Considering Selina Kyle can break herself into any bank and manage a laser net like a champ you have to wonder how long a prison can hold her. This issue opens with Selina fighting her way out of a jailyard fistfight which is cool and all, but is it good?
Catwoman #50 (DC Comics)
If you’re wondering what this issue is about just know Catwoman was framed for murder. Per DC Comics’ solicit:
Catwoman behind bars?! Thrown into jail with criminals who are still looking to collect a bounty on her head, Selina has to work with her shadowy helper, Mr. Blond, in order to escape and get to the bottom of the mystery behind the Frost Diamond. Shocking revelations will be made before the end of this extra-sized conclusion to Tieri and Miranda’s “On the Run” adventure!
Why does this book matter?
This is a double sized issue that promises a climax and conclusion along with two backup stories. That’s more pages, more story, and ultimately more chance for good comics!
Not the best wardens…
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
The odds are against Catwoman and that’s always fun as she’s often the type of character that needs to have her back to the wall to unleash her best side. Opening in the prison yard, Frank Tieri establishes it’s Catwoman against the world, and with a collection of bad guys running the prison her chances are quite slim. Pitting our feline femme fatale against Zsasz and Clayface, Tieri gives us the action we want, plus a few surprises as well. Not spoiling anything here but the women of the DCU are well represented here.
Once the story slows down a major reveal of who Mr. Blond is drops and it’s a doozy. The story continues strongly due to a good recap of how things went down and how they will go down. Given these scenes are dialogue heavy you have to give Tieri credit for writing solid dialogue and infusing each moment with a bit of drama and tension. Ultimately Tieri gives Selena a solid story from beginning to end.
Fist to the face!
The two backups are fun as hell too! The first, written by Tieri and drawn by Dan Panosian and Alex Konat, delves into a mysterious item Catwoman will most likely want to steal. It’s an ancient mask that has a past that goes back to when Gotham was inhabited by Native Americans. It’s a well told story that’s both mythical and historical. The second backup also written by Tieri and drawn by Steve Pugh runs 5 pages, involves Catwoman stealing something and the Justice League! On top of that it ends with a funny joke and it’s a fantastic way to end this 50th issue milestone.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The general flow of the main story does have a wonkiness to it which may be in part due to the shared pencil and ink duties of Inaki Miranda and Geraldo Borges. Scenes don’t feel cohesive at every turn as the story jumps from the prison to Selina’s friend, then back to the prison. When a surprise visit pops in the art looks starkly different from the scene before and then ends abruptly. Ultimately each scene is good, but the balance between them isn’t perfect somehwat throwing you out of the story.
Is It Good?
The main story screams Ocean’s 11 in more ways than one and the two backups are fantastic too. This is can’t miss superhero comics!
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
