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Tom King and John Paul Leon’s Batman / Catwoman Special #1 chronicles Selina Kyle’s life in a way that is as heartbreaking as it is gut-wrenching.
Created by Tom King and the late John Paul Leon, Batman / Catwoman Special #1 chronicles the life of Selina Kyle, aka the Catwoman. The Special opens with a heartbreaking scene of an infant abandoned in a dumpster, while a cat keeps the baby safe. Selina Kyle spent her entire childhood in an orphanage, where she experienced neglect and abuse. By the time she became a young adult, she learned to be self-reliant but never experienced love, ultimately going down a dangerous, self-destructive path. Yet, despite all her misadventures, she falls for the enemy and begins a whirlwind romance with Batman, which promises her a better future.
King’s writing exposes the vulnerable side of his characters and lays bare their dreams and insecurities, even when the characters involved may not be aware of them. In Batman / Catwoman Special #1, he explores Catwoman’s complicated history and highlights moments from her bittersweet life. What makes the storytelling unique is that it does not dwell in the past, but moves forward with the protagonist as Selina makes the leap of faith for a better tomorrow. This kind of narrative isn’t unique, as witnessed from Chip Zdarsky’s Spider-Man: Life Story, but this Special is different in its cold chronicling of events and the time jumps that stitch together a string of memorable moments. King uses Christmas as the backdrop in the issue to bring out the sentimental nature of the story.
Batman / Catwoman Special #1’s artwork shapes the somber tone of the story, evoking a sense of melancholy and romanticism. The late master of ink, Leon uses bold lines and dark shadows to render minimalist, yet detailed illustrations, creating a solemn atmosphere. It perfectly captures the grittiness of Gotham City and brings out the raw emotions of human nature. Artists Bernard Chang, Shawn Crystal and Mitch Gerads worked together to honor John Paul Leon and finish his work, adhering closely to his framework. To match the tone of the book, colorist Dave Stewart uses dark colors and muted shades. While the latter half exudes more positive energy, the color tone remains consistent throughout and keeps the reader tethered to the story.
Batman / Catwoman Special #1 is as heartwarming as it is gut-wrenching, portraying events from Selina Kyle’s perspective as she grows from an orphan toddler to an elderly philanthropist. King offers a glimpse of a possible future where both Bruce and Selina are happy individuals, showing that people can change their fate and forge a life full of happiness and endless possibilities while also embracing their past, however bitter it might be. Since this Special is also the last comic book artist Leon worked on, there will always be a sentimental value attached to the book. At its core, Batman / Catwoman Special #1 explores the human condition and affirms the belief that love cures every damage to the soul, making this Special an excellent addition to the Batman mythos.
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