For the last few years, I'm pretty sure I've spent more on DC figures, than I have on new DC comics. Now that McFarlane has the license, those numbers might zero out, but I still end up with random issues here and there. Like this one! From 2013, Catwoman #14, "To Skin a Cat" Written by Ann Nocenti, pencils by Rafa Sandoval, inks by Jordi Tarragona.
This is a crossover issue, with the Death of the Family event. What was that one about...23 issues? At like three bucks a pop? ($69. Niiiice.) The one where the Joker's face had fallen off and he was wearing it strapped on with a belt. Oh, and he was going to kill off all of Batman's friends and allies. Does Catwoman qualify? Depends on when you ask, and right this second, not really? The Joker runs Selina through a series of deathtraps and embarrassments, arguing she should spurn Bats, break his heart and make him stronger. His 'jokes' are all on the theme of 'to skin a cat,' like tearing her apart by centrifugal force in a jacked-up carnival ride, or by cheating her at strip poker. Catwoman spends a surprising amount of this issue in various stages of undress; as first her costume is shredded, then Joker gives her a new one that doesn't squeak when she walks, but is booby-trapped with spicy-catnip scented "rigor mortis paint" and what appears to be Bat temporary tattoos.
Even though he has every opportunity to kill Catwoman, the Joker refrains, possibly because he figures she'll hurt Batman more alive in the long run. Catwoman, on the other hand, realizes Joker's the one that loves Batman. In a super-unhealthy way. She also burns him with "you can't even smile. All you can do is unzip your face." And that's...pretty much that? I usually love Nocenti, but she couldn't pull much good out of this crossover.
I'm not sure if all writers age like fine wine as they get older, because it doesn't seem that way, and that maybe, just maybe, their past work was their better work and that's as good as it'll eve get. I feel that way about Nocenti's DC work. Her Daredevil stuff still holds up, but her current work, especially the DC stuff? Not so much. I'm not sure how much that has to do with what she's given to work with or it being maybe she has good ideas but doesn't always execute them the best way.
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