Catwoman: Lonely City (2021-2022) #1

Catwoman: Lonely City #1

by Cliff Chiang

Ten years ago, the massacre known as Fools’ Night claimed the lives of Batman, The Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon…and sent Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, to prison. A decade later, Gotham has grown up-it’s put away costumed heroism and villainy as childish things. The new Gotham is cleaner, safer…and a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. It’s into this new city that Selina Kyle returns, a changed woman…with her mind on that one last big score: the secrets hidden inside the Batcave! She doesn’t need the money-she just needs to know…who is “Orpheus”? Visionary creator Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman, Paper Girls) writes, draws, colors, and letters the story of a world without Batman, where one woman’s wounds threaten to tear apart an entire city! It’s an unmissable artistic statement that will change the way you see Gotham’s heroes and villains forever!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Comix, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

52 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2021

About the author

Cliff Chiang is an American comic book artist. Formerly an assistant editor at DC Comics, he is now an illustrator, known for his work on Human Target, Beware the Creeper and Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre, Green Arrow/Black Canary, Wonder Woman and Paper Girls.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-4 can be found here: Catwoman: Lonely City.

[Myles Likes Tacos and Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is near perfect. The limits of legacy characters is that we never get to see them age, so its nice tohave a well told story with a 50 year old catwoman

In the opening issue Chiang hit all the checkmarks with establishing this elseworld and the stakes, and adding a bit of mystery to make want the next issue

[Brian Garthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catwoman Lonely City looks like the start of something truly exceptional. Love the story and art, if you are a fan of Catwoman or Chiang’s art in Paper Girls this is a must read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was pretty damn good. Selina has just got out of prison after a ten year stint. Gotham is different. Some big thing went down 10 years ago where some major characters died. Catwoman Is older now. 55 I believe and is trying to figure out her next move. Really loved the set up, art and where it seems like this could go.

[Buddy Scalera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storytelling and onboarding. You need to know very little about Catwoman and the Batverse to jump into this story.

Stunning art and sophisticated writing.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story told in words, art, and the space between the panels. The pacing and story draws you in, and it's so interesting to see all these players post-Batman and in their golden years. Selina has a fire inside her that I don't think she could put out if she wanted to, and that makes her even more sympathetic. I'm curious to see how the symbolic mythology connects into the past.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book is setting up a potential masterpiece of a mini-series. Chiang takes on all aspects of this book -- down to the lettering -- and it exudes a graceful, elegant confidence of a creator at the height of his creative powers. This is a singular vision from an exceptional comic book artist and could be one of those canonical sequential stories that get discussed, read, and loved for years to come.

Chiang's art immediately enthralled me and drew me into the story: he renders an altered, superficially more progressive Gotham in both broad strokes and attentive details. His take on Selina Kyle is full of love for the character -- I really dig how Chiang effortlessly brings in various looks and designs of Catwoman demonstrating a deep knowledge and appreciation of the character's history. Even the lettering looks cool. Overall, this gels into one impressive piece of work.

The only thing I can fault the book on is that the story leans pretty heavily on some well-worn tropes -- the aging hero struggling with their mortality; the criminal going in for one last heist. There's a potential for Chiang to use these tropes inventively, and I'll be reading the rest of the series to find out how the story progresses. Even if the story itself isn't a world-changer, the book will be excellent all the same.

[spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t ordinarily log individual issues of a comic book on goodreads but Cliff Chiang is my favorite artist by miles and he’s writing this book as well as drawing it and damnit it’s awesome and this dudes an auteur and I look forward to bright future of Chiang books.

[Bryan Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely engaging graphic novel that imagines an aging Catwoman in a post-Batman Gotham. Smart and thoughtful.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is gorgeous, as one would expect from Cliff Chiang. And the writing is equally excellent. It's so satisfying to read a series that centers Catwoman and thoughtfully explores themes of aging and mortality within the superhero genre. I just wish the series was more than four issues. As someone not deeply immersed in DC/Marvel comics and who tends to read more graphic novels than serial comics, this is something I would highly recommend to others as a great standalone gateway series.

