Review – Catwoman #33
Review – Catwoman #33
Published by DC Comics
Written by Ram V
Art by Fernando Blanco
Colours by Jordie Bellaire
Lettering by Tom Napolitano
Available: 21st July 2021
Variant Cover by Jenny Frison
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Desolation Land: Part 1
Selina has worked hard to establish herself as the queen of Alleytown. But in response to Catwoman saving Poison Ivy from extermination at the hands of Saint Industries, Simon Saint has sent in the early stages of a totalitarian force that has left her kingdom shuttered. Catwoman has seen a man take his own life to avoid the consequences of crossing Saint Industries, so she knows there is no telling what they have in store for her and her gang of strays. And to make matters worse, Alleytown’s eerily quiet and empty streets now set the stage for the long-awaited confrontation between Catwoman and Father Valley!
Writer: Ram V
It’s all led up to this the ultimate showdown between Selina and Father Valley, after the shocking events of the last issue and the Catwoman 2021 Annual it’s time to see who really owns Alleytown.
Selina is shocked to find the kids have rallied together and formed a command centre with the help of…………. Clayface or should we say, Basil Karlo the reformed former Clayface. He’s been inspired by Selina saving Ivy and he’s brought together a list of grey characters to hopefully redeem them as both Selina and Ivy have become.
Characters like Killer Croc, Cheshire, Knockout and Firefly have always struggled to stay in the light and refuse to fall into the darkness, here we see Ram V redeeming a group without Waller’s head bombs or any persuasion. But instead of inspiring Selina, she seems wearier than ever with the burden of saving Alleytown, avenging Leo and inspiring this rag-tag group. The plan is simple they need to persuade Rollins to allow Alleytown to sneak out via the docks and thereby end the siege.
Valley isn’t going to make it simple and explodes Rollins base taking out Croc and Clayface while Selina looks on. Alley easily gets the upper hand in the fight and it’s hard to see how Selina will come back from this..although as usual, the last panel sets up a gripping cliffhanger.
Artwork: Fernando Blanco and Jordie Bellaire
Blanco seems to be putting his heart and soul into this issue as you can almost exactly pinpoint the panel where Selina loses her grip and acts on instinct rather than cunning. With the bomb destroying Rollins and taking out her merry crew, she gives in to the grief of Leo, the stress of looking after Alleytown and attacks without a plan or backup. All facades are dropped as she attacks Valley, but he’s been preparing for this battle for several issues and easily dispatches her with his knives.
The images in these panels are beautifully coloured by Bellaire and as the fire rages behind them the characters become highlighted, the world disappearing leaving just two fighters to focus the reader’s eyes.
Overall Thoughts
Catwoman readers are not used to seeing her lose, and losing so easily will upset the usual fanbois, who enjoy flat three-act plots. This is an opera and it ain’t over till the Cat Lady sings!
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What did you think of our review for Catwoman #33? Let us know in the comments and leave your own rating above.
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