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Catwoman (2001) (Old Editions)
Catwoman, Vol. 1: The Dark End of the Street
For years, Selina Kyle has prowled the skyline of Gotham City as its most famous thief, Catwoman. But when word spreads of Catwoman's demise, Selina decides to leave the costumed world behind and continue her trade cloaked in the shadows. Unable to enjoy her newfound anonymity for too long though, Selina decides that she must return to her infamous persona. Donning a new costume and attitude, Catwoman returns to the streets and sets her sights on the serial killer that has been preying upon the streetwalkers she calls friends.
This book collects the "Trail of the Catwoman" story from the backups of Detective Comics #759-762, which led into Catwoman (Volume 3), and the "Anodyne" storyline (Catwoman #1-4), by Ed Brubaker with Darwyn Cooke.
This book collects the "Trail of the Catwoman" story from the backups of Detective Comics #759-762, which led into Catwoman (Volume 3), and the "Anodyne" storyline (Catwoman #1-4), by Ed Brubaker with Darwyn Cooke.
136 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2002
6 people are currently reading
987 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,800 books2,977 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 21, 2019
I stopped in the middle of the Tom King Batman run because he has Batman and Catwoman make a little music together (I’ve only read through volume 2 so far), and I know more happens in that direction in the Batworld, so I wanted to remind myself what I knew of relatively recent approaches to Catwoman. I was looking for the origins of a sympathetic, vulnerable Catwoman who has—for a time—left her cat burglar life behind and actually wants to fight crime. And I recall Ed Brubaker wrote this Catwoman
This collection opens with Darwyn Cooke’s story of Catwoman, “Selina’s Big Score,” which is more a tribute to Richard Stark’s Parker series, several volumes of which he would later illustrate. The guy in this tale, Stark, is really Parker; a “real man,” chiseled and steely and without a drop of sympathetic emotion; that said, it’s not as good as the Parker volumes, as story or art. And Catwoman sort of plays weakly to Stark’s macho strength; the fit is wrong here. This is no set up for King’s version of Catwoman.
Brubaker’s contributions to this volume, the first of three volumes of Catwoman he wrote, is as most of his superhero writing: He’s making a superhero comic into a brooding crime comic. And I approve. The juxtaposition of Cooke’s cartoony retro-sixties art and Brubaker’s gritty brutality makes for an awkward fit, at times, but you can’t fault either of them for what they do here, really. They are great, and putting them together was an interesting experiment, but not entirely satisfying as collaborative event.
Brubaker begins with a tough guy detective, Slam Bradley (who looks and acts a lot like Stark), who is paid by Gotham's mayor to find Selina Kyle, and uh, finds her. So Catwoman returns to Gotham to catch a serial killer who kills prostitutes. She's a complex character, and likable, thanks to Brubaker, but that also means she skirts the dark side.
Importantly, we can see here the push me/pull you tension between the Cat and the Bat, the lively cat burglar and the brooding crime-fighter, and why it is that Tom King and company decided to move them just a little bit closer, shall we say. I also look forward to the Joelle Jones Catwoman run.
I think I will also read the remaining two volumes of this Brubaker run, too. We'll see.
This collection opens with Darwyn Cooke’s story of Catwoman, “Selina’s Big Score,” which is more a tribute to Richard Stark’s Parker series, several volumes of which he would later illustrate. The guy in this tale, Stark, is really Parker; a “real man,” chiseled and steely and without a drop of sympathetic emotion; that said, it’s not as good as the Parker volumes, as story or art. And Catwoman sort of plays weakly to Stark’s macho strength; the fit is wrong here. This is no set up for King’s version of Catwoman.
Brubaker’s contributions to this volume, the first of three volumes of Catwoman he wrote, is as most of his superhero writing: He’s making a superhero comic into a brooding crime comic. And I approve. The juxtaposition of Cooke’s cartoony retro-sixties art and Brubaker’s gritty brutality makes for an awkward fit, at times, but you can’t fault either of them for what they do here, really. They are great, and putting them together was an interesting experiment, but not entirely satisfying as collaborative event.
Brubaker begins with a tough guy detective, Slam Bradley (who looks and acts a lot like Stark), who is paid by Gotham's mayor to find Selina Kyle, and uh, finds her. So Catwoman returns to Gotham to catch a serial killer who kills prostitutes. She's a complex character, and likable, thanks to Brubaker, but that also means she skirts the dark side.
Importantly, we can see here the push me/pull you tension between the Cat and the Bat, the lively cat burglar and the brooding crime-fighter, and why it is that Tom King and company decided to move them just a little bit closer, shall we say. I also look forward to the Joelle Jones Catwoman run.
I think I will also read the remaining two volumes of this Brubaker run, too. We'll see.
August 21, 2023
This was excellent.
Salina is back in town trying her best to be a "hero" again. Most believed she died in No Man's Land but we all knew better. Cats with 9 lives and all. And so Catwoman comes back on the scene with a new costume and all. On top of that a old friend comes back to her explaining someone out there is murdering hookers. And so Salina takes it upon herself to find out who and why since the police don't care.
It's thrilling to see Salina and her inside thoughts. Brubaker writes an extremely likeable lead with some great action and motivation to boot. A villain who is horrifying but not downright evil. A corrupt city of Gotham that's disgusting to live in yet so fun to read. This is one of the best first arcs for a superhero comic I've read in a long time. The art is also fantastic, and fits the overall tone and feel of the series.
I can't wait to read more.
Salina is back in town trying her best to be a "hero" again. Most believed she died in No Man's Land but we all knew better. Cats with 9 lives and all. And so Catwoman comes back on the scene with a new costume and all. On top of that a old friend comes back to her explaining someone out there is murdering hookers. And so Salina takes it upon herself to find out who and why since the police don't care.
