“Never Let Them Smell Blood” – Part One
Writer: Torunn Grønbekk
Artist and Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Adam Ray
Once again the meandering nonsense that was once a highly prized title has reared its head in Catwoman #75. The context that should have been provided when this creative team took over the title is happening now, with very little bearing on the sticky situation that Selina was in during the previous issue.
Meow-diocre
Instead of anything that has a measured connection to the past issues, or anything in wider DC continuity, we get the far-fetched context of Catwoman’s connections to those characters. We’re delivered a laundry list of characters whose names are long lost to anyone that hasn’t been following this title with a fine tooth comb. We get a disjointed jump between times and locations, which all have very little bearing as to whatever has gone on before. It’s deeply tragic to see good creators parade characters and dialogue on the page as opposed to any story that connects to any other story from Catwoman, or DC, or anything that has come before.
The only saving grace is Delpeche’s given free rein over the issue to flood our senses with perfect colour palettes and delightful character models. It’s a sight to behold their work on this otherwise confused issue.
Conclusion
I have been reviewing Catwoman since she left Batman at the altar. Long before the pandemic. Long before the most recent crisis. I’ve seen her at her best, and I’ve seen her handled by creators that actually know how to handle her. I am crestfallen to see what was once a great title, full of substance and depth of storytelling be reduced to a parade of characters and chatter that have little bearing on anything.
Catwoman #75 has me leaving much to be desired. I deeply look forward to a change of creators, or some editorial oversight so that there can be some actual Selina in my Catwoman comics, as opposed to whatever I was just reading.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment