What do you think?
Rate this book
Catwoman: Lonely City #1-4
Catwoman: Lonely City
In a world without Batman...will Selina Kyle's old wounds tear Gotham City apart? Cliff Chiang writes and illustrates the ultimate Catwoman masterpiece!
Ten years ago, the massacre known as Fools' Night claimed the lives of Batman, the Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon...and sent Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, to prison.
A decade later, Gotham has grown up--it's put away costumed heroism and villainy as childish things. The new Gotham is cleaner, safer...and a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. It's into this new city that Selina Kyle returns, a changed woman...with her mind on that one last big score: the secrets hidden inside the Batcave! She doesn't need the money--she just needs to know...who is "Orpheus"?
Visionary creator Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman, Paper Girls) writes, draws, colors, and letters the story of a world without Batman, where one woman's wounds threaten to tear apart an entire city! It's an unmissable artistic statement that will change the way you see Gotham's heroes and villains forever!
This volume collects Catwoman: Lonely City #1-4.
Ten years ago, the massacre known as Fools' Night claimed the lives of Batman, the Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon...and sent Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, to prison.
A decade later, Gotham has grown up--it's put away costumed heroism and villainy as childish things. The new Gotham is cleaner, safer...and a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. It's into this new city that Selina Kyle returns, a changed woman...with her mind on that one last big score: the secrets hidden inside the Batcave! She doesn't need the money--she just needs to know...who is "Orpheus"?
Visionary creator Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman, Paper Girls) writes, draws, colors, and letters the story of a world without Batman, where one woman's wounds threaten to tear apart an entire city! It's an unmissable artistic statement that will change the way you see Gotham's heroes and villains forever!
This volume collects Catwoman: Lonely City #1-4.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published December 20, 2022
43 people are currently reading
1,205 people want to read
About the author
Cliff Chiang
328Ìýbooks123ÌýfollowersCliff Chiang is an American comic book artist. Formerly an assistant editor at DC Comics, he is now an illustrator, known for his work on Human Target, Beware the Creeper and Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre, Green Arrow/Black Canary, Wonder Woman and Paper Girls.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
March 10, 2023
This is written, drawn, inked, lettered, and colored by Cliff Chiang. As a result, this very personal even though it it is an alternate timeline story of famous DC characters. I also like the production of the hardcover edition, which has extra large pages, which makes it easy to appreciate the art in this.
As for the story, it focuses on villains. I won't spoil which villains appear in this story, but you'll find that Chiang does an excellent job of showing the humanity of villains. Despite their criminal ways, they want to do good in their own way. That's what makes this worth reading to me.
As for the story, it focuses on villains. I won't spoil which villains appear in this story, but you'll find that Chiang does an excellent job of showing the humanity of villains. Despite their criminal ways, they want to do good in their own way. That's what makes this worth reading to me.
April 5, 2025
A great book. Awesome artwork and story. How would Gotham fare without Batman and/or the Bat-family?
Selina Kyle has returned to Gotham, but the city is not the same as she remembers. Crime is almost non-existent. In fact, most criminals seem to have gone legit. However, this is Gotham corruption is in the air. Now older and almost friendless, can Selina even be Catwoman? Can she keep the last promise she made to Batman?
It's a great story about the new Gotham. With many older but familiar faces and some new ones. Some have moved on, but as much as some people try to change, the more they stay the same. I also like that as this is a Black Lable book, the language is not censored. I love how the characters come together and how Catwoman must find her place in the new Gotham.
The book finishes with a cover gallery and a character and concept sketchbook.
Selina Kyle has returned to Gotham, but the city is not the same as she remembers. Crime is almost non-existent. In fact, most criminals seem to have gone legit. However, this is Gotham corruption is in the air. Now older and almost friendless, can Selina even be Catwoman? Can she keep the last promise she made to Batman?
It's a great story about the new Gotham. With many older but familiar faces and some new ones. Some have moved on, but as much as some people try to change, the more they stay the same. I also like that as this is a Black Lable book, the language is not censored. I love how the characters come together and how Catwoman must find her place in the new Gotham.
The book finishes with a cover gallery and a character and concept sketchbook.
November 5, 2022
This was fun I guess!
So this is set 10 years after some big incident or attack of the Joker where Batman died and maybe Selina is responsible and in present day we see her coming out of jail and then teaming up with people including Killer croc and Ivy and later Riddler and his daughter and we learn what happened that night, the new status quo of Gotham and will Selina and her team be able to save Gotham from Mayor Two-face?
So yeah its a fun story and its very fast paced or as fast as it can be in this format and I like how Cliff would bounce back and forth and give us a semblance of idea of whats happening and take us through a journey for Selina which is emotional and by the end worth it, plus a new legacy too which was fun. Though the costume could have been better.
Its one of those books which is a fun saturday afternoon read and you will feel good after reading it and yeah the art is definitely worth it!
So this is set 10 years after some big incident or attack of the Joker where Batman died and maybe Selina is responsible and in present day we see her coming out of jail and then teaming up with people including Killer croc and Ivy and later Riddler and his daughter and we learn what happened that night, the new status quo of Gotham and will Selina and her team be able to save Gotham from Mayor Two-face?
So yeah its a fun story and its very fast paced or as fast as it can be in this format and I like how Cliff would bounce back and forth and give us a semblance of idea of whats happening and take us through a journey for Selina which is emotional and by the end worth it, plus a new legacy too which was fun. Though the costume could have been better.
Its one of those books which is a fun saturday afternoon read and you will feel good after reading it and yeah the art is definitely worth it!
February 19, 2023
Catwoman: Lonely City collects issues 1-4 of the DC Comics Black Label series written, drawn, colored, and lettered by Cliff Chiang.
Selina Kyle is released from prison 10 years after the event of Fool’s Night for her role in murdering Batman, Nightwing, Commissioner Gordon, and many other Gothamites in a massive explosion. Selina is reintroduced to a Gotham City that been rebuilt in the aftermath of Fool’s Night with Harvey Dent becoming mayor, outlawing masks, introducing Batman tech to the Gotham police force, and making Gotham safer than it ever has been. But Selina Kyle knows what really happened on Fool’s Night and has one last heist in her - breaking into the Batcave.
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s a true showcase that Cliff Chiang can do it all. Cliff weaves a masterful heist book that is both fun and emotional. I like that it shows Gotham in the future but doesn’t pack the book full of too many cameos. It still has a solid cast of Batcharacters, but it doesn’t go overboard. Selina and the crew she puts together go through fantastic character arcs. On top of the superb writing, Cliff also draws and colors a beautiful Gotham City. Cliff’s colorful art really pops off the pages and it’s all showcased in this fabulously crafted oversized hardback edition. This is easily one of the best books DC comics put out this year and should be on all Batfans reading list.
Selina Kyle is released from prison 10 years after the event of Fool’s Night for her role in murdering Batman, Nightwing, Commissioner Gordon, and many other Gothamites in a massive explosion. Selina is reintroduced to a Gotham City that been rebuilt in the aftermath of Fool’s Night with Harvey Dent becoming mayor, outlawing masks, introducing Batman tech to the Gotham police force, and making Gotham safer than it ever has been. But Selina Kyle knows what really happened on Fool’s Night and has one last heist in her - breaking into the Batcave.
I absolutely LOVED this book and it’s a true showcase that Cliff Chiang can do it all. Cliff weaves a masterful heist book that is both fun and emotional. I like that it shows Gotham in the future but doesn’t pack the book full of too many cameos. It still has a solid cast of Batcharacters, but it doesn’t go overboard. Selina and the crew she puts together go through fantastic character arcs. On top of the superb writing, Cliff also draws and colors a beautiful Gotham City. Cliff’s colorful art really pops off the pages and it’s all showcased in this fabulously crafted oversized hardback edition. This is easily one of the best books DC comics put out this year and should be on all Batfans reading list.
January 7, 2023
A sort of Dark Knight for Catwoman.
Drawn and written by Cliff Chiang. Is this his first foray into writing and drawing? It's excellent and he should continue to write his own stories.
Batman, the Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon... all dead. 10 years ago. Catwoman has been in jail ever since. Now she's out, but much older. The new Gotham is ran as a peaceful dictatorship under Mayor Harvey Dent.
Catwoman gets the band back together to break into the Batcave.
The story never really goes to the next level for me. It's find stuff, superbly drawn. I'm more interested in seeing where Chiang goes from here than revisiting this book.
Drawn and written by Cliff Chiang. Is this his first foray into writing and drawing? It's excellent and he should continue to write his own stories.
Batman, the Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon... all dead. 10 years ago. Catwoman has been in jail ever since. Now she's out, but much older. The new Gotham is ran as a peaceful dictatorship under Mayor Harvey Dent.
Catwoman gets the band back together to break into the Batcave.
The story never really goes to the next level for me. It's find stuff, superbly drawn. I'm more interested in seeing where Chiang goes from here than revisiting this book.
August 12, 2024
Basically an Elseworlds story of a 55-year-old Catwoman who has just been released from prison ten years after Batman died fighting Joker's attempt at introducing The Purge to Gotham City.
She mopes a bit and whines that she's getting too old for this s#@! as she gathers a crew and gets herself in shape for a big heist.
It's well executed, but I just couldn't find a point to it. This version of Catwoman didn't really shed new light on the character or change my perception of her. And the supporting cast seemed random and underdeveloped. (Oh, look, Poison Ivy put on weight . . . and now she's happy! Character arc = Done!)
Wholly unnecessary, Batman.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Book One. Dirty Old Town -- Book Two. Collecting Strays -- Book Three. Blood and Thunder -- Book Four. The Underworld -- Variant Covers -- The Process -- Character Sketches
She mopes a bit and whines that she's getting too old for this s#@! as she gathers a crew and gets herself in shape for a big heist.
It's well executed, but I just couldn't find a point to it. This version of Catwoman didn't really shed new light on the character or change my perception of her. And the supporting cast seemed random and underdeveloped. (Oh, look, Poison Ivy put on weight . . . and now she's happy! Character arc = Done!)
Wholly unnecessary, Batman.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Book One. Dirty Old Town -- Book Two. Collecting Strays -- Book Three. Blood and Thunder -- Book Four. The Underworld -- Variant Covers -- The Process -- Character Sketches
January 21, 2024
I haven’t read a lot of Catwoman stories; and those I did were in trade paperback collections/complete stories. So I feel somewhat confident in stating that this is the best one I have ever read. I thought LONELY CITY, while an imaginary future tale, was brilliant in every aspect. It’s an incredible spotlight on the talents of Cliff Chiang and I would direct anyone to this title as an example of how best to use the graphic novel story-telling format.
Even more impressive than his art, coloring, and lettering, is Chiang's ability to spin a great yarn. He brings new characterization to Catwoman, Killer Croc, Harvey Dent, Poison Ivy, Penguin, The Riddler/ Eddie Nigma, Barbara Gordon , Jason Blood/Etrigan the Demon and the supporting cast in such a way that makes readers see the good side of villains, most of whom turn out to be honorable. There's even an unexpected romance. Catwoman/Selina Kyle is now in her fifties, has lost a step, recognizes her limitations and seeks to find a new purpose, acknowledging that she can't do it alone and needs help. The storyline concerns her re-training herself in order to take on the biggest job yet - - infiltrating the Batcave and learning what is the mysterious "Orpheus" that a dying Batman burdened her with.
