The women of DC’s New 52 – Catwoman

Sex, violence and leather – just another day in the life of Catwoman

Catwoman needs little in the way of introduction.

Since Batman’s early days, Selina Kyle has been an adversary, ally and amourous liaison of Bruce Wayne – and, with her strong sexual allure and skintight leather outfit, has set many a rabid fanboy’s pulse racing in the process.

Writer Judd Winick plays up this aspect in this relaunch as part of DC’s New 52.

His Catwoman is a feline predator: aware of her sexuality and her hazy moral compass as she leaps from one perilous situation to the next – with her claws permanently unsheathed.

But have DC managed to avoid genre cliches and stereotypes – or is the new Catwoman just another thrill for the male-orientated audience?

Goodbye Kitty?

The issue opens with an attempt on Kyle’s life that turns her into a stray as her apartment is blown to bits.

She turns to friend and confidant Lola who tells her of a conveniently empty penthouse suite she can curl up in; and of an opportunity to make some much-needed cash courtesy of some local Russian mobsters.

This being Catwoman, things don’t go quite to plan, and the title earns its Teen+ rating with some explosive and bloody violence – leading on to some lusty leather-clad sexual exploits afterwards…

Bad Cat, go to your room

So, is Catwoman exploitative?

Gotham City Sirens artist Guillem March‘s striking mangaesque artwork enjoys lingering over Selina’s curves a bit too much; but Winick writes her as a strong-willed and powerful character, manipulating men to get what she wants (and needs)….so it’s perhaps a little too early to call a verdict on that.

One thing’s for sure – the New 52 Catwoman certainly has claws…

Verdict – 6/10