THUNDERCATS #9, by Dynamite Comics on 10/30/24, brings a Mu’Tant army to the Cats’ Lair’s doorstep for a winner-takes-all battle.
Credits:
- Writer: Declan Shalvey
- Artist: Drew Moss
- Colorist: Martina Pignedoli
- Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover Artist: David Nakayama (cover A)
- Publisher: Dynamite Comics
- Release Date: October 30, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THUNDERCATS #9:
First Impressions:
Writer Declan Shalvey throws readers into the deep end with an action-heavy issue to build energy and excitement for the title in Thundercats #9. Unfortunately, the path that gets readers from A to B misses a few steps, motivations are poorly defined, and the art is far from exciting. Thundercats #9 isn’t the worst comic ever or the worst in the series, but a big battle issue shouldn’t be bland and forgettable.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left Lion-O and his pride in Thundercats #8, Tygra accidentally fell into the pocket dimension that lies at the nexus of Time and Space that holds the artifacts and secrets of Thundera. Tygra learned the secret of Third Earth’s citizens and the sacrifices Jaga had to make to help the Thundercats survive. The issue ended with a new player who could be an enemy or ally, and Mumm-Ra enraged by a growing presence.
In Thundercats #9, we begin with Cheetara running through the wilderness to clear her head. During the run, she’s assailed by a painful, psychic vision that leads her to a cave where the Mu’Tants recently planned an attack on the new Cat’s Lair. Cheetarah finds several unconscious Monkians, but one is awake enough to tell Cheetarah that the attack is already underway.
“Huh? Wait! What?” you might wonder. No, you’re not confused. There’s nothing in the previous issue to indicate why Cheetarah would have painful psychic visions, why the cave where the Mu’Tants planned an attack is abandoned with several unconscious Monkians left behind, or how we got to this point. Writer Declan Shalvey throws readers into the action by skipping several steps behind and leaving a glaring hole in the flow of the story.
Panthro spots the approaching Mu’Tant army. Lion-O gives orders to prepare defenses and hold off the attack. When the Mu’Tants get within range, Panthro launches a missile attack with the Thundertank while the Kats pepper the enemy army with smoke bombs.
Shalvey begins the fight on a fairly respectable scale. Some drama is worked into the narrative when the defenses aren’t up to snuff while the Cats’ Lair is under construction, a strangely out-of-character miss for Tygra and Panthro. Still, the issue’s energy and pace pick up once the fighting starts.
The balance of the battle is unclear, but the Thundercats hold their own for a time. Eventually, the overwhelming Mu’Tant numbers become too great as the army splits to flank the Thundercats. In the melee, Slithe chooses a moment to attack Lion-O when he’s separated from his allies. Tygra sees the fight and notices the axe Slithe carries that broke the Sword of Omens is the same axe that was wielded by the hooded stranger Tygra met in the pocket dimension.
The issue ends with awkward fights, an axe that isn’t an axe, and the destruction of the construction.
Overall, Thundercats #9 gives readers an action-heavy issue to keep the visual interest up, but the plot points are confusing, the lack of cohesion from the last issue to this one is jarring, and the cliffhanger is literal but not that compelling. After nine issues, it’s hard to say where Declan Shalvey is taking this series, but it’s easy to see this adaptation is far inferior to the original.
Artwork and Presentation:
Drew Moss’s art is consistent in that it’s a consistently mixed bag in every issue so far. Moss’s figure work in this issue is less blocky and stiff compared to the previous issues, but the fight choreography is confusingly chaotic. Plus, several panels during Lion-O’s battle preparation scene, which should be a hype-building moment, are downright flat.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
For readers familiar with the Thundercats brand but are new to this series, you may wonder where this series fits in the Thundercats canon. The short answer is, “It doesn’t.” This version of the Thundercats draws inspiration from the original cartoon but functions as a reboot.
Final Thoughts:
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THUNDERCATS #9 delivers an action-heavy issue when the Mu’Tants attack the partially constructed Cat’s Lair. Declan Shalvey’s script leans heavily on action to keep the energy and interest high. Still, the plot leaves out key bits of information to make sense of what’s happening, and Drew Moss’s art remains consistently mediocre.
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