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WildC.A.T.S Vol. 1: Better Living Through Violence
The HALO Corporation sent their top field agent, code name Zealot, to hunt Maxwell Lord. But the villain has a guardian angel in the form of...Wonder Woman?! A throw down for the ages will ensue!
The HALO Corporation has gathered a motley crew of operatives, led by Cole "Grifter" Cash, who are going to make the world a better place…no matter who they have to kill! Working in the shadows of the DC Universe, this new covert team has been tasked with gathering an elite group of scientists for the first phase of their plan…but the 'Cats mysterious leader, Void, might have other plans!
Collects Urban Legends #6, WildC.A.T.s #1-6, and tales from Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special .
The HALO Corporation has gathered a motley crew of operatives, led by Cole "Grifter" Cash, who are going to make the world a better place…no matter who they have to kill! Working in the shadows of the DC Universe, this new covert team has been tasked with gathering an elite group of scientists for the first phase of their plan…but the 'Cats mysterious leader, Void, might have other plans!
Collects Urban Legends #6, WildC.A.T.s #1-6, and tales from Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special .
192 pages, Hardcover
Published August 22, 2023
64 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Rosenberg
786 books161 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
"I haven’t always been a writer. My parents are writers and my brother is a writer, and I resisted that as long as I could. When I was 17, I hopped in a band’s van and I went on tour for a summer, and that was it, that was what I wanted to do. I ran a record label for 10 years, a small indie punk label. I did everything in music that you can do that doesn’t involve having musical ability. Eventually the music business, probably in a similar way to comics, will just start to break your heart, and I realized one day that I kind of hated music. I was resigned to thinking, if I’m going to be involved in music forever, I’m going to hate it for the rest of my life. I just stopped. I stopped having any sort of business with music, any involvement.
I read comics my whole life, so I just naturally fell back into another medium that is marginalized and hard to make a living in."
Source: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles...
Writer of comics WE CAN NEVER GO HOME, SECRET WARS JOURNAL, OUR WORK FILLS THE PEWS, 12 REASONS TO DIE, & MENU.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
"I haven’t always been a writer. My parents are writers and my brother is a writer, and I resisted that as long as I could. When I was 17, I hopped in a band’s van and I went on tour for a summer, and that was it, that was what I wanted to do. I ran a record label for 10 years, a small indie punk label. I did everything in music that you can do that doesn’t involve having musical ability. Eventually the music business, probably in a similar way to comics, will just start to break your heart, and I realized one day that I kind of hated music. I was resigned to thinking, if I’m going to be involved in music forever, I’m going to hate it for the rest of my life. I just stopped. I stopped having any sort of business with music, any involvement.
I read comics my whole life, so I just naturally fell back into another medium that is marginalized and hard to make a living in."
Source: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles...
Writer of comics WE CAN NEVER GO HOME, SECRET WARS JOURNAL, OUR WORK FILLS THE PEWS, 12 REASONS TO DIE, & MENU.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 29, 2023
Has potential but they need to reintroduce everyone else, not just Grifter. Slight changes... Glad to see Ladytron back and Michael Cray.
April 13, 2023
Cool to see many of the original characters again, and to see some integration with the greater DC universe. Storytelling isn’t exceptional but there are some decent quips. Art is good; lettering is acceptable. Could be better. Here’s hoping the title continues and gets better.
September 22, 2023
There’s a lot of promise But the intro about aliens has no reflection in the story. Lots of action, but not sure where this is going.
February 18, 2024
Maybe it was partially nostalgia that drove my enjoyment of this volume, but it was sure fun to see the characters from Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.S back in action. To up the ante the writer, Rosenberg, throws in Michael Cray AKA Deathblow, Fairchild from Wildstorm's Gen13 series, and even Mr Majestic.
But this is the part where things get confusing. These aren't quite the characters I recall from the original comics. Void now appears in a Russian spacesuit, Michael Cray/Death Blow can have his consciousness uploaded into another body if he is killed. Fairchild is actually a child. I'm not sure her age, but she doesn't consider Mr. Majestic a child because he is the ripe old age of ten--so that would place her at a younger age. When she triggers her powers she transforms into an adult woman who is seven feet tall and has superhuman strength and invulnerability. If I recall, the original Fairchild was a puny college Freshman who transformed into a superhuman college freshman.
The twisty plot pits former teammates against each other. They have no memory of their previous adventures so this must be a complete reboot. On the plus side, this reboot of Voodoo makes no mention of a former profession of a stripper, though Ladybot (a character I was unfamiliar with) has an out-of-control libido.
Another thing I notice is the prevalent use of !#*! in the dialogue, which I find distracting. It's definitely better than using the profanity that it replaces, but a good writer (and Rosenberg is) could find a way to write effective dialogue without the !#*! or the profanity.
There's a lot of double-crossing and subterfuge going on in this volume, which is a great part of the fun, and you never really know which side certain characters are going to fall on. At one point Superman and Mr. Majestic get into a fistfight because he publicly claims he is from Krypton (if I remember correctly his Kheribum?) and later on Zannah/Zealot and Wonderwoman get in a scrap; the only thing more perfect than that would be if those two ultimate warrior females were able to fight side by side.
