Review: Batman Catwoman #5 (of 12)

The meandering nature of this book continues to weave its way between time frames and readers patience with this late (isn’t this supposed to be a monthly book?) issue that sees the two love interests of past present and widowed future coalesce for no big reason at all.

Andrea and Selina take a night out on the town, kind of , as Andrea tries to deliver some clues as to Andrea’s own son that went missing; you know the one barley mentioned since #1. In addition, Selina gets drunk and fails to find anything to steal. Future Selina has a run in with a Gotham City Siren in the shape of an angry Harley. With all this happening, its a wonder that there is any actual Batman sightings; he is in two whole panels!

Tom King has set about this issue in a manner that feels like there is progress, but is there really? With the death of the Joker in the future, it was only a matter of time until Harley showed up. King does a decent job in dropping a minor bombshell during this fight, which adds clarity considering the current state of affairs between the Harley and Mister J. This issue has a staccato pace, which can be off putting especially with the delay and the apparent non movement. With the focus on the Selina’s it’s hard to see how Batman is even part of the story. For parts, he is still a focus of the story from Selina’s perspective; who thought Selina would be so dependent on Bruce? It’s a point of how much Bruce can dominate a relationship that Andrea herself makes.

This issue sees a change in the structure; gone is the Advent calendar style of Wayne Manor. Is this an oversight or does it have greater meaning? Clay Mann remains highly consistent with the art on this book, though his Batgirl/woman/ Huntress on the main cover is awful! Interior wise, we are used to seeing the long lines, the clever use of shadow and the nods to Mask of the Phantasm are plain to see. With that said, there are odd elements starting to creep in; faces can look a little wooden, the action scenes can lack punch. Still when he is on top form, Mann nails this look brilliantly. Take aged Selina for example, at the end of this issue she looks like the cat who got the cream. Is the delay in this book down to the art and if, why does it feel rushed in places. With no credit page listed on the digital copy, I assume that Tomeu Morey remains on colors (I have checked the DC website where colorists don’t get credit). If Mann has been consistent, then Morey takes this idea to a higher level. I have never seen Morey delivers a poor book regardless of the artist he is working with. Also around for the long haul is letterer Clayton Cowles. I do wonder if letterers get as confused as readers with the story halfway through.

For those readers expecting an action packed series, then I am afraid you will probably be disappointed. Kings run on Batman and Heroes in Crisis are examples of how action scenes break the pattern of the ongoing diatribe of conversation and emotion. Whilst this may work on other characters, maybe not so much with Batman; but what the hey, Bats barely appears in this anyway. Five issues in and I am not sure that anyone is wholly happy with the pace and at this point, does anyone care what happened to Andrew?

Writing – 3. 5 Stars

Art – 4 Stars

Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Tom King
Art by; Clayton Cowles
Colorss by; Tomeu Morey
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; DC Comics / Black Label

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network