Given how much I'm enjoying Catwoman, I didn't think any other version of the character would hold much interest for me right now. However, for the 50th issue of this book, Peterson and Levins have crafted a fascinating look into the complicated relationship between Batman and Catwoman, told with flashbacks to earlier adventures and a current case that ties into another familiar Batman foe. I'm impressed not only with Levins's artwork (always a treat) or Cooke's cover (which is gorgeous, as expected) but with Peterson's script, which features a lot of story packed into just 22 pages.
Catwoman is at her best when she's being played as a complex character, rather than simply a greedy thief. The animated version of the character has always had that inner conflict, from her love of animals to the attraction she and Batman share, and Peterson takes that version of the character into equally interesting and morally complex territory. Her methods are undoubtedly criminal, but her goals are laudable, and Peterson makes the point (both through the story and through Nightwing's dialogue) that she and Batman aren't so different as Batman might believe.
What really impressed me about this issue, though, was the amount of story that Peterson packed in. A flashback to one of Batman's previous encounters with Catwoman's generosity makes for a nice parallel to the modern day action, and there's also a moment that shows Batman's concern for Catwoman's cats as well. There are also two main stories running through the issue, the plot-driven question of who put the bomb in the safe and what Catwoman was up to and the character-driven story of Batman coming to appreciate some of Catwoman's better qualities. All of these stories get plenty of time, and a nice wrap-up, an impressive tribute to Peterson's pacing.
Tim Levins and Terry Beatty have long been the reason to read Gotham Adventures, as far as I'm concerned, and they're as good as ever here. The expressions of the characters are exaggerated and cartoony, fitting with the overall animated style, but they are capable of subtlety as well, such as Batman's reaction when he sees Selina's act of charity or James Gordon's trepidation as he tries to bring up the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Lee Loughridge has always been an important member of this team as well, but he shines particularly brightly in this issue, with a beautiful blue/gray-tinged palette for the flashback sequences an especially nice touch.
It's been a few years since we've seen any new episodes of Batman the animated series, but the tradition of easy-to-read, done-in-one stories with a surprising depth that the series began continues with each issue of Gotham Adventures. The 50th issue is a particularly strong example of how good this book can be when the creators are on top of their game.