Book Four is a tour de force where Catwoman and company enter the Batcave and battle mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. There's a twist when she finally uncovers what Orpheus is and makes an unexpected decision.
Absolutely brilliant in every aspect. Almost everyone should read this, although I feel it would be incredibly confusing without some prior knowledge of the Batman family.
Even more impressive than his art, coloring, and lettering, is Chiang's ability to spin a great yarn. He brings new characterization to Catwoman, Killer Croc, Harvey Dent, Poison Ivy, Penguin, The Riddler/ Eddie Nigma, Barbara Gordon , Jason Blood/Etrigan the Demon and the supporting cast in such a way that makes readers see the good side of villains, most of whom turn out to be honorable. There's even an unexpected romance. Catwoman/Selina Kyle is now in her fifties, has lost a step, recognizes her limitations and seeks to find a new purpose, acknowledging that she can't do it alone and needs help. The storyline concerns her re-training herself in order to take on the biggest job yet - - infiltrating the Batcave and learning what is the mysterious "Orpheus" that a dying Batman burdened her with.
Book Four is a tour de force where Catwoman and company enter the Batcave and battle mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. There's a twist when she finally uncovers what Orpheus is and makes an unexpected decision.
Absolutely brilliant in every aspect. Almost everyone should read this, although I feel it would be incredibly confusing without some prior knowledge of the Batman family.
February 10, 2023
This is some of the best Batman-adjacent writing I've ever read. I'm actually still a bit stunned at how good it was. Like, every beat was perfectly placed along the way.
Each character is treated with such care, it's a pure joy to read. Nothing is twisted or overblown for shock value. It's just really great Batman fare that follows some of the mythology's best pieces and lets them shine.
It's funny and poignant and beautifully drawn. I'm gushing a bit, but I was very impressed. Well done.
Each character is treated with such care, it's a pure joy to read. Nothing is twisted or overblown for shock value. It's just really great Batman fare that follows some of the mythology's best pieces and lets them shine.
It's funny and poignant and beautifully drawn. I'm gushing a bit, but I was very impressed. Well done.
April 30, 2023
A Dark Knight Returns story for Selina, it’s wonderfully presented, but a tells a story that isn’t as compelling as the visuals. It depicts a Gotham without Batman, throwing cameos left right and centre despite the absence of the city’s main man, and attempts emotional weight with some odd choices. Not bad by any means, there’s clear passion and heart poured into every page, and Chiang deserves a lot of credit for his effort.
February 17, 2023
Gorgeous art combined with a compelling, thoughtful take on the Bat-verse make Catwoman: Lonely City one of the best things to come out of DC in a while. Place this on a pedestal with all of Tom King's works - except that Catwoman: Lonely City is more than just D-list characters talking around a cosmic issue. It's actually action-packed and thrilling!
In a future Gotham where Batman was killed by Joker on Fool's Night, Catwoman leaves prison on parole to find Gotham led by Mayor Two-Face and his roving bands of armed soldiers. Masks have been banned and crime is at an all time low, but civil liberties have been left behind (a Republican dream state!). In this version of the Bat-verse, Catwoman was more hero than villain, so when she reconnects with various other old villains, she finds them amenable to helping her uncover one of Batman's secrets he took to the grave.
The idea that all of these villains simply obeyed the no-masks law and went into retirement is rather absurd, but if you gloss over that fact, the "build a team, heist some stuff, take down the dictator" plot is supremely engaging. It of course helps that Cliff Chiang's virtuosic art pulls the reader along like a magnet. And, like any good Elseworlds work, there are several crushing losses along the way. Just an impeccable creation all the way through.
In a future Gotham where Batman was killed by Joker on Fool's Night, Catwoman leaves prison on parole to find Gotham led by Mayor Two-Face and his roving bands of armed soldiers. Masks have been banned and crime is at an all time low, but civil liberties have been left behind (a Republican dream state!). In this version of the Bat-verse, Catwoman was more hero than villain, so when she reconnects with various other old villains, she finds them amenable to helping her uncover one of Batman's secrets he took to the grave.
The idea that all of these villains simply obeyed the no-masks law and went into retirement is rather absurd, but if you gloss over that fact, the "build a team, heist some stuff, take down the dictator" plot is supremely engaging. It of course helps that Cliff Chiang's virtuosic art pulls the reader along like a magnet. And, like any good Elseworlds work, there are several crushing losses along the way. Just an impeccable creation all the way through.
August 6, 2023
Catwoman: Lonely City follows a 50-something Selina Kyle who has just been released from prison. It's been ten years since Fool's Night. The night where the Joker killed the Batman, Nightwing and Commisioner Gordon and somehow it ended up with the Catwoman captured and behind bars. In that time, Gotham has changed. The people have chosen Harvey Dent, former villain Two-Face, to be the mayor and Gotham is as safe as ever.
However, Selina doesn't trust him. And she has a mystery to discover. Ten years ago on that fateful night, Selina failed the Batman. She has questioned that night over and over again and she needs to find her answers. She needs to find a way to enter the batcave and find out what was Orpheus, Bruce's last request.
Personally, this book was really disappointing. I love the idea of giving Catwoman the Dark Knight Returns/ Old man Logan treatment. I love seeing her as an older woman, beaten, alone, and ready to come back to confront her past. However, I feel like this book never lives up to its premise.
It falls short. It falls short on the emotional weight of Selina's circumstances. On her grief, and loneliness and regrets.
