Thanks to Bill Black’s AC Comics in the past I’ve been able to enjoy several very nicely drawn (by John Dixon, better, if only slightly, known for the Australian comic strip Air Hawk) reprint adventures of Australia’s version of Catman. Knowing almost nothing about Australian comics I did my usual amount of internet research and while I generally like to use two or three sources I discovered that there was precious little on the subject there. So most of this installment of Comic Book Compulsive comes directly from Kevin Patick’s “Comics Down Under” blog, specifically an installment titled “Catman — The Translated Superhero”.

Apparently Frew Publications In some way still obscure Frew Publications acquired the rights to the Golden US version of the character and the Australian version debuted in the second issue of Super Yank Comic. Which is, OK, I objectively know is not the coolest name for a comic book ever, but after a lifetime of hearing “Yank” being used as a derogatory term it is kind of wonderful hearing it being used as an actual selling point. The character was written and drawn by Lloyd Piper, and the only major difference between the two Catmen was Australia’s had a boy sidekick named Kit while the America’s had a prepubescent girl named Kitten helping him out. And pants; the Australian Catman wore proper grownup man pants.

Coincidentally enough,”The Secret of the Swamp” was reprinted several times in Australia since it’s first appearance in Catman Comics #12 back in the late 1950′s. Given the fifteen cent price tag on the cover I’m guessing this reprint is from either 1970 or 1971.