It's thrilling to see Salina and her inside thoughts. Brubaker writes an extremely likeable lead with some great action and motivation to boot. A villain who is horrifying but not downright evil. A corrupt city of Gotham that's disgusting to live in yet so fun to read. This is one of the best first arcs for a superhero comic I've read in a long time. The art is also fantastic, and fits the overall tone and feel of the series.
I can't wait to read more.
November 3, 2014
Bullet Review:
Excellent! I love the snappy art style and Catwoman is so much fun! A roguish heroine - sorta - written superbly by Brubaker. Will definitely continue to check out this line!
Excellent! I love the snappy art style and Catwoman is so much fun! A roguish heroine - sorta - written superbly by Brubaker. Will definitely continue to check out this line!
December 8, 2012
This is very clearly an Ed Brubaker comic as it starts with a private detective hired by a shady mayor to investigate a murder. Brubaker would go on to explore noir more memorably in the “Criminal” and “Fatale” series, and the opening of this story reads very much like those later books. In an earlier volume, Selina Kyle ran for mayor of New York and ended up dead... or is she? Slam Bradley (awesome name for a PI) is on the case. In the main story of this book, Catwoman returns to Gotham as a protector of women and hunts a serial killer who targets prostitutes.
The abusers of women-angle seems to be a staple of Catwoman stories as Judd Winick used it in his relaunch of the Catwoman series in the “New 52” and Brubaker uses it here in his 2002 relaunch. It’s not a bad storyline to use but seems a bit obvious and reactionary rather than clever and original. Then there’s the serial killer story which is ok but seems a bit underwhelming and unambitious for this character. Selina’s going through an identity crisis and resolves to be good which is ok but I like that Catwoman’s personality is ambiguous: sometimes she’s good, sometimes not. Being just good takes away the edge that made her character so compelling.
Darwyn Cooke draws the book so it looks a lot like the 90s animated Batman tv series and takes away the silly “Long Hallowe’en” purple Catwoman costume Tim Sale gave her (that stupid tail!) and gives her a more practical outfit that’s more suited to her adventures.
Overall, “The Dark End of the Street” is a fairly average outing for the character. It’s down to earth and (semi)realistic story is a good approach for Catwoman but I still felt it lacked pacing, a strong storyline, and energy. I like seeing her walk the line between good and evil with style and swagger but the Catwoman in this book has definitely chosen good and consequently feels de-clawed. This is a decent book but there are better Catwoman books; try “The Game” for a more exciting read.
The abusers of women-angle seems to be a staple of Catwoman stories as Judd Winick used it in his relaunch of the Catwoman series in the “New 52” and Brubaker uses it here in his 2002 relaunch. It’s not a bad storyline to use but seems a bit obvious and reactionary rather than clever and original. Then there’s the serial killer story which is ok but seems a bit underwhelming and unambitious for this character. Selina’s going through an identity crisis and resolves to be good which is ok but I like that Catwoman’s personality is ambiguous: sometimes she’s good, sometimes not. Being just good takes away the edge that made her character so compelling.
Darwyn Cooke draws the book so it looks a lot like the 90s animated Batman tv series and takes away the silly “Long Hallowe’en” purple Catwoman costume Tim Sale gave her (that stupid tail!) and gives her a more practical outfit that’s more suited to her adventures.
Overall, “The Dark End of the Street” is a fairly average outing for the character. It’s down to earth and (semi)realistic story is a good approach for Catwoman but I still felt it lacked pacing, a strong storyline, and energy. I like seeing her walk the line between good and evil with style and swagger but the Catwoman in this book has definitely chosen good and consequently feels de-clawed. This is a decent book but there are better Catwoman books; try “The Game” for a more exciting read.
July 19, 2008
"Because my world is all just shades of grey, Batman. That's why you'll never really understand me. It's about good people being forced into bad situations. That's my territory -- In between right and wrong. Which is a place you can never go. And we both know it."
August 30, 2022
(Zero spoiler review)
Following on from my Selina's Big Score review, and read in the Catwoman of East End omnibus: This is more like it. Now that Mr. Brubaker has joined the party, the whole thing is starting to sing, in a way that Selina's Big Score didn't. I had been critical of Cooke's writing, as well as his artistic direction and layouts. Despite being a stellar artist, it just didn't play to its strengths, with the slightly generic story not doing it nay favours either. But everything is just better here, despite being shorter and being much more about Slam Bradley than Selina herself. But hey, the jaded, grizzled detective on the trail of the mysterious femme fatale may be about as original as the slicing of bread, but there's a reason everybody does it. Because sandwiches with freshly sliced bread are bloody great, and so is a good, stereotypical noir. And Mr. Brubaker writes himself some good noir. It certainly isn't his best work, but even average Brubaker is still very much worth reading.
The narrative is better, the story flows better. Cooke's art (although I wish he would vary his 8/9 panel layouts more and give us some bigger art), is much better. Whether that was due to Brubaker's direction, or just me being a little too picky with Selina's Big Score due to the flat story, I don't know. I just know that it's better, and I'm glad for it. Here's to more better from here on in. 4/5
Following on from my Selina's Big Score review, and read in the Catwoman of East End omnibus: This is more like it. Now that Mr. Brubaker has joined the party, the whole thing is starting to sing, in a way that Selina's Big Score didn't. I had been critical of Cooke's writing, as well as his artistic direction and layouts. Despite being a stellar artist, it just didn't play to its strengths, with the slightly generic story not doing it nay favours either. But everything is just better here, despite being shorter and being much more about Slam Bradley than Selina herself. But hey, the jaded, grizzled detective on the trail of the mysterious femme fatale may be about as original as the slicing of bread, but there's a reason everybody does it. Because sandwiches with freshly sliced bread are bloody great, and so is a good, stereotypical noir. And Mr. Brubaker writes himself some good noir. It certainly isn't his best work, but even average Brubaker is still very much worth reading.
