Meow.

I was a boy when Batman Returns was released in theaters, and I remember Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman making a very big impression on my young psyche. She (Pfieffer/Catwoman) is one of my icons of growing up. The Catwoman character’s grey status in the DC-verse has always interested me. Sometimes she’s good, sometimes she’s not. Maybe she’s both. Maybe she’s playing some other game entirely. All I know is that Catwoman is attractive – every meaning of the word applies. 

This particular story takes place concurrently with Loeb/Sale’s The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. I must confess I’ve read neither, but this story stood alone well enough. The story is this: Selina Kyle (Catwoman) is on a flight to Rome with Riddler to learn more about her lineage. Desite being an annoying creep, Riddler is in tow to help her solve the mystery of her own family. However, she immediately becomes entangled in some kind of Mafia-related power play much larger than her own interests. Catwoman, Riddler, and a blonde assassin try to stay live while making sense of Selina Kyle’s past and all the moving pieces in the Mob game.

The major player in this book for me is the art. Tim Sale creates some beautiful pages, many of which are inspired by French fashion illustrator Rene Gruau. The colors are fantastic. While I generally speed through comics pages and force myself to pay attention to art, this book kept me staring at the pages. I love the look. The caveat is that Selena is epically proportioned and often in states of undress (you’ve been warned). Even if you don’t read this book, though, google the art.

 

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