Maybe it's my fault, I had big expectations and I thought it'd a more batcat heavy book. I thought the pain of losing the Batman, of a Gotham without the Bat-family would be unforgivable. And yet, I feel like Selina's relationship with Batman is one of the weakest and saddest part of this story.
I think the flashbacks to the Fool's Night are so disappointing. At first they feel like teasing a greater storyline, but in the end is so underwhelming. The story just never goes to the next level.
In these four issues and to complete her heist, Selina asks a few old allies for help. I think by far the strongest part of this book was Killer Croc. Seeing his current state and the relationship he has with Selina was bittersweet and really well-written.
Not so much the involvement of Poison Ivy. I gotta admit, I'm not her biggest fan. But here she feels really out-of character.
I feel like their sacrifices as allies were also undeserved which cheapened the emotional impact of their choices.
Personally, I also have a thing against any Riddler/Catwoman relationship and what Chiang planned here was exactly what I detest.
So you see, Chiang story choices are things with which I do not resonate with. And judging by the rating, I am alone in this. Which is okay, especially if this book becomes a gateway to more Catwoman stories. Which I really hope it does. I want more mature storylines. I want self-contained stories. I want Catwoman as the main character. And this title offers that. I just didn't like it.
However, Selina doesn't trust him. And she has a mystery to discover. Ten years ago on that fateful night, Selina failed the Batman. She has questioned that night over and over again and she needs to find her answers. She needs to find a way to enter the batcave and find out what was Orpheus, Bruce's last request.
Personally, this book was really disappointing. I love the idea of giving Catwoman the Dark Knight Returns/ Old man Logan treatment. I love seeing her as an older woman, beaten, alone, and ready to come back to confront her past. However, I feel like this book never lives up to its premise.
It falls short. It falls short on the emotional weight of Selina's circumstances. On her grief, and loneliness and regrets.
Maybe it's my fault, I had big expectations and I thought it'd a more batcat heavy book. I thought the pain of losing the Batman, of a Gotham without the Bat-family would be unforgivable. And yet, I feel like Selina's relationship with Batman is one of the weakest and saddest part of this story.
I think the flashbacks to the Fool's Night are so disappointing. At first they feel like teasing a greater storyline, but in the end is so underwhelming. The story just never goes to the next level.
In these four issues and to complete her heist, Selina asks a few old allies for help. I think by far the strongest part of this book was Killer Croc. Seeing his current state and the relationship he has with Selina was bittersweet and really well-written.
Not so much the involvement of Poison Ivy. I gotta admit, I'm not her biggest fan. But here she feels really out-of character.
I feel like their sacrifices as allies were also undeserved which cheapened the emotional impact of their choices.
Personally, I also have a thing against any Riddler/Catwoman relationship and what Chiang planned here was exactly what I detest.
So you see, Chiang story choices are things with which I do not resonate with. And judging by the rating, I am alone in this. Which is okay, especially if this book becomes a gateway to more Catwoman stories. Which I really hope it does. I want more mature storylines. I want self-contained stories. I want Catwoman as the main character. And this title offers that. I just didn't like it.
January 26, 2024
I loved this version of a mature Selina Kyle as Catwoman in this DCEU standalone book written and illustrated by Cliff Chiang!
Set in the near future, Selina who is now in her 50s has just been released from jail after a ten-year stint for her role in the Fool’s Night catastrophe that led to the death of Batman, Nightwing, the Joker, and Tim Drake’s Robin. Commissioner Gordon and Alfred are also dead, but Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl is still alive but in a wheelchair (which is a nod to her fate in the DCU and The Killing Joke.) The town of Gotham is now run by Harvey Dent aka Two-Face who as mayor has brought peace to the city but as a militarized zone. Barbara is running against him as mayor, but he wishes to remain in power at any cost.
Selina has to adjust to a changed Gotham and soon starts to put out feelers to other villains. The Penguin won’t lend her money to tide her over, but she soon meets the Killer Croc who partners with her on a job financed by a mystery benefactor. She also works with an appealing crime family, Winston Tsai and OGBeast, who help her obtain supplies and with computer surveillance. She also remeets the widowed Riddler and his young adult daughter, who also pair up with her. Soon enough Poison Ivy and Jason Blood/ Etrigan the Demon are part of the plan to find Batman’s Bat Cave and the mysterious Orpheus that Batman hinted to Selina when he died ten years prior.
There was a lot going on in this narrative, with many references and Easter eggs to the DC universe that at times could become confusing. There was an unneeded plot with the Green Lantern’s ring, Klarion the Witch Boy was briefly introduced, and Zatanna was mentioned for no reason. But I did find the romance that developed between Selina and Eddie (The Riddler) absolutely delightful! I never would have paired the two romantically, but the mature love that developed between the two was perfect.
There was great art throughout, it was kinetic and realistic. Selina and the other characters were aged appropriately, and I enjoyed the flashbacks to multiple eras of costumes and her previous relationship with Batman. The color scheme is subdued, with lots of purples and blues for Selina. It is an oversized book, with many panels per page that flowed together well and I always knew what direction to read it in. Chiang did a remarkable job with all the aspects of this story, and I applaud him.
I am part of the I Read Comic Books group through Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and this book was this month’s book selection. I was unaware of this graphic novel, as I typically am not a DC fan, so I am glad that I picked it up, as this story can’t be beaten!
This review can also be found on my blog:
Set in the near future, Selina who is now in her 50s has just been released from jail after a ten-year stint for her role in the Fool’s Night catastrophe that led to the death of Batman, Nightwing, the Joker, and Tim Drake’s Robin. Commissioner Gordon and Alfred are also dead, but Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl is still alive but in a wheelchair (which is a nod to her fate in the DCU and The Killing Joke.) The town of Gotham is now run by Harvey Dent aka Two-Face who as mayor has brought peace to the city but as a militarized zone. Barbara is running against him as mayor, but he wishes to remain in power at any cost.
