Catwoman: Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale - Softcover

Various

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1401202136 ISBN 13: 9781401202132

Publisher: DC Comics, 2004

Synopsis

Collects nine tales featuring Catwoman in her many roles, including hero, villain, and love interest for Batman.

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Reviews

Just in time for the release of the Catwoman movie comes this sharp gathering of nine Catwoman comics from the past 64 years. They provide not only an unintentionally hilarious synopsis of seven decades of fashion history but also some very entertaining comics. From her first appearance in the 1940s as a burglar to the high camp of the 1950s and '60s to the varied characterizations of the last 20 years, Catwoman has always added a touch of glamour to the gritty proceedings in Gotham City. In this collection, Catwoman is sometimes a hero, mostly a villain; sometimes Batman's nemesis, other times his lover. But all along, she's the subject of very affectionate comics, such as the woman-scorned tales of the '60s, or the 1986 story "A Town on the Night," which is entirely devoted to a Bat and Cat date. There's also "Object Relations" (1998), about a complicated love affair with a diamond. Recently, Catwoman has become more stylish and cartoony, as she carries her owns stories sans Batman. The art throughout most of the collection is top notch, encapsulating the many shifts in graphic styles since the 1940s, and includes standout work by Bruce Timm and Michael Avon Oeming. Superhero fans and newcomers will enjoy this entertaining collection equally.
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This collection of nine stories featuring one of Batman's oldest foes, timed to coincide with release of the Halle Berry movie Catwoman, opens with the character's 1940 first appearance as a seductive jewel thief simply dubbed "The Cat." Shortly thereafter, she donned mask, costume, and such accoutrements as a secret hideout (the Catacomb) and the souped-up Kitty Car. The standout among these cat tales is a seriously deranged, high-camp 1966 story, featuring a cameo by LBJ, in which Catwoman uses a magic wand to transform Superman into a supercat. As these stories show, over the years Catwoman altered her comic-book costume to correspond to what she wore in more-dominant-media manifestations, such as her 1960s TV series and the 1992 film Batman Returns. Although no story here is particularly distinguished, the character's current incarnation as a vigilante protecting Gotham City's downtrodden is arguably her best ever. Berry's cinematic realization bears little resemblance to any of the comic-book versions. Even so, the movie may extend readership for this collection beyond the comic-fan base. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: DC Comics
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1401202136
• ISBN 13: 9781401202132
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208