Catwoman #26 is published by DC Comics, written by Ram V, art by Fernando Blanco, with colors by FCO Plascencia, and letters by Tom Napolitano. With Selina having managed to pull the Wayne fortune out from beneath the Underbroker, Selina Kyle knows she’s made a lot of new enemies. In order to safeguard herself, and those she cares about, she’s taking over Alleytown. That way, if anyone comes for her, she’ll know. But there are powers in the town that aren’t gonna like that. But that’s ok. Selina’s life has been thrown a curveball or two recently. She could use a good workout.
They say confidence draws people in. While it dazzles and mesmerizes, it also intimidates and subdues. It can allow a person to own any room they are in. But, if given enough confidence, could someone own a town? If there was ever someone who had that level of confidence, it’s definitely Selena Kyle.
Returning to Gotham, Selina finds many changes, and she doesn’t like a lot of them. With Alleytown awash in drugs and guns, she decides what the town needs is a new Queen, and who better to take the job?
As Catwoman #26 shows Selina begin making moves to control her surroundings Ram V writes Selina like she’s already in control. As she approaches some directly to make deals, and others she attacks, Selina always feels like she is dealing from a position of power. A position that exists simply because she wills it so.
Meanwhile, Cobblepot is making a deal of his own. Namely acquiring the services of one who claims he can put Catwoman down. Just like Selina, Ram V writes this character in a way that also allows him an air of confidence. But while Selina radiates her strength, this new adversary brings a presence that chills a room to the bone.
And while the writing in Catwoman #26 delivers these powerful personalities lines that show their strengths, comics are a visual medium, as much as a writer must tell their characters, the art must show them. Happily, the art team is up to the task.
Blanco’s lines deliver every confident stride and bone-chilling stare with all the power you could ask for. Selina truly comes alive within this book’s art. Couple this strength of character with some incredibly cool action moments, including a particular splash page that feels straight out of a 70’s action movie, and you have a visual presentation you’ll not soon forget.
This visual effort is further strengthened through Plascencia’s colors. This is doubly true for the previously mentioned splash page. The color choice sells the atmosphere of the page. It’s just really cool to look at.
Lastly, we have an excellent job on letters by Napolitano. There are a couple of places where the dialogue placement could’ve easily gone awry in some long-winded discussions. Napolitano’s placement does a marvelous job guiding the reader’s eye from one to the next. Allowing the words to wrap their way through the images and working harmoniously with the art.
Just like the last issue, Catwoman #26 imbues its a story with a style and panache that sets it apart from so much of its competition. With Selina looking this cool, and her soon to be opponent absolutely chilling, I can’t wait to pick up the next issue of this book. I just hope that the creative team can maintain the absurdly high bar they have set for themselves.
Catwoman #26 is on sale on October 20th wherever comics are sold.
‘Catwoman,’ Issue #26
TL;DR
Just like the last issue, Catwoman #26 imbues its a story with a style and panache that sets it apart from so much of its competition. With Selina looking this cool, and her soon to be opponent absolutely chilling, I can’t wait to pick up the next issue of this book. I just hope that the creative team can maintain the absurdly high bar they have set for themselves.
