by Randy Lander

CATWOMAN #6 "Disguises, Part One of Four" Highly Recommended (9/10) DC Comics Writer: Ed Brubaker Pencils: Brad Rader Inks: Cameron Stewart Colors: Matt Hollingsworth Letters: Willie Schubert Editor: Matt Idelson Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN For a long time, Frank Miller had something over a stranglehold over some of DC and Marvel's characters. Nobody could even meet the high level of his Daredevil run until recently, with Bendis and Maleev. And nobody could touch his brief interpretation of Catwoman until Brubaker and Cooke (and now Rader and Stewart), which is every bit as good as Catwoman has ever been. This is a fantastic crime book from an unusual point-of-view, and it has something to offer that the rest of the Batman books can't. Exactly what it offers is hard to explain, but in tangible terms, I can tell you that it has great writing and art, and that's not a bad place to start. This issue, like the previous one, is something of a jumping-on point. It takes us away from Selina a little and looks at the world from the viewpoint of her sidekick Holly. Holly has had something of an interesting life it seems, aside from simply being a teenaged hooker, and in this issue, Brubaker fleshes her out and makes her very interesting. In fact, I found her narration more involving than that of Selina or Slam Bradley, both of whom are characters I really enjoy. Catwoman may not be a professional thief full-time anymore, but neither has she cleaned up and started working in the normal world of the rest of us. Holly and Selina are straddling a line between crimes against law and crimes against humanity, and to do that, they've got to walk in some pretty dark places. Brubaker does a terrific job this issue of showing the line that Holly walks, a path fraught with temptation and danger, all the while making her more sympathetic, interesting and layered as the story goes on. The introduction of a love interest was a particular joy, although her categorization of various characters through a junkie's eye takes the cake as the most innovative storytelling trick in the issue. That's no small feat, as Rader and Stewart are full of innovative storytelling. Darwyn Cooke and Mike Allred started this book off on an artistic high note, and Rader and Stewart have held the note and continued the song. The same minimalist panel structure is used, which makes for an impressive effect when it's broken for a larger splash, such as Holly's entrance onto the corrupt streets or the beautiful shot of Selina atop a water tower. And Hollingsworth's colors, full of color but viewed through a dark haze, set the tone of the book as well. This issue serves a couple of purposes. First of all, it gives readers old and new insight into Holly, an important supporting character in the book. Secondly, it introduces another story of corruption and danger in a realm where Catwoman is more effective than most heroes would be, demonstrating again that Brubaker isn't just writing a good crime book, which would be impressive enough. Instead, he's writing a good crime book and the definitive Catwoman at the same time. Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.