REVIEW: ‘Future State: Catwoman,’ Issue #1

Future State: Catwoman #1 is published by DC Comics, written by Ram V, art by Otto Schmidt, and letters by Tom Napolitano. With Gotham under the control of the iron-fisted Magistrate, the unwanted are being packed into trains and sent to a reformatory so they can be molded into productive citizens. Luckily for those being herded onto the train, there are those still willing to stand up to the Magistrate’s thugs, and one of them has her eyes said train.

Regimes change, but for the poor and the disenfranchised, it often has little impact. Whether it’s a corrupt police force who refuses to bring the maniacal criminals that plague the streets of present-day Gotham to justice or the dictatorial stranglehold of the Magistrate, they are being kicked around and abused. The flavor of abuse doesn’t change the dish all that much. But that also means that they still have to stand together and look out for each other. Because Alley Town will always have its strays. Luckily though, these strays aren’t completely alone. And you could say they have the puuuuuurrrrfect guardian angel.

Future State: Catwoman #1 does an excellent job of transplanting the cool confidence Selina has personified in her current running comic into this dystopian future. This is largely thanks to the continuing work of writer Ram V. While many other Future State books featured entirely new creative teams, Catwoman’s current author continues to helm the story here. And given how well Selina’s strongest characteristics always shine through their writing, I couldn’t be happier about it.

With the train carrying Alley Town’s poor and unwanted in their sights, Selina and company begin executing their break-in. Sporting some hot new tech, the story provides some cool moments as the caper gets underway. With the help of some of those on board Selina soon finds herself fighting her way to the front of the train. And it doesn’t look like anybody is gonna be stopping her.

While Future State: Catwoman #1 holds to the hard dystopian edge that this future Gotham has been imbued with, it paints a shiny coat of sleek coolness over it. From the images of the bullet train streaking toward its destination to Selina’s cool new gadgets, artist Schmidt never allows the weight of Gotham’s atmosphere to spoil the fun heist vibe of the story.

Schmidt’s artwork goes further with its excellent implementation of color. Sequences awash in blues and greens are contrasted by harsh reds as the alarms begin to sound. These palettes help to at first reinforce the more adventurous tone of the early comic and then switch gears as the fighting starts.

Rounding out the presentation is a strong lettering performance by Napolitano. The story is delivered in a smooth and easy to follow way thanks to Napolitano’s ever professional level of polish.

When all is said and done, Future State: Catwoman #1 delivers a cool, enjoyable narrative that ends with a bang that promises a big impact on the Batman corner of the Future State slate of comics.

Future State: Catwoman #1 is available on January 19th, wherever comics are sold.