[Ray Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first issue is pretty damn strong. Our darkest timeline future of Gotham. Batman is dead. Alfred is dead. Dick is dead. Even Joker is dead.

Catwoman is released from a 10 year stint in Blackgate for “killing” Bruce. In truth, she’s innocent and never fulfilled Batman dying wish.

Years later she’s free and roaming a mostly peaceful Gotham that’s crawling with high tec Batcops, commissioned by a reformed Mayor Dent.

Selina encounters a rich Penguin, a down on his luck Croc and councilwoman Barbara who has a pretty sour disposition about the work she and Bruce did back in the day.

It’s a sadder and older look at Catwoman, it really sets a strong tone right out of the gate. It can be assumed that it will slowly breakdown the reason for Bruce’s demise, his final contingency for the city and whether of not this reformed Harvey Dent is truly reformed at all.

I’m excited to keep reading.

[Danielhaycox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang. This is what superhero comics should be about. It’s a mature story but doesn’t indulge itself in power trip violence like most adult comics. Love the way it reinterprets the characters. Proves that comics aren’t just for the young - Catwoman at 50 is such a cool character, boosted by a smart character design but ultimately due to intelligent writing discussing regrets, mentorship, and moving on. The paneling is really smart and non-distracting, kinda like Mignola. Wouldn’t have thought I’d want to draw comics but this series makes me want to start. Would be a 4.5 stars if Goodreads let you do halves.

[Riana (RianaInTheStacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting start and definitely has me intrigued for what comes next. The art is wonderful and I particularly love the coloring and the choices involved with that. I’m a big Batman fan, and when I say that I don’t just mean Bruce Wayne, I mean the world and characters of the Batman comics so that also includes characters like Selina Kyle. Out-of-continuity stories like this are where things can get really interesting and experimental!

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The villains are the heroes, the white male establishment is the real villain, the poor are “marginalized” and never complicit in their own sad situations, the women are strong and omnicompetent, and the men are weak and incompetent. It’s all the standard Leftist stuff, full of worn out tropes that remain as false as ever. Decent art, so not all is bad here. But the book still isn’t worth the price.

[Ada]

***Who sucked me in***
nerdburgerj on Youtube in their Best Comic Books Of 2021 video published on 8 januari 2022

A comic about an female, older superhero/villain without the focus being on kids and or family? Sign me up!

Also I'm not a big fan of DC but Catwomen never fails to amuse me.

[Paul Dinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of DC's elsewhere books. I like how they take characters and place them in new situations. Here Selina Kyle has just been released after a long stretch in prison after the death of a lot of members of Batman's extended family. Oh and one of their villains Two Face is now mayor. Add to this Cliff Chiang's great cartoony art, very reminiscent of Bruce Timm's Batman Adventures, and you've got a great story. I loved it.

[Glen Pettifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok but...

...The artwork is terrible! It looks like they just couldn't be bothered, especially the colorist. The storyline was good and kept my interest. It's a shame when artists and colourist seem like they can't be bothered.
Nevertheless I'll keep reading for the story.

[Parker J · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was SO GOOD.

[Burton Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool stuff here, love where these characters ended up and can't wait to see where they go. Looking forward to buying the trade one day.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catwoman the elder. Post Batman.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Paper Girls so had no doubt that I would enjoy this. Keen for the rest of the series.

[Rob Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great. Basically a dark knight returns or old man Logan vibe with a very tired Salina trying to do.the right thing. Amazing art and solid story this should be good.

[Aurelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll read anything that comes out of Cliff Chiang's mind tbh. The idea of an older Seline/catwoman, Gotham in supposedly "brighter" err future? Interesting!

[Katie]

Really enjoyed this!!! Haven’t read a ton from catwoman and I’m not super well versed in the Batman universe but I really enjoyed it. Already going for book two

[Aron · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. Excellent.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Exceptional art is expected (and provided). I wasn't expecting the story to be as good as it is. A compelling book. Highly recommended.

[s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is very good but the entire concept devastates me :( this first issue packs a punch

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is relatable and I love the premise.