Catwoman #1

I decided a few weeks ago to review the entire New 52 from DC comics. Every single comic that has been published under that header since the 2011 relaunch. This is quite the daunting task. I started out reviewing them on Facebook, but I decided it would work better as an actual blog. 

One thing I'm going to do is review each Issue #1 first, then review the comic itself, arc by arc. Crossovers will be handled as a whole, across the product line. My first few reviews don't have pictures because, well, Facebook, so I'll just put a cover image up. Future reviews will have pictures where needed, and I may come back to put images here later.

Catwoman #1.

This is a deeply interesting book, I'm just unsure if it's good or not. I've heard complaints about Catwoman being oversexualized in the new DC universe, but...that's kinda the point of the character, you know? Even back when she first debuted in an evening dress and high heels, she was pushing the boundaries of sexuality by openly vamping on Batman.

This is a very sexual Catwoman. From the opening scene of her getting dressed (interrupted by goons and an explosion, causing her to rooftop run in half a shirt), there's a lot of fanservice. However, it's tempered with other extremes. After she gets her shirt on, she visits a friend for a quiet character moment where you can see how much losing yet another home (implied to happen a lot) has affected her. You can also see her concern for her friend when she declines the offer to stay, out of fear the guys from the opening will come after her.

The next scene she's posing as a bartender to get dirt on the Russian mob. Her inner monologue says that she considered posing as an escort as that's a role she can play well, but she did not want a pack of sleazy guys groping her (groping okay, sleazy guys okay, sleazy guys groping bad). However, she sees someone from her past that triggers a flashback, and she decides its worth blowing her cover to get revenge on a man who hurt a friend of hers.

She follows him into the bathroom and again bares her (bra-covered) chest to distract him, but the second he moves towards her, she cracks the sink with his head and claws his face half off in a really shockingly violent scene. It's made all the more shocking with the detailed artwork, where her face displays her utter hatred adn burning rage at this man. I'm not sure what he did, but the art makes me think he deserved it.

After she makes a hasty getaway, she returns to her safehouse. Is this is a different one than the one her friend Lola offered? They should have explained this part better. Anyway, she is quickly interrupted by Batman, who informs her tha some very dangerous people are after her, while she dismisses him that she's used to it.

This brings us to the part everyone who reads this will remember: A sex scene between Catwoman and Batman. It's actually more uncomfortable than sexy. First, Catwoman practically forces herself on him. He fight back briefly, before going along with it. Second, unlike in previous continuity, they are not on a first-name basis. This is not Bruce and Selena having sex, this is Batman and Catwoman. This point is driven home by the fact they keep their costumes on (which also serves to censor the important parts). Third, they do this quite often. There is no ambiguity about their relationship anymore: Batman and catwoman use each other for sex. No euphemisms about making love, this is just anonymous sex. Finally, the last panel would be really disturbing were the genders reversed, with Catwoman on top, one arm wrapped around his neck and the other up his shirt, while he is just lying there with his face obscured by her head. She looks satisfied and relaxed. He looks defeated, almost shameful. Consider the reversed genders, and tell me that doesn't look bad.

So, what do I have to say about this first issue? The art is gorgeous. The facial expressions and body language bring the characters to life, from Selena's psychotic rage to her askew face when her apartment explodes. Selena's internal monologue really does liven things up and provides insights into her character. I like the character of Lola (she actually WAS a showgirl years ago), as she is not a typically attractive comic book woman being full-figured and middle aged, and she serves to ground Catwoman a little bit. Her scene only barely advanced the plot, yet really sold Catwoman as an actual character.

The plot has some hiccups. While I understand they wanted to leave us a lot of mystery, the brief scenes in the flashback of a Russian beating up some woman was way too ambiguous. I had absolutely no idea who it was: Selena? A friend? Her mother? No clue. After making a plot point of her refusing her friend's safehouse, the fact she had another ready makes no sense and came out of left field. There's too much mystery set up here with the only mystery answered being "do they keep the costumes on or not?"

Now for the rough part. This is an extremely sexualized book. That in and of itself is not a problem. Catwoman forcing herself on Batman is problematic, as it is only barely consensual. This insight into Batman's character (that he would seek out a relationship like this) says volumes about how messed up he is in the head, and that Selena has no desire to find out who he is says volumes about her psyche too. I'm inclined to disagree with the assessment that it is overly sexual. Instead, it is overtly so with things that used to be merely implied. However, the constant bra shots--no matter how well justified in context--grew rather annoying and I hope later issues she keeps her shirt on more.

Is it good? I'd say it's worth a read. There's a lot of depth to the character interactions and artwork, but its scope is still quite limited and I could have dealt with more action or character interaction (does Batman do pillow talk?) instead of just splash pages of Selena Kyle's bra. It's an erotic thriller that stays just short of porn, yet unfortunately it's also just this short of actually thrilling. I'd give it 3/5 stars by itself, but I do look forward to the rest of this arc and this series.