Catwoman #40

Catwoman has been more of a Selina Kyle book and I'm not complaining.  Genevieve Valentine is giving readers a smart and violent crime story that can't be found anywhere else in the DC Universe. Garry Brown's art fits it like a glove and if you are not reading it, shame on you.  This is one of the best books on the shelf nowadays. Read Full Review

In an industry where authors increasingly "write for the trades," Valentine is even more inclined than most to craft her storylines across long arcs. The first six books of her run on this title should be read as a unit. Like with Mario Puzo or John LeCarre, understanding of Valentine requires sinking into the world she creates and allowing the tide of the story to sweep you along through the eddies and shoals of the plot. Within this greater frame, Selina's decisions take on a kind of inevitability, as if they are necessary pieces of a puzzle or, perhaps a better metaphor, so many keys to various doors she must unlock on the journey she and the readers have undertaken. There are more decisions yet to come, more doors yet to open, more secrets yet to be revealed before the final shape of the puzzle is seen. But one thing is sure. It will be a picture of Gotham City. And it will not be a simple one. Read Full Review

This series has vastly improved under new writer Genevieve Valentine. Sure, it's a bit dry at times with its constant references to historical figures and the way it describes the unfolding gang war in Gotham more than it actually showcases said war. But this book has been great about exploring Selina Kyle's delicate new position in Gotham's underworld and the many challenges and sacrifices she's forced to make as she wars with Black Mask. Read Full Review

The whole thing ends with a lovely splash page of Selina finally donning her Catwoman costume, ready to put an end to everything once and for all. I also have to mention the variant cover to this issue that was the whole reason I picked this one up instead of going digital like I usually do. The 70's movie poster variant by Dave Johnson is simply wild. I for one wouldn't mind seeing a new Catwoman series set in that time period! Read Full Review

If you haven't been following along, you might get lost along the way. It's sort of like being dropped in the middle of a really good Sopranos season. You know it's good, but if you go back and catch up, it becomes that much better. Read Full Review

This is an excellent series and I am looking forward to what is coming down the pipe with Catwoman and the other crime families. Although the war was temporarily waylaid thanks to the interference of Penguin, what will the pudgy villain hang over Selinas head? And what will happen in the final confrontation between Catwoman and Black Mask…will history repeat itself and make Catwoman a killer again??? Cant wait to find out. Read Full Review

The conclusion to this arc may be a little more abrupt, and tamer than what I was expecting, but it's a damn good book. It feels like a prologue of what's to come, and if this is just the beginning, then I can't wait to see what's in store next! Read Full Review

Catwoman #40 was a great read and when it is included with the whole of the arc it is a satisfying finale. While the arc is not perfect and there are things that could be done better, it is the right direction for the book. Selina taking back the mantle of Catwoman will make her complete, and it is interesting to see how it will unfold. Read Full Review

Here's the great news: if you've missed out on Valentine and Brown's run, "Catwoman" #35-40 will be collected into "Catwoman: Keeper of the Castle" this August. In the meantime, don't be afraid to pick up an issue of Valentine and Brown's "Catwoman" to give it a sample. I think you'll like what you see. Read Full Review

Catwoman has verted some bullets for now but not all is over in Gotham and the proud anti-hero knows she still has work to do. Stay tuned to see the cat return to the pages and just what she will do in her old hunting grounds. Read Full Review

Tamère

Mar 26, 2015

This book has gone from being one of the New 52's worst titles to being one of the best. Hell, it hardly gets any better than this. The art is superb, the colours are incredible, and the writing is next to flawless. I simply wish DC had re-branded the title to something like "Selina Kyle", like they did with Grayson, because I'm afraid that Nocenti has ruined the Catwoman name for readers who could potentially be interested in reading the story. If this book is an example of what the post-Convergence DC line-up will look like, then this is super exciting.

FuzzyCracker

Mar 25, 2015

Not a climactic ending, but still a very satisfying one. A couple of subplots are ended rather weirdly, but overall it's a strong transition to the next stage of the greater story arc. Lots of subtle characterization all around.