As you know, October 29 is that magical time to express our love for our feline lor…er…friends. Two years ago, I posted a list of notable cats in sci-fi and fantasy but then I realized I left some characters out (by accident of course). So without further ado, here’s more great cats that are out of this world.
Cat – A – Lyst
A 1991 novel written by Alan Dean Foster. When movie star Jason Carter takes a vacation in the wilds of Peru, all he wants is a little R & R. But what he finds is much more — a lost civilization of extra-dimensional Incas out to conquer the world! The only one not worried about this mess is Carter’s cat, which acts like she’s in charge of the planet…and she just might be right!
Nexu, Star Wars: Episode 2 Attack of the Clones
It’s hard to believe that this scary looking thing that looks like a cross between a tarantula, a possum and a shark is actually a cat. But it is and it’s famous for ripping off part of Padme’s jumpsuit in the Geonosis arena. It’s also famous for getting kicked and knocked to the ground by Padme in one of her best butt-kicking moments. According to Wookiepedia, nexu are native to the planet Cholganna. Many years later, Padme’s great-granddaughter, Allana would keep one as a pet.
Uhura’s Song
A 1987 novel written by the late Janet Kagan.
Years ago, Lt. Uhura befriended a diplomat from Eeiauo, the land of graceful, cat-like beings. The two women exchanged songs and promised never to reveal their secret.
Now the U.S.S. Enterprise? is orbiting Eeiauo in a desperate race to save the inhabitants before a deadly plague destroys them. Uhura’s secret songs may hold the key to a cure — but the clues are veiled in layers of mystery. The plague is killing humans, threatening other planets — and Kirk must crack the code before the Starship Enterprise succumbs!
Ishtarian
A native of the planet Ishtar in Poul Anderson’s 1975 novel Fire Time. According to Wayne Barlowe’s essay on extra terrestrials, Ishtarians
…with its leonine body and nearly human torso, stands about two meters tall. The body is covered with a mosslike plant, leafy on the head and mane…removing carbon dioxide and wastes from the being’s bloodstream and returning oxygen and vital minerals. Skin color among the Ishtarians varies from very light brown to nearly black. Females are generally more slightly built than males.
According to this website, Ishtarians are a modern-day wemic.
An inhabitant of the icy planet Tran-ky-ky. From Barlowe again:
The Tran are two – meter – tall mammalian entities. Their long arms end in four-fingered hands. The Tran’s three-toed feet have long, curving claws that act as skates but that can be retracted upward to allow it to walk on land. Broad, membranous wings stretch from their hips to their arms, spreading as the arms are lifted to catch the wind.
Mr. Tawky-Tawny
A friend of Captain Marvel who happens to be an anthropomorphic tiger. Introduced in 1947, Tawny just wanted to live peacefully among humans. At first humans are fearful of the talking tiger until Captain Marvel intervenes. In recent years Tawky Tawny has the power to shapeshift, sometimes turning into a smilodon (’cause, y’know, they were once called saber-toothed tigers). My personal favorite version is from the DC Nation short Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam.
Lt. M’Ress
A character introduced in Star Trek: The Animated Series. M’ress serves as a relief communications officer and a temporary science officer. She hails from the planet Caitian and was voiced by Majel Barrett. You can see M’Ress in all 22 episodes of the Emmy-winning series on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
And I will leave you with this recommendation: be sure to catch Super Cats: A 3 -Part Nature Miniseries only on PBS and PBS.org. You’ll love it.
the lady from planet x 
