Seems I've finally found a 'Catwoman' comic that I like.
Catwoman as a character never caught my interest, even though I love cats, superheroines and anti-heroines. Maybe it's because she is overtly sexualized in pretty much every incarnation of her, as is to be expected of any "heroine" designed to appeal to the straight male demographic, which the patriarchy has made the default in mainstream entertainment. By the concept of Catwoman alone she is so easy to fetishize and cater to this niche, limited audience. I really like the versions of her played in film by Michelle Pfieffer and Anne Hathaway, but that's it. In comics and cartoons, male writers and artists have complete control of her character- or lack of - and mostly it's been for the worse. Up until recently I did not want to give Catwoman my time of day. Eventually her popularity confused me enough to want to see and understand what it is about this feline sex toy that appeals to so many people of all genders and preferences. For it can't just be the fanservice. Or the prostitution (thanks, Frank Miller).
'Catwoman: When in Rome' is a uniquely fresh standalone story. It doesn't resort to the lowest common denominator to attract people to it: Jeph Loeb knows that a good story and interesting characters will make a lasting success, no matter who you are writing, and who you are writing for.
'When in Rome' mixes the right amount of action, mystery, comedy, the mafia, sight-seeing, and only a little cheesecake fanservice (i.e. Selina in lingerie, which must be really uncomfortable to sleep in); not enough to distract from the worthy praise.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman leaves Gotham City and travels to Rome. Her reason for being there is deliberately kept in the shadows until near the end of the comic. Other than that the reader is given good glimpses into Selina's thoughts and feelings, which seem authentic to her situation. It is a story about her; her journey of self-discovery. At first it appears like a typical rich woman's foreign adventure log following a midlife crisis. However, there are subversive reasons behind everything. There is a noir twist. Selina is a detective finding out who she is as both a lost woman (a stray, as it were), and a cat burglar addicted to the night. And addicted to Batman.
Batman doesn't physically appear with Catwoman in 'When in Rome', a comic of hers (there's a first!), but she dreams of him and their messed-up, borderline abusive relationship constantly. Again there is a clever reason behind this, and Selina learns not to keep relying on Batman, or on any part of her past, for salvation. 'When in Rome' is ultimately about Catwoman's independence, and her choices.
Even the Riddler is more than meets the eye here. He is with Selina on her trip to Rome, paid to be her partner, and as it turns out he doesn't merely serve as a comic relief side tool who could have been switched out with anyone from Batman's rogues gallery. The banter between the two is surprisingly funny, and deep. 'When in Rome' actually had me interested in a perverted character (seriously, does every man in Gotham want to pet the kittywoman?); that in itself is revolutionary.
Catwoman reminds me of Huntress in this - a dark, sexy anti-heroine mixed up in mafia vendettas who is out soul-searching, and is not afraid of blood being spilled. She takes crap from no one, but isn't necessarily brooding, and she has a sharp, boisterous sense of humour - a real personality is present! This woman is given the chance to be as multifaceted as her fans like to claim she is, and to be kickass: she faces off against the Joker, Mr. Freeze, and Scarecrow. When in Rome indeed!
In Rome, Catwoman is genuinely cool, and a hero. Her gender, her bonds with various male players, should not hinder her. Not even her romance with an assassin called Blondie.
'Catwoman: When in Rome' is so intriguing. Flawed but containing clever twists and elements. The artwork is also lovely. Smooth, too, like any mystery noir. I was actually invested in the mystery, and pleasantly surprised by the revelations, culminating in a satisfying end.
Now if only a real cat was present at all, and Catwoman using her signature whip more.
Final Score: 4/5
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