Selina Kyle is one of those members of the Bat-family that has seemed to struggle when she’s on her own. (As proof, we do see an image of Bruce Wayne during this issue!)

However, this incarnation of Catwoman is one of the best I’ve ever read, featuring a great mix of fact pacing and strong characterization that keeps me coming back for more!

CATWOMAN #5

Writer/Artist: Joëlle Jones
Colorist: Laura Allred
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover price: $3.99
Release Date: November 14, 2018

SOLICITATION: A secret hideout is supposed to be just that—secret. So how did her new villain’s criminal crew know where to plant an explosive in Selina’s new pad? As if that blow-up weren’t bad enough, the cops come calling and arrest Selina for murder. Locked up without bail, Catwoman finds that she isn’t very popular in jail, and must fight the other inmates just to stay alive and avoid a shiv. Will she make a deal with her new nemesis, that cagey Creel, or is orange the new black for Selina’s foreseeable future?

MAKING CATWOMAN PURR

I thought it would take me a lot longer to get over the recent “break-up” or Batman and Catwoman, but Ms. Jones has proven that Selina can have adventures on her own and tell them well!

The first time I encountered Jones was in a great book called You Have Killed Me. I was on the edge of my seat the entire story! So I was happy to hear that she was going to create this new run featuring Catwoman.

And I’m enjoying this first multi-part story. This individual chapter could easily have stood on its own, in fact!

There are parallel storylines going on in this issue–one with Catwoman in jail, and the other having to do with her latest villain, Raina Creel, and her family… at least, what’s left of it.

The action and the drama are just as compelling, with the tales meeting up with each other near the end of the issue. Of course, the finale is next month, which I’m greatly looking forward to already!

I always appreciate a “woman’s touch” to comics stories, with her breathing life into a variety of female characters. The pacing is quick and engaging, and just when I think I know what’s going to happen, I’m surprised! Love that in a comic!

ART THAT BEFITS THE CAT

I’m always intrigued by writer/artists in that I’d like to know if he or she write the story first and then draw it, or vice versa. In Catwoman, that rarely crosses my mind because the two are seamless.

Selina is drawn very slinkily, if that’s a word. She’s appealing and feminine, and yet also very dynamic, making things happen on many levels. These all make for a fun read.

BOTTOM LINE: The Cat Without The Bat

While Bruce does still invade Selina’s mind occasionally, she’s not obsessed with him, which I think it a good thing for her character. In my mind, the door is still open for them to re-meet, but they can’t run away from each other again. Please, not that!

Of course, Selina will survive all this—she’s the lead character, after all! But in Catwoman, it’s the how she does it that fascinates and intrigues me. With this first storyline percolating all so well, I’m also looking forward to future stories from this creative team. Highly recommended!