Selina has to adjust to a changed Gotham and soon starts to put out feelers to other villains. The Penguin won’t lend her money to tide her over, but she soon meets the Killer Croc who partners with her on a job financed by a mystery benefactor. She also works with an appealing crime family, Winston Tsai and OGBeast, who help her obtain supplies and with computer surveillance. She also remeets the widowed Riddler and his young adult daughter, who also pair up with her. Soon enough Poison Ivy and Jason Blood/ Etrigan the Demon are part of the plan to find Batman’s Bat Cave and the mysterious Orpheus that Batman hinted to Selina when he died ten years prior.
There was a lot going on in this narrative, with many references and Easter eggs to the DC universe that at times could become confusing. There was an unneeded plot with the Green Lantern’s ring, Klarion the Witch Boy was briefly introduced, and Zatanna was mentioned for no reason. But I did find the romance that developed between Selina and Eddie (The Riddler) absolutely delightful! I never would have paired the two romantically, but the mature love that developed between the two was perfect.
There was great art throughout, it was kinetic and realistic. Selina and the other characters were aged appropriately, and I enjoyed the flashbacks to multiple eras of costumes and her previous relationship with Batman. The color scheme is subdued, with lots of purples and blues for Selina. It is an oversized book, with many panels per page that flowed together well and I always knew what direction to read it in. Chiang did a remarkable job with all the aspects of this story, and I applaud him.
I am part of the I Read Comic Books group through Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and this book was this month’s book selection. I was unaware of this graphic novel, as I typically am not a DC fan, so I am glad that I picked it up, as this story can’t be beaten!
This review can also be found on my blog:
February 27, 2023
Up there with HUSH as far as favorite Batverse comics.
Cliff's artwork is beautiful as ever and his writing is excellent too. I didn't expect the pairing but I'm not mad about it. And I'm a sucker for getting the gang back together. The flashbacks were fantastic.
Cliff's artwork is beautiful as ever and his writing is excellent too. I didn't expect the pairing but I'm not mad about it. And I'm a sucker for getting the gang back together. The flashbacks were fantastic.
January 22, 2024
This is my favorite graphic novel of the past few years. It's moving and emotional, about grief, loss, and aging. It's set in a world where Batman, Nightwing, the Joker, and Harley Quinn all die together on one tragic night. Ten years pass, and Catwoman is finally out of prison and ready to return to Gotham.
I really liked Selina Kyle in this book and I loved seeing her evolution (and the Catwoman outfit evolution)! The entire premise of the book is sad, but Cliff Chiang allows his characters to still enjoy themselves. There's a parade of cameos from other Gotham villains, with some playing larger roles, and I particularly liked Selina's partnership with Killer Croc. I think this book is less about Batman and more about growing older, and how important it can be to hold onto common symbols and principles. The plot—breaking into the abandoned Batcave—leaves something to be desired, but it's less important than the characters' emotional journey. What happens when you age out of your extraordinary life, and then have to decide what comes next? What does your generation look like, and how do you impact the generation that comes after you?
Cliff Chiang is the artist for Brian Azzarello's Wonder Woman and Brian K. Vaughan's Paper Girls, but he hasn't written anything else. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book he writes. I'm appalled by how talented he is.
I really liked Selina Kyle in this book and I loved seeing her evolution (and the Catwoman outfit evolution)! The entire premise of the book is sad, but Cliff Chiang allows his characters to still enjoy themselves. There's a parade of cameos from other Gotham villains, with some playing larger roles, and I particularly liked Selina's partnership with Killer Croc. I think this book is less about Batman and more about growing older, and how important it can be to hold onto common symbols and principles. The plot—breaking into the abandoned Batcave—leaves something to be desired, but it's less important than the characters' emotional journey. What happens when you age out of your extraordinary life, and then have to decide what comes next? What does your generation look like, and how do you impact the generation that comes after you?
Cliff Chiang is the artist for Brian Azzarello's Wonder Woman and Brian K. Vaughan's Paper Girls, but he hasn't written anything else. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book he writes. I'm appalled by how talented he is.
January 31, 2023
I'm wary of artists-turned-writers, comparing anything to The Dark Knight Returns, and honestly much of anything to do with Catwoman that isn't by Ed Brubaker and/or Darwyn Cooke.
So it is not light praise when I say that Catwoman Lonely City, best described as Catwoman's "Dark Knight Returns," is among the top three Catwoman stories I've ever read, and ranks among the best things I read in 2022.
Cliff Chiang, always a stellar artist, proves himself an excellent writer as well, as he tells a story of "one last heist" (a soft spot of mine) by retired criminals in an autocratic corrupt police state.
The story and art alone is good enough that I'd love it for just that, but there's more to it. There's a true understanding of Selina Kyle, and nods to every era, from the Jim Balent purple costume to a heavy dose of the Brubaker/Cooke version, along with maybe the best interpretation of Killer Croc I've ever seen, a really wonderful use of Poison Ivy and Jason Blood/The Demon. In addition, the blossoming love story between a retired Riddler and Catwoman works so very well, and I love the story of his daughter Edie and Selina too.
This is a love letter to street level Gotham, with nods to everything I've ever loved about it. Love the way Chiang uses Barbara Gordon and the inclusion of his co-created Gotham cop/P.I. Josie Mac.
It's pretty much perfect, and there are so many great things I could say about it. And having it in a very nice oversized hardcover is icing on the cake.
