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A review by mediaevalmuse
Catwoman, Volume 1: Trail of the Catwoman by Ed Brubaker
4.0
After reading Gotham Central and The Long Halloween, I was keen on reading a bit more Batman-Universe comics - this time, I was in the mood for something more focused on the women of DC. I have to say, I think this comic is one of the best I’ve read regarding Selina Kyle’s depiction - she’s still her sneaky self, but it was a relief to have a female-centric comic where the women weren’t just walking sexual fantasies.
Things I Liked
1. Women: There are a lot of female characters in this comic, and I liked how Selina interacted with them. They were supportive of one another, and Selina genuinely cared about them - even the prostitutes whose lives she set out to avenge without knowing them personally. The comic easily passes the Bechdel Test (though I admit, that bar is low, but still) and shows a range of complexity.
2. Selina and Slam Bradley: I loved the interactions between Selina and Slam. They weren’t romantically involved (though there is some flirtation), but they were friendly. I liked the contrast between Slam’s adherence to justice and Selina’s focus on looking out for her and her own. I also liked the way they teased each other and worked together towards the same goals.
3. Selina’s Growth: In the span of this volume, we see Selina in her element as a thief, but we also see her struggling with her new identity and trying to find out who she is. I liked that we saw a shift from criminal to a kind of vigilante hero - one that works cases that would normally be considered beneath Batman. I loved this development and the inner complexity of Selina’s characterization rather than having her just be a thief through and through.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Art: Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of the art for the first half or so of the volume. It was colorful and stylish, yes, but I often had trouble telling people apart and following the action until the lines became crisper in the second half.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in Batman comics, Catwoman/Selina Kyle, crime noir, heist plots, and complex female characters.
Things I Liked
1. Women: There are a lot of female characters in this comic, and I liked how Selina interacted with them. They were supportive of one another, and Selina genuinely cared about them - even the prostitutes whose lives she set out to avenge without knowing them personally. The comic easily passes the Bechdel Test (though I admit, that bar is low, but still) and shows a range of complexity.
2. Selina and Slam Bradley: I loved the interactions between Selina and Slam. They weren’t romantically involved (though there is some flirtation), but they were friendly. I liked the contrast between Slam’s adherence to justice and Selina’s focus on looking out for her and her own. I also liked the way they teased each other and worked together towards the same goals.
3. Selina’s Growth: In the span of this volume, we see Selina in her element as a thief, but we also see her struggling with her new identity and trying to find out who she is. I liked that we saw a shift from criminal to a kind of vigilante hero - one that works cases that would normally be considered beneath Batman. I loved this development and the inner complexity of Selina’s characterization rather than having her just be a thief through and through.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Art: Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of the art for the first half or so of the volume. It was colorful and stylish, yes, but I often had trouble telling people apart and following the action until the lines became crisper in the second half.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in Batman comics, Catwoman/Selina Kyle, crime noir, heist plots, and complex female characters.