Book Series · 6 Books

Max Meow Books

In order from Cat Crusader to When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!).

A bright, pun-filled superhero graphic-novel series about a regular cat who gains powers from a radioactive space meatball and teams up with his inventive best friend, Mindy.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 11, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Max Meow Books

Read the six numbered graphic novels in publication order, beginning with Cat Crusader and ending with When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!). Each volume has its own outlandish threat, but friendships, inventions, villains, and earlier adventures carry forward.

There is no separate prequel or companion volume to fit between the numbered books. New readers will understand Max's powers and his partnership with Science Kitty best by starting with Book 1.

Sources: Penguin Random House's official Max Meow series page.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The books contain colorful superhero battles, monsters, evil doubles, mad-science mishaps, time-travel trouble, and villains threatening a city. The danger is cartoonish and joke-heavy rather than graphic.

Friendship and teamwork sit underneath the nonstop puns. Max can be impulsive or overconfident, while Mindy's problem-solving helps the pair repair mistakes and ask others for help.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2020

Cat Crusader

By John Gallagher

A cat named Max Meow becomes a superhero known as the Cat Crusader and battles various villains in the city of Kittyopolis.

240 pages· 6,048 words· Est. 1 hour read

$14.99Save 7%

Hardcover

Summary: Max Meow, an ordinary cat in Kittyopolis, dreams of podcast fame until a radioactive space meatball transforms him into the Cat Crusader. With newfound powers, Max faces the challenge of balancing heroics with friendship. As he battles the sinister Agent M and BIG BOSS, Max must reconcile with his best friend, Mindy, to save their city. Will Max learn the true meaning of heroism and teamwork? Dive into this laugh-out-loud adventure filled with twists, turns, and feline fun!

In reading order

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Can Max and Mindy save Kittyopolis's bees from the villainous Dr. ZomBEE before it's too late?

#6 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!)

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2025

Chaos in Kittyopolis as monstrous pancakes and old foes threaten. Can the heroes save breakfast and the city?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Max Meow series?

There are 6 books in the Max Meow series. It began with Cat Crusader in 2020, and the newest book, When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!), was published in 2025.