2006/12/05

Las fotos de Getxo

Después de un post muy triste y muy serio uno más alegre.

El fin de semana estuve de invitado en el Salón del Cómic de Getxo; me trataron muy bien, y me cebaron como a un cerdito.



La habitación del hotel, una pasada, esta gente se lo gasta...



Las vistas, el patio de un colegio, una estampa muy otoñal.



En el salón muchos amigos, Koldo...



Los maños, Salvador (después de unas copas, todos tan amigos!)



Javi hizo unos dibujos fantásticos en la sesión de firmas, al loro, aprendió a firmar allí.



Para los que no somos de allí nos parece raro, pero hay bares que son de un partido político o de otro.



Un Vatxoki (o como coño que se escriba).





Y comida, mucha y buena.



Alberto, Rosi y Bertxo atentos a la charla de Koldo.



Y atentos al pinchito y al tinto...



... el Bertxito, qué majo. Aquí estamos en el sitio donde cenamos en Getxo.



Este soy yo afectado por los símbolos vascos...

Y como final, miedo y asco en Bilbao.









El muchacho que está a mi lado es Carles, y no tiene nada de buena pinta...

Resumiendo, habría sido un fin de semana estupendo si el infortunio no se hubiera cruzado en nuestras vidas.

(Bueno, sí, estoy jodido, qué pasa.)

Menuda Mierda



La noche del sábado al domingo murió Perrito, una de las personas más grandes que ha pisado nuestro planeta.
De él aprendí cómo se celebra una fiesta, cómo tratar a tus amigos como si fueran familia y a tu familia como si fueran amigos. Aprendí que si cambias un poquito tu punto de vista, cada día de tu vida puede ser el mejor, ¿cómo? intentando hacer feliz a quien tienes al lado, ser buena peña, no hacer daño a nadie...
Perrito jugaba al bludboul como nadie, era el Ronaldiño del once contra once con dados y figuritas de plomo; siempre se podía forzar una casilla más, intentar aquella esquiva imposible, hacer el pase de final de turno, y por supuesto, la faltita de rigor "si está en las reglas hay que hacerla".



Inventó muchas palabras; he seleccionado tres:
Un "quesisuis": Muy poquito.
Tener los ojos "churripitosos": Tener los ojos brillantitos, por lo que sea.
y mi favorita, la "petintina", esa fuerza interior que él irradiaba.
Anécdotas con perro tengo a puñados, cuando se le cayeron las estanterías del cuarto, cuando nos fuimos a La Afortunada, cuando me machacó el equipo de elfos oscuros, cuando tiró por la ventana aquel dado que sólo sacaba unos, cuando se quedó empanado una tarde entera en mi terraza, cuando barríamos el patio de Tenor Fleta, cuando me quedaba hasta bien entrada la madrugada antes de ir a la oficina jugando a Necromunda... tantas historias, tantas frases lapidarias.
Y el último detalle, de sus muchísimos amigos, ninguno supimos nunca porqué se llamaba Perrito, porque Luis era un nombre demasiado pequeño para un tipo tan grande.
Te echaremos de menos, Perrito.

Davizzz

2006/11/13

31 años e igual de tonto

Inviración de la fiesta de este año:

El Fran
Los Chicos Eléctricos
Javi Jelfayar














El Demonio Azul con sus regalitos.

María y Miguel

¿Qué tendrá esa cocina?

Jess estaba muy malita, pero vino

Álex...

Vomitón siempre con algo entre manos

Menudo póker

Francias también estaba cansado, pobre.

Ismene, posando natural.

Vomitón con el JunGar... ya nadie le hace caso

Xavi parece un Mapet.

No se le ve, pero es Diego.

Kiki.

Xavi con el Demonio Azul.

Álex es tan sexy...

Bueno, Víctor no se queda atrás.

Pero Ruché es lo más.

Reviews del CatWoman #60



















CATWOMAN #60 REVIEW
Reviewer: Terry Verticchio terryvert@hotmail.com
Quick Rating: Good
Title: It’s only a movie—Take 2
Film Freak gets ready for his close-up…Selina rescues the damsel in distress.
Writer: Will Pfeifer
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Alvaro Lopez
Colours: J. Cox
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover art: Adam Hughes
Associate Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
It’s not easy being Catwoman. Everyone in Gotham has a beef against her, the cops, the criminals and every other loon in between. But it’s even worse when you’re not the real Catwoman. It has to be said that Holly, Selina’s replacement is a bust; she just doesn’t have the knack for being a superhero. And so it’s up to the real Catwoman to save the day. Of course that also includes battling a thirty-foot genetically enhanced ape that was released by Film Freak from STAR labs.
This issue moves along smoothly enough. The dialogue is crisp and the various plot lines are fleshed out. I like F.F.’s commentary on the movie “Easy Rider”. As well, the way the cops know Holly isn’t the real Catwoman shows how much they respect her, despite their attempts to put her behind bars.
The art is good. I like the little touch of having the borders of the pages that F.F. is presented look like the edges of film. But I have to say that the fight scenes are a bit flat, the action just didn’t jump out at me.
Now that Holly has pretty much hung up her whip, I can’t help but wonder if Selina will return to being Catwoman full time again. She’d better, as they streets of Gotham just aren’t safe without her.