The narrative is better, the story flows better. Cooke's art (although I wish he would vary his 8/9 panel layouts more and give us some bigger art), is much better. Whether that was due to Brubaker's direction, or just me being a little too picky with Selina's Big Score due to the flat story, I don't know. I just know that it's better, and I'm glad for it. Here's to more better from here on in. 4/5
April 15, 2015
I like the art in this volume, as it reminded me, in a good way of 90s and early 2000s animated comic cartoons. Although there are a few obvious butt and splits shots, plus one of naked Selina before she slips into her cat suit commando, I enjoyed how this wasn't just another sexy female superhero comic, as Catwoman comics have tended to be lately. As usual, Matt Hollingsworth does a fantastic job with coloring, with expert use of blacks, grays and purples for the night scenes.
While Brubaker's writing isn't subtle, and I didn't love the Slam arc, I enjoyed the character that he created who would become the foundation for future Catwoman work. It's also undeniable that Brubaker is a master of mystery/detective stories. Selina Kyle/Catwoman is likeable in this volume, because she decides to put the mask back on in order to try to help the poor and disenfranchised on Gotham's East Side who aren't considered people by the police. Although Batman, with his vigilante justice, can be seen as living in the gray, it's interesting that, from Selina's perspective, Batman works in black and white, right and wrong, which is why it's difficult for him to understand the desperation that drives people to crime in the worst part of the city, where Selina grew up. In order to battle in this gray area, Catwoman is also more willing to go further than Batman into illegal territory, not just to help others, but because she has a mischievous streak.
While Brubaker's writing isn't subtle, and I didn't love the Slam arc, I enjoyed the character that he created who would become the foundation for future Catwoman work. It's also undeniable that Brubaker is a master of mystery/detective stories. Selina Kyle/Catwoman is likeable in this volume, because she decides to put the mask back on in order to try to help the poor and disenfranchised on Gotham's East Side who aren't considered people by the police. Although Batman, with his vigilante justice, can be seen as living in the gray, it's interesting that, from Selina's perspective, Batman works in black and white, right and wrong, which is why it's difficult for him to understand the desperation that drives people to crime in the worst part of the city, where Selina grew up. In order to battle in this gray area, Catwoman is also more willing to go further than Batman into illegal territory, not just to help others, but because she has a mischievous streak.
June 13, 2008
When Catwoman got her own comic it should have been an exciting new series, but it wasn’t. It was grade-A stinko; does anyone remember the awful “Women In Chains” issue where Catwoman had to fend for her life in a women’s penitentiary wearing full superheroine regalia? They don’t even get to wear their villain togs in Arkham Asylum!
What saved Catwoman was hiring Darwyn Cooke of “New Frontier” fame in remaking her as a Forties-styled noir harpy looming over Gotham City clad from head to toe in black leather with human fly goggles over her cat ears making her look sexy and inhuman, all at once.
The plot of “Dark End of the Street” involves a Jack The Ripper-type who murders hookers and runaways, the twist being that the killer isn’t a man but a certain stretchy villain? The Catwoman knows. This is bitch lit at it’s finest.
What saved Catwoman was hiring Darwyn Cooke of “New Frontier” fame in remaking her as a Forties-styled noir harpy looming over Gotham City clad from head to toe in black leather with human fly goggles over her cat ears making her look sexy and inhuman, all at once.
The plot of “Dark End of the Street” involves a Jack The Ripper-type who murders hookers and runaways, the twist being that the killer isn’t a man but a certain stretchy villain? The Catwoman knows. This is bitch lit at it’s finest.
February 20, 2009
This is truly what Catwoman was meant to be. Kick-arse, headstrong and the right amount of femininity with the cattitude to boot (hah, had to put the pun in)—a far more modern and sophisticated update of her late 90s version. Brubaker's storytelling is consistently gripping and entertaining.
April 3, 2012
Liked it. Very Noir.
Also, it was accessible to me even though I don't know the character's whole tangled decade-long storyline. It brought me in and made me curious enough that I just ordered the next three trades in the series.
Also, it was accessible to me even though I don't know the character's whole tangled decade-long storyline. It brought me in and made me curious enough that I just ordered the next three trades in the series.
September 14, 2020
I loved this. The art and the whole aesthetic fit Selina really well. Also the mystery in this book was really interesting as well!
July 4, 2018
I did not like the beginning of this very much. The issues narrated by the detective weren't interesting to me simply because he wasn't interesting to me. Not to mention the fact that we already know everything that he's about to learn: Selina Kyle and Catwoman are the same person, and neither of them are dead (I highly doubt I'd be reading a volume called "Catwoman" if they were). Once I got past that part, however, this was enjoyable. Catwoman dons a new costume and heads out to help out women in one of Gotham's worst areas. This is certainly darker than most comics I've read: Catwoman is hunting someone who's killing prostitutes and it's outright stated that the police don't care simply because of what the women do. It's depressing because it's truth in fiction. The law should protect everyone, not just the people who those enforcing it feel it should.
October 19, 2024
Selina serait morte mais le maire de Gotham, qui la hait, ne peux pas y croire. Il embauche un detective pour la débusquer.
Le grand retour de Selina a Crime Alley, et quel retour ! La Catwoman qu'on aime : sensible, prête à tout pour ceux qu'elle aime, badass ! <3
Le grand retour de Selina a Crime Alley, et quel retour ! La Catwoman qu'on aime : sensible, prête à tout pour ceux qu'elle aime, badass ! <3
November 5, 2010
Re-Read Review:
So I've decided in the wake of becoming totally obsessed with Ed Brubaker's Catwoman reboot, I have to give this a five star rating. The only reason for the four star rating was because I did not initially warm to Darywn Cooke's art (much like I did not initially warm to Tim Sale's art), but the second time around...I dug it. Also, if for nothing else I must give Darywn Cooke mad props for the genius revamp he gave the Catwoman costume. Brilliant!