So it is not light praise when I say that Catwoman Lonely City, best described as Catwoman's "Dark Knight Returns," is among the top three Catwoman stories I've ever read, and ranks among the best things I read in 2022.
Cliff Chiang, always a stellar artist, proves himself an excellent writer as well, as he tells a story of "one last heist" (a soft spot of mine) by retired criminals in an autocratic corrupt police state.
The story and art alone is good enough that I'd love it for just that, but there's more to it. There's a true understanding of Selina Kyle, and nods to every era, from the Jim Balent purple costume to a heavy dose of the Brubaker/Cooke version, along with maybe the best interpretation of Killer Croc I've ever seen, a really wonderful use of Poison Ivy and Jason Blood/The Demon. In addition, the blossoming love story between a retired Riddler and Catwoman works so very well, and I love the story of his daughter Edie and Selina too.
This is a love letter to street level Gotham, with nods to everything I've ever loved about it. Love the way Chiang uses Barbara Gordon and the inclusion of his co-created Gotham cop/P.I. Josie Mac.
It's pretty much perfect, and there are so many great things I could say about it. And having it in a very nice oversized hardcover is icing on the cake.
February 9, 2023
4,5/5
Trop bien cette aventure qui suit une Selina de 55 ans qui sort de 10 ans de prison et renoue avec certaines vieilles habitudes et connaissances..
Trop bien cette aventure qui suit une Selina de 55 ans qui sort de 10 ans de prison et renoue avec certaines vieilles habitudes et connaissances..
October 18, 2024
Gostei bastante! Uma versao de alguns personagens de Gotham que eu nunca tinha visto antes. Aqui a Selina tem 55 anos, cabelo grisalho e tudo, e acabou de sair da prisao. O batman esta morto e o Harvey Dent esta praticamente mandando em Gotham, com um exercito de policiais na cidade inteira.
Aparece tambem o killer croc, o Nygma (grisalinho tambem) e a Ivy (morando NO BRASIL)
A arte é muito linda, tem paginas que voce so quer ficar minutos olhando digerindo os detalhes e as cores. O design dos personagens é muito legal tambem! Achei um tom muito legal a Selina ter uniformes bem praticos aqui, nada sexualizados, e continuar fazendo acrobacias mesmo a idade (e o joelho) já sendo uma questao.
Aparece tambem o killer croc, o Nygma (grisalinho tambem) e a Ivy (morando NO BRASIL)
A arte é muito linda, tem paginas que voce so quer ficar minutos olhando digerindo os detalhes e as cores. O design dos personagens é muito legal tambem! Achei um tom muito legal a Selina ter uniformes bem praticos aqui, nada sexualizados, e continuar fazendo acrobacias mesmo a idade (e o joelho) já sendo uma questao.
February 5, 2023
Everything I could possibly want in a Catwoman book.
June 30, 2023
This was phenomenal. Great story, emotional art. Very happy to have read this.
January 23, 2024
I didn't get all the DC references but otherwise this book worked very well as a stand-alone story.
I loved a lot of details about this story. In particular I appeciated that the characters are aged up and self-reflective of their past. I appreciate that older Selina feels her age in her joints and muscles, sees a doctor about it, and keeps working out. I love that her new suit has built in knee braces and cushy shoes!
I really liked a lot of the character design in this book, in particular for Poison Ivy.
I felt like the climax of the story gets a little messy, and there are some details thrown in that seemed like filler or for shock value because they don't get used.
This took me multiple sittings to get through. In part because there is a lot of information in the story for a non-DC reader and in part because I enjoyed the story and didn't want to rush through it.
I loved a lot of details about this story. In particular I appeciated that the characters are aged up and self-reflective of their past. I appreciate that older Selina feels her age in her joints and muscles, sees a doctor about it, and keeps working out. I love that her new suit has built in knee braces and cushy shoes!
I really liked a lot of the character design in this book, in particular for Poison Ivy.
I felt like the climax of the story gets a little messy, and there are some details thrown in that seemed like filler or for shock value because they don't get used.
This took me multiple sittings to get through. In part because there is a lot of information in the story for a non-DC reader and in part because I enjoyed the story and didn't want to rush through it.
November 3, 2024
3.5 stars
It's really fun with lots of heart.
It's really fun with lots of heart.
February 8, 2023
It is a tradition in superhero comics, in which every character gets their own dark future story. Batman, more so than any other superhero, has more than one dark future, the most popular of which would be Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, which may have been an Elseworlds narrative, had a big influence on subsequent Batman comics. Having worked on Wonder Woman and the creator-owned Paper Girls, artist Cliff Chiang has done The Dark Knight Returns for Catwoman.
Ten years have passed since Fool’s Night, which claimed the lives of Batman, the Joker, Nightwing and Commissioner Gordon. During the decade, Selina Kyle was in prison and she discovers that Gotham has banned costumed heroism and villainy, which may have been safer, but a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. Trying to wonder what the meaning of Batman’s last word “Orpheus� is, Catwoman assembles a gang of misfits to pull off a big score that will uncover the secrets hidden inside the Batcave.
Whilst Chiang’s story felt reminiscent of Catwoman: Selina's Big Score by the late Darwyn Cooke, compared to the more recent works like Batman/Catwoman and Batman: Killing Time (both were written by Tom King), Catwoman: Lonely City unintentionally takes elements from both those books and actually tells a better narrative with a clear focus on its main character. The influence of Miller’s TDKR looms large, such as how the return of costumed figures causes the start of a rebellion against the establishment.
Part of the joy of reading dark future stories is seeing how these characters have changed over the years and for once, it is great that the Joker is not an antagonist and the villainous focus is towards Mayor Harvey Dent, who is struggling to be a good man. Considering the dystopia of this future Gotham, there are moments of levity and tenderness seeing former villains being more down-to-earth, whilst reclaiming part of their bad side to symbolise a form of freedom in this city.
