Catwoman Vol1 #81 Review

Catwoman Vol 1 #81 Review: It's a Wonderful Life

Published June 2000

Writer: Bronwyn Carlton

Pencils: Staz Johnson

Inks: Wayne Faucher

Stunning truths are revealed in what may be the strangest, most disturbing issue of CATWOMAN ever. It's a pivotal chapter in the life of DC's Feline Fatale. If Selina thought being in prison was bad, wait'll she tries a few days in solitary confinement. Making matters worse, this confinement isn't exactly as solitary as it's supposed to be, and someone very dangerous lurks in the shadows, revealing truths about Catwoman she isn't prepared to face.

Wait a minute! This is a Harley Quinn Blog! What are you doing writing a review of an old Catwoman comic?? 

Well, dear ones, this is one of my favourite Harley Quinn cameos/story arc. 

True story, I was a massive Catwoman fan as a kid! 

 It started with this comic in my local library. It was amazing to read something so unabashedly gritty and dark (well, to me anyway at that time in my youth) about a bad ass woman who didn't back down. Also cats. Yes, I really liked cats. I now know that I would like to be a cat (I would love to have a tail. I don't care how awkward the pants wearing would become) but that cats themselves are Satan incarnate.

Anyway, Selina Kyle was firmly cemented in my mind as an icon alongside Wonder Woman in DC Mythology.

Comic Review: Batman Detective Comics #831

Comic Review: Batman Detective Comics #831 KIND OF LIKE FAMILY

June 2007

Writer: Paul Dini

Penciller: Don Kramer

Inker: Wayne Faucher

Today's review will be an older one where I know I can keep my anger in check.
Paul Dini - co-creater of Harley Quinn penned this issue - and it is excellent.

So first page we see is a bit reminiscent of a re-cap page from Harley's original series - she's at a hearing out of costume and dancing around her head spouting both encouragement and puns is a little Harley Quinn. The art is lovely - it's realistic enough without ruining the comic book feel (look at those lips and the detail in the eyes!) and Harley Quinn capering around mentally is awesome.

So far the hearing isn't going well, she tries to explain how she fell victim to Stockholm Syndrome when treating her charismatic patient, but admission of research on the Joker, and her past history work against her, even when she bats her eyes and promises to never do it again? 

No dice, Mr. Wayne on the Asylum board (because of course he is, despite not even being a doctor - votes against) and Harley is bummed that she has been turned down yet again when her guard takes her hostage, knocking her out to quell her protests and kidnapping her. 

When viewing the security footage, Batman agrees it seems to be real and that Harley had been trying to secure an honest release. They suspect the Joker of breaking her out and are worried that she might fall back into her old ways if he's around. 

Harley wakes up in the meantime to meet the masterminds of the whole scheme.