Catwoman Vol 2 review #89

Always Leave 'Em Laughing! 

Feb 2001

Writer: Bronwyn Carlton

Pencils: Staz Johnson and Craig Rousseau

Inker: Wayne Faucher 

Letters: Albert de Guzman

Harley's been out of sight out of mind from this version of Catwoman... but now what's she up to?

Well she's in a waiting room in civilian clothing, going as Dr. Quinzel. So far seeming normal... keeping up a cheerful banter with one of the workers there. 

She's introduced to a programming director (Diane), a producer (Shelby) and a web stuff person (Scott).

Shelby's impressed with Harleen's funny attitude and asks for Harleen's pitch.

Right! For a television show! Okay, well she starts with Catwoman's simplistic background about being a thief who never gets caught, and then brings herself in as the partner whom Catwoman would be nothing without.

This then runs into a humorous if embellished version of their last few adventures together. Shelby likes the strong female character angle but Diane is concerned by the thief background.

Harleen goes on in more depth about Catwoman's past - including the racial differences in her family, their poverty, her parent's deaths and Catwoman abandoning her sister before ending up in an abusive orphanage.

The team are concerned about the suicide and other dark parts in this history, and continue the in joke about Catwoman's sister.

They are alarmed when Harleen mentions that this is based off real people and quickly change the entire story into something more happy, bland and kid friendly.

Harleen's not sure about this new direction and her loss of control over the meeting.

What Harleen proposes for the story

What the team proposes for the story

 Loving all the jokes about who Harleen (as the 'hottie') is attractive to.

The team quickly put their spin on the pitch - changing characters, genders, ethnicity, abilities, motivation, family backgrounds depending on what they're underrepresented by and what every demographic needs.

This includes vampires.

Harleen isn't impressed and points out that this is not her story. Shelby's not happy, after all, they made the Blueberry Babies the hit it is and ask her where the funny is in her story to entice older kids to the show.

It's okay guys.. she found the funny!

I hoped the nice nameless lady from the start didn't get gassed but I think she did. 

Anyway, a nice random story from the Catwoman line to refresh the palate. I always had an issue with why Harley is wearing a gas mask at the end given that she's immune to the Joker gas but I've always put it down to a visual clue as to how bad the gas is, and to cater for Catwoman fans who may not be aware that Harley is immune. 

Lots of jokes about the television industry and marketing and what their concept of a strong female character is. It's funny that both the Korean Harley Quinn and I.V Jones are basically stand ins for Oracle as part of Catgirl's new heroic angle. 

I love how Harley is essentially Catwoman's hype lady and gets offended when they tell her that Catwoman's character has to be changed to be acceptable. One of the reasons she got into psychology at Arkham was to profit off a tell all book about certain inmates, so it makes sense she would try it again with Catwoman. It's nice that she tried the non-heist, legitimate way to do it though and in doing so proved she's casually terrifying with or without the Joker.