Billy the Cat (Belgian comics)

Billy the Cat is a Belgian comic series created by Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg. It originally appeared in the comic magazine Spirou in 1981 under the title Le Chat.

The series revolves around Billy, a young boy who is transformed into a cat as punishment for his cruel treatment of animals. The comic chronicles his adventures as a feline, navigating the human world from a new perspective and often facing the consequences of his past actions.

The stories typically involve Billy's attempts to regain his human form, the friendships he makes with other animals, and his encounters with various human characters, both kind and unkind. Humor is a significant element, often stemming from Billy's misunderstandings of human behavior and the challenges of being a cat.

Over time, the artwork and writing style evolved. Colman's initial artwork was later taken over by Peral, and the storylines became more sophisticated, exploring themes of responsibility, empathy, and the relationship between humans and animals. The series achieved considerable popularity in French-speaking Europe and has been translated into several languages.