Catwoman #23 // Review
Selina Kyle is flying to a secluded island. Everyone seems to think they know why she's there, including her. Selina may be surprised to find out the real reason why she has gone to the tropical island in Catwoman #23. Writers Blake Northcott and Sean Murphy begin a story drawn by Cian Tormey. Color rolls across the page courtesy of FCO Plascencia. Catwoman is in full international thief action mode in a story firmly rooted in the DC universe that ushers Selena into a promising plot. It's a charming opening chapter that pulls together enough intrigue to draw the reader to the page.
Selina has arrived in Isla, Nevada. The Spanish origin of the island's name's hidden meaning becomes apparent when Selena meets an old friend. The cocaine-based supervillain Snowflame is holding an auction of various artifacts. Villains from all over are attending the auction. Included on the auction is a list gathered from DC's greatest crimefighters that likely contains intel about every major villain in the DC universe. Selena may or may not be there for the list. She's definitely there for a hunt that finds her up against a ridiculously large big cat in Isla Nevada's jungles.
Northcott and Murphy move the first chapter of the new story swiftly through the pages of issue #23. Kyle is as charismatic as ever, keeping the true reason for her visit to the island secret to readers and acquaintances. Kyle is going to a pleasant place of intrigue. She's in quiet mystery mode here. Very few of her thoughts saunter across the page for the bulk of the issue. The page is graced by quite a few impressions of her from others, her thoughts don't land until the last panels.
Aided by Plascencia's engaging colors, Tormey manages a very sumptuous atmosphere for Isla Nevada. There's a lot of story going on from the moment Kyle lands on the island, so there aren't too many opportunities to get a big, panoramic feel to Isla Nevada, but each panel makes the best of what little negative space the page allows. Tormey nails the perfect look for Snowflame in a spot-on likeness of an aging Don Johnson dressed like Sonny Crockett from Miami Vice. There's a whimsical sense of adventure about Tormey's work that serves the story well.
It would be really nice to see Selena settle-down into something longer-term than a quick vacation like this. It's not unwelcome, though. Northcott, Murphy, and Tormey bring the reader on what promises to be a fun, little action vacation date for the end of this summer. Judging from the opening chapter, it's not going to be too terribly deep, but it looks like fun given the momentum that the creative team manages by issue's end.