http://www.comixtreme.com


Saturday, October 21, 2006
Crises of Maternity: Brief Reviews of Catwoman #60 and Birds of Prey #99
It's been a rather exciting week, Gentle Reader. Fall Has Come to the South, and right now, it is in the low 60s. Mr. Reads and I did some last-minute shopping for our upcoming Halloween party next weekend. I made reservations for my January research trip in the UK, and we scraped together enough money for Mr. Reads to accompany me. Our Dear Friends delivered a healthy baby boy yesterday. Oh, and Mr. Reads and I got the chance to catch up on our pop cultures. Not only did I get to read The 52 ("don't forget the fifty-two!" - gratitude,– Legion), but I got to read Catwoman and Birds of Prey as well.
Both comics this month are, surprisingly, about Motherhood. Dinah leaves the Birds forever to be a mother to Sin, and Selina leaves Helena for the night to be the savior of Gotham. Dinah leaving the Birds I have no problem with. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't want Dinah in the Birds! Dinah and Babs *are* the Birds to me. While I adore Helena B., and am Quite the Huntress Fan, I tend to side on All Things Canary, All The Time. But it makes sense for Dinah to try something new, and I know, deep down inside, that she will be back. Dinah can't leave the Birds for long; she's entirely too important to be somewhere else, even the JLA.
But Selina, Selina, Selina! The entire One Year Later storyline has revolved around her new duties as a mother. She had Zatanna wipe minds to protect Helena. She has Wildcat guard... I mean, baby-sit for Helena. I'm sure Batman has a video camera or ten installed in and around Selina's home to keep an eye on Little Baby Cats. She has said, ad nauseam, that her number-one priority is Helena. She has made Holly her successor so she can raise her daughter. So why, why, why would she ever act so nonchalantly about her own life? She is a mother now, a fact that she has made clear again and again. Yet the second she puts on the Catsuit, all thoughts of her obligations and responsibilities fly out of the window?
She breaks into the police station. She frees Holly. Yay, Catwoman! Let us Applaud Her For It. Not only does she ensure the continuation of her legacy, she does A Solid for her friend, as well. They escape to the roof, and decide that they need a distraction. Enter stage right: the eight-thousand-pound gorilla in the room.
Film Freak frees a giant, rampaging gorilla. Selina sees Gotham's Finest turn their lasers not to "stun" but to "kill," and decides that she Must Protect The Innocent Of Gotham, no matter the species. She goes to help, but before she can, Holly stops her and asks, "And what if you get killed?" Selina responds, "Then I get killed. Go home, Holly. Back to my apartment. I'll be there soon. And call Karon. Let her know you're okay."
Of course this could simply be Selina Being Selina: arrogant, confident, assured, so very charming and fabulous. This is the Selina we have loved over the past several years. But see, she *hasn't* been very arrogant, confident, or assured since Helena was born. She has new responsibilities and concerns, which she reminds us of, every month. And this *new* Selina is just as charming, perhaps even more so. Her awkwardness, her insecurity, her post-baby belly that is undeniably sexy, how can we not love Selina-the-Supermom? Yet her first response to Holly's concern over her safety is "then I get killed"?
Now perhaps I'm overreacting, and I admit, Gentle Reader, that I have A Tendency To Overreact. Maybe it's because I read books for a living; I'm paid to overanalyze, to discuss, ad nauseam, the implications of tiny moments of dialogue such as this one. But reading these two books back to back, and reading them so soon after Sue Storm leaves her children with Reed, I can't help but see a larger argument about Maternity and Superheroes, whether implicit or explicit, being made here.
Dinah hangs up the tights for her daughter; she decides she can't be a good mother and a good superhero at the same time. Selina, however, puts the suit back on and seemingly forgets that she has larger obligations now. Sue Storm goes off to Fight The Good Fight, and she leaves her children with their father in an attempt to force them to interact. Three mothers, three radically different viewpoints, and, while none of them scream "Bad Motherhood," all of them suggest something Different.
Friends, *I* like Different. *I* think Different is what Makes Us Great. But in these three different interpretations of Motherhood-—-the single, adoptive mom, the divorcee (for all intents and purposes), and the single, working mom--—Different just skirts the realm of Social Not Good. *I* as a person may like different, but the *I* indoctrinated into social expectations--the *I* who is forever influenced by social judgment and stereotypes and genres--anguishes over Canary's decision to leave the Birds to raise her child, but judges Selina and Sue for leaving their children at home while they pursue their careers or ambitions. I guess I am suffering under That Greatest Of Feminist Quandaries: I want the job and I want to raise my children, too, and I want it for my female characters as well.
This issue has popped up again and again in my life, as more and more of my friends are having children *and* careers. Feminism gave us The Right To Choose: pregnancy, career, child, no child, child and career, no child and career, etc. Yet society sometimes judges women as Lesser Beings if they choose to stay home and raise the kids, the same as it sometimes judges women as Lesser Beings if they *don't* choose to stay home and raise the kids. Supermom or Superhero? Pick one or the other, Dinah, Selina, and Sue, because apparently, you can't have both.
There is no similar quandary for men, is there, Gentle Reader? I can't think of a Superdad or Superhero situation in comics, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen, over and over again. But Mr. Fantastic is allowed to go off and work and still have children, as is Batman (who actually takes his kids to work, every day!), Green Arrow (who didn't even know he had a kid for a good long while), and Power Man (who sent his kid off with Jessica to protect them). Please let me know if you can think of any such situations in normal continuity (not in the "now retired and having kids" world of, say, future Spider-Man and his web-slinging daughter Spider-Girl).
These three comics, while perhaps not overtly judgmental themselves, offer up Motherhood in the Superhero Community for public scrutiny. Dinah, Sue, and Selina are all of them available for judgment, acceptance, and yes, Friends, even scorn. Readers can judge them as fit or unfit mothers based on how they balance life and career.
After I struggled with this, with social indoctrination, with gender expectations drilled into me from the moment of birth (gratitude, Ms. Butler), I discovered that I did judge Selina, but not for leaving her child at home, and certainly not for putting on the Cat costume again. I like Selina as Catwoman; I like Holly, too, but Selina Is Catwoman for me. There can be no other. And Selina will put the costume on thousands of times between now and retirement, and I applaud every single one of those times.
But.
But here's the thing: I found her nonchalant, laissez-faire attitude about the value of her life to be off-putting, even more off-putting than last issue's sex-with-Sam scene. More off-putting than the Sam-telling-Slam scene of this issue. Because it stings of the previous, near-suicidal incarnation of Selina that I thought we'd overcome. She fought, so long and so hard, to be who she is, to treasure her own life, to believe in herself and her self-conversion to The White Hats again. And in one sentence, all of that comes crashing down.
Perhaps it was meant as a sign of confidence, or perhaps a taste of nihilistic flair. Perhaps it was meant as all of those things and more. But I didn't read it that way. I read it as the Return Of The Repressed. I read it as The Taste Of Things To Come. And always, always the future smacks of the past, because no matter how far we shove it down, it always, always comes back.
posted by Amy Reads @ 11:17 AM

http://ettacandy.blogspot.com


CATWOMAN #60: Similarly, what I like about this title currently is what's also driving me crazy--like many of my beloved Marvel titles in the '70s, this title appears to be so far under people's radar that it's free to do all kinds of quirky, crazy crap. But it's also unfocused, draggy and almost all about the villain who, while entertaining, is really, really one note. It's Eh , unfortunately, and I'm frustrated I'm not having as much fun reading it as the writer seems to be writing it.

http://www.comixexperience.com


Admittedly, I can’t make up my mind about Catwoman #60 . The script is certainly suspenseful, with the two questions of whether or not the GCPD detective will manage to nail Selena for the death of the Black Mask, and the question of who is Helena Kyle’s father (my money is still on Batman). However there are a lot of little details that are beginning to bug me. First off the inking this issue looked rushed to me, and I’m not sure I see the point of the subplot involving Slam & Son – unless Selena’s surprise move last issue is her way of distancing herself from Slam (God knows why – esp. if he is the father). Also, didn’t it seem as though Holly’s I.Q. dropped a few points between this issue and the last? She never was the brightest bulb in Gotham’s East End certainly, but she isn’t the near moron of her first appearance in Batman: Year One either. Finally, while Film Freak was interesting at first, he is beginning to wear out his welcome. I honestly hope Selena kills him next issue.

1. Catwoman #60
Unlike our esteemed thread starter, I know which side of the fence I'm standing on. This title continues to be one the better if not the best of the Bat universe titles. The storyline is so compelling and just a great pageturner. I'm loving what Will Pfeifer is doing to Selina and her supporting cast. The readers pretty much know who the father is to baby Helena, I'm more worried about what's going to happen to Selina now that the Film Freak (who is just so much fun to read!) really turned it 11 with the craziness factor. While I'm loving David Lopez's artwork on this, it seems on certain pages that the coloring, not the inking, hindered this issue. It seems very stagnant. How can you not love the opening page of this issue and get a good hearty laugh in your body?
Grade: A

http://www.paperfilms.invisionzone.com


Catwoman #60: This Issue: WILL PFEIFER GIVES YOU WHAT YOU WANT! Yes, last month's promise of Catwoman fighting a giant monkey on a rampage is fulfilled, and it reads like everyone involved is having an absolute blast with it. Even David Lopez's pencils--which I've enjoyed more and more every month since I first saw him back when Fallen Angel originally came out--seem looser and more energetic in this one, right down to Holly's lopsided grin when she's on the phone with Wildcat. What really clinches it, though, is the ending sequence, which is structured exactly like last month's , right down to the big last-page reveal, and while there's a feeling of repetition when it starts off, by the end it comes off as Pfeifer just using the same structure to raise the stakes one more time. Except this time, he's using one of my all-time favorites

http://the-isb.blogspot.com


The Good
Catwoman 60 - This isn't Catwoman. I really don't think it is. I'm probably even going to be dropping this book. Lopez's art is a huge part of why I've enjoyed this title, and a large part of the rating--I fell in love with Lopez on Fallen Angel, and he's one of my favorite artists. 2.5 stars.

Re: October 18, Rank the comics you read this week
Posted: Oct 21, 2006 11:43 PM
Reply
1.Catwoman #60 - 4.5 Stars - After revealing the father last issue, I swore never to buy an issue of Catwoman again. Nedless to say, a month later and I've folded like a beach umbrella, and I'm glad I did. Selina was in top form

http://dcboards.warnerbros.com


Wednesday, October 11, 2006
But Seriously... Catwoman is a Great Read!
Newsarama just posted the first five pages of Catwoman #60 for preview. Incorrigible cover aside, I really find myself looking to this book every month. Writer Will Pfeifer and Artist David Lopez have created an exciting, eye-catching book that hits the mark.
The "One Year Later" premise of Selina Kyle becoming a mother and handing over the Catwoman reigns to her friend Holly is intriguing to say the least. Add the speculation as to who the father of darling baby Helena is, and there is a slew of mystery going on to top it off.
As a huge Silver Age Huntress fan, I love the fact that the Catwoman of continuity has had a baby girl and named her so aptly. I see it as a shout out of sorts to Huntress creators Paul Levitz and Joe Staton. It is absolutely too good to be true.
Above and beyond the Silver Age nod, I appreciate the high quality scripting done by Pfeifer. He has kept the momentum going started at the reboot of the Catwoman series. She is a much more gray character then I had thought possible, and the fact that one day she could turn back to a life of crime makes her edgier then most conventional DC females. Infinite Crisis brought out the deep secret that Zatanna had zapped her mind. Instead of leaving it at that, Selena brought Zatanna back to get some payback, and I loved that.
Artwise, I absolutely drool for Lopez' art. I loved it on Fallen Angel, and adore it here. Portraying Selena realistically after the birth of her baby was a nice change. Seeing her struggle with her weight and not be at her best fit the story well. Pfeifer and Lopez are a great synergistic team.
If you haven't been reading Catwoman, give it a try. Issue #60 features a jail break and a serial killer running amok. Excitement is sure to follow!

posted by Heidi Meeley @ 6:53 PM

6 Comments:
At 8:44 PM ,Chris Laffoon said...
Now this I agree with. I've always liked Catwoman. I know, generally I don't like many DC comics but this is one I've never been able to put down. Someone help me or my Marvel bias award might be taken away.