The story was still just as engaging the second time around. Brubaker's strong noir style really comes across while reading. Unfortunately, I found out that the series has ended and that Brubaker's run only lasts until somewhere in the 30s. Regardless, I still have 2 and 1/2 volumes to read of his and then 5 volumes of Catwoman under a new writer. I will give it a shot but I'm not making any promises!
I can't recommend this enough!
******************************************************
Let's get this straight right off the bat. The only reason I did not give this five stars is because I don't really care for Darwyn Cooke's illustration. If this had been done by Jim Lee, Tim Sale, or Tony Daniel...then it would have gotten 5 stars no doubt, but that is a moot point.
I am incredibly excited to have started this despite my initial reservations. This is exactly the kind of Catwoman story I have wanted to read. First of all, the beginning is brilliant. Resurrecting the golden age character of Slam Bradley (who is essentially DC's Dick Tracy), to begin the Catwoman series.
Oh, and the little fact that Catwoman is dead.
So how exactly does this become the Catwoman series I've always wanted. Well, that's tricky.
Let me say that the character of Catwoman is introduced and does become the focus of the series. Her character is a strong, empowered feminist. I was going to include a quote from the text, but at some point she muses that she lives "in the grey", and that is so true!
Catwoman is a complicated character who also happens to be a female.
I find her constant thematic ties to whores sociologically fascinating and I'm sure if I had more time, I could write a thesis on it. However, I am looking forward to working my way through the Catwoman series, which apparently is still going.
So I've decided in the wake of becoming totally obsessed with Ed Brubaker's Catwoman reboot, I have to give this a five star rating. The only reason for the four star rating was because I did not initially warm to Darywn Cooke's art (much like I did not initially warm to Tim Sale's art), but the second time around...I dug it. Also, if for nothing else I must give Darywn Cooke mad props for the genius revamp he gave the Catwoman costume. Brilliant!
The story was still just as engaging the second time around. Brubaker's strong noir style really comes across while reading. Unfortunately, I found out that the series has ended and that Brubaker's run only lasts until somewhere in the 30s. Regardless, I still have 2 and 1/2 volumes to read of his and then 5 volumes of Catwoman under a new writer. I will give it a shot but I'm not making any promises!
I can't recommend this enough!
******************************************************
Let's get this straight right off the bat. The only reason I did not give this five stars is because I don't really care for Darwyn Cooke's illustration. If this had been done by Jim Lee, Tim Sale, or Tony Daniel...then it would have gotten 5 stars no doubt, but that is a moot point.
I am incredibly excited to have started this despite my initial reservations. This is exactly the kind of Catwoman story I have wanted to read. First of all, the beginning is brilliant. Resurrecting the golden age character of Slam Bradley (who is essentially DC's Dick Tracy), to begin the Catwoman series.
Oh, and the little fact that Catwoman is dead.
So how exactly does this become the Catwoman series I've always wanted. Well, that's tricky.
Let me say that the character of Catwoman is introduced and does become the focus of the series. Her character is a strong, empowered feminist. I was going to include a quote from the text, but at some point she muses that she lives "in the grey", and that is so true!
Catwoman is a complicated character who also happens to be a female.
I find her constant thematic ties to whores sociologically fascinating and I'm sure if I had more time, I could write a thesis on it. However, I am looking forward to working my way through the Catwoman series, which apparently is still going.
July 29, 2015
What's not to love a noir Catwoman story by Brubaker and Cooke?
Man this arc and side story be super fun. One of my favorite artists and one of the best crime comic book writers writing about a cat burglar, what's not to love. This is the reintroduction of the soft reboot of Selina Kyle after No Man's Land and it's mighty foin:
World: Cooke's art is distinct and he's in a class of his own. The line work the character designs, the framing, just all Ooze with style. One look you will either love it or you will hate it, it's that simple, and I can't get enough. The world building by Brubaker is also wonderfully splendid with a deeper look into East Gotham and the streets. It's a down and dirty look at a population who has fallen off the radar. The world feels real and stylized and is a wonderful sandbox for Selina to play in.
Story: This is where the story loses a star. Not because it's not a great story with wonderful dialog, and character work, but because this is a personal preference thing. This is a rereading for me and I know where the rest of the series goes (some pretty dark places) and I love it. This particular arc felt like an episode of Batman the Animated Series (which I also hold dear to my heart) I don't like the villain that's the problem. But other than that this story is superb. Also of note is the Slam Bradley story which is fun and reading it first allowed us to get a sense of Selina before we met her again since her apparent death. It's tonally fun and Slam is a great character.
Character: This is where Brubaker and Cooke excel the most. The internal dialog is great, the personalities fun a and complex, it's them at their best. The character that are introduced here are good additions and team Selina. Selina is strong in her voice, she torn in her identity and her mission which started off as murky is now quite clear. It's a clear arc that makes sense and also allows for her new direction and how she would fit into the Gotham mythos. Good stuff!
A strong arc, kinda irked by a animated series type villain. This character is wonderful and having these writers and illustrator team take on Selina is a joy.
Onward to the next book!
Man this arc and side story be super fun. One of my favorite artists and one of the best crime comic book writers writing about a cat burglar, what's not to love. This is the reintroduction of the soft reboot of Selina Kyle after No Man's Land and it's mighty foin:
World: Cooke's art is distinct and he's in a class of his own. The line work the character designs, the framing, just all Ooze with style. One look you will either love it or you will hate it, it's that simple, and I can't get enough. The world building by Brubaker is also wonderfully splendid with a deeper look into East Gotham and the streets. It's a down and dirty look at a population who has fallen off the radar. The world feels real and stylized and is a wonderful sandbox for Selina to play in.
Story: This is where the story loses a star. Not because it's not a great story with wonderful dialog, and character work, but because this is a personal preference thing. This is a rereading for me and I know where the rest of the series goes (some pretty dark places) and I love it. This particular arc felt like an episode of Batman the Animated Series (which I also hold dear to my heart) I don't like the villain that's the problem. But other than that this story is superb. Also of note is the Slam Bradley story which is fun and reading it first allowed us to get a sense of Selina before we met her again since her apparent death. It's tonally fun and Slam is a great character.
Character: This is where Brubaker and Cooke excel the most. The internal dialog is great, the personalities fun a and complex, it's them at their best. The character that are introduced here are good additions and team Selina. Selina is strong in her voice, she torn in her identity and her mission which started off as murky is now quite clear. It's a clear arc that makes sense and also allows for her new direction and how she would fit into the Gotham mythos. Good stuff!
A strong arc, kinda irked by a animated series type villain. This character is wonderful and having these writers and illustrator team take on Selina is a joy.
Onward to the next book!
gave-up-on
December 9, 2015My Brief Bookshelf Overview: gave-up-before-finishing, mellow, playful, steady-storytelling-style, story-not-intriguing-enough
Additional Notes: This collection contains Catwoman issues #1-4 and "The Trail of the Catwoman" featured in Detective Comics issues #759-762.
Probable Rating (if I had finished this) : {1.5/5 stars}
Well now, what do we have here? A shitty noir book? Not sure I've read very many of those, but now that I think about it, I guess they must exist. But how many of them could possibly be written by the legendary Ed Brubaker? Before this, I would have guessed none.
I honestly couldn't even get through "The Trail of the Catwoman," and that was only about 30-32 pages. Can you imagine that? Is this really supposed to be a Brubaker book?! This could very well be the most boring comic book I've read all year. But through it's cartoonish, banal, and lightweight presentation, I think it's taught me just how terrible noir can be if you don't know what you're doing. I actually always thought noir plus Brubaker equals hot shit (in a good way), but it turns out that this one was simply hot shit (in a bad way).
Additional Notes: This collection contains Catwoman issues #1-4 and "The Trail of the Catwoman" featured in Detective Comics issues #759-762.
Probable Rating (if I had finished this) : {1.5/5 stars}
Well now, what do we have here? A shitty noir book? Not sure I've read very many of those, but now that I think about it, I guess they must exist. But how many of them could possibly be written by the legendary Ed Brubaker? Before this, I would have guessed none.
I honestly couldn't even get through "The Trail of the Catwoman," and that was only about 30-32 pages. Can you imagine that? Is this really supposed to be a Brubaker book?! This could very well be the most boring comic book I've read all year. But through it's cartoonish, banal, and lightweight presentation, I think it's taught me just how terrible noir can be if you don't know what you're doing. I actually always thought noir plus Brubaker equals hot shit (in a good way), but it turns out that this one was simply hot shit (in a bad way).
July 31, 2013
If anyone’s looking for a great starting point when it comes to Catwoman, this book is where it’s at. Writer Ed Brubaker, art by Darwyn Cooke and Mike Allred. This book establishes a Selina Kyle whose power is not tied to her sexuality. She exudes a subtle sexiness, but that is FAR from the most defining aspect of her character.
We watch as Selina tries to reconcile the demons of her past with her desire to do good in the present. And I love the direction she takes! A new era of looking out for others rather than just taking for herself. Her newfound mission promises to play interestingly as shades of grey within the context of Batman’s black and white worldview.
But this is not just a morality tale, we get to see Selina in action as Catwoman. We get to see her exhibiting the agility, quick thinking and charm that defines her as Catwoman. It’s fun to see the skills she’s developed in her past being used to serve a more noble fight in the present.
We watch as Selina tries to reconcile the demons of her past with her desire to do good in the present. And I love the direction she takes! A new era of looking out for others rather than just taking for herself. Her newfound mission promises to play interestingly as shades of grey within the context of Batman’s black and white worldview.
But this is not just a morality tale, we get to see Selina in action as Catwoman. We get to see her exhibiting the agility, quick thinking and charm that defines her as Catwoman. It’s fun to see the skills she’s developed in her past being used to serve a more noble fight in the present.
July 11, 2016
This is my first experience reading a solo Catwoman tale, glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the poppy, Eisner-esque art style, found the plot itself to be efficiently paced & compelling enough throughout- though I could do without the nonsensical body horror that plays out in the climax. A fun read from start to finish & it does a great job introducing Catwoman to new fans (like myself) while also staying true to the character in a way that hardcore fans will appreciate.
(P.S. I found the Slam Bradley companion piece to be excellent throughout, just a fun noir throwback with snappy dialogue that never ventured too far into self-parody territory with great artwork from Darwyn. An unexpected surprise.)
(P.S. I found the Slam Bradley companion piece to be excellent throughout, just a fun noir throwback with snappy dialogue that never ventured too far into self-parody territory with great artwork from Darwyn. An unexpected surprise.)
June 11, 2019
Pretty good crime comic. The first arc seemed to be exploring flaws in Batman through the lens of a herofied Catwoman. It is basically a Batman story with Catwoman playing the detective, but she trusts and works more closely with her civilian help. Cooke's art was excellent and probably where the 4th star actually came from.
August 27, 2017
Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke on one book together? Be still my beating heart. The story that sets Catwoman more decisively on her road to redemption.
December 27, 2017
The best version of Catwoman. A moody film-noir. No world ending crises. Just human beings making good and bat choices. But some of them dress like cats and bats and punch people or steal things.