You can argue that Chiang might overcompensate with the number of characters he includes here, but when his art is so good, it’s hard to complain about what insane content he throws at nearly every page. With his emphasis on inking and printed in a prestige format, Chiang’s art is incredibly detailed from character designs (the Batcops are an absolute highlight) to environments, whilst his colouring is so vibrant that it makes Gotham not always this moody and depressing city. A special shout-out to the flashbacks which cleverly nods to the Bat and the Cat’s comics history, as well as the Adam West show.
As writer, artist, colourist, letterer and cover artist, Cliff Chiang really ups his game with Catwoman: Lonely City, a visually arresting, but surprisingly heartfelt heist narrative.
Ten years have passed since Fool’s Night, which claimed the lives of Batman, the Joker, Nightwing and Commissioner Gordon. During the decade, Selina Kyle was in prison and she discovers that Gotham has banned costumed heroism and villainy, which may have been safer, but a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. Trying to wonder what the meaning of Batman’s last word “Orpheus� is, Catwoman assembles a gang of misfits to pull off a big score that will uncover the secrets hidden inside the Batcave.
Whilst Chiang’s story felt reminiscent of Catwoman: Selina's Big Score by the late Darwyn Cooke, compared to the more recent works like Batman/Catwoman and Batman: Killing Time (both were written by Tom King), Catwoman: Lonely City unintentionally takes elements from both those books and actually tells a better narrative with a clear focus on its main character. The influence of Miller’s TDKR looms large, such as how the return of costumed figures causes the start of a rebellion against the establishment.
Part of the joy of reading dark future stories is seeing how these characters have changed over the years and for once, it is great that the Joker is not an antagonist and the villainous focus is towards Mayor Harvey Dent, who is struggling to be a good man. Considering the dystopia of this future Gotham, there are moments of levity and tenderness seeing former villains being more down-to-earth, whilst reclaiming part of their bad side to symbolise a form of freedom in this city.
You can argue that Chiang might overcompensate with the number of characters he includes here, but when his art is so good, it’s hard to complain about what insane content he throws at nearly every page. With his emphasis on inking and printed in a prestige format, Chiang’s art is incredibly detailed from character designs (the Batcops are an absolute highlight) to environments, whilst his colouring is so vibrant that it makes Gotham not always this moody and depressing city. A special shout-out to the flashbacks which cleverly nods to the Bat and the Cat’s comics history, as well as the Adam West show.
As writer, artist, colourist, letterer and cover artist, Cliff Chiang really ups his game with Catwoman: Lonely City, a visually arresting, but surprisingly heartfelt heist narrative.
December 15, 2022
CLIFF CHIANG GIVES SELINA KYLE HER OWN ‘DARK KNIGHT RETURNS� AND IT IS AMAZING!
The famous Catwoman has been locked up for the last ten years and is finally released back to the world. The old Gotham she knew has changed a lot, with Harvey ‘Two-Face� Dent being its new mayor. Batman has also been dead for the last ten years after another chaotic attack set up by the Joker, deemed ‘Fools Day�. Gotham seems to be in better condition, but with a former villain being the mayor, there’s gotta be some weird stuff going on. On top of that he has his cops dressed like Batmen, and people are constantly under surveillance/being ID’d. It’s a good thing Barbara Gordan is running against Dent in hopes to expose the harm he’s actually doing. With all that, what is Selina’s biggest goal? Figuring out what Bruce meant with one of his dying words being “orpheus�. She needs to break into the batcave (which is being guarded by Harvey’s Batcops) and get the answers she needs. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish and gives Catwoman an amazing character arc.
Cliff Chiang plays a renaissance man, as he does everything from the writing to the lettering. To start with his writing and story, it is brilliant. I’m not the first to say this or even think of it, I'm sure, but this does really feel like Selina’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns�. And not in a copy and paste kind of way, but in the way that it is a character defining story. Chiang writes a very likable Catwoman, and the cast he provides her with is also super enjoyable. In only 4 issues we get a thrill ride adventure with drama, laughs, emotion, and a satisfying ending. I also loved how he involved Harvey Dent (as he is one of my favorite bat-characters) making him the mayor, and the new Gotham he sets up makes a great antagonist. There’s great elements on its own that make it a classic for me, and I really think this is the definitive Catwoman story.
It also helps that Chiang’s artwork is just as fun as the story, and it’s even partnered with some stunning colors. He has some cool and cute character designs, and he does great with the thrill scenes, and his tone captures the drama and emotion of the story perfectly. It’s just great work from start to finish.
Overall; This was such a fun read, and I really feel like this book will be one that we’ll be talking about for a long time. Rightfully so too, because Chiang gives us a whole lot of effort and it does not go unnoticed!
The famous Catwoman has been locked up for the last ten years and is finally released back to the world. The old Gotham she knew has changed a lot, with Harvey ‘Two-Face� Dent being its new mayor. Batman has also been dead for the last ten years after another chaotic attack set up by the Joker, deemed ‘Fools Day�. Gotham seems to be in better condition, but with a former villain being the mayor, there’s gotta be some weird stuff going on. On top of that he has his cops dressed like Batmen, and people are constantly under surveillance/being ID’d. It’s a good thing Barbara Gordan is running against Dent in hopes to expose the harm he’s actually doing. With all that, what is Selina’s biggest goal? Figuring out what Bruce meant with one of his dying words being “orpheus�. She needs to break into the batcave (which is being guarded by Harvey’s Batcops) and get the answers she needs. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish and gives Catwoman an amazing character arc.
