Title:  Welcome to the Hard Way

Writer: Judd Winnick

Art by: Guillem March

Release Date:  February 15, 2012

Official DC Comics Synopsis:Catwoman is busted! She’s under arrest and in the custody of the Gotham City P.D. But it doesn’t look like she’s going to get her phone call, because the police aren’t looking for justice – they’re looking for what Catwoman stole from them. And she’s about to get an earful about her most complicated relationship: Batman.

Review by: Cesar Rodriguez

With each issue of Catwoman, it seems as though she keeps getting herself into a deeper hole than before, but of course always manages to slide out of any jam. This issue sees the title character in the custody of the GCPD, which is definitely a turn I was not expecting but was intrigued by how bold of a direction it could take the character in the future. While I have shown my frustration with this book before, I have to admit that I was really drawn to the idea of having Selina arrested and in custody, and to make matters worse, the crooked cops of the GCPD bring in the villainess Reach to settle the score from the last issue. Poor, poor, Reach, she really can’t get a break in this super villain business as she is once again humiliated by Selina and even has a body appendage bitten off.

As I said before, I quite liked seeing Selina arrested as you immediately suspect that her entire vigilante career, not to mention her secret identity being revealed, is all over but Winnick unfortunately sidesteps all that. The other problem is her escape of the department, which makes little sense if you know the way these procedurals work. Also, I find it a bit hard to believe that the crooked cops would allow Reach into their department, surely when she is questioned later and fingers her benefactors, that will bring down the entire department, right? Aahh, whatever. This is clearly not a crime comic, so it follows no sort of logic used in real life, that’s for sure. The other issue I had with this book is the second half where Selina has a confrontation with Batman, that ends on a very strange note. Winnick certainly has a different take on Catwoman, this sure seems like a drastic departure to even what he has been establishing in the character these past few issues. Furthermore, it is getting a bit sad having Batman appear in every other issue of this series, surely Catwoman can maintain strong sales with out so many appearances by Batman.

Regular artist Guillem March returns again for more stylized raunchy art. If you have seen any of the previous issues you know what to expect. I hate to bash on a professional artist, especially since art is subjective and I don’t doubt that the dude has a number of fans out there, but I really just can’t stand his artwork in this book. Just look at the cover and tell me that anatomy and proportions aren’t off.