August 14, 2020
I forgot how great Brubaker is. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years, and this is still as great as ever. Gritty noir mix with comic book weirdness. Highly recommend.
September 23, 2021
It is a good story with a great character like her and with what she teaches that we can have power with ourselves.
January 27, 2024
From acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker, and late artist Darwyn Cooke, this title serves as a vindicating take on the character of ‘Catwoman’, placing Selina Kyle at a recovery state where she’s trying to leave her crime life behind with the help of Doctor Leslie Thompkins, who’s guiding her under the recommendation of Bruce Wayne. In the meantime, there’s a new series of murders happening at Gotham’s alleys; it seems someone is killing off prostitutes, and police aren’t doing anything to capture the responsible. So now, it seems it will be Selina’s mission to find out who the killer is, returning to her former alter ego, this time, as a crime fighter rather than a thief.
Brubaker is a great author, proof enough should be his involvement in titles such as Marvel’s ‘Captain America’, even his ‘Daredevil’ run, and he’s not an unknown figure to the ‘Batman’ universe. His take on ‘Catwoman’ is a solid one, and his approach as a developer of her heroic path represents the new version of the villain turned into an anti-hero, which it’ll be the principal treatment given to her in the years following this publication. Brubaker grants a great depth to Selina and watching her interacting with Doctor Thompkins is a great callback to ‘Batman’ coming to her for psychological introspection. Also, Brubaker is well-known for his noir-like approach to street-level characters, and the fact that this is a sort of a “detective-oriented” story fits perfectly for the kind of character Selina Kyle is depicted as. She’s not ‘Batman’s’ equal, but she’s trying to do the right thing by finding this killer, aware of the police’s careless treatment of the case. Brubaker combines a lighthearted narrative of a hero’s depiction with some adult themes here and there, without going all the way with either graphic violence, or suggestive imagery. It almost resembles the subtlety of Frank Miller’s style during his ‘Marvel/DC’ years, in the 80s. On the other hand, Cooke’s art feels unique, colorful, but filled with enough shadows and dark tones to complement and maintain the noir themes in the plot. Cooke’s style strongly resembles Bruce Timm’s style from the classic ‘Batman the Animated Series’, but less refined, and more abstract. There’s a pin-up value to his pencils, so the female characters look gorgeous, with a certain 1950s aesthetics, which makes ���Catwoman’ look great for the eye-candy part of the title.
The mini-series is only four issues long, but it won’t be the only work made by Cooke about ‘Catwoman’. Both talents (Brubaker and Cooke) work perfectly synched in this, with Brubaker’s highly skilled sense of flow regarding his plot, and the introspection given to his lead character, adding Cooke’s childish but stylized imagery makes for a decently constructed crime-tale, and a quest for redemption from a character that is looking to start over, this time, heading towards a more hopeful, and promising path.
For any ‘DC’ reader, or even ‘Batman’ fan, this is highly recommended; a great lecture that, while limiting to few issues to showcase its script, it does please from a narrative, and visual standpoint, making it perhaps one of the most underrated titles regarding one of Batman’s most popular allies/foes.
Brubaker is a great author, proof enough should be his involvement in titles such as Marvel’s ‘Captain America’, even his ‘Daredevil’ run, and he’s not an unknown figure to the ‘Batman’ universe. His take on ‘Catwoman’ is a solid one, and his approach as a developer of her heroic path represents the new version of the villain turned into an anti-hero, which it’ll be the principal treatment given to her in the years following this publication. Brubaker grants a great depth to Selina and watching her interacting with Doctor Thompkins is a great callback to ‘Batman’ coming to her for psychological introspection. Also, Brubaker is well-known for his noir-like approach to street-level characters, and the fact that this is a sort of a “detective-oriented” story fits perfectly for the kind of character Selina Kyle is depicted as. She’s not ‘Batman’s’ equal, but she’s trying to do the right thing by finding this killer, aware of the police’s careless treatment of the case. Brubaker combines a lighthearted narrative of a hero’s depiction with some adult themes here and there, without going all the way with either graphic violence, or suggestive imagery. It almost resembles the subtlety of Frank Miller’s style during his ‘Marvel/DC’ years, in the 80s. On the other hand, Cooke’s art feels unique, colorful, but filled with enough shadows and dark tones to complement and maintain the noir themes in the plot. Cooke’s style strongly resembles Bruce Timm’s style from the classic ‘Batman the Animated Series’, but less refined, and more abstract. There’s a pin-up value to his pencils, so the female characters look gorgeous, with a certain 1950s aesthetics, which makes ���Catwoman’ look great for the eye-candy part of the title.
The mini-series is only four issues long, but it won’t be the only work made by Cooke about ‘Catwoman’. Both talents (Brubaker and Cooke) work perfectly synched in this, with Brubaker’s highly skilled sense of flow regarding his plot, and the introspection given to his lead character, adding Cooke’s childish but stylized imagery makes for a decently constructed crime-tale, and a quest for redemption from a character that is looking to start over, this time, heading towards a more hopeful, and promising path.
For any ‘DC’ reader, or even ‘Batman’ fan, this is highly recommended; a great lecture that, while limiting to few issues to showcase its script, it does please from a narrative, and visual standpoint, making it perhaps one of the most underrated titles regarding one of Batman’s most popular allies/foes.
April 7, 2019
Darwyn Cooke's style was so classic and so timeless, it seems hardly believable that this was the "beginning" of his comics career (he'd had some issues here and there and worked on the Batman Beyond Animated Series). For his start, he's teamed up with Ed Brubaker, one of the greatest crime comic writers to take on the ambiguous criminal Catwoman. Another classic artist is also on the team with Mike Allred, but his style is much less obvious than Cooke's.
Brubaker's run on Catwoman began in the back pages of Detective Comics 569-572, in a story called Trail of The Catwoman (which is the highlight of this volume for me). PI Slam Bradley is hired to find Selina Kyle AND Catwoman by the mayor. Bradley's hard character and macho persona foreshadow Cooke's later work on Parker and Brubaker can obviously write a PI story.
Then Brubaker's official run on Catwoman begins with its first arc, Anodyne. Having returned from hiding, Selina is searching for herself. The past few years have been more about enriching herself than helping the needy, and her therapy with Dr. Leslie Thompkins makes her realize that she'd like to get back to that. At the same time, her friend Holly Robinson is back from the dead (literally, Brubaker has stated that he just wasn't aware she'd been killed off in the past) and informs her that a serial killer has been hunting Gotham's prostitutes. This arc was not as good, Cooke is still very talented but he hasn't reached his peak level (he would a few months later with Selina's Big Score) and the story is fairly straightforward.
The final story is Catwoman: Secret Files and Origins, a one-shot drawn by Michael Avon Oeming. It reads more like a fun backup story than anything very significant unfortunately.
A fun story if you're a fan of Catwoman, Brubaker and Cooke but it pales in comparison to Selina's Big Score.
Brubaker's run on Catwoman began in the back pages of Detective Comics 569-572, in a story called Trail of The Catwoman (which is the highlight of this volume for me). PI Slam Bradley is hired to find Selina Kyle AND Catwoman by the mayor. Bradley's hard character and macho persona foreshadow Cooke's later work on Parker and Brubaker can obviously write a PI story.
Then Brubaker's official run on Catwoman begins with its first arc, Anodyne. Having returned from hiding, Selina is searching for herself. The past few years have been more about enriching herself than helping the needy, and her therapy with Dr. Leslie Thompkins makes her realize that she'd like to get back to that. At the same time, her friend Holly Robinson is back from the dead (literally, Brubaker has stated that he just wasn't aware she'd been killed off in the past) and informs her that a serial killer has been hunting Gotham's prostitutes. This arc was not as good, Cooke is still very talented but he hasn't reached his peak level (he would a few months later with Selina's Big Score) and the story is fairly straightforward.
The final story is Catwoman: Secret Files and Origins, a one-shot drawn by Michael Avon Oeming. It reads more like a fun backup story than anything very significant unfortunately.
A fun story if you're a fan of Catwoman, Brubaker and Cooke but it pales in comparison to Selina's Big Score.
May 14, 2022
This volume begins with a detective's search for Catwoman who's supposedly dead and also Selina Kyle is also dead go figure figure figure. Well, Art is weird and very likable. The story is nice as well. I had just finished reading the DC Icons series of YA books on Catwoman so the story was a little bit familiar. I am glad to read a bit more about the Catwoman and also Selina Kyle. So then till next time, I shall do and you shall too just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bits, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bits, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
February 18, 2016
5.5
Demasiado bueno.
Fue mala idea leer el tomo 3 antes que este (por equivocación) porque me adelantó algunas cosas, pero no le quitó ninguna gracia a este... que me gustó más.
Se divide en dos partes:
Una, la del detective privado Slam Bradley (que justamente aparece en el tercer tomo como amigo de Selina) tras la pista de Catwoman a pedido del alcalde.
Se sabe (o cree) que está muerta, pero el alcalde no piensa lo mismo, por lo que lo contrata a Slam para que la encuentre o confirme si es verdad. En el camino de esto, Bradley justamente confirma sus sospechas, pero al mismo tiempo une a Gatúbela con Selina Kyle (quien también se cree que está muerta y él descubre que no).
Luego de indagar a fondo y de preguntar si alguien la ha visto, consigue un testimonio de alguien que la vio, y tras haber hablado anteriormente con Bruce Wayne, es que llega a él Selina viva, avisada por Batman. Pero por alguna razón, la deja escapar y renuncia al caso.
La otra parte, que es mucho más larga, es la Selina volviendo a ser Catwoman e investigando un nuevo caso, al cual llega por medio de Holly, quien le dice que las prostitutas están siendo asesinadas y los policias no hacen nada al respecto.
La vemos haciendo terapia y teniendo charlas con Leslie Thompkins sobre ella y su otro yo, sus sueños y su vida.
En el transcurso del cómic la veremos teniendo algunos encuentros con Batman y tratando de volver a encontrarse a sí misma, mientras lucha contra el mal de Gotham.
Así que, en fin, me encantó este tomo, es muy bueno. Ya leí The Man Who Laughs y el tercer tomo de esta Catwoman con Ed Brubaker como guionista, y debo decir que crea muy buenas historias. Los dibujos, que no sé de quiénes son, me encantan, le dan una onda muy ochentosa.
Es muy recomendable, sobre todo si te gusta e interesa el mundo de DC, Batman, Gótica y Gatúbela.
Mañana quiero leer el que sigue, me encanta.
Demasiado bueno.
Fue mala idea leer el tomo 3 antes que este (por equivocación) porque me adelantó algunas cosas, pero no le quitó ninguna gracia a este... que me gustó más.
Se divide en dos partes:
Una, la del detective privado Slam Bradley (que justamente aparece en el tercer tomo como amigo de Selina) tras la pista de Catwoman a pedido del alcalde.
Se sabe (o cree) que está muerta, pero el alcalde no piensa lo mismo, por lo que lo contrata a Slam para que la encuentre o confirme si es verdad. En el camino de esto, Bradley justamente confirma sus sospechas, pero al mismo tiempo une a Gatúbela con Selina Kyle (quien también se cree que está muerta y él descubre que no).
Luego de indagar a fondo y de preguntar si alguien la ha visto, consigue un testimonio de alguien que la vio, y tras haber hablado anteriormente con Bruce Wayne, es que llega a él Selina viva, avisada por Batman. Pero por alguna razón, la deja escapar y renuncia al caso.
