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Detective Comics (1937-2011)
Detective Comics 569
When the Joker catches wind that Catwoman is now working with Batman and Robin, he decides to do the logical thing and 'rehabilitate' her in "Catch as Catscan." Part 1 of 2, continued next issue.
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Unknown Binding
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About the author
Mike W. Barr
830 books73 followersMike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels. Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 (Dec. 1974-Jan. 1975), for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man. Another Elongated Man story followed in Detective Comics #453 (November 1975). He wrote text articles and editorial replies in letter columns for the next few years. By mid-1980 he was writing regularly for both DC and Marvel, including stories for Marvel Team-Up, Mystery in Space, Green Lantern, and various Batman titles.
Legion of Super-Heroes #277 (July 1981) saw him take on editorial duties at DC, while writing issues of DC's Star Trek comic, for whom he created the native American character Ensign Bearclaw and a pacifist Klingon named Konom. In December 1982, he and artist Brian Bolland began Camelot 3000, a 12 issue limited series that was one of DC Comics' first direct market projects. In August 1983, Barr created what may well be his most enduring work, the monthly title Batman and the Outsiders with art by Jim Aparo. Barr wrote every issue of the original series, and its Baxter paper spinoff, The Outsiders.
His other comics work includes Mantra and Maze Agency as well as the 1987 OGN hardcover book Batman: Son of the Demon (with art by Jerry Bingham), proceeds from which reputedly "restored DC Comics to first place in sales after fifteen years." This title, and Barr's work on Batman with artist Alan Davis have been cited by Grant Morrison as key inspirations for his recent (2006) run on the Batman title.
In 2007, he wrote a two-part story for the pages of DC's JLA: Classified (#47-48, Jan-Feb 2008), returned to the Outsiders with Outsiders: Five of a Kind—Katana/Shazam #1 (Oct 2007), contributed to Tokyopop's Star Trek: The Manga, and relaunched Maze Agency at IDW Publishing. He has also scripted many of Bongo Comics' Simpsons titles, including a Christmas story for 2010.
In May 2010, the Invisible College Press published Barr's science fiction/fantasy novel, Majician/51, about the discoveries of a scientist working at Area 51.
Legion of Super-Heroes #277 (July 1981) saw him take on editorial duties at DC, while writing issues of DC's Star Trek comic, for whom he created the native American character Ensign Bearclaw and a pacifist Klingon named Konom. In December 1982, he and artist Brian Bolland began Camelot 3000, a 12 issue limited series that was one of DC Comics' first direct market projects. In August 1983, Barr created what may well be his most enduring work, the monthly title Batman and the Outsiders with art by Jim Aparo. Barr wrote every issue of the original series, and its Baxter paper spinoff, The Outsiders.
His other comics work includes Mantra and Maze Agency as well as the 1987 OGN hardcover book Batman: Son of the Demon (with art by Jerry Bingham), proceeds from which reputedly "restored DC Comics to first place in sales after fifteen years." This title, and Barr's work on Batman with artist Alan Davis have been cited by Grant Morrison as key inspirations for his recent (2006) run on the Batman title.
In 2007, he wrote a two-part story for the pages of DC's JLA: Classified (#47-48, Jan-Feb 2008), returned to the Outsiders with Outsiders: Five of a Kind—Katana/Shazam #1 (Oct 2007), contributed to Tokyopop's Star Trek: The Manga, and relaunched Maze Agency at IDW Publishing. He has also scripted many of Bongo Comics' Simpsons titles, including a Christmas story for 2010.
In May 2010, the Invisible College Press published Barr's science fiction/fantasy novel, Majician/51, about the discoveries of a scientist working at Area 51.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 19, 2022
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
First appearance of Post-Crisis Joker! Seems like they went with the more comedic, psycho version.
Catwoman is also in this ish. Surprisingly, she knows Bats’ name is Bruce.
That may be some left over something from Pre-Crisis. I’ve read Batman comics are a bit confusing when it comes to continuity around this time.
I loved the reference to the 60’s show, how Bats was mad at Robin for his “Holy--” catchphrase!
First appearance of Post-Crisis Joker! Seems like they went with the more comedic, psycho version.
Catwoman is also in this ish. Surprisingly, she knows Bats’ name is Bruce.
That may be some left over something from Pre-Crisis. I’ve read Batman comics are a bit confusing when it comes to continuity around this time.
I loved the reference to the 60’s show, how Bats was mad at Robin for his “Holy--” catchphrase!
September 16, 2025
Nawet niezle choc forma niektorych opowiadan troche przynudza. Ale za to historia z mlodosci batmana a szczegolnie historia z gotham knight #25 to miod na oczy. Co za kreska!
December 1, 2024
In this issue we follow Batman, Robin…and Catwoman!! She has turned her life of crime around and is trying hard to prove that to the dynamic duo, even going so far as to throwing her old gang under the bus. She tried to set them up good, but they turned around in their cat costumes and immediately tried a tech heist of a new catscan machine. Our heroes are able to put them away easily, but what doesn’t come easy is the romantic relationship between Bruce and Selina, as it’s still moving much too slow for her tastes.
