Review: Catwoman #21

Review: CATWOMAN #21

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer:  Joëlle Jones

Artists: Fernando Blanco

Colors:  Eco Plascencia

Letters:  Saida Temofonte

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

In this action-packed conclusion to the Villa Hermosa epic, Catwoman and Raina Creel go head-to-head. Win or lose, this is a crossroads for Catwoman. Will she stay with her sister in their new home, or return to Gotham City and the life she hoped she had left behind? This is Catwoman #21.

Positives

Joëlle Jones  has provided the crescendo we needed with a Selina Kyle and Raina Creel  confrontation.  And while physically it is apparent that Selina could easily tear Raina apart, Raina does have some   Lazarus Pit Water and  Narssistrine  running through her veins as well.

The story line is akin to the gauntlet that Batman had to run through when Bane had released everyone from Arkham to soften the Dark Knight up before Bane broke his back.

Only this time is it Raina Creel’s undead army of Lazarus zombies.

While Joëlle Jones writes the story, it is told through the pens of Fernando Blanco,  This issue can be somewhat short in dialogue, but it is long on art!  And Blanco’s pens provide fight scenes and retrospective scenes aplenty!

The back and forth of Selina battling to get to Raina paired with Carlos keeping a hospital vigil for Aunt Linda is superb.  The back and forth rhythm bears that of a great action movie.

But more importantly, this issue provides a sense of closure to Selina and the events of Villa Hermosa.  Blanco provides just the correct shading for Selina to provide to Raina how she could redeem herself as Selina has in some sense.

Whether you agree with the outcome of the Selina and Raina confrontation is for you to decide, but one thing is for sure.  The end of this chapter is setting up the events that are happening between Selina and Bruce.

It’s a shame that DC will not give this couple a break… or has it?

And is that Selina and her sister, Maggie, having some Thelma and Louise time?  Good ending…

Negatives

In light of the recent Zatanna appearance, I am big on strong females working with Selina as she embraces a hero lifestyle.  I wish that Diana or Zatanna would have made an appearance.  And I am a downright fan if Lois wishes to speak with her too.

I like the story line closure, but there is so much that I fear that we may never see a Raina Creel type villain for Selina again.  And she needs that type of nemesis to work towards.

Verdict

Raina Creel…no spoilers here, but this is the type of villain that Selina needs to have going against her.  Joëlle Jones has found her book and I would love to find her influence in other story lines that are predominately female protagonist driven (hint, hint…Zatanna….Jessica Cruz….Power Girl… the list can go on and on.)