Absolute Catwoman Sticks the Landing in Her Solo Series Debut

As more DC Absolute comics release, I’m doing what I can to stay on top of them. While I’m definitely not up to date on the longer running ones with 10+ issues, the brand new ones just releasing are another story. Last time, I reviewed Absolute Green Arrow #1. While I did just pick up #2 the other day, I’m not ready to talk about that one. Today I wanted to take a look at Absolute Catwoman #1 and share my thoughts there.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

The story for this comic is pretty simple. It opens with Selina Kyla dealing with a cat burglar trying to rob her penthouse. She incapacitates the burglar, but then has to deal with a few more. Things are going in Catwoman’s favor until a bomb goes off, destroying her penthouse. The story then cuts back to Selina celebrating her birthday, visiting an island she intends to buy, reflecting on her decision to give up her life of crime, and segments of her childhood. Holly, one of her old friends and partners in crime, stops by with a cake. Holly asks Selina to do one more job, Selina refuses, and Holly leaves. When Selina goes to cut into the cake, she finds a mysterious orb hidden inside. That’s when the burglars show up. The comic ends with a chase and battle between Catwoman and the leader of the thieves, who stole the orb and kidnapped Holly. The fight ends in a draw with Catwoman escaping with the orb, but being forced to leave Holly behind.

Truth be told, the story didn’t grip me as much as I was expecting it to. I thought that it retreaded some old ground with a lot of the backstory stuff because I already know some of Catwoman’s backstory from the Absolute Batman comics. However, it dawned on me after the fact that some people reading this won’t have read Absolute Batman, so it would really suck if you had to read the one to understand the other. You don’t. You can go into Absolute Catwoman #1 with zero knowledge of the Absolute Universe and be fine. In that regard, I think the story does a fantastic job making itself accessible.

Comics are interesting when compared with a lot of other media because comics are serialized, so each one has the ultimate goal of hooking you so you buy the next one when it comes out. I think that Absolute Catwoman #1 does a decent job of creating a hook. It begins to set up overarching stakes with this strange orb and the mysterious people who want it, including Cassandra Cain (who is getting her own one-shot later this year). I am curious to see where it goes, and I trust Scott Snyder to make it interesting. Again, I wish that we got a little more plot movement, but seeing as this is the first issue in the arc, I can understand why a good chunk of space was dedicated to introducing the character and setting up her backstory and motivations.

One of the most intriguing things about the Absolute Universe is how it inverts the circumstances for the heroes and villains. For example, Batman isn’t a billionaire with two dead parents and a mansion and butler. Instead, his deceased father was a schoolteacher, his mother is still alive, and he’s actually on the poorer side of society. Catwoman was still an orphan and foster kid, but as an adult, she has all the money and tech she would ever need, from a motorcycle that transforms into a cat to a tail that doubles as a whip and belt-fed submachine loader to an AI in her suit. It’s a fun inversion, and I’m curious to see what happens with it. These details make me especially curious about how the social commentary is going to play out. The Absolute comics like to ask some hard-hitting and relevant questions about society, so I’m really wondering what Absolute Catwoman is going to say since it focuses on an anti-hero thief. Regardless, I am excited to see some more.

The last thing to talk about is the art. It’s good. I’ve come to really like the stylized art direction of the Absolute Universe, and Absolute Catwoman #1 is no different. The comic looks great, and I honestly cannot think of any panels I have issues with. The art direction and character designs are all phenomenal. You know that it’s a great comic because it’s just as fun to look at as it to read.

SPOILERS END

Overall, I do like Absolute Catwoman #1. I think that it’s a strong start for another storyline in the Absolute Universe. While I was hoping for a little bit more, I think that what we got still has plenty of potential. I don’t regret my purchase, especially because it was only $5.29. If you enjoy comics and superheroes, I cannot recommend the DC Absolute Universe comics enough, and Absolute Catwoman #1 is no exception.