Clash of the Comics #16

                                                                                                   Venus vs. Catwoman

Origin:

Venus was a siren for most of her life where she lured any fooling adventurers to their grave.  When the Ancient One, the then sorcerer supreme freed her human soul, Venus finally realized her own actions and punished herself by remaining mute for about two decades. Like Hercules and Ares, she is one of the Greek/Roman gods from Olympus, but until she joined the Agents of Atlas she continued to struggle with her past.

Here’s the famous poem by Margaret Atwood if you are unfamiliar with sirens:

This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique

at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.

For the Batman villains who have probably the best fleshed out backgrounds of any comic book character's rogue gallery, hers is pretty vague at times.  Essentially she was raised on the street/in a convent where she decides on a life of crime after spending some time in a martial arts cult (headed by the Armless Master.)

MrUnknown: I don’t know any other siren but there are plenty of thieves, so I give this to Venus for shooting for something different and being able to make it work.

RazzaTazz: Venus does have an interesting origin, but I will go with Selina for being more original. 

Powers:

Venus has the power of the siren’s song where she can bend the wills of both men and women alike.

Master martial artist, acrobat and the world's best thief.  Usually considered in the top ten of DC's martial artists  

MrUnknown: Venus will use her siren song. But maybe if Catwoman had some super noise cancellers, she might have a chance?

RazzaTazz: Not sure how Selina could win this.  Venus gets this round.   
 

Costume:

Venus wears the classic Roman clothing, the toga.

There is not much continuity in her costume, in fact it is probably the one character that has had the most over the years.  Always somewhat cat inspired, tight fitting, sleek and sexy. 

MrUnknown: Whereas the toga is incredibly outdated, Catwoman’s costume updates and is quite fashionable.

RazzaTazz: Costume:  Although Selina has changed her costume a bunch of times almost everyone is iconic.    

Personality:

Venus despite being a god is very good natured. She once went as a missionary to Africa and stopped warring tribes from constant battle and taught them to be at peace and love with one another.

Playful and intelligent, DC's queen of sass

MrUnknown: Selina is an awesome character and one that I love to see in comics.

RazzaTazz: Nothing in the world can beat sass.   

Aesthetics:

Venus worked as a designer for a beauty and fashion magazine in the 50’s or 60’s and although she is one of the Roman gods, she enjoys living amongst humans and taking part in human affairs.

Consistently voted as one of the most attractive women (or hot or sexiest or whatever) in comic books, she is the feminine counterpart to Batman's dark soul. 

MrUnknown: All I read up to was the eight letter in the previous sentence, and that was the end of that.

RazzaTazz: Selina is too iconic, even the Halle Berry version was famous enough to cause a stir.   

Best Story:

The Agents of Atlas series where the team went around the world pretending to be villains. They fooled Osborn and the Avengers and the series was packed with fun moments though it was short-lived.

There have lots of great ones, but I will just go with Batman: Hush as she was one of the main characters in it.   

MrUnknown: Batman: Hush was great and then Heart of Hush was even better so Catwoman is a little spoiled.

RazzaTazz: That Batman arc is famous for a lot of reasons

Fun Fact:

Venus helped rescue President Eisenhower from the clutches of the Yellow Claw.

In the 1960s television show she was portrayed by three different actresses, one of which (Eartha Kitt) was a departure from the previous ethnic portrayal.

MrUnknown: Venus was a universal hero way before Superman even thought about it.

RazzaTazz: Selina for breaking down barriers

Media Appearance:

None unless you count those Greek and Roman sculptures of her in the B.C. period and various paintings throughout since such as the Birth of Venus.

Lots from Batman animated to motion pictures.  She was also in one of the worst movies ever and one of the worst comic book adaptations where she was played by Halle Berry. 

MrUnknown: Catwoman – There are too many great ones.  

RazzaTazz:   This is an overwhelming defeat, it would be default anyway, but Selina has one of the best media portrayals in all of comics.   

Current Whereabouts:

The Agents are still around although not in prominence sadly having gotten two series cancelled in the past three years.

Working with Bruce on and off in Batman Inc. and patroling the streets of Gotham in her own series.   

MrUnknown: Catwoman – As long as she isn’t watching over dogs for Harley or something again.

RazzaTazz: Current Whereabouts:  Selina is always front and center at DC.

MrUnknown: 3 – 6; RazzaTazz: 1 – 8

Scoreboard: Venus - 4; Catwoman - 14

 Epilogue: Who's next?