EDITOR’S NOTE: In an effort to post more reviews on Pop Culture Podium, I’m going to a shorter format. I’ll comment on a comic, and make a recommendation to buy or not buy a particular book rather than elaborate at length about the merits or non-merits and the ten-point rating scale. For readers who prefer the latter format, I will still post extensive reviews and include the rating system. For now, I’m just trying to achieve a little more balance. Pop Culture Podium is essentially a one-person endeavor, so I don’t have unlimited time to devote to this (even though I might welcome that).
I’ve been impressed with the new CATWOMAN books. Writer/artist Joelle Jones brings that LADY KILLER feel to this title, and it suits it well. The art is distinctive and the story is heading in a totally different direction from the usual Catwoman fare. I recommend that you PICK IT UP.
NOTE: There are some spoilers below, so stop reading now if you want to be totally surprised when you read these books for yourself.
CATWOMAN #1 (DC Comics, September 2018) Joelle Jones, story and art. Laura Allred, color. Josh Reed, lettering.
“Copycats, Part 1”: The story begins following the events of BATMAN #50, where Selina Kyle/Catwoman left Bruce Wayne/Batman waiting at the altar of their non-wedding. She’s left Gotham for the brightly lit casinos and nightlife of Villa Hermosa, Mexico in order to forget what she left behind. She’s not completely over it, and there’s a tender moment when a package delivery brings her to tears.
Jones introduces several interesting plot points in this introductory issue: Catwoman allegedly shooting a cop; a governor’s wife who’s the major villain and hides her evil nature and personage behind a fabricated personality; major crimes being conducted to set up Catwoman for the blame; and a police detective who’s got a major grudge and gearing for vendetta-mode.
Being able to script for your own artwork is a major advantage for a creator, and Jones reaps the benefits in carefully crafted pages with art and action scenes that pop. Inking her own pencils allows her to really detail and shade the proceedings. Laura Allred’s colors are vivid and very creative in selection of background colors. A great book to look at.
I picked up the variant cover by Stanley “Artgerm Lau, which looks like a photo. GET THIS ISSUE.
CATWOMAN #2 (October 2018) “Copycats, Part 2”. Same art team.
I had to settle for the standard cover on this one. While’s it’s good, and a great indicator of the contents - - I’m really attracted to the variant covers on this book. That’s saying something, because I’m not a variant cover fanatic — usually I can take ‘em or leave ‘em.
Catwoman fights a warehouse full of imposters in some nicely choreographed panels. The villainess introduced last issue is behind this facade, and doesn’t take kindly to failure as the cat fakers’ spokesperson is punished courtesy of the cruel Dr. Finick. Jones hasn’t told us the reasons behind Mrs. Creel’s (no first name yet, but we are introduced to her two sons) methods or why she’s focused on Catwoman. Her husband Edmond, the governor of California, resigns for medical reasons. Funny, I thought the entire story was taking place in Mexico and that’s where everybody was located. Hmmnnn?
Back in Villa Hermosa, the angry detective (Will) is trying to locate the whereabouts of Catwoman. Selina is living in a messy warehouse, and finds a local, Carlos, to help procure some tools for her and also provide some silly humor to break the tension of the issue’s beginning. Selina dresses up for a night out at a fancy tuxedo and gown affair and meets Raymond Creel. Wasn’t he back in California at the governor’s announcement a short while ago? Must be a quick commute to Mexico from there. GET THIS ISSUE.
CATWOMAN #3 (November 2018) “Copycats, Part 3” Same art team, except for flashback scenes illustrated by Fernando Blanco and John Kalisz.
Selina has a meeting with Raymond Creel, who admits to using the copycats just to get her attention. (Minor plot flaw: how does that lead her to this place, and to him? How would she know what he was doing prior to this?) Anyway, the Creel family has paid off several cops to overlook their supplying illegal drugs to the rich folks, and runs the town of Villa Hermosa (apparently from California?). They just want Selina to cooperate with them in exchange for permitting her to live in their city. But Selina has business of her own to complete in town and doesn’t take kindly to threats. Cue the fight music, and watch the action.
By the way, we also learn that Raina is Mrs. Creel’s first name, in a bedtime conversation with Edmond. We hear that he’s her second husband, and the first one was met under unusual circumstances and also died under unusual circumstances. The art cleverly reveals the deception in her words.
Selina’s business in town probably has something to do with the fact that her invalid sister (surprise) is residing in a care facility. I was lucky enough to get another Lau variant cover for this issue — very seductive pose for the glamorous Selina. GET THIS ISSUE.
CATWOMAN #4 (December 2018) “Copycats, Part 4” Same art team, except for scenes of the past done by Fernando Blanco on art and John Kalisz on color.
I picked up the Stanley “Artgerm” Lau variant cover again, just gorgeous in its’ realism. Catwoman’s mask looks like it is form-fitting, just floating on her forehead and nose. Very creative.
The past scenes help readers understand the relationship between Selina and her sister Maggie. Both survived an abusive family relationship while growing up. Maggie now remains vegetative due to tragic events initiated by Black Mask. What happened is another reason Selina questions her choices in life. Now, it looks like Maggie may be in danger again. GET THIS ISSUE. If you’re into it this far like I am, then you really need to see how this first story arc plays out.
No comments:
Post a Comment