REVIEW: ‘Batman/Catwoman,’ Issue #4

Batman Catwoman #4 is published by DC Comics under the Black Label imprint, written by Tom King, with art by Clay Mann, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles. Selina decides to share the information The Joker provided her last issue, while in the future, Helena makes a few visits to some of Gotham’s most wanted to find out what connection existed between her mom and The Joker.

Once more I find myself in a hard spot trying to figure out how to review a King written book. Just like last month’s issue, Batman Catwoman #4 continues to confound me. With the lack of clarity concerning the order of many of the events persisting, the main story taking place in the present day continues to make little to no sense to me. While I want to believe that King will bring this all together, just as he tends to do with these slow-burn series, I have to judge this book by what it is now. Not what it might be eight months from now. Here we go. 

As mentioned above, the story here continues to make little to no sense for me overall. Certain elements like Phantasm’s vendetta against The Joker and Helena’s search for answers shine through the fog, while so many remain obscured. And not in a good way. With all my previous frustrations with this book mounting, a new wrinkle is brought into this story here. Some particular closeness between Selina and The Joker. 

Throughout Helena”s interrogations in the future half of Batman Catwoman #4, she is told the same thing over and over. About how there was some significant bond between the two. Which feels completely bizarre to me. Now, I’m more than happy to admit that I am not a Catwoman loremaster, and maybe all this isn’t coming out of the blue, but it sure feels like it is. And while comic stories rooted in possible futures often have character connections that develop between present and future but this one just feels so unbelievable. Nothing about Selina says she would ever be involved with The Joker. And her interactions with him in the current timeline make no more sense to me. 

While the story continues to vex me in all the wrong ways, Batman Catwoman #4’s art delivers the story in a great way at least. Mann’s linework delivers some excellent atmospheric moments through this book. There is a great understanding of these characters displayed in the art here. 

This wonderful art is further enhanced by another brilliant job on colors from Morey. Some wonderfully lit panels present the high point for the art here. A particular full-page panel of Phantasm delivers superbly well largely due to the magnificent colorwork therein. 

Rounding out the presentation is Cowles signature proficient lettering. The story is always placed wonderfully in the panels, and the special dialogue design for Phantasm gives the character’s dialogue a wonderfully executed sense of menace.

When all is said and done Batman Catwoman #4 continues to deliver the same highs, and lows, of its previous issues. I continue to hope that King can bring this story together by its end. 

Batman/Catwoman #4 is available now wherever comics are sold.