Catwoman has been through a lot in the last year and a half. Since DC All-In started, Selena (or Evie, as she was known in another life), has barely survived a Bourne-esque globetrotting conspiracy she thought she left in her past. As that wrapped and she set her eyes on a more personal goal, she again barely survived an encounter with a Talon from the Court of Owls while picking the pocket of mobster extraordinaire Carmine Falcone. Now returned to Gotham and under the pressure of Carmine Falcone, Catwoman #85 has Selena falling into familiar patterns with familiar people and keeping what’s made this era of Catwoman so enjoyable front and center.
DC
Last issue established the connection that Selena has with Holly Robinson, and this issue explores the lengths she’s willing to go for her. Disguised as a pregnant woman, Catwoman sneaks into Gotham City Police Department Headquarters during its annual fundraiser. She sneaks her way into evidence and steals the largest cash seizure in Gotham’s history. Her attention to detail, her speed, efficiency, and tenacity every step of the way does an excellent job of showing us she’s the world’s greatest thief, not just telling us.
What’s even more admirable, and proof there’s honor among thieves, is that when Carmine’s men show up for the getaway, there’s a twist on the loot they make out with. This forces a confrontation between Catwoman and Carmine that is sure to come back into play down the road. Couple that interaction with the fact that Black Mask, as seen in the beginning of this issue seems to be raring for a comeback, it feels like there will be a reckoning of Gotham’s underworld sooner rather than later.
DC
Since issue #69, the deepest DC reference has been the Court of Owls, which genuinely fit in the story so perfectly, no prior knowledge was needed. This issue finally bucks that trend but it wades into the water rather than jumping right in. The introduction of a B story with Black Mask feels just as natural as the Court—he’s a gangster after all, and Carmine recently created holes in his operation when he cleaned house of the more disloyal Falcone family members.
Catwoman #85 continues the trend of being a book about everything but superheroes. It’s about loving an addict and wanting what’s best for them when they don’t want it themselves. It’s about the wheels of power turning in a place you’ve never heard of and making your life worse so theirs gets better. It’s about the unfair deals you make with yourself for the greater good, and all the hell you feel on the way there. There’s times you almost forget it’s a DC comic about a character that was fairly recently engaged to Batman.
It’s so refreshing to read a book like this. I love the lore-drenched crossover titles DC has been delivering lately, but this series feels like a Steve Soderbergh-directed thriller that’s doesn’t rely on any other books. References to the greater DC Universe that don’t detract from the story at all. I don’t imagine there are many people out there strictly reading Catwoman and no other DC titles, but it’s nice to know that it’s totally possible considering how self-contained it is.
DC
The story that Torunn Grønbekk and artists Davide Gianfelice (not to mention Marianna Ignazzi, and Fabiana Mascolo on previous issues) have created is so masterfully succinct and compelling, it should find its way onto everyone’s pull list. It’s sexy, it’s smart, it’s dangerous, and it feels different than every other DC book on the stands. Best of all, while technically part 17 of the All-In era, this issue marks the beginning of a whole new story, making it a great jumping on point for new readers.
You must be logged in to post a comment.