Do not cross a black cat who stalks her prey in the night … you never know when she’ll strike back!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Meredith Finch / Mark Russell
Artwork: Shane Davis, Igor Vitorino & Michelle Delecki / Ben Caldwell & Mark Morales
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb / Jeremy Lawson
Letterer: Pat Brosseau / Travis Lanham
What They Say:
It’s mayoral election time in Gotham City, and while the city is up in arms, Catwoman couldn’t care less! But when the candidates get personal, the Feline Fatale decides to get involved-much to the detriment of…well, everyone! This issue contains a special bonus story featuring the return of President Beth Ross from the critically acclaimed PREZ miniseries.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Miss Kitty’s Home for Wayward Girls, this was the only place in the Narrows that a certain feline-loving orphan felt welcomed. Selina learned a long time ago that to survive in this world, she could only trust herself and to make the best of a good thing, she had to prey on people’s weaknesses and use them to her advantage. But no matter how far she wandered in life, Kyle always remembered the kindness that another cat lady had shown her. Even as she made a path for herself in Gotham as the morally ambiguous crusader Catwoman, she would always find herself straying back to that comfortable place, just to keep an eye on it. But as of late, it appears that her memories of the shelter have become corrupted by the foul doings of those who wish to force Miss Kitty out, turning her into another example of the powerful smothering the weak.
After an arousing night of chasing away the mongrel who was sniffing around the Home, an exhausted Selina wakes to find that an even more irksome influence made its way to front page of the morning paper. A certainly questionable reformed mob boss named Penguin will announce his candidacy for Mayor in the run down area she was just protecting. She knows that this Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot still has his hands in the underworld he supposedly abandoned, but how can she prove that his vision is not as pristine as what he projects? Even as she dwells upon those unsettling thoughts, the other nominee Constance Hill seems to also have an interest in Miss Kitty’s orphanage, but all for her own reasons. The race for the city’s most powerful position seems to be coming down to the wire, however, which competitor holds the prosperity of Gotham at the forefront of their campaign … without any ulterior motives? Or can either one be fully trusted?
I have always relished the narratives of Meredith Finch: from her tenure as scribe for Wonder Woman, her influence in the oceanic world of Little Mermaid for Zenescope and now this amazing tale of Selina Kyle taking on the world of political corruption in Catwoman: Election Night. Even in this brilliant example of satirical escapism, we are still in awe to her storytelling genius – to be depict such a realistically satisfying melodrama with nods to the current bureaucratic nonsense and yet, she is still able to give us what we want and need all sheathed within the sexy vinyl of seduction. In the past, Catwoman has always been seen as a selfish thief, enticing Batman and others into doing her bidding whether they want to or even know that they are fulfilling her wishes. However as the character as evolved over the years, we have seen her become a reluctant savior for those less fortunate. It is this version which we now have the pleasure of watching Finch develop into what she does the best: give us magnificently strong heroic women who will do anything to protect the ones they cherish.
Even within this self-contained story, we can still see the determination which carries Selina from the shy girl whose only friend is a cat into the beautiful woman, ever sheltering strays and keeping watch over the only home she knew. I love the way which Finch stitches the past and the present into one coherent story through Catwoman’s monologue, thereby balancing memories and contemporary moments by enveloping the reader so immensely that you almost forget that there is an underlying sinisterism to the tale. But through working the events into one synergistic accomplishment, the tenuous elements which seem unrelated grow into something even greater, taking root and casting forth its canopy so that we may all relax under the shade of such a comforting embrace; although she may not remember her mother, Selina still protects the only one who took her in and gave the child a place where she belonged. And now this feral guardian stands watch over her home, shielding it from both threats from without and within. This is such a tender and heartwarming tale, even if you are not familiar with the character, it will still strike a chord in your life with someone who shares the same memories and emotions.
But of course, what really solidifies the entirety of the story is the outstanding artwork of Shane Davis and Igor Vitorino, all enhanced by the inks of Michelle Delecki. From the very start we are encapsulated within the grim reality of Selina’s world, a stark oppressive place called the Narrows – the opening scene of Kelly looking for her cat, trying to lure it out from the alleys where it is supposedly hiding from the driving rain; this scene leads into our heroine embracing the same feline, almost as if they are trying to reflect the young girl to a cat brought in from the cold cruelty outside, only to be thrust into the savagery of another. However, none of this would be as effective if not for the stunning colors of Gabe Eltaeb, his skillful compassion with the digital palette serves to engender us to our heroine’s plight by the striking familiarity of her garb. Anyone knowledgeable as to the previous incarnations of the character will notice that the young girl’s attire, hair ornament and eyes are remarkably similar to Jim Balent’s design of the Catwoman costume: a purple catsuit with pricked up ears, except they are now depicted by her dress and ribbon with flowing hair from beneath a nonexistent cowl, all accented by those emerald green eyes. It is nuances like this which in collaboration with Davis’, Vitorino’s and Delecki’s wonderful illustrations that ties everything together, the crossover of the past into the present with mirroring scenes, making the narrative as a whole more cohesive and moving. Every time we are treated to another visit to the young Kyle’s past, it just strengthens the underlying meaning of the story, pulling all of the loose strings of the unraveling tapestry until we reach the core for both the tale and Selina’s base character. But of course the unifying theme for both sides is Selina’s dominate need to fight for justice, no matter what age, her face is still etched by that determination. Whether dressed in purple or sexy skin tight vinyl, she will still protect those she deems worthy. Just like that cameo in the last panel, which leads into the Prez story, we see a young Beth Ross, vowing to never allow this to happen again – a satisfying way to end the story.
Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, reluctant hero to the downtrodden and yet still a savior for Gotham. She will prevail to shield those she deems worthy no matter who may need to pay. And yet even within that coldly focused heart, there still beats the worth of a hero, never asking for help or shunning it when it is offered. She is a partner to a dark night who still stalks her prey with eyes burning bright, never allowing the quarry to rest when she knows that the end is near.
Grade: A++
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: November 02, 2015
MSRP: $4.99
