Last we left off, Batman was in a very bad way. He only just barely escaped Ark M’s tortuous prison with plenty of scars to prove it, his friends have all been mutilated into cruel mockeries of their former selves, and Bane is preparing to finally break his body and spirit. If there were ever a time to throw in the towel, now would seemingly be it. However, the previous issue offered one unexpected glimmer of hope in its cliffhanger: Selina Kyle.
I’m actually surprised that Snyder has never really written Batman and Catwoman before now. He manages their dynamic perfectly. There’s a looming unease and sense of danger for the time that Alfred is there with the two of them. Selina continues to mock their efforts to stop her, yet all the while there’s a teasing playfulness. The tension mounts as Alfred warns Batman not to trust her and it’s not clear if things will turn violent. As soon as two of them are alone that tension turns sexual, with their love scene feeling like a cathartic release.
Nick Dragotta has earned a reputation for his larger than life action sequences, monsters, and explosive set pieces. They’ve played a huge role in making this series what it is. What this issue shows is that he’s just as adept at handling the quieter, more emotional moments as well. There’s a gentleness to the way that Bruce and Selina embrace even while provoking each other that speaks to the mindsets of both characters.
The intimacy between them feels genuine throughout, building off of the snippets of their relationship we’ve been seeing in flashbacks throughout the series. Both want to know more about the other’s secret life and what led to where they are now, but are willing to accept that that’s ultimately not what’s important. They care about one another as people, and after the hardships they’ve both been through that’s all that matters.
It feels good when Batman and Catwoman go on their “date” to confront the Red Hood gang. Yes, their respite is over and they’re back on important business, but there’s a palpable glee in the way Selina fights alongside Bruce. She continues to tease him and push his buttons in a way that only reinforces their closeness. You can tell they’re having fun, which is certainly a welcome break from the depressing trauma of the past few issues. Even when Bruce begins to succumb to the Venom coursing through him, Selina is there to reassure and calm him.
That calming voice is in a way the central theme of the issue. For a while now this arc has been hammering home the idea of doing whatever it takes to win, and the consequences of that path. There’s even a flashback to when Waylon fired Bruce for trying to compromise and take the easy way out, contrasted with one where Selina tells him that it’s how “we all win”. That sentiment is echoed in the present day by Alfred convincing Bruce to use the Venom to challenge Bane to a fight, whereas Selina is telling him that doing so would be giving in to what they want. They stand as the angel and devil on Bruce’s shoulders. What’s coming is a battle not just for Batman’s body, but for his soul.
Recommended If
- You want to see Absolute Bat/Cat content
- The build up to the final fight between Batman and Bane keeps getting more intense
- You’ve been hoping for a lighter issue after a few depressing ones
Overall
Catwoman’s introduction into the Absolute Universe makes for an intense reunion between her and Batman. The brief glimpses of their relationship we’ve seen up until now culminate into a cathartically passionate embrace. Snyder writes their dynamic exceptionally well, as her playful provocation seems to be one of the few things that brings joy into Batman’s life. Her inclusion also acts as a counterbalance to the forces in Batman’s life pushing him to do anything necessary to win as we head into the final confrontation with Bane.
Score: 9/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
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