At 11:26 AM ,Ragtime said...
I agree that Catwoman has been great. I was completely turned off, though, by the revelation of Helena's father. It seemed very rushed, out of place, and inexplicable.
I know it's only one minor point, but there was a lot of "build up" without a lot of follow through.
Still looking forward to #60, though.

At 6:19 PM ,Heidi Meeley said...
Chris, I think that we can definitely make an exception to the rule for Catwoman. She is an edgier character, whose next move is unpredictable. Having that whole "will she or won't she" vibe makes reading Catwoman pretty darn exciting!
One DC book does not unmake a Marvel fan to be sure!

At 6:20 PM ,Heidi Meeley said...
Ragtime- do you think that the revelation of Helena's father is done? I was really hoping that it was just a starting point, and that other fellas would come forward to make things more exciting (hint, hint Dark Knight!).
I agree that it is a letdown of sorts, so here is to crossing our fingers that there is more to it.
Issue #60 looks to be an action-packed one, so I am looking forward to it also.

At 8:53 PM ,Ragtime said...
There certainly COULD be more, I guess. I'm not expecting, and certainly am not going forward risking disappointment if there is not more.
One would assume that if Bruce were involved, he would providing the kid more protection than necessary to avoid third-stringer villains like Angle Man and the Film Freak.

At 9:30 PM ,Heidi Meeley said...
Ragtime- yeah, it probably is the dreamer in me that is hoping for more. I just hate being disapointed!!
You have a good point in that if Selena's child was also Bruce's, that he would have been watching much closer. Thank you for pointing that out.

http://comicsfairplay.blogspot.com


atom t. kirk Newbie: joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 32
Catwoman #60
I love Catwoman.
Will's writing is top notch. Lopez's art is purrfect(sorry).
And the film freak is my kind of movie guy. Take away his homicidal tendencies and I could see him on TCM with Robert Osborne co-hosting the Essentials...
Which, come to think of it, is the purrfect (again, sorry) to describe this comic.
An Essential.
Unfortunately... it doesn't get a lot of love. Thank you DC for keeping this title going. Quality is appreciated by few.

Drink Neo Geoffan: joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 381
Love the book, it's turned out to be a surprise hit for me.
Some might not like the Film Freak, but I can't get enough. The last page was both awesome and chilling.

Icon Geoffan: joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 545
I love Catwoman.
Will's writing is top notch. Lopez's art is purrfect(sorry).
And the film freak is my kind of movie guy. Take away his homicidal tendencies and I could see him on TCM with Robert Osborne co-hosting the Essentials...
Which, come to think of it, is the purrfect (again, sorry) to describe this comic..

atom t. kirk
You do know there's a special corner of Hell reserved for people who use the term "purrfect" in relation to a Catwoman story don't you? One where you're used as a scratching post by large clawed demons for all eternity.

Piper Advanced Geoffan: joined: May 2005 Posts: 2,121
Some might not like the Film Freak, but I can't get enough. The last page was both awesome and chilling.
Drink
When he first showed up, I admit that I rolled my eyes, but Pfeifer has done a great job with his characterization.
Catwoman is usually a great read, but I have to admit I didn't find this issue as enjoyable as I would have expected. It's definitely still a good read, but something felt off. Thoughts...
SPOILER. Highlight below text to read
I loved the way Pfeifer had Catwoman make a movie reference given Film Freak's involvement in the story.
I was kind of disappointed that Holly wanted to leave the giant gorilla to get killed. Maybe it's the animal lover in me, but I really wanted her to convince Selina to rescue it.
Lopez's artwork is really back and forth. I love the way Holly looks when she answers her cell phone on the roof top, yet she looks really bad in the panel right after it.
Film Freak's scene with Slam was, no pun intended, "classic."
On the one hand I thought it was interesting that it was Karon, not either of the Catwomen, who realized that all of the weird things happening were from movies. On the other hand the revelation seemed to come out of nowhere. I would have rather it had taken Karon a minute or two to figure it out instead of instantly doing so.
"Love the bomb." Sweet.

Fletcher Hawke Geoffan: joined: May 2006 Posts: 629
I have to say, I think Film Freak may be one of the best new villains since Ra's (though obviously in a completely different vein). Really liking this run.

HushedRuin The Original Gangsta: joined: Oct 2005 Location: Reppin St. Louis to the fullest Posts: 2,413
Film Freak is one odd little dude. I dig him a little bit though. As far as villains are concerned, he's a good one. So far gone, yet not exactly 'bwahahaha'/trigger-happy...
I don't know... That whole "I'm gonna save the gorilla" scene... I took it as Selina using reverse psychology. "I can handle it Holly. You just go home." What I THOUGHT was gonna happen was Holly being all "Oh no you DON'T" and the two rescue the gorilla.
About a week ago, I found out Holly & Karon were... um... together. Good thing. Never would've seen that one coming (read the 'War Games' tie-ins and the pre-OYL arc). I just thought they were best friends...
It's been a pretty sweet ride so far. I'm enjoying it.

http://www.comicbloc.com


Adam Hughes, dissatisfied with drawing one Catwoman hanging out of her costume, goes for two this month! Still, that’s a nice cover. I just find it humorous.
Next month’s issue is “to be concluded,” and I hope Pfeifer sends the Film Freak somewhere and doesn’t use him for a while, because even though I think he’s nifty, I fear overuse of the character. This issue is quite good, as the GIANT GORILLA from last issue rampages through Gotham, but I have a feeling the filmic nods will get annoying after too long. The first page of the book is a clever homage to Kane’s death scene in Citizen Kane , and at the end, Edison has decided to skip from the 1930s to the 1960s and redo a scene from Dr. Strangelove (he’s crazy, so I’ll let you decide which one), but this schtick, like any other, can only last so long. Know when to fold ‘em, Mr. Pfeifer!
In the meantime, Selina breaks Holly out of police headquarters. It’s a fine rescue, as Selina thinks to herself what a fine time for a distraction this is, just as Edison unleashes the GIANT GORILLA on the cops. As they try to escape, Selina goes all “protector of the innocent” and decides she has to stop the GIANT GORILLA’s rampage before the cops kill it. The scene allows Pfeifer to get in some wonderful comic booky dialogue: Holly says, “What the hell is it?” and Selina calmly answers, “It’s a GIANT GORILLA, Holly. What does it look like?” Holly wonders where it came from, and Selina has a retort: “We live in a strange world, Holly. There are a lot of GIANT GORILLAs out there.” You know, despite the fact that the chances of you getting killed probably rise exponentially, I want to live in a comic book world! Selina saves the day, naturally, and heads for home, where her babysitter figures out that these events are all related to movies.
The subplot of the baby daddy continues a bit, as Slam shows up very drunk and Edison points out how clichéd he is, which is kind of funny. The baby thing is weirding me out, as several people have jumped Pfeifer’s shit because “Helena” (Selina’s kid) should have been Helena Wayne, who later became the Huntress. Jesus, people, get a grip. I think it’s neat that Pfeifer named the kid Helena as a nod to those long-ago, not-only-did-they-never-happen-but-back-then-they-weren’t-even-”real” stories. This kid has nothing to do with the old Earth-Whatever stories, and if it did, I would be seriously disappointed in Pfeifer. As for Sam (possibly) being the kid’s father, so what? Selina got busy with a friend one time and got pregnant. Isn’t that probable? The reaction has been weird, I think.
Anyway, another solid issue from Pfeifer and López. It’s a pleasure to read a nicely put together comic book like this.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com


KKGlinka ( kkglinka ) escribió en cat_scratches: @2006 -10 -19 20:20:00
Review: Catwoman #60
It was slightly better than the last issue, and certainly had a couple of good bits, but the read on the whole was lukewarm. The cover is pretty, as usual and an improvement over the solicited preview image. Much more dynamic, active pose, direct eye contact breaks the male gaze generated by the partial undress of both characters. Yeah, I liked the cover best. I guess I should open the book. Fun fact, nineteen pages of ads, twenty-two pages of story.
King Kong references I get, though I'm going from the most recent one not the original. It probably doesn't matter because the ending is the same: the gorilla dies. So clearly Selina must foil this plan, even if her motive must be shoe-horned (which it is). The gorilla fight was cute but I'm still doing a whiskey tango foxtrot over her motive. Since when did pragmatic Selina buy into superhero idealism? The one who has lectured other heroes about how naive, simplistic and unrealistic, their approach is? It was as if she found a little superhero instruction book and was fighting the gorilla because "this is what heroes do" which...
Oh, right. I guess there was another Prime!Punch in there somewhere that shifted her from the anti-hero who understands someone's gotta get blamed for doing the dirty work to little miss hero protecting the presumed innocent, batman-style. Never mind that gorilla was probably sedated for a good reason. Maybe it ate people, you know? I get Selina was trying to send a good message to Holly, and maybe work off some steam, but heck if that entire scene didn't come across as politically correct showboating. I guess now that she's a mommy she needs to be a good girl, with all the appropriate trappings and naive behaviors of a proper hero. For instance, you can break into places but only so long as you're rescuing someone. I think the super-heroic mentality is swamping out the last dribble of film noir in this title, despite the campy Film Freak insisting the opposite.
Which brings me to the most painful, tacky scene in the book: Film Freak confronting Slam Bradley and breaking the fourth wall to explain to us (dim-witted) readers what kind of pastiche he is. Please. One cliche calling another a cliche? Not exactly witty; clunky and awkward. I abhor when a writer feels compelled to use a character as a cipher to speak directly to the audience, like that. It's pretentious and guts his attempt to pry Film Freak out of his plot device status. As for a third act, I've yet to see Slam exit his first (being a sorry drunk). We get a Butler-Maid scene with Selina, Holly and Karon explaining the movie references for us and then back to Film Freak and his black and white movies.
Selina rescuing Holly? Now that was great. It was swift, competent, efficient and brutal where necessary. While it was very nice to see Selina handle the prison break with the casual aplomb she ought to have, the solicit for #63 indicates the obvious problem: the paper trail, chiefly, the signed confession. I recall past stories that involved jail-breaks in which Selina seemed well aware that the paper trail either needed to be destroyed or replaced by a facade. In fact, we were shown the latter method just recently, although I'm not sure why Selina was convinced it would be a resilient solution in this day and age. Back to the subject and why I can't be as pleased as I want.
Either Selina doesn't immediately remember this rudimentary aspect of prison breaks or it takes her several issues of failure attempting to eliminate the confession and related evidence surrounding Black Mask's murder. Putting aside that she should have dealt that that electronic paper trail last year - her complacency is mind-boggling - why can't she do it? Is there a good reason why she must turn to a "devil" and broker a deal that reveals vulnerability to a dangerous opponent? I guess we could assume it's Lex Luthor, but Selina should be smart enough to realize that giving him a foot in the door will have permanent consequences. Whatever future payment he demands in exchange will never be enough. I wouldn't find that scenario clever or interesting so much as just plain dumb. The solicit also indicates that this scheme will backfire in some way that will require Superman to rescue Selina from her foolhardy incompetence.
At the core, either Selina is complacent because she didn't kill Black Mask, hence Batman's cavalier attitude toward her, or she's complacent out of sheer short-sighted stupidity. Ie; she thought she got away with it and successfully hid from everyone forever and ever. In which case, she's delusional and that doesn't have me on the edge of my seat. Slam may not have known what was going on, but Lenahan proves the evidence existed even if the rest of the GCPD were content to ignore it.
It's not that I can't understand why Selina would turn to Lex (assuming it's him). If she's dropped the ball this badly, she would need a rich and powerful person to apply financial and political leverage against the GCPD; she would need to bribe her way out. She can't ask Bruce because he wouldn't protect Catwoman from a legitimate murder rap, whereas Lex would have a vested interest in blocking Bruce Wayne on a matter of principle. It's the whole careless and short-sighted thing that makes Selina look like a rank amateur that grates on my nerves. Hopefully, it won't be that bad. After all, solicits are almost always grossly misleading.

kevenn 2006-10-20 05:57 pm UTC (vínculo )
I agree, Selina brekaing out Holly was great. I felt like we really got Catwoman back. If only for a little bit. :)

Re: Catwoman #60
kkglinka 2006-10-20 09:37 pm UTC (vínculo )
Yeah, it was. There was this great, unspoken, "Dude, I'm not Batman. I wouldn't leave my friends to rot just because they didn't meet my standards." There's no condemnation from Selina toward Holly over this, which is right on. Also notice how much more Holly enjoyed watching Selina work than being Catwoman herself. It was nice seeing her active again, but the motivation felt forced, is all.

http://community.livejournal.com


Catwoman #60
DC Comics
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Drawn by: David Lopez
Catwoman has been pretty good since the "On year later" thing that DC has going on. We have seen Selina Kyle is now the Mother of a baby girl. We have seen the mantle of Catwoman handed over to someone else. We have seen Slam Bradley devolved into a stumbling drunk. We have seen the villain Film Freak take a extreme interest in Catwoman's life, and lastly we have seen obsessive Detective Lenahan hot on the trail of Selina in hopes of bringing her to justice for what he believes is the murder of the Black Mask. All in all it's been a busy year for Ms. Kyle...
We left off with the New Catwoman captured and being interrogated by detective Lenahan. The detective is coming on strong trying to get Holly to crack and give up the real Catwoman so he can continue his obsessive mission to take Selina down. Selina gets word that her protégé has been apprehended and stuffs her new mom baby fat into the leather suit once again and infiltrates the Police Dept doing what she does best... Being sexy and sneaky.
Meanwhile Film Freak who was recently driven even more insane from a mind wipe courtesy of another foxy DC chica... Zatana, has infiltrated Star Labs and has stolen a giant ape to let loose on the city. (Hmmm what film could he be paying homage to here? I wonder)... The ape arrives in time to draw out almost all of the East end's law enforcement and thus giving Selina apt time to steal her protégé right out from under the cops noses. Of course in process Selina decides to save the giant ape from the cops and itself.
Like I said... Catwoman has been a good read since I started picking it up again. Selina doesn't have a very deep rogue's gallery compared to Batman and the Film Freak is teetering on kinda lame... I can see Selina beating the tar out of his next issue and ending this nonsense but for now this is what we get and it has been good. That couple with the dead sexy Adam Hughes covers and you really can't go wrong. Is Catwoman the best book out there right now? No... it's not, but it has been solid for a long time now...

http://www.azogscollection.com


CATWOMAN #60
Synopsis
Edison (aka the Film freak) sets a bomb to explode at STAR Labs, allowing him and a giant gorilla to escape into Gotham City. At police headquarters, Detective Lenahan is attempting to get Holly to reveal the identity of Catwoman. Before she can talk, Lenahan is pulled away to deal with a giant gorilla stalking the streets. In the meantime, the real Catwoman is able to break into the interrogation room and free Holly. Outside the prison, Selina sends Holly home and then takes care of the giant gorilla. Nearby, a very drunk Slam Bradley sees the ape and falls down. In his stupor he recalls a conversation he had with his son about his relationship with Catwoman. Later, at her home, Holly reads from the newspaper the recent rash of weird events, which Karon connects to the movies being referenced. Selina realizes it is the film freak. Elsewhere, the film freak uncovers a nuclear bomb.
Review
This issue features a reference to one of the greatest movies of all time, a reference to one of the best satires of all time, and a giant ape creating Mayhem in Gotham. What about it is there not to like? With each passing issue I am loving this series more and more. Hell, the ending to this issue is exactly the same as the previous issue, except for a different movie being referenced. Otherwise, pretty much the same. Yet it did not bother me at all, for two reasons. One, the stakes are raised, the threat is different and much more deadlier. Two, movies ape (pun intended) each other all the time, stealing shots and lines, so seeing it here just adds another level to the zaniness that abounds.
I am not sure who said it, but it is someone out in the comics blogsphere but essentially this person suggested that because Catwoman sells poorly compared to other heroes (but well enough to stay in print), Pfeifer has been allowed to go wild and do what he wants without much interference. If that is the case (and it sounds logical) then I hope Pfeifer is given free rein for a long time. This is some good stuff he has got going (although I may be prejudiced because I love film so much).
One of the things I am finding interesting about this series is the general hatred aimed at Will Pfeifer and DC Comics for the storyline related to Selina’s baby. Essentially, Batman fans are pissed off that the baby’s father is not Bruce Wayne. It is almost as if there should be no other father but Bruce Wayne and if it isn’t, well, then DC should just go to hell. Not being a big Batman fan, I really don’t care on way or the other, but from what I can tell, there are a lot of bat-freaks who have dropped this title simply because Bruce Wayne ain’t the daddy. I actually find this amusing but at the same time terrifying; it is this type of reaction that gives nerds/geeks/whatever a bad name. It is like they have a picture in their head of their favorite characters and lord have mercy if the writers and creators deviate from that script. It is that kind of attitude that will cause disappoint more than joy.
I absolutely agree with the Film Freak on his assessment of Easy Rider . -- Review by MRB

http://www.dcu-reviews.com

2006/10/11

CatWoman #59 Review

http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?t=40202

CATWOMAN #59 REVIEW
Reviewer: Stephanie Kay, children_of_paradise@hotmail.co.uk
Story Title: It’s Only A Movie, Pt 1.
The father of Selina’s baby is revealed! Maybe.
Writer: Will Pfeifer
Artist: David Lopez
Inker: Alvaro Lopez
Colorist: J. Cox
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Adam Hughes
Associate Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Published by: DC Comics
It’s been a long time since we had a paternity subplot within mainstream comics, so I (who enjoy a good soap opera as much as the next comic punter) have caught onto the train(wreck) of all good angst/lust/suggestions. This story development of Catwoman has become nearer to a proverbial ‘Who shot JR?’ of sperm scandals. Well, if issue #59 does indeed provide the information for whom the dude is then… bleh?
Perhaps the divisions that have developed from this issue and last’s ‘revelations’ were to be expected and somewhat understood in terms of lingering dissatisfaction, and uninhibited pacing quirks the last half year of Catwoman .
On this reading, it seems obvious that Pfeifer is keen on stretching out explanatory detail over an entire arc (solicits now promise issue #62 will reveal all about Selina’s missing year – just so you know - and with that I can hear the wave of frustration growing). So yes, simply put this issue feels less like ‘part 1’ of those desired ‘answers’ but instead a slight reiteration of previously known areas of discussion: it does not actually provide that much tangible information about OYL (Black Mask’s murder, the GCPD, the Pact etc.) Admittedly it may ruffle a few feathers toward the end and that is less out of ‘controversy’ (I’ll eschew from the subject of Selina’s 'like father like son' morals) but simply what may be a predictable attempt at keeping the status quo on the grand-scale of things. Flashbacks - keeping in the suitable conventions of Film Freak’s film-noir style - occur only on the now infamous Selina Kyle pregnancy mystery. Now taking these scenes at complete face-value (and without the [who-knows] red herring), this perhaps does not show Selina in the most flattering of light.
I won’t venture to quite say ‘the father’ of this baby has unforeseeable damages on both the character and title – rather it’s more in jeopardy of turning into an extremely lacklustre development which really wasn’t of depth. I’ve quite enjoyed the addition of baby Helena into the title, in-so-much that its hero-comics most decent opportunity at including single motherhood. But of course I’m not naïve enough to think female heroes can sustain both a competent family-life and a crime fighting profession (Kate Spencer, I will ignore you), so I’m somewhat fearing for the plight of Helena. With my own keen delusion, I will add a spin on what seems like Selina’s blatant animalistic lust a.k.a. dopeyness: like many, I prefer to hope Selina is hinting at ‘intentions’ for getting pregnant, although it’s also entirely possible the femme-fatale moment of aggressor in the flashback was hollow without motive (Cox did emphasise those lipz – and those eyes – and that ‘determined’ look – and the phrase ‘team-up’…)
On one level, how much a person will enjoy this issue will unsurprisingly depend on how keen they are on the ‘choice’ of paps (however simplistic that may sound with regards to sticking with Catwoman ). Less arms are up in the air over where all this ends, but whether this whole subplot has been slightly milked, and whether it thus far fits the dynamics of this title. Merit is arguably in the view that certain references feel more like minor duping to retain readership than actual genuine ‘nods’ to alternative ‘possibilities’ (as in case of the name Helena which holds very significant to the Bat-Cat lurve, a fire fanned onto every choice this issue by Helena going gaga for a mask). I can give credit to Pfeifer for substantiating the choices – but considering the amount of buildup of recent, certain ‘crucial’ moments fall flat here.
Elsewhere we do have interesting predicaments abound: Holly is looking a little worse for wear having ended up in the slam/prison/jail/interrogation for the murder of Black Mask last issue. Poor Holly. There is something painfully unfair about the setup of Catwoman of present -- we’re still far from establishing equal footing as the heroic persona and being in Selina’s shadow has been castrating for the character. Holly though takes the prize for being the most intelligent character in issue #58 and #59 (although that’s less of a glorifying statement that you’d think). She and Ted share the most ‘human’ pieces of characterisation, and currently provide more moments of understated charm. With Selina acting quite impulsively to ‘rescue’ Holly, we do get more concentration on Film Freak as a separate rampage and boy is he looking wonderfully out-of-sorts. The art team shine out especially during the movie sequences, and their ghoulish Film Freak is certainly for me, providing the most intriguing elements of the plot and visuals.
Film Freak strikes as an authentically nasty villain with an approach to murder which mirrors his knowledge on movie trivia (most especially from the Golden Age of the 1930s). As a film enthusiast, these in-jokes are refreshing dark entertainment; quite like the ‘performance’ Film Freak is delivering (including scenarios akin to Buster Keaton, James Cagney and other of noir mysteries). His dementia is unquestionably outlandish, but it is able to flourish in extremes due to the nature of this story, perhaps even more so than the preceding arc. Zatanna, who eerily looked like Talia last issue is not present here for the aftermath of the untidiness she left in Film Freak’s mind: no-one should be surprised.
Catwoman is for me a mixed bag at the moment: as a stand-alone piece of work without all the pregnancy-exposure, then it’s good fun. It’s not quite being touted as such so either way I’ll give this all a few more issues to at least confirm or revolve around its new chosen directions –at current though, Catwoman does have pitfalls in structure and resolution. The problematic limbo-position of Holly is also a slight disservice to a character who has obvious potential, and the one who is considered ‘the star attraction’ is caught up in plotline that, for the lack of a better word, may result in slight cheese . It all appears like a title going through some immense adjustment, which on one hand I actually favour. But as Film Freak demands films should take ‘bold choices’ which aren’t ‘predictable, safe or afraid to take chances’, I sort of hope that for Catwoman will as well. We’ll see.
Re: CATWOMAN #59 REVIEW
As someone who didn't follow this OYP (One Year Previously), I don't really care who the father is. I'm really enjoying the story as is. You're spot on about how Helena adds an enormous amount to the story - the scenes with Wildcat this issue were especially good. And Film Freak's m.o. is just deliciously nasty. Can't wait for the next issue!
Great review, Steph, but I do have to pick you up on one thing: Kate's family life's been a trainwreck!


Kerry Birmingham
Comixfan Reviewer

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 112
Re: CATWOMAN #59 REVIEW
I had reviewed this title back at issue #46, and was sort of surprised to realize I'd been picking it up ever since. I like it, especially the Film Freak's movie murders (didn't Bane kill the previous character with that name? Have they ever squared away the two versions?). I'm positive that Selina's baby, while nice for the OYL shock, is going to be a problem for Catwoman writers down the line; maybe they'll eliminate li'l Helena in Infinite Crisis 2: Crisiser .
The individual being pushed as the father seems like way too obvious a choice, so I'm assuming it's a feint. I'll be disappointed in Pfeifer otherwise. It's a character with little resonance to Bat-fans and he is, to be honest, awfully bland to boot.
On a somewhat related topic: is Anarky still supposedly the Joker's kid? Did that ever get sorted?

giantpacoctopus
Human
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: California
Posts: 128
Re: CATWOMAN #59 REVIEW
I have to say, Film Freak is not working out for me. He's way too cartoonish and over-the-top. The film references sometimes feel very contrived to me.
I am enjoying the book as a whole though.


http://www.comixtreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30529


CATWOMAN #59 REVIEW
Reviewer: Terry Verticchio terryvert@hotmail.com
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: It’s only a movie—Take 1
Selina is finding it hard to juggle her new family and her old career.
Writer: Will Pfeifer
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Alvaro Lopez
Colours: Brad Anderson
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover art: Adam Hughes
Associate Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
I have to admit that I didn’t like the villain Film Freak when he first showed up in this title. I thought his character was lame, a poor condemnation of our celebrity-obsessed culture. As well, I have seen this type of character before in comic books. But then Will turns things 90 degrees and suddenly makes him interesting. All of that is explained quite cleverly in the first page of this issue.
His random acts of violence and mayhem actually have some motivation and his motif of using scenes from movies to further his plans is clever. Though I began to wonder why these movie-obsessed types always stick to the Golden Age of the 20’s and 30’s. But Will quickly answers my query on the last page. You think your so smart, Mr. Pfeifer .
Of course the stuff with Catwoman is also good. Selina struggles nearly by the hour to give up her old life and become a full-time mom, but the world just won’t rotate in her direction. How she handles it all is well done. My one quibble is how the identity of the father of her child is explained. It all happened on one page and I just didn’t believe it. I’ve been following this book for a while now (check out the avatar to find out the exact issue I climbed on board) and recovered all of Will’s previous issues and if there was something between those two characters I must have missed it.
Considering this is my first review of this title, I’m going to indulge in a bit of comparisons. The art by the Lopez’s is great, though I did prefer Pete Wood’s style a bit more. His had a darker edge to it. I guess that’s my one hang up about the art. Everything is a bit too bright. Selina is a thief and her world should be covered in shadows. As well, am I the only one who doesn’t like the glossy paper this book has and wishes it would return to newsprint?
I am quite surprised how much I have enjoyed this title and Will’s work on it has been stellar so far. I also enjoy how it’s pretty much on its own and outside the confines of the regular DCU. This makes it easier for a fan to jump in without having to know everything about the character for the past half century.
Story:
4/5
Art:
3.5/5
Overall:
4/5


http://www.comixtreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30479

CATWOMAN #59 ADVANCE REVIEW
Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: It’s Only a Movie Take 1
Film Freak sets out to make his masterpiece…
Writer: Will Pfieffer
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Alvaro Lopez
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover Art: Adam Hughes
Publisher: DC Comics
This is a pretty packed issue, with three (count ‘em, three!) storylines converging at once. Our “A” plot – the psycho named Film Freak has decided that he is the star of this little motion picture, and he’s going to wreak havoc on Gotham until he reaches his grand finale. While he begins his killing spree, Wildcat drops in on Selina with the news that Holly has been arrested for the murder of Black Mask – a crime we know she’s innocent of, because we saw Selina pull the trigger. And if that isn’t enough, the mystery of Helena’s father seems to be headed towards a resolution.
That question, who Helena’s father is, is no doubt the one that will garner the most attention. Unless Pfieffer has one last trick to pull from his sleeve, the question seems to get a pretty definitive answer this issue. Interestingly enough, this isn’t the story that really gets me excited. The whole Film Freak storyline is really engaging to me, the way he’s structuring his crimes, and especially the question of how he’s going to finally go down. The Holly subplot, I’ve got to say, isn’t quite as gripping as I want it to be. Casting her as the new Catwoman was a good choice, but I feel like not enough has really been done with her – she still feels like she’s just keeping the seat warm until Selina comes back. Even if that’s the case, it’s a mistake to make it feel that way.
David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez do a really great job on the artwork. I love their designs, their faces, and the way they play with Film Freak. Cox ’s colors also help the artwork to pop, and we get a dandy cover by Adam Hughes , as always.
So this is a really strong issue. The odd thing is, it’s not strong for the reasons you’d imagine.

Rating:
4/5


http://wizarduniverse.invisionzone.com/index.php?s=9c3b86bbf6ac22a700ccb6fde2b991e3&showtopic=2515&pid=55361&st=0&#entry55361

Catwoman #59 -Review , Thursday Morning QB
Options

Pass judgment by letting your fingers do the talkin’…

THUMBS DOWN- Weak. I should have spent that money on gum. [0] [0.00%]
THUMBS TWIDDLING- Average. Not bad, but no great shakes. [7] [43.75%]
DEVIL SIGN- Awesome! I'm gonna buy four and eat them all! [9] [56.25%]
Total Votes: 16

Drink
Sep 20 2006, 07:01 PM
Post #2
Pretty good. Although weren't we going to be told once and for all this issue who Helena's daddy is? Granted they pretty well implied who it was near the end, but I would have liked to see some more obvious evidence.
Film Freak was great in this. What I first considered a rather mediocre villian is turning into a really disturbing and entertaining bad guy. And I have to say, the last page of the issue was gold.
This book has been a surprise hit for me. I didn't know what to really expect, seeing as I picked it up again with OYL, but it's been a really interesting story thus far.

thinkyouresosmart
Sep 21 2006, 03:48 PM
Post #3
They're STILL doing Film Freak? Please tell me Angle Man's done with. I know Catwoman doesn't have a wealth of villains, but it's really time to let these guys go.

Drink
Sep 21 2006, 03:57 PM
Post #4
Angle Man turned himself in with Zatanna's mindwipe. But Film Freak has gone nuts. He stole a pack of gum from a conveniance store and was chased by two cops down the street (Who were telling him that if he gave the gum back there would be no pressed charges), then he stops, hits a detonator, and a piece of building falls on all three of them, but FF is spared by a window, like a classic silent comedy.
He's got a whole lot better in this issue I think.

Ben Morse
Sep 21 2006, 05:32 PM
Post #5
Y'know, somewhere along the way this went from being a decent book not many people read to being a really good book that's still flying under the radar.
I have developed an incredible weird guilty pleasure spot for Film Freak. His monologues entertain the hell out of me and he somehow comes off as incredibly competent for a weirdo with no powers who has accomplished nothing. I hope he sees some play elsewhere in the DCU.
I love the sight of Wildcat taking care of baby Helena in his mask. Classic.
And Selina is still the star. Pfeifer has a great handle on her.
Lastly, David Lopez is a worthy successor to Pete Woods--that's saying something.
Love this book.

sloria13
Sep 21 2006, 10:59 PM
Post #6
Solid issue yet again. I guess Sam's the father, going by the scene we saw, as well as the fact that Helena has blonde hair.


http://www.comixexperience.com/savblog/2006/09/yesterdays-comics-today-jeffs-reviews.html

posted by: Jeff Lester @ 1:35 PM
CATWOMAN #59: Has this book officially changed its name to Film Freak yet? Yeah, I can see how he could be a classic villain in the Batman Rogue's Gallery style but, dude, isn't this like the tenth consecutive issue he's appeared in? Also, I know this probably makes me come off like an uptight prude, but I don't think Selina is really the type of person who would knowingly sleep with the son of someone she's slept with (and I think knows is in love with her) just because she and the son feel they have "a connection." But, hey, maybe this is just to pave the way for the revelation that the father of her baby is Tim Drake and I'm being too judgmental. Eh


http://ranterbanter.wordpress.com/tag/comics/

Catwoman #59
Pfeiffer’s continues his slow-burn approach, and it works beautifully in this book. We start things off with the Film Freak (a character who’s interesting, but…not very appealing) and it was nice to see him backing up a complete plan based on Jimmy Cagney movies. Selina’s speech to Ted was also very nice, and provided a nice nod to the events going on in Marvel’s Civil War.
Holly’s situation seems interesting as well. It should be interesting to see how Selina manages to break her out, and what path she’ll take once she has broken out. I am actually really hoping that the whole Sam thing is still a red herring, because really…I want Batman to be the father! I don’t care how they do it…they have to do it. Helena Wayne…I miss her. Otherwise cool issue, and finally, someone who understands that you don’t have to write strictly for the trade to have a compelling self-contained story.



http://the-isb.blogspot.com/2006/09/week-in-ink-9-20-06.html

Catwoman #59 : Last week, I was having a conversation about this book with the Esteemed Dr. Kunka where he mentioned that Will Pfeifer is one of those guys that has this encyclopedic film knowledge rattling around in his head, and he seems to be having a great time putting it to use for Film Freak, writing with a sense of fun that spills over to the reader even when he's, you know, smashing acidic fruit into the faces of innocent passers-by and--in this issue's two-fisted climax--revealing the one immutable truth of comic books on the last page. More to the matter at hand, though, this is the issue where the identity of Catwoman's... oh, the hell with it, I'm just going to say it: Catwoman's babydaddy is revealed, and while it certainly makes sense, the reveal itself feels a little awkward and soap-operatic. If I may be allowed to dabble in Pfeifer's brand of movie references, I'll just say that while it's better than the mandatory love scene of any mid-90s action movie--your Fair Game , that sort of thing--it's not that much better.


http://blurredproductions.wordpress.com/2006/09/20/ya-never-seen-an-archbishop-regenerate-himself-from-his-own-blood-before/

Catwoman #59 - Tsk. I was hoping the baby’s daddy would be more interesting. But what can you do? RATING: MEH


http://www.crowncommission.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=58476&sid=ec0deb513afa25df25011123e0ee33cc

CATWOMAN #59 - Still on the Film Freak story, huh?


http://toonsntunes.wordpress.com/

Catwoman #59 - This issue we find out who Selina’s babydaddy is. Um, nothing else to say about that except — FINALLY!!



http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/09/21/what-i-bought-20-september-2006/

Catwoman #59 by Will Pfeifer ,David López , and Alvaro López. $2.99, DC .
Pfeifer continues the slow burn on this title, and I still enjoy it. He’s not writing for the trade, which is a wonderful thing, although I’m sure DC will cram some issues into a trade. As we saw, Zatanna’s spell on the Film Freak sort of backfired, and instead of making him docile, it made him delusional, and now he’s ready to be the star instead of the supporting player. In this case, it means staging complicated set pieces that lead to death, as when he steals some gum from a convenience store just to drop a building on two cops (and the perfect cartoonish scene of the building missing Edison because he was standing where a window space landed adds just some nice uncomfortable humor to what is a murder, after all). Although I worry that Edison might soon be overexposed, right now I love him, because he’s a great villain - completely crazy, but weirdly fun.
Meanwhile, Selina hears that Holly is in jail and decides to break her out. Wildcat, who tells her about the arrest, won’t call in the Justice Society, and Selina rips him a new one because he cares more about law than justice. She puts him on babysitting patrol while she goes to find Sam, but Slam is drunk and can’t help her. So she’s going it alone! We also find out that Sam is, most probably, the father of Helena, and isn’t it sweet that Selina had a kid from a night of drunken passion? What a charming bedtime story to tell her!
Pfeifer has been doing these kinds of nice little stories for a year now, and I guess he decided to kick it up a notch into the goofy stratosphere of comics, because the last page brings us … a giant gorilla. A GIANT GORILLA! Is that Monsieur Mallah? Even if it isn’t, it’s a GIANT GORILLA! Is it Gorilla Grodd? I don’t care, because it’s a GIANT GORILLA! I really hope Pfeifer doesn’t drop the ball with the GIANT GORILLA (I know some people would say you can never go wrong with a GIANT GORILLA, but you can go wrong with anything, people!), because this is such a nice little title, and it’s a nice read every month. Still … a GIANT FREAKIN’ GORILLA!


http://blog.newsarama.com/2006/06/27/forward-thinking-dc-comics-for-september/

CATWOMAN # 59: Finally, we find out who is the father of Selina’s baby. Actually, even though I regularly read this book, I don’t think I care who daddy is. They could have continued to keep his identity a mystery and I would have been okay with that.


http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=86574&page=5

15) Catwoman #59 - I like the writing and the art, but I've lost patience with the pacing on this one. Feels like very little forward momentum since One Year Later and for $3 a whack I want some resolutions. How many issues is Film Freak really good for and they seem to be dragging out the identity of the father longer than the actual preganancy would have taken. Although I guess this issue kinda, sorta hinted about it while showing Selina acting out of character. 6/10


http://xrayspex.blogspot.com/

Buy my comics, rake me over the coals: CATWOMAN #59
And to think I thought everyone had pretty much guessed at this point who the baby's daddy was. I honestly didn't think it would be such a controversial reveal. Shows you what I know -- at least last week's post got a decent response . (It was even bigger than the response to my post about Jerry Lewis' public meltdown last fall.)
In case anyone's wondering why I didn't respond after the first couple messages, it's because my own actual flesh-and-blood daughter wasn't feeling well and needed some extra attention. (She had this, in case you're wondering.) Real baby trumps fictional baby every time. Sorry.
I guess I'm still surprised so many people thought it was going to be Batman. I mean, from this scene way back in the first post Year One issue, I thought I was making it obvious it wasn't Bruce Wayne. Speaking as a father -- and as a guy who knows a lot of fathers -- this is not how a father would act, buying off the mom with a teddy bear and a college scholarship. If Bruce had been the dad and tried to appease Selina with this stunt, she would've clawed his eyes out, protective lenses in the Bat mask or not. This is Batman giving a friend support, not Batman trying to weasel out of child support.
Plus, Batman is the most overly prepared guy in the DCU. Do you really think someone who went to all the trouble of formulating insanely complex plans to take down his JLA buddies on the million-to-one chance he'd need them wouldn't take much simpler precautions in other (i.e. romantic) situations? Are we talking about the same guy?
If the Sam Revelation (as historians will now call it) made you drop the book, sorry to see you go. But if you're willing to stick around, I promise plenty of thrills and chills in the upcoming months (c'mon -- aren't there any movie fans out there with an opinion on Film Freak?) and a few twists and turns in just how Sam and Selina made that baby. Well, of course, we all know how they made the baby, but the scene of them getting romantic in CATWOMAN 59 didn't necessary lead to lil' Helena. There's more in store for those two, and the stakes get much, much higher. And, as some of the posters said in the comments thread, life -- especially when it involves S-E-X -- can get very complicated. Things don't always go as planned.
As always, feel free to share you comments here. I'm not asking you to agree, but I am requesting you keep any references to cups of urine to an absolute minimum.

posted by Will Pfeifer @ 10:09 PM


http://ettacandy.blogspot.com/


A Brief Review of Catwoman #59

Before Catwoman #59, Gentle Reader, I had a theory, a very viable theory regarding the paternity of Helena Kyle. It involved Infinite Crises, the compression of several Earths' versions of Selina Kyle, and, of course, Bruce Wayne/Batman. But what it didn't involve was the actual physical act of creating a child, and certainly not with someone Other Than Batman.

***There may be spoilers ahead, Friends. Please read with Caution.***

My theory was a simple one, albeit a bit complex in execution. I believed that when all of the Earths began to melt and disappear, former versions of Selina Kyle merged with the version we have on our Earth. If memory serves me correctly, there was the scene at the end of the Catwoman issue leading up to Infinite Crisis in which Selina is surrounded by a dozen versions of herself, all pressing on her at once.

This is it! I thought. They've teased me about The Birth of Catwoman's Child, and here it is. A spontaneous pregnancy brought on by the smooshing of several versions of her into the one we hold dear. And of course, that means it's Bruce Wayne's child.

It was at This Moment that I had to admit to myself that I was a Selina/Bruce 'shipper.

Now, I'm not a 'shipper in the sense with which we are familiar. I like Buffy Summers with Angel, and I like her with Spike. I love Lorelai Gilmore with Luke, but I saw benefit in Christopher, too. I don't get rabid about my fictional romantic pairings very often, but it seems that Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne bring out the worst in my fandom.

When Talia al Ghul showed up in Batman a few months back with a child, I was livid. Not because My Darling Bruce had been intimate with the few-bats-short-of-a-belfry Ms. Ghul, but because I knew, Deep Down Inside, that Selina Kyle would never have Bruce Wayne's child. Of course, I knew this also because I read books, and the amount of finagling the writers at DC would have to do to align all of Batman's books with Catwoman, just so she could have Batman's baby, would be Insanity of Awesome Proportions.

But as hope springs ever eternal, I kept my Fingers Cross'd.

Now I am well aware that the scene in Catwoman #59 with Sam Bradley (Sam?! SAM?! At least make it an interesting Catwoman secondary character, like Slam or Ted) could just be The Ultimate Tease, and I know that the One Year Later storylines are Far From Over. 52 has several weeks and months left to go, and one three-page scene in one issue doesn't mean squat in The Comic Universe. But if it is A Tease, and even if Sam did not father Selina's child, why is it necessary? The words seem forced; the language out of character. "We're getting ready to 'team up,'" Selina says to Sam. And before he can really respond to this rather blatant single entendre, she says, "Now shut up and kiss me."

Selina always has been a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. She wanted money; she got it. She wanted to go straight; she did (well, pre-Zatanna revelation, we can assume so). She wanted Batman; she got him. She wanted the East End protected; she did it herself. But not since before she went legitimate has an action of Selina's seemed so self-serving. Understandably, she was in a bit of a Crisis herself. She had killed Black Mask; she had found out that her conversion to The White Hats may not be a result of a change of heart but rather a change of mind, a la Zatanna. She was lost; she was desperate for comfort.

But Sam freaking Bradley??

I am not appalled by her taste, necessarily; rather, I'm astonished at her awkwardness.

Catwoman/Selina Kyle always has been undeniably sexy. That's part of her inherent charm. But Selina has never been less sexy than she is in this scene. And perhaps that's The Point. This isn't love. This isn't attraction, although methinks the Cat doth protest too much that it is. This is desperation, pure and simple. In the end, I think ultimately what disturbs me about this issue of Catwoman is not the suggestion that Sam Bradley may have fathered Helena, but rather the suggestion that Selina would turn to any warm body—-even the son of her former lover-—in a moment of crisis. The suggestion that Selina Kyle, The Catwoman who has never pussyfooted around (pardon the pun, Gentle Reader!) what she wanted and how to get it, including money, men, and saving the day, would resort to clichés and clumsy innuendo to get a man in bed.

If it were meant to be disturbing, off-putting, and out of character, I'd say Mission Accomplished.


http://johnnybacardi.blogspot.com/

CATWOMAN 59
S: Will Pfiefer; A: David Lopez, Alvaro Lopez (DC, $2.99)

A lot of fanmen are getting up in arms about the revelation about who Selina slept with during the past year; and who presumably is the father of her child. Me, I guess I've been reading too many Eros comics lately or something because I only shrugged. It wasn't particularly inconsistent with the way she's been portrayed in the recent past, and besides, consenting adults and all that. Also, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Pfiefer wasn't throwing us a curve here- nowhere is it explicitly stated that the child belongs to this particular person (trying hard not to spoil here, you're welcome)...maybe Miss Kyle has been catting around with more than one guy in that 365-day span. Anyway, after you get past that this is a solid continuation of the multiple storylines Pfiefer has going on; the Film Freak gets more ruthless and bloody, innocent Holly's still in jail, more Slam and Wildcat. The art is still good, if not exceptional, and there's a weird-ass surprise at the end. Still one of DC's best ongoings, says I. A-


http://ettacandy.blogspot.com/2006/09/brief-review-of-catwoman-59.html

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

A Brief Review of Catwoman #59

Before Catwoman #59, Gentle Reader, I had a theory, a very viable theory regarding the paternity of Helena Kyle. It involved Infinite Crises, the compression of several Earths' versions of Selina Kyle, and, of course, Bruce Wayne/Batman. But what it didn't involve was the actual physical act of creating a child, and certainly not with someone Other Than Batman.

***There may be spoilers ahead, Friends. Please read with Caution.***

My theory was a simple one, albeit a bit complex in execution. I believed that when all of the Earths began to melt and disappear, former versions of Selina Kyle merged with the version we have on our Earth. If memory serves me correctly, there was the scene at the end of the Catwoman issue leading up to Infinite Crisis in which Selina is surrounded by a dozen versions of herself, all pressing on her at once.

This is it! I thought. They've teased me about The Birth of Catwoman's Child, and here it is. A spontaneous pregnancy brought on by the smooshing of several versions of her into the one we hold dear. And of course, that means it's Bruce Wayne's child.

It was at This Moment that I had to admit to myself that I was a Selina/Bruce 'shipper.

Now, I'm not a 'shipper in the sense with which we are familiar. I like Buffy Summers with Angel, and I like her with Spike. I love Lorelai Gilmore with Luke, but I saw benefit in Christopher, too. I don't get rabid about my fictional romantic pairings very often, but it seems that Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne bring out the worst in my fandom.

When Talia al Ghul showed up in Batman a few months back with a child, I was livid. Not because My Darling Bruce had been intimate with the few-bats-short-of-a-belfry Ms. Ghul, but because I knew, Deep Down Inside, that Selina Kyle would never have Bruce Wayne's child. Of course, I knew this also because I read books, and the amount of finagling the writers at DC would have to do to align all of Batman's books with Catwoman, just so she could have Batman's baby, would be Insanity of Awesome Proportions.

But as hope springs ever eternal, I kept my Fingers Cross'd.

Now I am well aware that the scene in Catwoman #59 with Sam Bradley (Sam?! SAM?! At least make it an interesting Catwoman secondary character, like Slam or Ted) could just be The Ultimate Tease, and I know that the One Year Later storylines are Far From Over. 52 has several weeks and months left to go, and one three-page scene in one issue doesn't mean squat in The Comic Universe. But if it is A Tease, and even if Sam did not father Selina's child, why is it necessary? The words seem forced; the language out of character. "We're getting ready to 'team up,'" Selina says to Sam. And before he can really respond to this rather blatant single entendre, she says, "Now shut up and kiss me."

Selina always has been a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. She wanted money; she got it. She wanted to go straight; she did (well, pre-Zatanna revelation, we can assume so). She wanted Batman; she got him. She wanted the East End protected; she did it herself. But not since before she went legitimate has an action of Selina's seemed so self-serving. Understandably, she was in a bit of a Crisis herself. She had killed Black Mask; she had found out that her conversion to The White Hats may not be a result of a change of heart but rather a change of mind, a la Zatanna. She was lost; she was desperate for comfort.

But Sam freaking Bradley??

I am not appalled by her taste, necessarily; rather, I'm astonished at her awkwardness.

Catwoman/Selina Kyle always has been undeniably sexy. That's part of her inherent charm. But Selina has never been less sexy than she is in this scene. And perhaps that's The Point. This isn't love. This isn't attraction, although methinks the Cat doth protest too much that it is. This is desperation, pure and simple. In the end, I think ultimately what disturbs me about this issue of Catwoman is not the suggestion that Sam Bradley may have fathered Helena, but rather the suggestion that Selina would turn to any warm body—-even the son of her former lover-—in a moment of crisis. The suggestion that Selina Kyle, The Catwoman who has never pussyfooted around (pardon the pun, Gentle Reader!) what she wanted and how to get it, including money, men, and saving the day, would resort to clichés and clumsy innuendo to get a man in bed.

If it were meant to be disturbing, off-putting, and out of character, I'd say Mission Accomplished.



http://comicinsight.blogspot.com/

Ok, the Film Freak is back in the spotlight again. Zatanna and Catwoman convinced him to atone for his crimes, and he ended up at a TV studio. He shot the station manager and decided to start making a film of his own. He thought that Angle Man, and then Catwoman were the main characters. But he's since decided that it's all about him. We also learn this issue, for anyone out there thinking that this might be Bruce's baby, I think it's actually Sam's. We get to see Ted and Slam this issue also. Holly, unfortunately, is still in a holding cell at the Police station. Film Freak is running around town murdering anyone who gets in his path. But they all pay homage to some movie. At the end he winds up at STAR labs and is trying to take their giant gorilla. Guess which movie this is for. Pfeifer and Lopez are doing an awesome job with this book. Plus, who can complain about those Adam Hughes covers? Sheer perfection!