“Catwoman”
Writer: Tini Howard
Artist: Bengal
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Review by Adam Ray
Catwoman’s antics with gal pal Harley Quinn continue in Catwoman #44. The new storyline began in issue #43 with Selina and Harley off on a Thelma and Louise-style road trip.
The repercussions of the past are hot on their heels, and we find them clashing with a familiar face in an uncertain arena. The consistency in the quality of the artwork and design choices give this new story arc a satisfying freshness, as we see our lady anti-heroes skate their way out.
In comic books, we get action sequences dominated by super-powered people. Meta humans bend physics and nature just by existing, and a lot of the time the action they’re in reflects that. Here at Dark Knight News, we usually like our action a little more down-to-earth, showing skilled combatants at odds with each other. This issue brings us roller derby antics and a high speed pursuit, so the story remains very true to these characters.
The color tones are light and welcoming in this issue, much like the current run of Harley’s own title. We’ve seen Catwoman exist in a very realistic space, but seeing this issue going to vibrant warm shades and soothing cooler ones gives us the feeling of the girl’s weekend away – a tone needed for the high-octane antics of the past two issues.
Conclusion
The thing that’s stayed consistent about Catwoman as a title, since issue #1 of this run, has been the book’s the ability to subvert expectations and change the tone. It’s common in a heist movie for things to suddenly twist into the unexpected, but for it to feel natural when done by multiple creative teams over close to four years has been a pleasant surprise.
Catwoman #44 has given us a fun sharp turn into something new, that I honestly didn’t see coming. All of it has left me eager to see where this team of powerful women will go next.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
