More Adventures of Samurai Cat

Samurai cat Miaowara Tomokato, introduced in The Adventures of Samurai Cat, returns here in three illustrated, novella-length parodies. In ""A Samurai Cat in King Arthur's Court,'' Tomokato joins the Round Table. As ``A Fighting Cat of Mars,'' he troops through the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs. And ``The Empire State Strikes Back'' takes him on a visit to a galaxy ``far (but not far far) away.'' The satire is based on frequent interjection of contemporary references. (For example, when asked, ``What is the purpose of your visit to Lord Mordred's realm?'' Tomokato, posing as a book reviewer, replies, ``I've been sent to attend an ABA convention in York.'') Rogers falters when he uses the anachronistic and often humorless device of mentioning various fantasy films and filmmakers. However, he succeeds as a humorous illustrator, eschewing simple, cartoon-like effects in favor of fully rendered artwork that is appropriately evocative of pulp magazine illustration. (November)