Absolute Batman has been delighting fans, in no small part due to the supporting cast. Readers have been intrigued by how Scott Snyder has reimagined characters like Killer Croc and Harley Quinn. One character that has proved popular since their introduction has been Selina Kyle. The release of Absolute Catwoman, co-written by Che Grayson, has given us a closer look at the character and her interesting twist.
Spoliers ahead for Absolute Catwoman #1!
Absolute Catwoman the international thief
Absolute Catwoman #1, illustrated by Bengal and colours by Giovanna Niro, does not completely stray into unfamiliar territory. We have of course got to know Selina a little bit through the Absolute Batman series. She is a criminal and in this issue we see snippets of her life of crime, providing depth to the character.
In the present day, Selina is doing rather well for herself. She has properties in London and Madonie, Sicilly. She has managed to fund these residences through being a skilled thief. Her lifestyle shown here seems further from Gotham than even the physical distance suggests. The problem is that Catwoman wants to give up this life of crime but someone is after an item she has.
The Cat Cave and the Wildcat
Batman in the Absolute Universe is has had some of his advantages removed. Notably, Bruce is no longer a millionaire with access to incredible technology. Due to this, Batman is more reliant on a pared back arsenal of weapons and items. Catwoman however, is quite the opposite.
Selina’s success as a thief meant that she had acquired an incredible amount of wealth. She had enough money to fund an array of tools and armour, making Catwoman quite formidable. Among those bits of tech are camo suits, tranquiliser guns, a prehensile carbon steel tail, and even an exo-skeleton. All of which she houses in the Cat Cave.
With Catwoman taking on a more traditional Batman-esque role with the different suits and weapons, it was inevitable she would get a cool vehicle. Enter the Wildcat. At the end of Absolute Catwoman #1, Selina is pursuing an assailant in a high octane chase. She is riding a motorbike with a rather special feature. Initiating Apex Mode transforms the Wildcat into a pouncing robot on four legs, capable of leaping over obstacles.
Holly Robinson
The issue flits back to life for Selina Kyle as a foster-child in Gotham. Things were tough for her and she turned to stealing to try and give herself a future. Selina felt alone and abandoned by almost everyone. She was however able to make a friend, Holly Robinson.
They first met after Holly was being chased by police. When Selina refused to give this strange young girl’s whereabouts away, they quickly became friends. Holly would later become part of Selina’s crew, the Calicos.
Holly Robinson is originally a Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli creation, first appearing in Batman: Year One. In that story, Holly inadvertently had a hand in Bruce becoming Batman. Here she also appears to have a pivotal role, as she hid an item of apparently great importance in a birthday cake. That cake she gifted to Selina for her 25th birthday, but now there are those looking for it.
The Cat and the Bat
Hidden inside the cake that Holly Robinson had given to Selina was a mysterious, spherical object. A group of people dressed as Catwoman broke into Selina’s apartment looking for it. While none of them are a match for Catwoman individually, as she is a master in martial arts, numbers give them an edge.
In this attack on Selina’s apartment, they managed to escape with the sphere, and also kidnap Holly in the process. Selina is forced to give chase on the Wildcat and manages to retrieve the object. Catwoman did face her equal though, as one of the assailants is much better trained than the others.
At the end of the issue, Holly Robinson, who was not rescued by Selina, was taken to a warehouse by the leader. This secret figure then receives a call, congratulating their efforts that evening. The unknown caller then names them as Cassandra Cain.
Absolute Catwoman will run for six issues and DC have announced there will be a one-shot, spin-off alongside it. Between issues 3 and 4, DC will publish Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1, written by Che Grayson with art by Matias Bergara. It is due for release September 2026.
Buy Absolute Catwoman #1 (Cover A) – Forbidden Planet UK
Buy Absolute Catwoman #2 (Cover A) – Forbidden Planet UK
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