Member Reviews

Selina Kyle as Catwoman is the greatest thief in Gotham City. She's stolen and fenced plenty of things, evading the GCPD and Batman. An item from her past is being sold for way more than it used to be worth, and now she must steal it back. Batman tries to stop her before she goes too far, and a mysterious figure known as the Forger will change Catwoman’s life forever.

G. Willow Wilson had written for the Poison Ivy and Ms. Marvel comics, and Jamie McElvie had inked many other comics including The Wicked and The Divine. (Go read all those!) The art is lovely and compliments the story very well. Selina's drawn so well, and I love her smirks and the movement in the panels of the comic. The item for sale was a brooch her mother had been forced to pawn, and the pawnbroker had lied about its worth. This is a quick story and one that makes you wonder more about the relationships in it. Batman and Catwoman are kind of together and don't stop each other from doing what they do best. The Forger isn't the weakling that Selina thought, and far more mysterious. But the interaction made Selina ponder the past, which wasn't what she normally does. This is a fun comic and a lead-in for more.

Was this review helpful?

Batman: One Bad Day - Catwoman #1 is a simple story on the surface with more than it seems going on just below. Brought to life by the stellar writing of G. Willow Wilson and the always on point artwork of Jamie McKelvie, we find Selina Kyle in over her head in more ways than one as an object from her past threatens to let her emotions get the best of her. The story is very well paced given it's 64 page length and Wilson has Kyle's voice down pat which along with McKelvie's refreshingly sleek and bright rendering of Batman, offers an enjoyable book for any fan to enjoy. This simple story about a heavy topic like the societal placement of value on goods and people left me looking for the right hand while watching the left, only to realize that they were both in front of me the entire time. This book proves that not every heist has to be an "Ocean" and not every bad day has to be our worst.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun, quick read with great art and a pretty interesting story. Like I said in my Bruce Wayne: Not Super review, I’m not a Batman connoisseur, so I came into this mostly blind. I really only know Batman from some of the movies, and this is my first One Bad Day read.

I did think the premise of this One Bad Day series was that they were depicting “one bad day” for Batman thanks to the featured nemesis of each one-shot. Hopefully this isn’t a spoiler, but that I s NOT the case here. In fact, this little story has almost nothing to do with Batman (unless there’s something I’m missing), and the Caped Crusader himself only appears on a few pages, including only a tiny flash of him as Bruce Wayne.

This Selina Kyle is sleek and sexy (as I suppose Catwoman always is…) and on a personal AND political mission that has some twists and turns. I liked getting to know some of her backstory and seeing glimpses into her psychology.

Not being an expert on Batman was in no way a barrier to entry with this comic! I love something accessible in a format that is known for being hard to find a starting point, and this is that: accessible!

I’d very easily pick up another of these One Bad Day one-shots as sort of a “taste test” with the various Batman villains—and the writers and artists who create them. As for this creative team: More stories by G. Willow Wilson and more artwork by Jamie McKelvie? Sounds good to me!

Review posted to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5386368797

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful art, fun story, and excellently written characters. I don't typically like how Catwoman is written, but this book nails her characterization completely. Definitely would recommend to others and to my comic shop to purchase for the store.

Was this review helpful?

I adore Catwoman - so this was a fun fast-paced story! I loved the art style and found this to be very true to the original characters.

Was this review helpful?

The Review

This was such a compelling read. Author G. Willow Wilson has written for some of my favorite comic book characters, from Poison Ivy and Wonder Woman to even helping craft the Ms. Marvel series for Marvel Comics. So I knew going into this that the story was going to have a truly complex and heartfelt narrative driving this equally complex character. Catwoman has always been so fascinating, as she walks the fine line between villain and anti-hero. The beautiful illustrations and the melding of bright lights against a dark and gritty background made this story so superb to behold.

