A New Hero Emerges—And He’s Still in Primary School! CAT MASK BOY

A Kid. A Mask. A Missing Report Card. Welcome to the Rooftops of Hong Kong.

From the Mad Cave Studios imprint Nakama Press comes CAT MASK BOY—the award-winning graphic novel, previously honored by the 1st HK Comics Support Programme!

This heartfelt and offbeat debut graphic novel from Hong Kong indie comics creator Linus Liu is set amid the vibrant chaos of 1970s Kowloon. It follows a schoolboy named Tiger as he ventures into the city’s lawless underbelly—armed with nothing but a homemade cat mask, a pocketful of snacks, and an unshakable sense of determination.

Drawn in Liu’s signature analog textures and bold ink lines, the book is steeped in local color and childhood imagination. His work combines slice-of-life storytelling with pulpy urban legend, offering a stylized lens into a vanished version of Hong Kong that feels both deeply personal and instantly universal.

In 1970s Hong Kong, Tiger, a secondary school student at Resettlement Area Rooftop Primary School, spends more time having fun than studying for his classes. His only ambition is to become a superhero, so he makes himself a cat mask. On report card day, he wants to show his mom his academic progress, but his report card is mistakenly taken by someone else. With no other choice to avoid punishment from his mom, he sets out to retrieve it and ventures into Kowloon Walled City, a notorious shantytown where no rules apply except those of the mafia. All kinds of illicit businesses flourish: gaming rooms, opium dens, and undercover trading. There, he meets a new friend named Dragon, who offers to help. Together, they must confront their fears and recover the lost report card!

“Cat Mask Boy is my first comic book and is so meaningful to me,” said creator Linus Liu. “I’m so grateful and lucky to connect with and gain recognition from local and overseas readers. Thank you so much to Nakama Press for publishing it in English, which lets Cat Mask Boy reach more readers and lets them understand more about Hong Kong culture.”

Editor Kristen Simon added, “I think readers of all ages will enjoy this sweet story of a mischievous little troublemaker who manages to get away with things by the skin of his teeth! But when his adventure leads him to a gritty corner of town and an unexpected encounter with another Cat Mask Boy, the quest becomes a heartwarming tale of teamwork, courage, and the magic of unlikely friendships.”

This marks the English-language debut of Cat Mask Boy, translated and lettered by Book Buddy Media and published Nakama Press—Mad Cave Studios’ imprint devoted to bold, manga-inspired storytelling from around the world.

A great title for fans of Goodbye, Eri, and City of Darkness, this is a spirited, scrappy, and utterly endearing ride through the streets of memory and myth. Cat Mask Boy will be available in bookstores and comic shops on October 14, 2025.

Get the latest news on Mad Cave Studios on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to check out the full lineup of new releases, licenses, and celebrated creator-owned titles!

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!