Alias the Cat!

Alias the Cat is a graphic novel by American cartoonist Kim Deitch, published by Pantheon Books in 2007. It originally appeared as a three-issue comic book in 2002–2005 as The Stuff of Dreams from Fantagraphics Books.

The metafictional book stars Deitch himself and his best-known creation, Waldo the Cat. It's about a character named Alias the Cat who appeared in 1915 in a comic strip and a serial film, as well as in real life as a freedom-fighting superhero, but who mysteriously disappears. As Deitch researches the character, the story keeps getting more and more involved.

Kim and his wife Pam visit a flea market, where they discover a rare collectible black cat toy. The vendor, Keller, proposes discussing its price at a nearby bar but instead recounts how he acquired the toy. As the narrative shifts to Keller’s perspective, he introduces Frankie, a fellow sailor and the toy’s original owner.

The story then transitions to Frankie’s viewpoint, detailing his experience of being shipwrecked on an idyllic island. There, he encounters Waldo, a figure revered by the island’s inhabitants, who create toys in his likeness. Over time, the islanders revolt against Waldo’s rule, culminating in a volcanic eruption that devastates the island.

The narrative continues shifting perspectives, ultimately revealing that Keller received the Waldo toy as a gift. The story returns to the present, where Keller, Pam, and Kim sit together in the bar. Upon returning home, Pam and Kim debate the credibility of Keller’s tale. The story concludes with them breaking the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience and asking if they have ever encountered Waldo or a Waldo doll—and, if so, whether they would deliver it to Pam.

Pam purchases a costume from an early serial film titled Alias the Cat, which was produced in New Jersey shortly before the U.S.'s entry into World War I. As the narrative unfolds, a tragic story emerges about Malek Janocheck, a Czech heir to a prominent Bohemian munitions dynasty. Rejecting his family’s legacy of warfare, Manek flees his homeland in search of a different path — one dedicated to artistic expression through the craft of fireworks.

Janochek's journey, which is marked by romance, adventure, and discovery, is echoed in the film serial as well as the panels of a comic strip Deitch presents (ostensibly drawn by "Moll Barkeley-Bakendorf"). The story ultimately leads to a small New Jersey town colloquially known as "Midgetville."

In this final installment, the narrative delves into the lore of the legendary New Jersey town known as "Midgetville." Kim's investigation into the origins of the Alias the Cat strip takes him on an unpredictable journey through the eccentric landscapes of New Jersey, culminating in the corridors of New York's Bellevue Hospital. Interwoven with this exploration is a striking subplot featuring Waldo the Cat, whose story of love unfolds alongside a broader commentary on contemporary terrorism.