Catwoman #18 // Review
Selina Kyle has a favor to ask of a friend. Asking a favor of anyone isn’t terribly easy for a solitary figure like Selina. Those who are after her are going to make it that much more difficult in Catwoman #18. Writer/artist Joelle Jones is joined by artist Fernando Blanco and colorists Laura Allred and FCO Plascencia in an issue-length swagger shared by a couple of DC superwomen. What it lacks in substantial storytelling it more than makes up for in action hero attitude. There’s not a whole lot going on here, but Jones manages to filter-in a couple of intriguing, little mysteries that add to the action.
Selina Kyle has come to a magic club to meet with her old friend Zatanna. The sexy stage magician is more than happy to help out Catwoman as she feels as though she owes her. Kyle has no idea what she’s talking about, but THAT little mystery is the least of her concerns as a group of thugs have turned up at the club, evidently trailing Selina. A simple slugfest with a bunch of thugs might be boring, so Selina and Zatanna make a bet: they both engage the gentleman in the fight without the use of gimmicks. Zatanna is not to use magic. Catwoman can’t use her whip.
Though there’s also an endearing bit of drama with the extended cast beyond the foreground, Jones focuses the entire issue on Kyle, Zatanna, and the well-dressed thugs. The camaraderie between magician and thief keeps the issue-length combat fun even if the actual action isn’t delivered to the page with a great deal of finesse. Jones’ classy characterization of Zatanna makes an appealing case for the character getting her own series again. Even if it’s only combat, Zatanna makes for an attractive character in page and panel.
The art is split-up between Jones and Blanco in pragmatic splicing. Jones handles the dramatic, moody moments while Blanco handles the action. Jones’ detail is amplified by Allred’s beautiful colorwork. There’s sumptuous visual texture in Art Deco wallpaper, Kyle’s smokey eyes, and so much else. By contrast, Blanco’s work can feel hit-or-miss as some of the fight feels dynamically percussive while some of it lies flat on the page. The lack of finesse in the details is honored by Plascencia’s coloring of HIS work. The colorist conscientiously lets the depth provided by the artist do its own work without trying to gouge its own unearned depth into the panel. It looks okay. There isn’t too much of a jarring contrast between Jones and Blanco, but it would have been a lot more appealing to see Jones do the whole issue.
The guest appearance of Zatanna makes for a fun excursion from the central plot. It’s an appealing diversion that allows Jones to cast her own distinct light on a delightful character. Jones should do this sort of thing more often. Kyle is so completely solitary. It’s very refreshing to see her in the presence of others who are compatible with her personality.
