Catwoman

• Title: Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular (One-shot)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Ann Nocenti, Will Pfeifer, Tom King, Ed Brubaker, Paul Dini, Jeff Parker, Chuck Dixon, Ram V, Mindy Newell
• Artists: Ty Templeton, Jonathan Case, Steve Rude, Lee Garbett, Tim Sale, Pia Guerra, Kelley Jones, Fernando Blanco, Robson Rocha, Jim Balent, Emanuela Lupacchino, Tula Lotay, Mikel Janin, Cameron Stewart

Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular is the latest DC over-sized one-shot to bring in several artists and writers to feature a character in a series of short tales. It’s on par with the Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular fans of Catwoman may wish to pick up, but there’s nothing here that’s a must-see.

My three favorite stories of the collection are the extremely meta “Conventional Wisdom” in which Selina finds herself signing autographs at BatCon while being confused with the various costumed fans (all of which is caused by Dr. Destiny), “Art of Picking a Lock” which features narration of story from Selina’s past while she is currently saving Slam Bradley from Joker henchmen, and “Helena” which features an unprepared Catwoman dealing with pregnancy (in a bit of a throwback to Earth-2’s Huntress origins).

While the collection doesn’t feature a Batman: The Animated Series story, the collection of art does feature an entry by Ty Templeton featuring my favorite version of Catwoman’s costume along with looks at her various costumes over the years.

…

Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super SpectacularRead More »

• Title: Batman #87
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Tony S. Daniel
• Artist: Danny Miki

Following up on the events of Batman #86, the latest issue deals with the GCPD taking Deathstroke and the other assassins into custody and locking them up in the new secure prison known as the Black Block. Batman #87 reveals Deathstroke and his team always wanted to get captured (which makes you wonder why they fought so hard against Batman and what they may have done had they actually won the fight). While not that big of a surprise, it does make you wonder about the mind behind these plans.

We see Catwoman continuing to help out, and a cameo by Lucius Fox, but the rest of the Bat-Family, Outsiders, Justice League, etc. is nowhere to be found as Batman continues to struggle following the death of Alfred.

…

Batman #87Read More »

• Title: Batman #78
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Tom King
• Artist: Clay Mann

“City of Bane” catches up with Batman and Catwoman on the road back to Gotham City. On an unnamed beach, somewhere still far from home, Catwoman continues to help Bruce Wayne get back to full strength (both physically and mentally). This means a bit of training, and quite a bit of dialogue between the pair who recognize, but are not willing to give into, the attraction that still exists between them.

Other comic writers should take note of Batman #78 which works wonderfully well as a character-driven mid-arc story (and not simply another “City of Bane” issue that marginally moves the larger arc forward). Slow-paced, but important for both Batman’s recovery and his relationship with Catwoman going forward, Batman #78 is my favorite issue of the arc so far.

…

Batman #78Read More »