To me, the heart of this narrative came in Catwoman’s backstory and the emotional connection she made with the characters in this story. The story honed in on one of her and her sister’s earliest memories involving their mother, and the path that took her on not only forced her to look back at her life and the decisions she’s made but on the impact her own actions have had on those around her. The chemistry between her and Batman was on full display, and the understanding between the two of them was phenomenal to watch unfold.

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and thoughtfully written, author G. Willow Wilson and artist Jamie McKelvie’s “Batman: One Bad Day: Catwoman 1” is a must-read DC Comics graphic novel and an essential read for all Catwoman and Batman fans! The twists in the narrative, the mysterious new villain, and the heated chemistry between the Bat and the Cat, along with the emotional relationship between Catwoman and her sister, made this a must-read graphic novel.

Was this review helpful?

This was a light-hearted, fast read with a fun story. The art looks fantastic and I loved the banter between Selina and Bruce. I also really liked that he isn't playing a major part in this and his appearance is more playful. It was also really nice to see a vulnerable side of Selina. All in all, this was enjoyable! Thank you to DC and NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and DC Entertainment for giving me a chance to review this one early!

McKelvie's ability to portray a side eye or sarcastic expression is put to good use in this fun little volume, which gives us a interesting look into the past life of the most famous thief in Gotham, even if some of the story beats fall a little flat. The central conceit certainly works, and Wilson imbues Selena with a nice combination of sass and sincerity, even if the new characters feel a little shoehorned and light. Indeed, the "villain" of the piece feels tacked on and overpowered, and unfortunately I'd have little interest in following her any further. McKelvie's take on Catwoman is an excellent one, though, as he combines her sexiness and her brashness in a way that never feels exploitative, making her strong and seductive at the same time, a true foil to the world's greatest detective, making the all-too-brief scenes the two of them share all-the-more palpable. One Bad Day: Catwoman is fun diversion, if nothing earth-shattering, but you can tell of the creators truly care of the work, and McKelvie and Wilson are perfect fits for the material.

Was this review helpful?

Catwoman (Selina Kyle) has discovered a piece of jewelry (a broach) that is tied up to her past. She is one of the best thieves in Gotham City but is also surprised that this piece is something her mother once own. It is rare as it was crafted by a French jeweler in Nazi-occupied France. However there is also great sentimental value in the broach for Catwoman, so she’s going to great lengths to get it. Will she get the broach or not?

The author and illustrator has done an excellent job of showing Catwoman’s past and the present time she lives in. The story line is excellent. The illustrations fit the story perfectly. I was entranced reading this as I have always wanted to know more about Catwoman which it did give me. I can’t wait to see what and who the next volume will be.

Was this review helpful?

Batman- One Bad Day: Catwomen
Every once in a while, I like to return to my roots and read a classic comic book. When I do, it's got to be a stand-alone story, so as not to come into an ongoing series and it's got to be characters I love.
The One Bad Day series is perfect for that. If you are familiar with Alan Moore's, The Killing Joke, one of the most famous Batman one-shots of all time. It's a Joker origin story like no other. This series inspired by that novel shows you one full day in the life of a Batman villain. As Batman has the best rogues gallery, there are plenty of interesting stories to choose from.
Catwomen has always been a favorite of mine, but I loved that this story showed us an origin story never explored much before. As a child, Selina Kyle and her sister are seen starving and struggling as their single mom sells a family heirloom to pay the rent. Years later, when Selina sees the broach going for a high price at a local auction, she devises a heist that only Catwomen could pull off to take back what is hers.
This story checks all my boxes for a Catwomen story, a jewelry heist, a romantic moment with Batman, and a new mystery foe.
The writing, illustrating team of G. Willow Wilson and Jamie McKevie, who collaborated on the Ms Marvel series, bring their "A" game to create this one shot. I liked it so much that I'm considering reading the rest of the Bad Days series. I recommend it for any Batman fan.
*A huge thank you to DC Comics and Netgally for sharing this title with me.*

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely little bite sized look into Catwoman. We all have bad days and I like that we get to see theirs. Nothing like brining up past hurts from family trauma to get you going. I also really enjoyed the interactions between her and Batsy. Because it's always a good time when Batsy shows up. So great. Loved this!

