Absolute Catwoman #1

We’ve seen some great female-led comic releases in the Absolute Universe thus far. Absolute Wonder Woman is easily one of the best publications in the entire universe, and Absolute Green Lantern has delivered a very successful and unique spin on one of DC’s more underrated characters. Now, as a spin-off miniseries of the universally acclaimed Absolute Batman, we’ve been treated to another new female-led comic series in this universe, as the first issue of Absolute Catwoman touches down.

Today, we’re reviewing Absolute Catwoman #1, with spoilers included! Make sure you read the issue for yourself, and get on board with this new series early into its run! Without further ado, let’s get into it! It’s time to dive into our Absolute Catwoman #1 review!

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Absolute Catwoman #1 Review

Image by DC Comics

Considering how much fanfare the Absolute Batman series has generated online, it’s hardly surprising that the first spin-off mini-series of the Absolute Universe has come about in this way. Catwoman herself has earned a lot of new fans thanks to her portrayal in Absolute Batman, so while this new series is a welcome addition to the universe, it doesn’t come out of nowhere. Fans have practically been begging to see this iteration of Selina Kyle in a solo adventure, and now, we have it! So, how did it play out?

Well, for the most part, I really enjoyed this first issue of Absolute Catwoman. It’s clear that while the brutality and high-tech world of Absolute Batman has certainly influenced this characterisation of Selina, the series still retains the most important elements of her character, breathing new life into the character, without losing the things that make Selina Kyle who she is. This first issue was filled to the brim with action, and with the exception of a couple of strangely-placed flashbacks, there was never a dull moment in the entire issue. We also get introduced to some new and compelling characters, the reveal of one in particular acting as a massive cliffhanger for the next issue of this series.

I can see some people, however, being a little jaded by just how Batman-esque this version of Catwoman feels. The entire Absolute Batman franchise has taken quite a few liberties with how Batman’s most infamous rogues are portrayed, and ultimately, Catwoman isn’t an exception, though she is one of the least affected by this ambitious formula. This entire issue does feel very much connected to the Absolute Batman series, so much so that I’m unsure that someone could jump into Absolute Catwoman without reading Absolute Batman first, and still enjoy their time with this character.

Image by DC Comics

The combat in this comic is one of the most prominent ways in which Absolute Catwoman feels inextricably tied to Absolute Batman. Selina fights in ways that are extremely dependent on technology, much like Bruce does. Her robotic, transforming motorcycle is only one example, as this issue seems to introduce her Batmobile equivalent in the form of a giant metallic two-wheeler with an ‘Apex Mode’. She also seems to have stopped relying on her claws and gymnastics abilities to take out her foes, instead using a cyberized tail to attack. At times, Selina’s ‘Batman’-ification feels almost comical, with her having her own ‘Cat Cave’, where she stores all of her equipment. I’m not opposed to how connected to Absolute Batman this all feels, because I do love that comic, but for some people, I imagine seeing so much of Catwoman’s identity being linked to Batman will cause a problem for them.

While these connections weren’t a personal issue for me in this issue, let’s move on to something that very much was. The time-jumping in Absolute Catwoman #1 was a little much for me. I understand the need to look back on the past in a first issue – after all, you need to set up the story, and that can require backstory. However, Absolute Catwoman commits one of my personal cardinal sins in storytelling, as it doubles up on flashbacks. I almost laughed in exasperation as, within no more than 10 pages, Absolute Catwoman #1 jumped from ‘earlier this morning’, to ’12 years ago’, to ‘now’, to ‘back in London’, and then again to ’10 years ago’. All of the content we got in each of these flashbacks were good, but it jumbled the flow of Absolute Catwoman #1 in a way that felt unnecessary, and caused more confusion than clarity in the end.

This confusing timeline comes in an issue that’s already pretty hard to put your finger on as it is. As is to be expected from a Catwoman story, the motivations of this story’s major players are obscure and unclear, as secrecy thrives. It’s pretty difficult to figure out what’s going on in Absolute Catwoman #1, and while I enjoy the mystery in the storytelling, tossing a very convoluted timeline on top of this already obscure comic pushed things a little over the line for me.

Image by DC Comics

With that in mind, we come to the final reveal of Absolute Catwoman #1, a reveal that means quite a lot to any established Batman fans out there. The series’ immediate antagonist is revealed to be Cassandra Cain, a character who has donned quite a few different masks over the years, but never one like this. This is looking like a Zatanna in Absolute Wonder Woman situation, where there’s someone pulling the strings beneath the surface, but Cassandra certainly has potential as this mini-series’ main villain if they do choose to go in that direction. Either way, I’m excited about the unravelling future of this series.

So ultimately, the first issue of Absolute Catwoman was a very fun time, but it was made a marginally more difficult read by the questionable timeline choices, and the plot’s intense secrecy. I suspect some Catwoman fans may be disappointed by just how Batman-y the whole issue feels, but I’m all for it! The Absolute Universe has thrived whenever it takes beloved characters in different directions, and hopefully, the same will be able to be said for Selina Kyle when it’s all said and done!

What did you think of Absolute Catwoman #1? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section, and thank you for reading!

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