Review: Catwoman #14

Review: CATWOMAN #14

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer:  Ram V.

Artists:  Mirka Andolfo

Colors:  Arif Prianto

Letters:  Saida Temofonte

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

A secret file out-lining the ins and outs of the criminal underworld of Villa Hermosa is on the streets, and every crook is after it. Whoever possesses this info can control everything, and some of the town’s hoods are even bringing in outside agents like Lock-Up and Gentleman Ghost to act as their champions—which, let’s face it, you’re going to need if you’re going to try to outsmart Catwoman. Making things even more dangerous for Selina Kyle, there is also a price on her head. If you can capture the database and kill the Catwoman, the payoff is double!

Positives

Joëlle Jones simply draws the best Catwoman covers and I am glad her artwork was featured!  As I have stated before, her art is poster worthy and her renditions are perfect of Catwoman.  Mirka Andolfo’s  rendition of Catwoman is accurately drawn as well.  And writer Ram V provides the readership with a few retrospect moments in this issue where Catwoman needs Batman in some way.  Those relationship ties run very deep and Selina is getting a good look in the mirror each time she patrols, or comes into contact with anyone in a relationship.  Here’s hoping Bruce and Selina find that happiness!

This is a quick turning of the page from the last issue.  It is a bit too quick, but it is a definite game of “cat and mouse” but in this case, Selina is the “mouse”.  I’ll admit that I was impressed how quickly Ram V flipped the script a bit on Catwoman with everyone now gunning for her (pun intended).

And Gentleman Ghost….appearing in a boat….Shades of Hades.  That was a weird intervention.  DC is reaching back as of late in a lot of their comics making use of characters that have been shelved for some time.  Kudos for not reinventing the wheel!

Negatives

In issue 13. Catwoman was given an offer by Lex Luthor.  But in Issue 14, there are no consequences, no decisions, no clues alluding to the fact that this event happened.  If this is the Year of the Villain, there needs to be some continuity – especially when other comics are carrying through a bit in detailing whom says yes and whom says no to Luthor’s offers.  Catwoman has enough “silent” problems in that the story is told with less dialogue.  In this case “less is NOT more”.  And while we may infer she is turning it down, or that the switch from Joëlle Jones to Ram V., is a new transition within the book.  However, the lack of continuity was not a selling point in this issue.

And again, frame upon frame of chasing and no dialogue.  I love that Selina has a “give and take” back with Batman in her head.  I cannot wait for her to contribute more in the pages.  Cats do meow!

Verdict

Unless I missed something, Issue 14 was an abrupt transition from Issue 13, and it serves as a stand alone beginning to a new adventure.  While overtones of messing with the Creel family in Villa Hermosa, there are a few cliff hangers that need to be addressed.  That’s the problem lately in that sticking with the Catwoman series is like riding a roller coaster of emotion… you don’t know what to expect from her or from Ram V or  Joëlle Jones