I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is about Skully, a cat, as he begins his new job as a gardener. His friends and father are involved in adventuring, but Skully plans on having a normal job. His plans are thrown out by his mysterious new boss and disappearances. Skully works to solve what is going on.
This was a good book that is both cute and funny. Skully is a relatable character that makes me want to know more about him. The world that he lives in is well-developed and there is potential for more stories.

Norman Shurtliff grew up in Northern British Columbia, Canada. He spent much of his time at the family greenhouses where he and his siblings explored the endless outdoors, built forts, told stories, and invented games. Norman’s imagination grew with him and so did his love of comics and game design. He received a BS of Horticulture at BYU-Idaho and later with the encouragement of his wife, received a BS of Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute of Salt Lake City. Norman now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and their two adventurous toddlers. His newest middle-grade graphic novel series is Skull Cat, and it’s a great action-adventure horror book for kids.
Scully the Cat’s father was injured hunting gold on a mountain, so Scully has to get a job with a local garden crew. His first job is at Le Dark Chateau, a haunted mansion rumored to have a hidden treasure, but it’s protected by unknown evil. When Scully’s new crew goes missing and he catches the lady of the manor drinking red liquid from a mug, surely she has murdered everyone and is drinking their blood! Will he have the same courage as his father? Will he find the treasure of Le Dark Chateau, or will he find a different type of treasure, instead?
This is a fun graphic novel and a solid entry into horror and action-adventure for younger readers. Shurtliff has a style that’s informed by classic inkblot animation, especially with his character Scully, but places them in a world that’s much more stylized. Akin to Jeff Smith’s Bone series or Dave Sim’s Cerebus, this style works well for middle-grade readers. The slapstick humor also works. To make it more fun, Shurtliff adds a bonus Cathero comic, which introduces young readers to an older, but more “mature,” style of graphic storytelling, but with a parallel plot and characters. There are also some fun games and puzzles included in the book, as well.
Overall, this is a fun middle-grade graphic novel. There are some fun horror elements (vampires, heartbroken ghosts, etc.) that are subverted throughout the narrative. Middle-grade readers will enjoy the characters and the action, and will be able to identify with Scully’s feelings of inadequacy in the face of larger and more experienced heroes as well as their faith in the goodness of people, even when it’s occasionally misplaced. Older readers will not be bored by this story, either, and parents and older readers can read along with the younger ones easily, and still find entertainment in the tale. Skull Cat and the Curious Castle is a promising opening book to what looks to be a fun and entertaining middle-grade series, and beginning readers of horror and action-adventure books will really find it fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing/Top Shelf Productions for the ARC.

Scully the Cat is excited to start his new job at a castle, despite the warnings he's received from others. He meets a unique bunch of characters that make up the rest of the crew--until they go missing. Scully finds himself on a spooky and mysterious adventure he didn't see coming as he tries to find out what happened to them.

This book was definitely action packed and I'm sure many will enjoy it, but I also feel like it bounced around a bit too much to be fully coherent. I found myself turning back a few times sure that I missed something, but no. I was definitely left a little confused at times.

A cute and fun adventure graphic novel with elements of the paranormal sprinkled throughout. Perfect for middle grade readers.

There is so much to love about this delightful little graphic novel. The illustrations are fun, the characters hop off of the page, and the plot keeps one enthralled from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for supplying me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

A fun story with great characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and pacing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be short but that’s not a bad thing.

I absolutely adored this book. The art, the characters, they were endearing and I loved it.

We’ve got a little guy who gets a job at the castle to help provide for his family after his father is wounded in the forest. There’s a whole, dangerous forest–no one survives–type of situation.

The castle job comes with a little issue though. Apparently it’s cursed.

Our main character doesn’t believe it and decides to just try to do his job. Which is immediately complicated by basically everyone else and the fact he’s small.

This feels like a fantastic foray into fantasy for younger readers. A child who hasn’t ever read anything fantasy would really enjoy this. It’s so easy to get into. And as an adult, it was a nice, light read that brought me smiles.

I can’t wait for the second volume because this was just adorable.

four (4) stars out of five (5) stars from me.

I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.

First up, thank you for allowing me to read this one, sadly I am DNF-ing it. The story, the art, the characters, they are just not working for me. The story feels disjointed, and at first I thought maybe it is because I am reading it on my phone and it messes up the format, but no, I just checked on my PC and it has the same disjointed feel. And the characters are just as annoying. It sounded like a story I would enjoy, cats + ghosts + mystery + adventure, but sadly, no.

