In Catwoman #63, Catwoman is on the lookout for a vanished film producer. At the end of her trial, a new rogues gallery for the feline cat burglar is formed.
Title: Catwoman #63: Nine Lives Part 5
Writer: Tini Howard
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Color Artist: Veronica Gandini
Main Cover: David Nakayama
Variant Cover: Jorge Fornes; Sozomaika (Women’s History Month Variant); Leirix (1:25); David Nakayama (1:50)
Release Date: March 19, 2024
This comic book review contains spoilers.
After a brief conversation with her protege (Eiko Hasigawa) in Gotham City, Selina Kyle suits up for her next mission. This cat is going into the ocean to search for a movie producer who vanished while working on his latest documentary. Justice Jordan went into the ocean to investigate a sea kingdom, not Atlantis, but he has been missing for several years. Catwoman is also on the hunt for the movie itself. The nation Justice was investigating is Tritonis, and Catwoman is met by the Tritonians.
She sneaks into the city with the mission to get Justice out. Selina discovers that Justice and the city is being held by Victoria Viceroy and her N.E.M.O. Cell, (Nautical Enforcement of Macrocosmic Order). Viceroy orders the Tritonians to take Justice out in an air bubble. Catwoman attacks. In the fight, Catwoman breaks Justice out, but he grabs her regulator. Selina drowns until the cat god restores her again. The two make it to the beach where Justice thinks that Selina is dead. She miraculously wakes up. Justice wants to go back to get his movie, but Selina just wants to be grateful to be alive.
After some prodding, Jordan is able to convince Selina to return with him. She does want the movie after all. The two will go back in the morning. Selina rallies against the Tritonians and the N.E.M.O. Agents, concentrating on the agents. She endures an explosion and wakes up in the cat god’s realm again. The god tells Selina that the hunt has begun.
The scene shifts, and Viceroy makes contact with Santa Espora and Eduardo Flamingo. They all have problems with Catwoman, and they decide to join forces.
As this story continues, it is becoming more clear that Selina is the servant of the cat god. However, Selina does not really know what to do about this, as she has never considered herself spiritual. What is clear but maybe not to Selina is that she is making a lot of enemies, and those enemies now are deciding to join forces. This can only mean trouble for Catwoman.
As far as this particular story, it is really just a meh for me. It just introduces the force that will become the leader of this cabal. The mission itself is out of character for Selina. She is usually after profit, and the only profit she will get is a percentage of the film’s proceeds. That is not her style at all. Where is the treasure? She gets the camera, but then she is overtaken by the explosion. It is never shown if Justice and the camera actually got out. This just tells me what is the point of this mission? Is it important or a vehicle for something else?
The art and colors are great. Most of the action takes place in the ocean, and the art gives that feeling. I particularly liked Selina’s wetsuit. The black with purple highlights is gorgeous.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with an advanced copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