On the downside, Cole Cash/Grifter gets treated as though he were an idiot in the first couple of issues. However, as the volume progresses the possibility arises that his rash actions may have been taken to draw out the evil element that was controlling the team. Though I can't be certain of this, that is my preferred interpretation.
Another bit I liked is that Rosenberg presents the codenames of the various characters as nicknames--in some cases derogatory nicknames. Zannah does not like to be called Zealot and Cole Cash doesn't particularly care for the nickname Grifter. This take on the codenames makes perfect sense.
Anyhow, these are my rambling thoughts on the book. This is the most fun take on the WildC.A.T.S since the original. Sign me up for Volume 2.
But this is the part where things get confusing. These aren't quite the characters I recall from the original comics. Void now appears in a Russian spacesuit, Michael Cray/Death Blow can have his consciousness uploaded into another body if he is killed. Fairchild is actually a child. I'm not sure her age, but she doesn't consider Mr. Majestic a child because he is the ripe old age of ten--so that would place her at a younger age. When she triggers her powers she transforms into an adult woman who is seven feet tall and has superhuman strength and invulnerability. If I recall, the original Fairchild was a puny college Freshman who transformed into a superhuman college freshman.
The twisty plot pits former teammates against each other. They have no memory of their previous adventures so this must be a complete reboot. On the plus side, this reboot of Voodoo makes no mention of a former profession of a stripper, though Ladybot (a character I was unfamiliar with) has an out-of-control libido.
Another thing I notice is the prevalent use of !#*! in the dialogue, which I find distracting. It's definitely better than using the profanity that it replaces, but a good writer (and Rosenberg is) could find a way to write effective dialogue without the !#*! or the profanity.
There's a lot of double-crossing and subterfuge going on in this volume, which is a great part of the fun, and you never really know which side certain characters are going to fall on. At one point Superman and Mr. Majestic get into a fistfight because he publicly claims he is from Krypton (if I remember correctly his Kheribum?) and later on Zannah/Zealot and Wonderwoman get in a scrap; the only thing more perfect than that would be if those two ultimate warrior females were able to fight side by side.
On the downside, Cole Cash/Grifter gets treated as though he were an idiot in the first couple of issues. However, as the volume progresses the possibility arises that his rash actions may have been taken to draw out the evil element that was controlling the team. Though I can't be certain of this, that is my preferred interpretation.
Another bit I liked is that Rosenberg presents the codenames of the various characters as nicknames--in some cases derogatory nicknames. Zannah does not like to be called Zealot and Cole Cash doesn't particularly care for the nickname Grifter. This take on the codenames makes perfect sense.
Anyhow, these are my rambling thoughts on the book. This is the most fun take on the WildC.A.T.S since the original. Sign me up for Volume 2.
August 22, 2024
Picking sides
An okay book. I would have given this book 3.5 stars, but it just did not do enough for me to earn the round up. I can also come down to the fact that I don't know enough the WildC.A.Ts. I was expecting more of an introduction and meeting the team as this is volume 1, (though this was covered a bit in the backup stories).
Grifter/Cole Cash (all the team seem yo gate all their codenames), does black ops for the Halo corporation. However, he follows his own rules, much to the anger of hus boss. Now, his team also need to deal with a team out in the open, along with the DC heroes and villains who keep getting into their business.
A good book, great artwork, but a lot of history that I don't know about, which is the downside of the book for me. It is good enough that I want to check out volume 2. The book finishes with a couple of backup stories getting to know a couple of the main characters, then a varient cover gallery and a sketchbook.
An okay book. I would have given this book 3.5 stars, but it just did not do enough for me to earn the round up. I can also come down to the fact that I don't know enough the WildC.A.Ts. I was expecting more of an introduction and meeting the team as this is volume 1, (though this was covered a bit in the backup stories).
Grifter/Cole Cash (all the team seem yo gate all their codenames), does black ops for the Halo corporation. However, he follows his own rules, much to the anger of hus boss. Now, his team also need to deal with a team out in the open, along with the DC heroes and villains who keep getting into their business.
A good book, great artwork, but a lot of history that I don't know about, which is the downside of the book for me. It is good enough that I want to check out volume 2. The book finishes with a couple of backup stories getting to know a couple of the main characters, then a varient cover gallery and a sketchbook.
October 19, 2023
Welcome back WILDC.A.T.S. fans. If you read ANY of the old versions of this team or are familiar with the old WIldstorm universe, you'll be instantly comfortable. Newbie? They only feed you bits and pieces of their history (origins) in the DCU in this miniseries. Enough to solidly place them in it, but not enough to have them REALLY interact with anybody long term.
I'm guessing the payoff will be in the next year or so.
---
Bonus: How funny is it that Grifter's stories about 'fleeing a universe' are quick summaries of 'DC vs. Vampires' and 'DCeased'?
Bonus Bonus: Mr. Majestic and Kaitlyn are preteens??
I'm guessing the payoff will be in the next year or so.
---
Bonus: How funny is it that Grifter's stories about 'fleeing a universe' are quick summaries of 'DC vs. Vampires' and 'DCeased'?
