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In Catwoman #61, Selina Kyle keeps clicking off items on her bucket list. This time it is very radioactive.
Title: Catwoman #61: Nine Lives Part 3Writer: Tini HowardArtist: Stefano RaffaelColor Artist: Veronica GandiniLetterer: Lucas GattoniCover Artist: David NakayamaVariant Cover Artists: Rachta Lin, Inhyuk Lee & Jorge Fornes; Dani (1:25); David Nakayama (1:50)Release Date: January 16, 2024
This comic book review contains spoilers.
Catwoman (Eiko Hasigawa) and Tomcat are on the hunt. In the middle of their fight, they get a call from Selina Kyle. She is blown off and hangs up. Rather than try again, Selina has a mission to prepare for.
She is in Markovia. There is a nuclear plant that is the site of a meltdown. She is after the black-glass cortina in the heart of the reactor. Selina first encounters wolves that are mutated because of the radioactive fallout. She gets by them and enters the reactor. Selina begins to feel the effects. She gets a sample and leaves, but she is discovered. The force that finds her dons radioactive protection suits and automatic weapons. Showing more effects of radiation poisoning, Catwoman fights through the army. She has to get out of the area, or else she will keep dying until she runs out of her nine lives.
She holds up in the lead bunker. A mutated cat approaches her and scratches her. In her delusion, Selina hears the voice of one who looks after cats. This being touches Selina and empowers Catwoman to fight her way out.
As Catwoman lays dying in the snow, Superman arrives and suggests he take her to a hospital. Instead, she gives Superman the cortina and asks him to hold her as she dies.
Catwoman #61 variant cover by In-Hyuk Lee
What is the point of this story? What is Selina’s purpose for doing this? I think it is an excuse for the artist to draw mutated creatures sickened with radiation poisoning, which he does very graphically. First, we see the wolves and then Selina herself gradually becomes sicker and more deformed, and finally we see the mutated cat. The art is effective, as every part of her exposed skin is riddled with lesions. Catwoman is even shown losing teeth.
In this story it is unclear just how many times she died. I guess we will get that answer next month.
That said, Catwoman #61 does not make sense. This mission does not involve anyone she is seeking for retribution or to right a wrong done to her or anyone else like the previous issues of this arc. Selina is simply here just to steal this radioactive rock. She comments on its beauty, but she takes a sample to give to someone else and let the capes deal with the rest. The person she gives the sample to is none other than Superman, probably the only being who can survive this level of radiation. What is the purpose of this unless it is to clean up the environment? It’s a noble goal but not quite in the character of Catwoman, nor is anything truly specified.
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.
Final Thoughts
Catwoman #61 just appears to be a chance for the artist to draw mutated characters, offering no real reason for Catwoman to steal the item she’s after beyond it just being pretty. Catwoman is a better character than this.
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