Catwoman: Futures End #1 Review

Written by: Sholly Fisch
Art by: Patrick Olliffe
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 24, 2014

Crack that Whip

I sound like a broken record, but this Futures End Event has been pretty disappointing to me.  Yes, there have been some highs (Harley, Swamp Thing, Green Arrow), but the lows have been lower and more plentiful than usual.  Then there is Catwoman.  Believe me, being a reader of Ann Nocenti's regular run has set the bar very low for any story featuring Selina Kyle and yet this issue barely clears it.  It's not a bad story and I don't blame Sholly Fisch or Patrick Olliffe, but everything here feels shallow and unnecessary.



It seems that Selina gets out of Baternal in charge Gotham's Underground.  However, her underlings aren't so happy.  They are a colorful bunch with ties to multiple New 52 titles.  Selina has done her best to get these goons in line and do things right, but it seems that her (and them) are getting tired of it all.  She's been waiting for a way out and Falcone gives her an opportunity she can not resist.

I love the idea of Selina retiring her catsuit for Crime Boss and it makes complete sense to those reading Batman: Eternal.  Sholly Fisch also nails the idea that there is no way she would settle down forever.  Instead of being a cliched "one last job" story, Fisch gives us a little crime drama, but the way it ends kind of takes away the thrill and suspense of it.  I won't spoil it, but the character involved and what goes on did not impress me.

I did enjoy all the shoutouts to other books throughout the New 52.  We get Erin McKillen from Batman and Two-Face, Tusk with his missing tusks (from Damian) among others.  Selina uses the Black Mask as a weapon and the Penguin is there looking pretty dapper. Fisch also continues the story of what Batman did to Selina that made her lose faith in the first place.

Patrick Olliffe does an okay job on art, but nothing really stands out.  It's kind of the book in a nutshell.  Everyone just seems to be going through the motions.

Bits and Pieces:

Nothing really impressed me about this issue.  It just seems to be going through the motions, looking for the exit the whole time.  Sholly Fisch does a better job than Ann Nocenti, but that's really not saying much.  It did have some nice references to other books, but in the end, I suggest you skip this one and get ready for the new start next month.

4.9/10