Bonus Bonus: Mr. Majestic and Kaitlyn are preteens??
August 30, 2024
unremarkable
I don’t know a lot about WildCATS, but recently read The Wildstorm and wanted more… thought this recent reboot might be a good way to go as I’ve liked some stuff by Rosenberg. I just didn’t really connect with any of the characters, or their mission. The artwork was fine, easy to see what’s going on but without much flair and fairly dull in terms of layout and framing.
There was a short Deathblow origin story at the back of the book which was probably the highlight. Not going to bother with volume 2, but have preordered the upcoming compendium of the original series, which at the very least will have some peak Jim Lee artwork
I don’t know a lot about WildCATS, but recently read The Wildstorm and wanted more… thought this recent reboot might be a good way to go as I’ve liked some stuff by Rosenberg. I just didn’t really connect with any of the characters, or their mission. The artwork was fine, easy to see what’s going on but without much flair and fairly dull in terms of layout and framing.
There was a short Deathblow origin story at the back of the book which was probably the highlight. Not going to bother with volume 2, but have preordered the upcoming compendium of the original series, which at the very least will have some peak Jim Lee artwork
Read
February 23, 2024I never read WildCATS Back in the Day, and this was not the place to start. This is absolutely not designed to be friendly to the new readers. No character introductions, basically no exposition at all. Maybe these characters have been used elsewhere in the DCU recently enough that they expected readers to have a clue, but I haven't been so lucky. I didn't exactly feel lost throughout the book, but I definitely knew that I was missing a lot. Maybe old fans of the Wildstorm characters would feel right at home, but that's not me.
May 19, 2023
I was severely disappointed in this but it's about what I expected. I don't know why we don't get any introductions to the gazillion Wildstorm characters who appear here. If you haven't read any of their old series, you'll probably be lost. Of course, Grifter is the only one to get much characterization. The whole premise of the series is really vague and unexplained. This is pretty much a course in how not to do a team book.
September 15, 2023
There have been a few different special runs of WildCATS that really brought it up to the next level of superheroes. Rosenberg's WildCATS may be one of them. It's got deeply described characters, great storylines, real tension, and a lot of humor too. I'm bugged by how this comic may or may not be in line with classic WildCATS mythology, but it's good enough I'm willing to put that aside. Especially because it's got a great story with a clear trajectory that just makes you wonder what's next.
May 18, 2025
Wildcats are back....sorta
The art was amazing( shocking I know). The story, few plot holes but still good. Not sure why Caitlyn now is a kid instead of an adult/college student age. Or where the rest of gen13 band is(ok grunge is really a product of the 90's but I love me some Eddie chang). But the cameos rocked. Made it worth the read.
The art was amazing( shocking I know). The story, few plot holes but still good. Not sure why Caitlyn now is a kid instead of an adult/college student age. Or where the rest of gen13 band is(ok grunge is really a product of the 90's but I love me some Eddie chang). But the cameos rocked. Made it worth the read.
January 16, 2024
Great start
The story and art are great, although I'm not familiar with all the characters, there was enough backstory for you to understand their motivation. Looking forward to volume 2.
The story and art are great, although I'm not familiar with all the characters, there was enough backstory for you to understand their motivation. Looking forward to volume 2.
August 16, 2025
WildC.A.T.s vol. 1 better living through violt
Great read. One if the better alternative graphic novels I've read. Like the story. Artwork us pretty good. Can't wait to read the next book.
Great read. One if the better alternative graphic novels I've read. Like the story. Artwork us pretty good. Can't wait to read the next book.
September 1, 2023
Toilet paper. The artist couldn't have saved this if they were Alex Ross.
January 14, 2024
Mostly fun start, not great but solid enough return for these characters. Hopefully the story kicks more butt in the second half
August 29, 2024
Not bad
I'm I'm a little nostalgic for this Comic book I liked reading them back in the day And the story is pretty good and I like grifter
I'm I'm a little nostalgic for this Comic book I liked reading them back in the day And the story is pretty good and I like grifter
October 3, 2024
Meh
Wasted opportunity with a bad writer and a worse artist. The dialogue is cringey and amateurish. I wanted to like it but it stinks.
Wasted opportunity with a bad writer and a worse artist. The dialogue is cringey and amateurish. I wanted to like it but it stinks.
October 17, 2024
Maybe the best thing he's written.
March 6, 2025
It’s difficult to pull off funny edgy writing in a comic, and this… doesn’t pull it off.
Read
November 15, 2023"WildC.A.T.S Vol. 1: Better Living Through Violence" is a neatly reimagined relaunch of the original WildStorm team within the DC universe. Notably, this book is fairly true to the original while adding a few new touches. Thus, the WildC.A.T.S team has pretty much the same look and feel but some of the characters, including Void, Fairchild, Cray and, to a lesser extent, Cole Cash have been reimagined. Additionally, the book has some subtle humorous moments that will reward fans of the original books but may be overlooked by readers who started with this volume. All in all, this is a pretty good book. Hopefully, the series will keep up the precedent set by this volume.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews