This is a guest post written by Cat Ninja author and creator Matthew Cody. In it, he shares what makes the popular Epic Originals comic so much more than just a fun read.
A cat in a ninja costume is teaching kids to be better people.
Okay, in part, I just really, really wanted to write that sentence. For a guy who does what I do for a living, getting a sentence like that published is bucket-list stuff. But it’s also a sentence that comes with the benefit of being true.
If you are reading this, then you are already familiar with, and hopefully are a user of, the reading platform Epic. Epic is about reading, and reading is good for us. Books are good for us.
Reading imparts knowledge, and reading books engages our long-form concentration, which is something under siege these days. I haven’t met a single parent who doesn’t want their kid to read, but what they read isn’t always so uniform. It’s easy to see the value in, say, a book on the history of the American Civil Rights movement or coding. Far trickier to explain the inherent good in a book about a cat who fights crime, much less a comic book about a cat who fights crime. So many pictures, yikes! (Meanwhile the author looks at the sequential art of Yehudi Mercado and Chad Thomas and thinks, “Boy, I wish I could draw”).
On that point, can I make a quick digression? What are drawings, anyway? What are words? Letters? They are all symbols that convey meaning, and take it from this novelist with over eight “proper” novels to his name, the meaning is everything. So what’s the meaning of Cat Ninja? What’s the value? Maybe that should’ve been the lead. Took a while to get there, but like I said, I’m still a novelist at heart.
Anyway, the meaning of Cat Ninja. Cat Ninja is a story told in words and pictures about a common family dynamic—divorced but committed parents, an older brother and a younger sister, and two household pets. But make one of those pets a superhero, one his barely reformed arch-enemy, and you have Cat Ninja.
Sure, our book is funny. And it’s no small thing to make a kid laugh. Cat Ninja’s also got adventure and a ton of good-natured silliness (Octopunch the crime-fighting octopus is a personal fav).
But at its core, Cat Ninja is a story about a family that loves each other, even with parents who are no longer together, or siblings who couldn’t be more different, or, yes, a superhero housecat and a villainous hamster. That’s the story we’re telling over seven-plus print volumes and even more digital versions. That’s the secret sauce to Cat Ninja having been read over 300 million times. That figure’s not a typo, even though I’m terrible at numbers (novelist, remember?).
That’s a very good thing, because that means that over 300 million times, some reader somewhere has spent time with characters who find a way to work together and love each other no matter what. Through Cat Ninja’s eyes, they get frustrated with Master Hamster’s latest scheme to take over Metro City (or just invent the best automated bowl for easy-eating—he likes his treats). But they also see Master Hamster sacrifice to protect his family. Through Cat Ninja, they grow tired of the seemingly neverending fight against injustice.Through Cat Ninja, they are tempted to hang up their costume and quit. And through him, they pick themselves up again and fight on anyway.
Through his eyes, they forgive. They help others, and they ask for help in return.
They also, in a Cat Ninja story penned by my good friend and guest-writer Marcie Colleen, help a villainous farting bean turn over a new leaf to become a stand-up comedian. Yep. That happened.
“So back to your opening thesis, Matt. Are you saying that kids show up for supercats and farting beans, learn how to love, and then become better people?”
No, but I think we’re helping the mission. Temperamentally, I’m not an all-you-need-is-love sort of guy, but with kids it’s 90 percent true. My job is to make stories where children can see empathy on display. To see others, and most importantly, to see themselves treated with kindness, no matter who they are. A child is not a citizen of the world as adults know it, with its politics and poisonous discourse. A child’s world is smaller. It’s family, friends and school. Maybe it’s their church, or synagogue, or mosque. A small community like that can be strong, solid and reassuring. But it’s also easy to feel out of place at times, like an… ex-supervillain pet hamster?
Okay, I admit that last one was a stretch, but I was making a not-so-subtle point. Stories are ways for kids to experience the world from the safety of a cozy book nook. But they are also ways for them to learn about themselves and those closest to them. Feelings are powerful things, and it’s easy to fool yourself into thinking you are the only one feeling them. We read stories because they remind us how faulty that belief is. We are not alone in our feelings, ever. And when we realize that, we realize that we are all more alike than we are different.
It’s a realization that is easy to forget. It takes constant reminding, but I believe it makes us better people in the long run. So why not start early? Why not let kids read stories about someone who feels just like they do. Someone who feels afraid or sad or happy or proud. Who gets jealous at times, feels generous at times. Who tries and makes mistakes and tries again.
Even if that someone is a cat dressed up as a ninja.
Matthew Cody is an award-winning author and the the Director of Content Development at Epic, where he leads teams of writers and artists in crafting imaginative, high-quality stories for young readers. In addition to Cat Ninja, he’s the author of The Bright Family series (also on Epic!), The Supers of Noble’s Green trilogy and The Secrets of the Pied Piper series.
Have a kid who loves Cat Ninja? They’re in for a treat! The first-ever Cat Ninja figurines are here. Check them out at shop.getepic.com
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ Where can I read Cat Ninja?
You can read the entire action-packed Cat Ninja book series right on Epic! Just log in and search for “Cat Ninja” to start reading. Whether your child is just getting into comic series for elementary students or already hooked on crime-fighting cats and hilarious villains, this Cat Ninja Epic Originals title is bound to be a favorite.
If you’re an educator, the full children’s comic series is available in your classroom library. If you’re a parent, it’s included with an Epic Family subscription. It’s one of the best comic books for kids on Epic—fun, fast-paced and filled with heart.
▶ What age is Cat Ninja for?
Cat Ninja is best for kids ages 7–11 (roughly grades 2–5). These fast-paced, funny stories are ideal for readers who love superhero books for ages 8–10, kids’ adventure books or laugh-out-loud comics. Whether your child is a confident reader or just getting started, Cat Ninja for kids offers the perfect mix of action, humor and emotional depth.
It’s especially engaging for fans of superhero cat stories and those who enjoy following ongoing Cat Ninja characters like our dynamic duo: Cat Ninja and Master Hamster.
▶ Is Cat Ninja good for kids?
Absolutely. The Cat Ninja comic series is packed with humor, heart and page-turning adventure—perfect for building reading stamina and confidence, especially among reluctant readers.
It’s more than a crime-fighting cat story. With themes like courage, empathy and teamwork, it’s a family-focused series that shows what it means to help others, bounce back from mistakes and stick together, even when you’re a superhero cat living with your ex-villain roommate.
▶ Is Epic a trusted reading app for kids?
Yes – and not just according to parents and teachers. The New York Times’ Wirecutter recently named Epic their Favorite Ebook App in a roundup of the best online learning games for kids.
With thousands of quality titles – including superhero books for ages 8–10, nonfiction reads and top comic series for kids – Epic is a trusted platform where children can explore, learn and grow. If you’re looking for a safe educational space to read Cat Ninja online, Epic is the place.
