Let’s be real for a second. If you told someone ten years ago that one of the most anticipated graphic novel releases of the mid-2020s would involve a literal cat in a spacesuit, a stowaway toenail clipping, and a very anxious robot, they’d probably think you’d spent too much time in the sci-fi section of a used bookstore. Yet, here we are. Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris have basically reinvented what a "kids' book" looks like with their chaotic, cinematic, and weirdly emotional space opera.
The First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip—which we’re all informally calling The First Cat in Space Book 4—is finally hitting shelves, and it’s a lot. It’s loud. It’s colorful. It’s occasionally deeply philosophical in a way that feels like a fever dream.
Fans have been waiting for this one. Ever since the cliffhangers of The First Cat in Space and the Extraordinary Ego, the stakes for our feline hero have shifted from "save the moon" to "try not to let the entire fabric of reality unravel."
What Actually Happens in Book 4?
The plot picks up right where the chaos left off. If you haven't been following the live-action musical cartoons that Barnett and Harris started on Instagram during the 2020 lockdowns, you might miss some of the DNA of this series. It’s born from spontaneity. In this fourth installment, the First Cat, the Moon Queen, and LOZ 4000 are facing a threat that is... well, it’s a giant paperclip.
But it’s not just any office supply. This is a cosmic-level entity with a grudge.
The narrative structure here is intentionally messy. It mirrors the frantic energy of a Saturday morning cartoon but with the polish of high-end graphic storytelling. You’ve got these massive, double-page spreads where Harris uses his signature cut-paper art style to create depth that digital art just can’t touch. It looks tangible. You almost want to run your thumb over the "paper" textures on the page.
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Barnett’s writing continues to lean into the "absurdist but sincere" vibe. He treats the Cat’s silence as a comedic weapon. While the Moon Queen is shouting orders and LOZ 4000 is spiraling into a logic loop, the Cat just... exists. He eats. He stares. He occasionally saves the day by accident. It’s a masterclass in character dynamics where the protagonist says absolutely nothing.
Why This Series Isn't Just for Kids Anymore
Honestly? Adults are buying this book for themselves. It’s following that Adventure Time or Gravity Falls trajectory where the lore starts getting surprisingly dense.
We’re seeing real character growth now. The Moon Queen, who started as a somewhat narcissistic ruler, is actually dealing with the weight of her displaced people. LOZ 4000 is grappling with what it means to be a "hero" when your programming says you’re just an observer.
The "Wrath of the Paperclip" title is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and the book is littered with these kinds of meta-references. It’s smart. It doesn’t talk down to the reader. Whether you’re seven or thirty-seven, the joke about the bureaucracy of space travel hits just as hard.
There’s a specific scene in the middle of the book—no spoilers, I promise—where the art style shifts slightly to represent a different dimension. It’s a bold move. It breaks the visual flow in a way that makes the reader stop and really look at the composition. Most "commercial" graphic novels play it safe with a standard grid. Harris doesn't. He breaks the grid constantly.
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The Evolution of the "Cat-Verse"
Let’s look at the numbers, sort of. While official sales figures for the first week aren't always public, the pre-order buzz for The First Cat in Space Book 4 outpaced The Extraordinary Ego by a significant margin. This is partly due to the authors' relentless touring. They don't just do book signings; they do live performances with puppets and music.
They’ve built a community.
People often ask if you need to read the first three to understand this one. Honestly? Yeah. You do. While you could probably pick up the vibe, the emotional payoff regarding the Moon Queen’s backstory in Book 4 relies heavily on the groundwork laid in The First Cat in Space and the Prophecy of the Feast.
The Art Style: Why Cut-Paper Matters
In a world where everything is being optimized by AI and digital brushes, Shawn Harris’s work stands out because it looks hand-made. You can see the slight imperfections. You can see where a blade cut the paper.
In Book 4, the colors are more aggressive. We’re moving away from the cool blues and greys of the Moon’s surface into more neon, chaotic palettes as they travel through deeper space. It’s vibrant. It’s almost overstimulating, but in the best way possible.
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The physical book itself is an object of art. The weight of the paper, the matte finish on the cover—it feels like a premium experience. HarperCollins hasn't skimped on the production value here.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is a parody. It’s not. A parody mocks a genre. The First Cat in Space loves the genre. It’s a space opera that happens to have a high concentration of jokes about pizza.
Another misconception? That it’s "random."
If you look closely at the plotting, Barnett is actually very tight with his setups and payoffs. A throwaway line in Book 2 often becomes a major plot point in Book 4. It’s rewarding for the "super-fans" who are dissecting every panel.
What to Do Next
If you’re sitting there with the book in your hand or considering hitting the "buy" button, here is how to actually get the most out of the experience:
- Read it aloud. This sounds weird for a graphic novel, but the dialogue is written with a specific rhythm. It’s meant to be performed. If you have kids, do the voices. If you don’t, do them anyway.
- Check the backgrounds. Harris hides a ton of visual gags in the corners of the panels. The "background" characters often have their own mini-stories playing out over several pages.
- Watch the "making of" videos. Barnett and Harris have shared clips of how they collaborate. It’s fascinating to see how a "silly" idea about a cat becomes a 300-page epic.
- Look for the easter eggs. There are nods to Mac Barnett’s other works (like the Shapes trilogy) and even some deep-cut references to classic sci-fi cinema.
The journey of the First Cat isn't over, but The First Cat in Space Book 4 feels like a definitive turning point. It’s the moment the series went from a "fun project" to a legitimate cornerstone of modern graphic literature. Get your copy. Read it twice. Wonder why you’re suddenly so invested in the fate of a digital toenail.
The next step is simple: clear your afternoon, find a comfortable chair, and prepare for the Paperclip’s arrival. You won't regret it.