Y eso fue todo. Entra y sale, mi mundo se pone patas arriba. No fue lo que dijo; fue la expresión con que lo dijo. Con un poco de suerte, esa expresión tal vez me ayude a superar cualquier marrón que tenga con el alcalde, cuando le diga que lo dejo. Pero, por ahora, no me importa. Sólo escucho cómo se va. Escucho cómo desaparece en la distancia... y sé que he hecho algo bueno.
La otra parte, que es mucho más larga, es la Selina volviendo a ser Catwoman e investigando un nuevo caso, al cual llega por medio de Holly, quien le dice que las prostitutas están siendo asesinadas y los policias no hacen nada al respecto.
La vemos haciendo terapia y teniendo charlas con Leslie Thompkins sobre ella y su otro yo, sus sueños y su vida.
En el transcurso del cómic la veremos teniendo algunos encuentros con Batman y tratando de volver a encontrarse a sí misma, mientras lucha contra el mal de Gotham.
Enemigos desde el principio... porque mi mundo está hecho de tonos de gris, Batman. Por eso nunca me entenderás de verdad. Está hecho de buena gente sin quererlo metida en malas situaciones. Ése es mi territorio. Entre el bien y el mal. Un lugar al que nunca podrás ir. Y los dos lo sabemos. Igual que sé que al final podré dormir.
Así que, en fin, me encantó este tomo, es muy bueno. Ya leí The Man Who Laughs y el tercer tomo de esta Catwoman con Ed Brubaker como guionista, y debo decir que crea muy buenas historias. Los dibujos, que no sé de quiénes son, me encantan, le dan una onda muy ochentosa.
Es muy recomendable, sobre todo si te gusta e interesa el mundo de DC, Batman, Gótica y Gatúbela.
Mañana quiero leer el que sigue, me encanta.
September 15, 2020
I wasn't too fond of the Catwoman issues that I read prior to the release of this book because I found the stories too campy and the image of Catwoman too sexualized. However, I decided to purchase this book because I've heard good things about it. It is also drawn by Darwyn Cooke. This just goes to show that you don't have to draw Catwoman in a sexualized manner to tell a good Catwoman story.
This book contains two stories. The first story, The Trail of the Catwoman, focused more on Slam Bradley who was tasked to track down the Catwoman. This is a really good story and I enjoyed reading about Slam Bradley. He is such a badass.
Catwoman takes the lead role in the second story, Anodyne. In this story, Selina Kyle goes back to Gotham City and tries to start a new life. However, she soon realizes that Catwoman is a part of who she is and is not something that she can run away from. Similar to the first story, this story involves a lot of detective work as Catwoman tries to figure out who is killing the prostitutes in her new costume. I only wish Brubaker made the villain more grounded. I really think the villain did not suit the story. Having said that, this is really a wonderful book. My favorite scene is the introspection scene wherein Catwoman analyzes what sets her apart from Batman.
This book contains two stories. The first story, The Trail of the Catwoman, focused more on Slam Bradley who was tasked to track down the Catwoman. This is a really good story and I enjoyed reading about Slam Bradley. He is such a badass.
Catwoman takes the lead role in the second story, Anodyne. In this story, Selina Kyle goes back to Gotham City and tries to start a new life. However, she soon realizes that Catwoman is a part of who she is and is not something that she can run away from. Similar to the first story, this story involves a lot of detective work as Catwoman tries to figure out who is killing the prostitutes in her new costume. I only wish Brubaker made the villain more grounded. I really think the villain did not suit the story. Having said that, this is really a wonderful book. My favorite scene is the introspection scene wherein Catwoman analyzes what sets her apart from Batman.
March 3, 2013
Überzeugend
In diesem Comic überzeugt sowohl das Skript von Ed Brubaker als auch die Zeichnungen von Darwyn Cooke. Sehr "noir" und detektivisch angelegt ist Catwoman glaubwürdig und nicht übertrieben superheldenhaftig. Besser als die normalen Catwoman-Ausgaben (1-4 sind in diesem Band enthalten) gefallen mir sogar die vorgeschalteten "Slam Bradley"-Geschichten, die dieses schmutzige, zwielichtige und fiese Milieu, in dem sich die neue Catwoman bewegt, sehr schön illustrieren.
Cookes Zeichnungen sind sehr stilisiert und erinnern stark an Werbeplakate der 40er und 50er Jahre, und passen hervorragend zur Thematik.
Ein sehr gelungener Reboot für Catwoman.
In diesem Comic überzeugt sowohl das Skript von Ed Brubaker als auch die Zeichnungen von Darwyn Cooke. Sehr "noir" und detektivisch angelegt ist Catwoman glaubwürdig und nicht übertrieben superheldenhaftig. Besser als die normalen Catwoman-Ausgaben (1-4 sind in diesem Band enthalten) gefallen mir sogar die vorgeschalteten "Slam Bradley"-Geschichten, die dieses schmutzige, zwielichtige und fiese Milieu, in dem sich die neue Catwoman bewegt, sehr schön illustrieren.
Cookes Zeichnungen sind sehr stilisiert und erinnern stark an Werbeplakate der 40er und 50er Jahre, und passen hervorragend zur Thematik.
Ein sehr gelungener Reboot für Catwoman.
December 25, 2017
That was fantastic. It was so pulpy, it was even printed on newsprint. At first, I wasn't so sure about this; the art ( by Darwyn Cooke and Cameron Stewart and Mike Allred, all working in a very similar style) was small and dark and hard for my old eyes to see. But I sat up under a bright light and was soon won over. This is Catwoman if Raymond Chandler were writing her. This is the best Catwoman I've ever known. Where has Ed Brubaker been all my life and why haven't I heard of him before? I'm planning to read everything he's done, starting with the rest of his Catwoman books.
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