It’s the 35th anniversary of the independently-published Cat & Mouse series, and Silverline Comics is celebrating in a big way. The title is returning for a celebratory mini-series from co-creator/writer Roland Mann, artists Dean Zachary and Barb Kaalberg, colorist Kevin Gallegly, and letterer Brian Dale. Mann worked with Zachary and Kaalberg on a number of titles for Malibu Comics. Kaalberg is the creator/writer/inker of Divinity, forthcoming from Silverline.
“35 years is quite an event for an independent title,” co-creator Roland Mann said. While the series hasn’t run consecutively for those years, Mann believes the anniversary is worth acknowledging.
“I starting developing Cat and Mouse with artist Mitch Byrd when I was in college,” Mann explained. “These characters have lived with me for all these years, fans ask about them frequently at shows, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to return to them from time to time.”
Cat and Mouse are super-heroes who operate out of New Orleans, a city that’s close to Mann’s heart. “They work in the gray areas of a unique city that’s known not only for its architecture, but its party atmosphere, its supernatural history, and its place in American history. I bring bits of that into this all-new mini-series.”
The upcoming series will focus on human trafficking storyline when Cat is called to find the runaway sister of an old girlfriend. “Human trafficking is a real hot button issue that I don’t think gets as much attention as it should,” Mann said. “I found a storyline that fits Cat and Mouse as characters and also shines a light on the awfulness of this criminal activity.”
Cat and Mouse are joined in this fight by a cast of eccentric Louisiana characters including a demon and a ninja. “Longtime fans of Cat and Mouse will recognize the demon from previous appearances,” Mann said. “It was really fun to find a place for him to return as well.
Cat is Brett Huffman who dropped out of the police academy and became a costumed crimefighter after the murder of his father. Even though he operates outside the law, he is still a law-and-order hero searching for answers.
Mouse is Bobbi Vasquez, the sister of Brett’s former fiancé. Rescued by Cat from a trafficking syndicate, she seeks to help others. “Her methods don’t always align with Cat’s,” Mann said. “There’s conflict within their dynamic because they agree on goals, but not the path.”
“I do a lot of conventions and folks who drop by the Silverline booth are always asking about Cat and Mouse,” Mann added. “Those conversations have kept the characters in the front of my mind, and I’ve always been looking for the right time to bring them back. I just couldn’t let their 35th anniversary pass by without a published acknowledgement.”
In addition to his role as the founding publisher of Silverline, Mann has a long history of working in comics, including as an editor for Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse titles and later for Marvel Comics. He is also the host of Silverline’s “Silver Sunday” podcast and live stream on the Madness Comics Network. “I love talking comics, making comics, and talking to people who feel the same,” Mann said.
Cat & Mouse #1 (of 4) will ship from Silverline Comics in April 2025 and is available in the current Diamond Previews Catalogue FEB251978.
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Cover to Cat & Mouse #1 by Zachary/Kaalberg/Gallegly