Meanwhile, joker is in a slump. He doesn’t have any inspiration, petty jobs that get them money don’t excite him. That is until his goon “straight line” comes rolling in on a mini bike through the door to show him the news about Catwoman turning good. Once he sees that, the clown starts laughing again.
That night the bar signal was lit, and our caped crusaders arrived to find Catwoman waiting for them. The joker left a playing card to mark his return. Using the clues and verbiage on the card, they are able to piece together that joker is going to steal the rare first edition of “Joe Miller’s joke book” currently on display at the library. There is an interesting moment here where Jason says “holy Gutenberg, let’s go,” and then Batman immediately stops him and tell him never to do that again. Robin is rightly confused, does that remind Batman too much of Dick? Honestly it’s pretty messed up to put that on Jason like that.
Once they arrive at the library, joker and his men are already setup, ready, and waiting for the main event. As we know this isn’t about the joke book. So as Batman and Robin are chasing down the goons, joker has his eye on a different prize as he locks in combat with Catwoman, only to reveal his cane is a stun device and proceeds to knock her out. Batman and Robin clear out the goons only to hear the silence broken by joker’s sick laughing. They are then met with a tubby man that launches and traps them in a human size Chinese finger trap device. The more they struggle the more it constricts, and Jason is already having a hard time breathing. But joker already has his prize and a cat in a cage, so he leaves them to deal with their current problem and to find out about his deeds later. Once joker leaves, Batman uses every piece of strength within him to let loose and fight against his base instincts to fight back. Once he is loose and flowing the trap is able to slip away, and he is able to free Robin.
Back at joker’s base we get introduced to Doctor Moon, a former Nobel prize nominee as we quickly learn why he didn’t win. The doctor’s strict attitude is broken down as joker is able to give him everything his sick mind desires. Specially that involves the catscan machine and an awake subject to test the pain his theories may induce. But it seems like joker is already hinting that the outcome of these experiments will change Catwoman mentally back to a villain. You’ve got to be kidding me…
Meanwhile, joker is in a slump. He doesn’t have any inspiration, petty jobs that get them money don’t excite him. That is until his goon “straight line” comes rolling in on a mini bike through the door to show him the news about Catwoman turning good. Once he sees that, the clown starts laughing again.
That night the bar signal was lit, and our caped crusaders arrived to find Catwoman waiting for them. The joker left a playing card to mark his return. Using the clues and verbiage on the card, they are able to piece together that joker is going to steal the rare first edition of “Joe Miller’s joke book” currently on display at the library. There is an interesting moment here where Jason says “holy Gutenberg, let’s go,” and then Batman immediately stops him and tell him never to do that again. Robin is rightly confused, does that remind Batman too much of Dick? Honestly it’s pretty messed up to put that on Jason like that.
Once they arrive at the library, joker and his men are already setup, ready, and waiting for the main event. As we know this isn’t about the joke book. So as Batman and Robin are chasing down the goons, joker has his eye on a different prize as he locks in combat with Catwoman, only to reveal his cane is a stun device and proceeds to knock her out. Batman and Robin clear out the goons only to hear the silence broken by joker’s sick laughing. They are then met with a tubby man that launches and traps them in a human size Chinese finger trap device. The more they struggle the more it constricts, and Jason is already having a hard time breathing. But joker already has his prize and a cat in a cage, so he leaves them to deal with their current problem and to find out about his deeds later. Once joker leaves, Batman uses every piece of strength within him to let loose and fight against his base instincts to fight back. Once he is loose and flowing the trap is able to slip away, and he is able to free Robin.
Back at joker’s base we get introduced to Doctor Moon, a former Nobel prize nominee as we quickly learn why he didn’t win. The doctor’s strict attitude is broken down as joker is able to give him everything his sick mind desires. Specially that involves the catscan machine and an awake subject to test the pain his theories may induce. But it seems like joker is already hinting that the outcome of these experiments will change Catwoman mentally back to a villain. You’ve got to be kidding me…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2025
”Catch as Catscan” has Batman & Robin catching a bunch of Catwoman’s henchmen stealing a catscan machine. They stop the crime and run into Catwoman helping stop the crime herself.
I’ve never like Catwoman’s purple and green costume, but he really brings it to life!
Catwoman tries to convince Batman she is reformed and now on his side.
” Please, Selina… not in front of the boy.”
Meanwhile, Joker’s henchmen are walking on eggshells because the Joker doesn’t feel inspired by ordinary crime. But when someone shows him a newspaper article on Batman & Robin and Catwoman stopping crime, he.. well, he laughs.
Batman & Robin answer the bat signal but it seems that Catwoman has as well. They decipher the clue Joker has left at police headquarters and go on to stop the crime.
Interesting bit where Robin does a ‘Holy’ expression and Batman tells him to never do that again!
Joker manages to capture all three of them. He has a scientist whose theory is that the catscan can reprogram the mind and he is testing it on Catwoman.
This was fascinating in a lot of ways. Joker is a little unmotivated, but hey, he’s crazy! The art boosts a good 4 to a 5 star.
July 3, 2022
568-582
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews