There was a lot to be excited when Torunngrønbekk began running her Catwoman. One of them was a return to the form of Selina Kyle being the hero of her own story, not focusing the story or characters on the complicated romance with Bruce Wayne. This led to other exciting things about the run of Grønbekk: the expansion of the world of Catwoman. This included exploring other relationships that were important to her, but not bound by Batman or his family.
For her first nine issues, Grønbekk has provided them all in all respects. Apart from exploring the hidden chapters of Selina as a thief of her past, Gronbeck has reclaimed ideas that appear to have been lost in the Golden Age and early crises. Selina uses various aliases to infiltrate a circle of wealthy elites and bring back the idea of blindly taking them. Grønbekk has created two new, compelling characters as part of Serena’s supporting cast for this run: Suzy and Shota. Finally, Grønbekk opened up her run with a compelling mystery. “Who wants Selina Kyle to die?”
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Grønbekk delayed answering the biggest questions of her first story until Catwoman #78, but she made up for this by fleshing out a dangerous robber from Selina’s past and reuniting with her current former comrade. This has done a lot to further develop Selina’s personality and her own personal values. It also led to a fun storyline that utilized Neo-Noir Tropes, but presented itself like a Hollywood heist film. Of course, the only downside to slowly constructing a mystery is that it has to end with a shocking publicity. Unfortunately, if you’re missing Catwoman #78.
Before answering the biggest burning question in the storyline, Grønbekk opens up this oversized issue with a fatal pursuit. This issue presents a catwoman who practices who among her former teammates wants her to die. Unfortunately, when the big reveal finally arrives, it is surprisingly overwhelming.
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The reason it hit Selina’s head has nothing to do with the big theft she actually committed as a catwoman rocking a deadly boat. Instead, it turns out to be a case of her being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people and learning the secrets of Bellov’s family that she is not going to know. This puts Selina in a relaxed position where Russian criminal families want to dispose of them, which makes her a victim of the situation.
The obvious nature of this nature is not usually a problem if Bellov’s family secrets are actually worth hiding from the series’ main character, Catwoman. One example of this is Bellov, who has a secret connection with Selina’s biological family, or somehow takes responsibility for the difficult situations she dealt with in her early life. Such obvious things actually influence Selina as a character, and in fact make her question her own alliance. Instead, it turns out to be a mediocre case of a family patriarch who commits affairs with a French politician who does not play a key role in the story.
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This only affects Selina’s major antagonist, Mitya Belov. There is no opportunity for her own personality to develop, as it does not affect Selina except that this chapter of her life must be permanently closed. Thus, the storyline opened with strong premises and promising mystery sadly ends with whispers. This is a shame, as there was a much more interesting place where Selina could have expanded the lore of her own character. It also happens when Grønbekk writes himself on the corner and doesn’t know how to properly conclude other fascinating mysteries.
Grønbekk’s first storyline doesn’t end with the influence it clearly aims for, but there’s still something fun about Catwoman #78, like Danilo Beyruth’s art and the colours of Patricio Delpeche. Coupled with Beyruth’s pencil and Delpeche’s colour evokes Neo-Noir Aesthetics, similar to Francesco Francavilla. The use of sharp contrasts of shadows and vibrant and warm colors throughout the issue also brings a lot to communicate the fatal situation Selina is trying to escape from. However, the only other thing that adds weight to these stunning visuals is the more shocking obvious that Grønbekk will go on in the end.
Overall, Catwoman #78 finishes Gronbeck’s first storyline with mixed notes, but given the accumulation, it could definitely be much more interesting.
The big finale of “Catwoman” #78 leaves a lot to be desired
Catwoman
Catwoman ultimately answers the biggest burning question about who Serena Kyle is dead, but doesn’t lock the landing at all.
Torunngrønbekk introduces Selina Kyle’s detective skills.
Danilo Beyruth and Patricio Delpeche call for visually strong neoir tones.
Grønbekk solves the biggest mystery with an overwhelming reveal.
