Selena’s got the skills, the wealth, the utilities, and everything in life that she could want. However, leaving Gotham doesn’t mean saying goodbye forever, as someone from Selena’s past has followed her trail of yarn, threatening to unspool the life she has built for herself in Absolute Catwoman #1!
This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Matt!
Creative Team
Scott Snyder, Che Grayson, Bengal, Lucas Gattoni, and Giovanna Niro.
Writing
Matt: Che and Scott make a great team in this first issue because it really has everything I could want. What stood out to me the most was how inventive they got with Selena’s suit. We haven’t really had a chance to spend time with her character in this universe. The decision to have her suit aid her, whereas it has always been a leather suit that doesn’t function, is genius.
What makes this story so compelling is that Che and Snyder are giving Selena a chance to have her own breath of fresh air and character outside of Gotham and Batman. I love the addition of her being an orphan from Cuba to add that layer of depth and representation to the mix and have her not be in Gotham at all to start. For the first time in a while it gives Catwoman a chance to build her own narrative that doesn’t rely on anyone elses run or story arc.
Megan: I cannot think of a harder-hitting first issue than Absolute Catwoman #1. From the jump, you are instantly locked into the storyline, getting to know Selina in an entirely new way. What I loved about this first issue is that while we’re presented with the plot and what Selina is up against, you also get to see just how much of a powerhouse she is. With all her martial arts training, her impressive knowledge, and her ability to always be one step ahead, you can see that Selina is criminally underrated.
The writers really brought the heat with this first issue, proving Selina Kyle is so much more than a catsuit-wearing vigilante, but someone of substance and depth. Someone who can stand on her own and be the force of nature she’s meant to be.
Art
Matt: Bengals’ artwork has a certain light-footed swiftness in the action sequences, as we would expect from Catwoman. They make great use of Selena’s home and make the setting feel as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. The suit design is sleek and efficient, and I have come to really love the helmet design and how useful that is within this universe too. The coloring by Niro blends in perfectly, as with Catwoman; she is a bit of a spy, and the suit coloring allows her to blend into the darkness that the setting lives in during this issue. However, there are still bright moments of orange with the explosions, and overall the palette is inviting.
Megan: The artwork of Absolute Catwoman #1 was nothing short of spectacular. There was so much to love about the art, and it’s all thanks to Bengal, Lucas Gattoni, and Giovanna Niro. Selina is drawn to be gorgeous and powerful, someone who stands out on every page of the comic. Her acrobatic fighting style is excellently executed, making the reader feel like they’re in the middle of the action, getting whiplash from trying to keep up with her movements. The coloring of the comic relies heavily on the juxtaposition of darker tones and vibrancy, which makes each page a work of art. The lettering, handled by Lucas Gattoni, leaves all the emotions on the table and captures the tones of the story expertly. You get a calm but dangerous vibe from Selina’s inner dialogue, while experiencing the outside dialogue of the characters. All in all, the artists made this a truly memorable issue.
Final Thoughts
Matt: 10/10. I dug this first issue of Absolute Catwoman immensely. We are invited into Selena’s life in a way that the reader hasn’t been before. Che and Snyder have built this backstory for Selena that is familiar but works within the Absolute Universe. The art team is light-handed with their action sequences and is firing on all cylinders, making this a standout debut issue.
Megan: 10/10. This comic should be on everyone’s pull list. Che and Snyder showed up and showed out with Absolute Catwoman #1, easily making this comic my favorite comic of the week.
Overall Grade: /10
How are you liking the debut issue of this series? Let me know in the comments
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