Catwoman: Selina's Big Score

This is an entertaining, intelligently written, fast-paced comic, featuring the return of The Catwoman after a self-imposed retirement. The book gives some of her back-story, introducing James Stark, the man who helped train her as a thief, and also includes a side plot with detective Slam Bradley, which intersects with the storyline in the "Catwoman" series written by Ed Brubaker. (The crossover doesn't quite jive with what's going on in that book, where Catwoman has basically gone straight, and has taken Slam in as part of her Scooby gang, but it's okay: Bradley is a great character, and it's nice to see him here as well...) Writer/artist Darwyn Cooke is one of the best storytellers working in comics these days, and this is another fine offering by him... just wish there were more books like it! Recommended.

Those who are enjoying Darwyn Cooke's current NEW FRONTIER, with its tale of Silver Age superheroes going face-to-face with the McCarthy era paranoia during which most of them were created, will delight in his somber crime drama for DC Comics from 2002, depicting an important chapter in the life of Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman. Those who are baffled by why a live action film franchise would take one of the most intriguing characters in the Batman canon, ignore her storyline and -yet again- play her for cathouse stereotypes full of campy sleaze are invited to read SELINA'S BIG SCORE, and experience a tension-packed drama which should have been the shooting script and storyboards for an authentic Catwoman film. From skillful word to telling image, author Cooke is resplendent in his painstakingly full style. At once spare and simple in his delivery, he can be vivid in his wry, well-rounded characterizations, and incisive in the rich complexities he unflinchingly brings forth for the reader to feast upon. Perfect, then, that Cooke is the ideal author to tell the dagger-and-dues tale of a weary adventurer down on her luck; revisiting old haunts, setting fresh stakes, and facing a bigger price than any are prepared to pay. Evoking shadows at every turn, a deadly angle lurking just beyond reach, Cooke conveys the alluring peril of the genre, from the grim sarcasm of Raymond Chandler to the stiletto-tongued sass of Walter Mosley. Visually, Cooke conjures a pithy scape worthy of the best in film and comic, from Milton Caniff's STEVE CANYON and Alex Raymond's RIP KIRBY to the Azzarello-Risso 100 BULLETS, onward into the night glare of MURDER, MY SWEET through the grand operatic tragedy of ROAD TO PERDITION. With a melding of caricature and cinema, mood and motive all his own, Darwyn Cooke tells stories to be read, and read again, growing deeper with each turn. SELINA'S BIG SCORE stands firm as a saga of the times, and one for the ages. Those who think comics are supposed to be comicky, with no fibre in the narrative meal, may want to avoid this, or risk a rude awkening. Otherwise, set your alarms. Just don't wait for the bell to toll...

This is a great book for adult comics readers and fans of the "new" Catwoman comic book series being published since the early 2000's from DC. Fans of detective pulp and film noir films may also enjoy this book. The cover of this book is a bit misleading and puzzling to me, as it seems to be brightly colored and flashy; while the actual story takes place mostly in moody, gritty, dark places in Selina's world, (and in Selina's past). So don't judge this book by its cover! There is plenty of intrigue, suspense, and enjoyable characterizations, but the book has no superhero costumes in use, so younger readers will probably not find this too interesting; but this book is not aimed at younger readers. Adult readers can buy this with confidence that they will enjoy the read.This book features Catwoman, between costumes, so to speak. The comics publishing giant, DC, has phased out the hokey, purple Catwoman costume of the 1990's decade, and they have given her a more realistic and practical costume of a black body suit, boots, hood and goggles. But the story in this trade paperback takes place in the continuity between these two costumes, which also represent two different phases in Selina (Catwoman) Kyle's life and character development. So Selina has NO COSTUME in this book, she just wears normal street clothes, but the character, story and artwork keep it very entertaining anyway.The story begins with Selina (Catwoman) Kyle, drifting around the world after her faked "death" became public knowledge. She wants the world to think she's dead, so she can make a fresh start and get rid of emotional baggage, but she's finding the practical aspects of daily living under these conditions are more humbling than she's been used to living previously. So she's looking for a big "score" to fill her cash reserve. A couple of her old friends help bring together a caper to rob a train load of laundered money from the criminal world of drug smuggling. So the "new" Selina is still a thief, but she's robbing criminals, not honest citizens, anymore. Is that character development? Maybe, maybe not, but it sure makes for a fun read.If you love the current Catwoman comic book series, then this book is a must-have, as it details the origins of the "new" Catwoman series and attitude! This book is great and intelligent entertainment that expands on the character development of the Catwoman of the 2000's. You should also get the trade paperback called "Catwoman: The Dark End of the Street," which picks up where this book ends, (including the first 4 issues of the current Catwoman comic book series).

It's not really fair to call this a Catwoman comic, since Selina Kyle never actually dons her feilne garb. Instead, this stylish crime caper focuses on Selina's attempt to steal a particularly large sum of money from the mob to help jumpstart her new, vaguely moralistic life. Cooke, who both writes and draws, makes everything seem so damn cool that you can't help but love this book. His writing is surprisingly good, considering most artists who take up the typewriter often end up getting jammed by poor dialogue. Cooke excells at his chosen medium, and this fastpaced, entertaining caper story is well worth the cover price.

Catwoman: Selina's Big Score takes place previous to the events chronicled in the first few issues of the new and revamped DC Comics Catwoman series. It sets the basic premise for Selina's return, but the story stands on its own too.And what a story! Selina needs some major cash to get set up in Gotham again, and finds out about a train loaded with unmarked cash en route to Canada for a drug deal. She contacts an old associate (and old flame) to help her, and together they go after the loot. This would make a fabulous movie--it's what I kept thinking while I was reading it.Darwyn Cooke did an incredible job with the story and art. His art style is raw and expressive--just what the book needed, and what the character of Catwoman demands. And to top off this high quality hardcover edition, are amazing pin-ups by some of the best artists in the business: Mike Allred, Jaimie Hernandez, Adam Hughes, Mike Mignola, Daniel Torres, and Kevin Nowlan--just to name a few.If you're the least bit curious, do yourself a favor and check this book out. You won't be sorry...and check out Catwoman: Dark End of the Street (By Ed Brubaker with art by Darwyn Cooke) for the continuing adventures of Catwoman.