Batman And ... 22. It's Catwoman's turn in the spotlight, but was it really necessary?
Catwoman guest stars in this issue during the time of Batman's grieving. Along with Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, and Mick Gray on helping during Batman's long dark process of grieving.
The Good
I didn't entirely like how Batman and Catwoman had a team up in this issue, but this being Gotham City, I guess you don't have many other choices for heroes (or villains or anti-heroes) that live in the city. This issue did have touching moments (pictured to the right), but the story revolving around Catwoman was not what made this issue great for me personally. Instead, it was the beginning with Bruce and Carrie Kelly's conversation about Damian's extra curricular studies!
The talk with Bruce and Carrie was really enjoyable because it's still Batman during his grieving period and how Carrie is constantly pestering him about "where's Damian, and why isn't he talking with me?" Through the artwork, and with help of Peter J. Tomasi's story, you can really tell that talking about Damian is getting on Bruce's last good nerve and it's taking a lot of self control not to snap. I love seeing that conveyed through subtle facial features and gestures, to help add to the story without it being big and obvious.
The Bad
This team up felt a bit forced. Having Catwoman on a J.L.A. mission that just so happens to be in Gotham City during this time of Batman's grieving, was enjoyable (yes), but just forced. The previous team ups made sense in some cases, but this one is something else! I mean the story would've made more sense if it was Catwoman hearing something on the streets of a girl that was kidnapped recently; then she requesting Batman's help for this mission. However, that's not how things went down. Instead, we get to see Catwoman's connection with the J.L.A. and a forced story that could've been handled a lot better.
This entire story could've been avoided and be titled "Batman & Carrie Kelly." I mean there was enough goodmaterial in the beginning of this issue that had the grounds of Bruce trying to convince Carrie Kelly to leave his family alone while Damian is supposedlyoverseas "studying" *wink wink* (he's dead if you didn't know, which you should). That would've been a better story and start to create a semi-distrust bond between the two characters; as Carrie Kelly has just been recently introduced into mainstream DC comics through this series. But like I said before, it didn't go down that way.
The Verdict
3 out of 5.
Last review: Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #3
Comic catch up reviews:
3.Tomasi & Gleason's BATMAN AND ROBIN! -- Comic catch up! (issues 22-29+)
4.Posehn & Duggan's DEADPOOL! -- Comic catch up! (issues 12-26+)
6.DeConnick's CAPTAIN MARVEL! -- Comic catch up! (issues 13-17+)
7.Slott's SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN! -- Comic catch up! (issues 13-30+)
8.Wood's STAR WARS! -- Comic catch up! (issues 3-15+)
