This is the kind of crime book most companies would dream of putting together. Catwoman #40 from DC shows the kind of turnaround a series can make over a single run. This series has been all over the place since it originally began with the New 52. While it showed some real promise from time to time, I own the trade paperback of volume one, it failed to really connect with critics. It was essentially forgotten by the big time comics critics (that’s a weird term) in the same way that Red Hood and The Outlaws was. Nothing more than a book to fill space for only the more ardent of Catwoman fans.
It’s the furious finale to “Family Business”! Will Selina remain the head of Gotham City’s criminal underworld, or return to her life as Catwoman? Will she even survive this battle long enough to make the choice for herself?
Of all the various runs on Catwoman over the years, this one calls back mostly upon “The Cat” which this issue itself alludes to. This is a different kind of Selina, one that is much more than just something pretty to look at. This is a complicated world of betrayal and backstabbing, and one that Catwoman fits perfectly in. All of which can be a little jarring as Selina hasn’t donned her Catwoman suit for quite a few issues, yet still feels more Catwoman than ever.
The issue builds and builds on everything that has been going on and gives you a real sense that the endgame is going change her world. This isn’t a book full of action, but one full of intrigue. Selina is playing a game of chess with the lives of others to be able to take on the man causing her family so much trouble. Black Mask is someone like she hasn’t faced before in this run, his brute force something that will put Selina to the test.
The book sets up the games pieces and unleashes them like a tidal wave onto the streets of Gotham, but she isn’t alone in it. As with any good spy/crime book there is betrayal at every corner. Like they say, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” and so Selina makes a deal with the devil (the Penguin in this case) to clear a path for herself to meet Black Mask head on.
Genevive Valentine does a wonderful job of keeping the book flowing with its methodically slow pacing. It’s no same task to keep a comic book interesting when not much action is going on, but the story flows well enough to keep you turning the page. Even better is the colors of Lee Loughridge that set a wonderfully dark tone with his striking use of red. This book really sets a mood that maintains throughout the entire read and helps elevate the already solid writing.
The whole thing ends with a lovely splash page of Selina finally donning her Catwoman costume, ready to put an end to everything once and for all. I also have to mention the variant cover to this issue that was the whole reason I picked this one up instead of going digital like I usually do. The 70’s movie poster variant by Dave Johnson is simply wild. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing a new Catwoman series set in that time period!
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