It’s the little men, that will make you pause and laugh, as it’s quite odd to see naked men acting like cats. The cats who portray the pet-owners walk on their hind legs and live just as you would expect humans would. The artwork is clean, simple and attractive typically with a six panel layout per page. He needs to own up to his failings and find his man, and in so doing he is able to help the local Man Shelter and find a new career path. When his chubby ginger disappears out a carelessly left open window, Steve is distraught. Steve Catson is a slacker who has a dead-end job but loves his man, Manfried. Quirk Books proved to be an apt publisher for this quirky graphic novel about cats and humans having their roles reversed. (Aside- How do these men reproduce? No women or children pets have been shown. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an advance online copy. Yet, if you are a fan of Manfried from the first graphic novel or the author’s Tumblr page, you will enjoy this sweet story about the men’s adventures. The first book was more nuanced than I expected, but this second outing was a bit trite and had a Hallmark movie feel.

Seeing the men dressed up in adorable Halloween costumes, to aid in their adoption at the shelter, was by far the best part. The juxtaposition of the roles leads to clever sight gags with the little men. I am so used to graphic novels having layouts that vary from splash pages to atypically placed panels that this setup is refreshingly simple. The artwork is clean, simple and attractive always with a six panel layout per page. Will Manfriend save the day by winning best in show? An upcoming pet show with an unrealistically high money prize seems to be the answer to their prayers. When a rich developer puts Henrietta’s man-shelter in danger, the two of them plus some friends band together to raise money to save the shelter. A former slacker, he still struggles with work deadlines and life responsibilities, but his romance with his neighbor Henrietta is promising. Steve’s cartooning work is taking off, as his drawings of his pet Manfried are becoming popular.

In this second graphic novel Steve, an anthropomorphic cat, and his pet man, Manfried return to save a man-shelter from being closed. Manfried The Man was a quirky graphic novel about cats and humans having their roles reversed.

Manfried the Man by Caitlin Major