the lives of the creators Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota as they bring you eight years of moving from apartment to apartment, gaining cats, and growing up the best way you know how. Ananth and Yuko have had to deal with a lot, but inside of their autobiographical comic, they take everything in stride and balance the funny moments with some spectacular things that happen along the way.
The best part about this comic are Ananth and Yuko, of course, but also the people they surround themselves with. Roommates, past roommates, best friends or parents, some of the funniest parts about of Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us is when they interact with their friends and when they’re together. I’m almost jealous of the friendships that they have in this comic. For example, they have a friend named John who is both super intense, but super scary at the same time. Each of the comics featuring him are almost terrifying in the best kind of way. He even comes back to do the dishes for them when he’s already moved out! Conrad is another friend that they have who is just the cutest thing on the planet, but they’re still wondering what’s up with his hair. They took some of the mundane and wonderful aspects of their lives, turned it into a comic, and it’s just purely perfect.
The one thing I loved about this comic are the relationship goals that are Ananth and Yuko! They remind me of my friends Billy and Amelia (who do the podcast Scooby Dos or Scooby Don’ts and massive amounts of stuff for RP, they’re seriously the best). They’re so laid back and chill within their relationship, but they also know how to work together and have fun within their own adventures of growing up. Ananth and Yuko chronicle their journey growing up both moving and settling into adulthood, but low-key how they’re growing as a couple too. You don’t immediately see it until the final pages (which I won’t spoil cause it’s way too sweet) and that’s honestly one of the things that make this so special. Especially when the cats are involved, oh I didn’t tell you about the cats, let me tell you guys about the cats!
I can understand why the cats are more famous than them cause they’re SO perfect in all the ways. Mika, Gonta (my favorite), Rook (my second favorite) and Cricket (THE BABY) are the true stars of the comic. They’re the most adorable things on the planet. Within each panel they’re in, they dominate when they’re there. I actually re-read some of my favorite comics with them in it (while still reading Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us) because each of them have their own personalities, but Rook and Cricket are the ones you will gush over.
The Verdict
BUY IT! Johnny Wander: Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us is something that you MUST have if you’re starting your life out as a brand new adult or you’re just winging the whole idea of being an adult. (Guilty.) It’s an awesome collection of two amazing peoples’ stories that will make you laugh and giggle from page to page. Check it out and check out ALL of their stuff on their website!
