Review: Catwoman Lonely City Book One (of Four)

With her own book, the team-up book with Batman in Batman Catwoman and a few young reader books, it could be argued that Catwoman has enough books to rival her beau Batman! Seriously, whilst Selina may be a few books behind Bruce, there is no doubting her popularity. This book, stylistically sitting way beyond the regular book and only slight more maturer than her boyfriend girlfriend book, aims to delivers an alternative look to Selina’s future, in a kind of pseudo Dark Knight Returns trope.

It’s been ten years since the Fall of the Bat. During that time Selina has been a guest of the prison system. Now upon her early release, Selina needs to determine who are her allies and who are far from that. In addition, just who or what is Orpheus and how will it save Gotham City?

Cliff Chiang pulls quadruple duty as writer, artist, colourist and letterer. Man, he certainly doesn’t want to share the royalty check! Tackling the writing first; the book reads fantastically well. Chiang’s Selina sound like the world weary survivor that she is in this out of continuity book. The interactions between her villainous cohorts, regardless of their station in life, reeks of sass and attitude. Prison has not dampened her spirit. There are a few surprises to be had as to who has also survived the last ten years; some add a touch of gravitas and other are there for comedic value. Other than that, there is meandering monologue which seeks to serve double duty in moving the story forward and explaining to the reader all that has gone on in the interim.

The last time I saw Chiang’s artwork was on the New 52 Wonder Woman book, which was gorgeous! I am pleased to say his art is still fantastic. True, Catwoman’s physique is dramastically (its my word, I made it up), different to Diana’s there is still a grace of movement to be shown. True there are a few less than detailed panels and a few wooden poses, but the tone and feel of the art works throughout the book. A great as the art is, with some interesting looks for a couple of characters, I think the colors really gives the books a unique feel. The reds and ochres add a level of nuances as does the purples in the early night time panels; they kind of remind of The Batman cartoon. Chiang’s letters also work well, be it the straight up dialogue or the more handwritten dairy type entries.

Reading this book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book is effectively Selina’s Dark Knight Return. Look at the similarities; its a four book affair, Two-Face is in the first book and her action are driven by a loss. Oh and there is the ten year element. With all that said, Catwoman Lonely City is a great addition to the Black Label stable.

Writing – 5 Stars

Art by; 5 Stars

Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written, Art, Colors and Letters by; Cliff Chiang
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