This book is, I feel, supposed to be a middle grade book. The writing was simple and so was the art. However, I felt it jumped around and I honestly couldn't tell what was going on. Maybe a kid could, and it was just simple and kind of dumb but I just did not enjoy it. The art was super cute.

Firstly, I would like to thank Norman Shurtliff, IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions, and NetGalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! This book was really cute and definitely something that a lot of younger kids will enjoy. I am older but I do still enjoy reading a lot of graphic novels and this one was a little young for me. I still really enjoyed it and it made me happy. I love cats and the spooky season so this was right up my alley. Skully was so so precious and really a fun character to follow. I loved the art style and the adventure of this book, I can't wait to see what more this author has to give! Thank you so much again! :)

Genre: Fantasy
Format: eBook (ARC)
Age Recommendations: Middle-Grade
Expected Publication: 21st February 2023

A big thank you to Norman Shurtliff, IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions, and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Skull cat and the curious castle is the first book in the series and is very cute and charming. The illustration style reminded me of the game ‘Cat Quest’.

Skully the cat gets a job as a janitor on the lawns of an eerie castle. It doesn’t take long for Skully to notice his co-worker’s go missing and he suspects a vampire might be the cause and using them as dinner.

Skully builds up the courage to investigate the mystery and find his missing co-workers, because he has a heart of gold and doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.

If you love cats, fantasy and spooky adventures, then why not give this one a go

I'm so glad I got this preview copy.
The illustrations and coloring scheme just my type of tea.
The story full-fills with goblins, ghosts and treasure hunting. It will be popular among the upper elementary students.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy of Skull Cat! I enjoyed this comic, it was a wonderful quick read. I enjoyed how colorful it was. Obviously the gardening crew was a bunch of slimy thieves and deserved to get caught. I want a whipping tortoise as a pet! I’m guessing the ghost is actually CatHero based on the ending extra chapter but I guess I’ll wait to find out in book 2! Thanks again NetGalley for the ARC!

This reminded me of a combo of those mid 2000s Cartoon Network shows! I enjoyed it, the characters were fun and the illustrations had the right combo of whimsy and good lines.

A very cute comic about a super-hero afficcionado talking cat who begins working as a gardener in a "spooky" castle!

Although it felt a little short and rushed, I really enjoyed this read - enough to give it five stars. Maybe it's the combination of cats being the main characters (which I always love love love!) and the modern-fantasy type of scenery. Scully the cat is really sweet and adorable - and so are his little siblings.

I think the art is what I love the most. The drawing styles are very cartoon-ish like and the coloring is beautiful. It matched the mood of the comic really well.

Skull Cat: Skull Cat and the Curious Castle by Norman Shurtliff - 4 stars

Graphic novels with a Cat as the main character - sign me up! Skull Cat: Skull Cat and the Curious Castle is a short graphic novel with colorful illustrations and a fun story line. Author Norman Shurtliff didn't miss a beat with this story, it's set in a fantasy world with vampire, ghosts, and tons of other creatures live.

When Scully the Cat gets a job working at a Castle it's a little more than he bargained for. Instead of working in the garden like his job descriptions says, Scully sets off to inspect the haunted castle and see what is lurking about.

This is such a run read and I found with my own children, ages ranging between 4 to 13, it was a fun experience for everyone involved. The illustrations are bright and detailed, the characters are fun, and the story line was intriguing from beginning to end.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC

Throw cats into a graphic novel, and you know I will read it. Just sayin'. Skull Cat: Skull Cat and the Curious Castle is a short and sweet graphic novel created by Norman Shurtliff. It's set in a fantastical world where vampires, monsters, and ghosts exist - as do talking cats. Naturally.

Scully the Cat is a sweet little boy (cat) trying to take care of his family. If he comes across an adventure worth bragging about, that's all the better. He wants to become a hero someday, but for now, he'll settle for being a gardener.

Why a gardener? That's the job currently available to him, though the garden in question is set around a creepy castle that may or may not have a dark sorcerer trapped somewhere in the depths. Or so the legend goes.

The best part about Skull Cat: Skull Cat and the Curious Castle (other than our kitty protagonist) is that this story is perfect for any age. It's not so spooky as to frighten young ones, but it is also not childish, making it a fun read for teens and adults. Basically, if you like magic, cats, and adventures, you'll probably enjoy Skull Cat.

The artwork is another highlight of this graphic novel. Shurtliff uses purples and blues to provide shadow without eliminating a sense of color. And the characters are so stinking cute! Even the ones that have no right to be. I'm in love.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this story and the art to go with it, especially the main character, the cat. When he gets a job working at the castle, is it haunted or is it something else. A fun read.