Was this review helpful?

G.W. Wilson's newest work Batman-One Bad Day: Catwoman fits everything I want from this genre. A nice short Catwoman story with great art.
The story follows Catwoman as she conducts a heist and encounters the Forger. Small scenes with Batman and a little bit of action and fighting.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Hmmm.... enjoyable but not entirely satisfying.

At just 60-odd pages, this was a quick read but felt incomplete with so many unresolved plot points and a cliffhanger ending. Though I probably should have known from the title that it centers on just one day. Catwoman is the central character (I didn't know she has a sister???) and Batman makes a cameo. I really enjoyed the story and getting to know Selina Kyle, but wish there was more.

Also, Batman is such a romantic. Who knew?

Was this review helpful?

In Batman: One Bad Day Catwoman #1, Selina Kyle is back as Catwoman and is one of Gotham’s most prolific thieves. She comes across an item being auctioned off and Selina knows this item is linked to her past. Determined to steal the item, Selina sets her eyes on the upscale auction but low and hold, Batman aka Bruce Wayne cautions her to stop her mission before it gets too dangerous.

Selina, being Selina, ignores him except for a quick takeout session and pursues her desire to get the brooch back. She comes across a mysterious older woman known as the Forger and after they brawl, Selina realizes that she may have met her match.

Readers get a rare look into Selina’s backstory in the exciting graphic novel One Bad Day, and it’s a doozy with her mother being the owner of the mysterious brooch. Selina’s mother eventually sold the brooch to keep the family together and Selina’s sister makes a brief appearance in this novel.

Batman: One Bad Day Catwoman #1 is a light-hearted story with just the right mix of romance and action. Batman doesn’t overtake the story which is nice and we get a glimpse into Catwoman’s head as she works through her feelings on her past and her desire for Bruce Wayne.

Jaime McKelvie’s Catwoman is muscular but still lithe and of course sultry. My favorite part is the way the brawl between the Forger and Selina is drawn. The fight is shown to be quick and brutal leaving Catwoman unsure of how this old woman could best her. I’m hoping for more scenes like this if indeed we get more Catwoman in the One Bad Day series.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful art with a very quick and easy story! I would have loved this to be a bit longer with some more fleshing out but it may get more expansion later on (like who even is that old lady and what is all that about?) so I'll wait for more!

I think Selena looks hot as hell in this one, Catwoman has always been a step above the rest in femme fatale vibes but this haircut and general art style suit her well!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed the story, but it wasn’t captivating. It was way lighter and more sentimental than I expected. I wanted more…especially from a Catwoman story.

The artwork was stunning which ended up being my favorite part. Vibrant, retro and felt like eye candy. Give me more!

I want to thank NetGalley, G. Willow Wilson and DC Entertainment, DC Comics for the e-ARC of this comic. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

I didn’t expect anything less from g Willow and this was a great start to her catwoman series ! Highly recommend it

Thank you NetGalley !

Was this review helpful?

I've always been a fan of G. Willow Wilson's work and it's a pleasure to see her returning to the Batman realm. Wilson does nice work, both with respect to the Selina Kyle legacy as well as taking her own tack on the story and the Batman relationship. Artwork is solid, enhancing an enjoyable tale.

Was this review helpful?

Catwoman had always been a favorite of mine, and I was stoked to see One Bad Day!

The comic gives a glimpse into Selina's past along with a cameo from Batman. I loved seeing them interact with one another, but it's never enough, and always has me coming back for more.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve been loving the “One Bad Day” one shot series and “Catwoman” is a perfect addition! I don’t think G. Willow Wilson is capable of writing a bad comic, and this is another great one to add to her ouvre. Selina’s voice is so strong and the interactions with Bruce were every bit or flirtatious and combative. Just how I like my BatCat! Coupled with Jamie McElvey’s art, what a comic!

Was this review helpful?