Comic Review: Batman/Catwoman #1

Batman/Catwoman #1

DC Comics

Writer: Tom King

Artists: Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey

Following a Batman run that was often a mixed bag of highs and lows, Tom King comes back to the character with Batman/Catwoman. I didn’t love every issue of Batman, but I’ve still been very much looking forward to this book. It seems like it suits King’s strengths more: it’s monthly, has a consistent artist, and a singular story focus. While Batman/Catwoman #1 isn’t completely blowing me away yet, it’ fine craft and intriguing plot threads are undeniable.

If there’s one thing that’s going to be divisive regarding the issue, it’s the structure. The story is split amongst three different times in Batman and Catwoman’s relationship, so there’s frequent jumping between the three. The thing that has me scratching my head is that the transitions are seamless. Sometimes it’s too seamless. The timeline will switch mid-page, or near the end, or between pages, and the only indication of this change is Catwoman’s costume. This only works as a perfect transition if Catwoman’s costume is present in the first panel of every time-shift, but this isn’t the case. Sometimes her costume is hidden in shadow, sometimes she’s not even wearing the costume, and I find myself wondering which time I’m in. It’s only an issue in a few of the many transitions so it’s not an egregious error, but I can’t imagine only reading the issue once and completely grasping it.

That aside, this is an incredibly well-crafted issue. While the plot isn’t what I’d call exciting quite yet,  the pacing is very strong, and the groundwork that’s being laid at our feet is intriguing. Given the heavy marketing, I don’t think it’s a spoiler to reveal that The Phantasm is at the center of the plot. As someone who’s unfamiliar with the character, I can’t say I quite get her deal yet. However, it doesn’t feel like I’m meant to yet. I don’t feel lost by her inclusion, I’m merely intrigued as to what her role is.

Beyond that, the future story featuring Catwoman and a mysterious old man is the one that has my attention the most. The connection to the overall story is the least clear in this one, but it’s inclusion raises all sorts of questions about how the other timelines are going to play out. It makes me more excited to see past events unfold because I desperately want to see how point A could possibly lead to point B. Knowing where things are ultimately headed is an interesting method of tension building.

It almost goes without saying at this point, but Clay Mann is a fantastic artist. This book contains so many incredible pages and panels that it borders on breathtaking. In collaboration with colorist Tomeu Morey, the art team delivers amazing shadow work, as well as some incredible action sequences. I think if Mann’s faces were a bit more emotive, he would easily rival the best artists currently working in comics. The art is moody, versatile, and always drop-dead gorgeous.

Batman/Catwoman #1 is not without flaws, but its strong foundation and character work more than make up for them. I think if the team can successfully build upon this groundwork, and the transitions become a bit more definitive, this has the potential to be their best work with the character.