Catwoman #23 Review

So Cool

Writer: Sean Murphy, Blake Northcott
Artist: Cian Tormey
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 15, 2020

It seems like forever since I heard that Sean Murphy would be co-writing a Catwoman story!  My excitement grew as I started liking this book less and less, but now it's here!  I know it's not fair to lay all my Catwoman hopes and dreams at his and Blake Northcott's feat, but screw it, I am!  Did they make me happy to be reading Catwoman again?  Let's find out...


The issue opens up in Isla Nevada, and while Catwoman isn't in the scene, it was nice to go somewhere new for a change.  I said Catwoman wasn't there, but there is a cat...a colossal cat!  It sets up the bad guys as pieces of shit, which is an excellent way to start a two-issue story arc.

We then cut to Selina, who is going to, you guessed it, Isla Nevada.  Murphy and Northcutt write a good Selina without relying on anything Catwoman.  Selina doesn't want anyone knowing who she is or what she's up too, which is why she is shocked that the lady sitting next to her on the plane knows her secrets.  It's a quick little scene that also brings up Islan Nevada's tribal myth, Kisin, that has the bad guys running scared.

When we get to Isla Nevada, Selina meets up with Snowflame; an old acquaintance stuck in the 80s with his Miami Vice swag, love of coke and license plate that I wish said, "So Cool."

After establishing what a douchebag Snowflame is (it's obvious he is the bad guy), we find out that he is holding a crazy auction at his mansion, and a ton of villains are already partying it up there.  While we don't know what Selina is after, we find out how Snowflame is guarding the important items which should come in handy later.

The beginning of the issue ties back to things when Selina realizes Snowflame's guys are having more trouble in the jungle, and it's finally Catwoman time!  Murphy and Northcott throw a twist at readers who probably think that every cat that shows up in a Catwoman book becomes an instant friend and ally while Cian Tormey goes a bit old school with the art. 

If you are a fan of Selina Kyle, not just Catwoman, this is the type of issue you have probably been waiting to read.  I loved it, and the only downer is that they will only be on the series for one more issue.  

Bits and Pieces:

Sean Murphy and Blake Northcott set up a caper story that may not be a caper story, and Cian Tormey's art fits the overall series with some old school flair to boot.  If you fell off this book or want to check out a Catwoman book, this first part of a two-parter gets my thumbs up!

9.0/10