Cliff Chiang plays a renaissance man, as he does everything from the writing to the lettering. To start with his writing and story, it is brilliant. I’m not the first to say this or even think of it, I'm sure, but this does really feel like Selina’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns�. And not in a copy and paste kind of way, but in the way that it is a character defining story. Chiang writes a very likable Catwoman, and the cast he provides her with is also super enjoyable. In only 4 issues we get a thrill ride adventure with drama, laughs, emotion, and a satisfying ending. I also loved how he involved Harvey Dent (as he is one of my favorite bat-characters) making him the mayor, and the new Gotham he sets up makes a great antagonist. There’s great elements on its own that make it a classic for me, and I really think this is the definitive Catwoman story.
It also helps that Chiang’s artwork is just as fun as the story, and it’s even partnered with some stunning colors. He has some cool and cute character designs, and he does great with the thrill scenes, and his tone captures the drama and emotion of the story perfectly. It’s just great work from start to finish.
Overall; This was such a fun read, and I really feel like this book will be one that we’ll be talking about for a long time. Rightfully so too, because Chiang gives us a whole lot of effort and it does not go unnoticed!
May 30, 2023
(Zero spoiler review)
If you're going to do a story featuring my girl, Selina Kyle, you better damn well do her justice. You certainly wouldn't want to draw her like a semi-retired liberal arts teacher. You certainly wouldn't want to have the rest of the art in your story look comparable to the pictures parents affix to their refrigerator. Your story certainly shouldn't be about as interesting and enjoyable as a week spent unable to remove a pair of wet socks. You certainly wouldn't want to... You get the idea. For Catwoman: Lonely City is all of those things and more. It's pure, unmitigated garbage. And yet again my girl Selina is done dirty by the latest in a laundry list of modern, no talent 'creators', who have been given the keys to one of comics' greatest and most underrated of characters.
Cliff Chaing is a lousy artist and an even lousier writer. I can't draw to save my life, but on the evidence offered here, neither can Cliff Chaing. But I could write a better Catwoman story, even after suffering a mild cranial bludgeoning. How this currently enjoys such a high score on this site is causing me no end of consternation. If Jim Balent and John Ostrander's Catwoman is your Catwoman, then don't waste your time or your money on this unpleasant little tale. 1/5
OmniBen.
If you're going to do a story featuring my girl, Selina Kyle, you better damn well do her justice. You certainly wouldn't want to draw her like a semi-retired liberal arts teacher. You certainly wouldn't want to have the rest of the art in your story look comparable to the pictures parents affix to their refrigerator. Your story certainly shouldn't be about as interesting and enjoyable as a week spent unable to remove a pair of wet socks. You certainly wouldn't want to... You get the idea. For Catwoman: Lonely City is all of those things and more. It's pure, unmitigated garbage. And yet again my girl Selina is done dirty by the latest in a laundry list of modern, no talent 'creators', who have been given the keys to one of comics' greatest and most underrated of characters.
Cliff Chaing is a lousy artist and an even lousier writer. I can't draw to save my life, but on the evidence offered here, neither can Cliff Chaing. But I could write a better Catwoman story, even after suffering a mild cranial bludgeoning. How this currently enjoys such a high score on this site is causing me no end of consternation. If Jim Balent and John Ostrander's Catwoman is your Catwoman, then don't waste your time or your money on this unpleasant little tale. 1/5
OmniBen.
November 7, 2023
Selina Kyle wychodzi z więzienia po dziesięcioletniej odsiadce i wraca do Gotham. Tam burmistrzem jest Harvey Dent a miasto zmieniło się nie do poznania po Nocy Błazna, w trakcie której zginął Batman.
Doskonały początek, choć z tych, które są znane i oklepane. Tym większa zasługa za to, że nie było w tym banału. Mamy historię rozliczeń z przeszłością i domknięcia starych rachunków. A także znalezienia kilku odpowiedzi.
Selina Kyle nie jest żadną superbohaterką, raczej kobietą z przeszłością. Od Batmana odróżnia ją brak kasy i gadżetów. Zresztą, gorzką refleksją jest tu stwierdzenie, że Batman więcej dobrego zrobił po śmierci- ponieważ jego majątek został wykorzystany do systemowej naprawy nierówności- niż za życia, kiedy pieniądze i wpływy wykorzystywał do ganiania większych i mniejszych łotrów.
Nie jest to żadna wywrotowa opowieść, raczej umacnia mit, ale jest doskonale opowiedziana i narysowana. I nie jest przegadana a do tego jest emocjonalnie realistyczna.
Doskonały początek, choć z tych, które są znane i oklepane. Tym większa zasługa za to, że nie było w tym banału. Mamy historię rozliczeń z przeszłością i domknięcia starych rachunków. A także znalezienia kilku odpowiedzi.
Selina Kyle nie jest żadną superbohaterką, raczej kobietą z przeszłością. Od Batmana odróżnia ją brak kasy i gadżetów. Zresztą, gorzką refleksją jest tu stwierdzenie, że Batman więcej dobrego zrobił po śmierci- ponieważ jego majątek został wykorzystany do systemowej naprawy nierówności- niż za życia, kiedy pieniądze i wpływy wykorzystywał do ganiania większych i mniejszych łotrów.
Nie jest to żadna wywrotowa opowieść, raczej umacnia mit, ale jest doskonale opowiedziana i narysowana. I nie jest przegadana a do tego jest emocjonalnie realistyczna.
May 29, 2024
Absolutely LOVED the art style. The premise of a Gotham run by Mayor Two-Face post-Batman was enticing, seeing all the aging super villains teaming up pure fun and as a huge Catwoman fan this was overall just a delicious read.
Actually stumbled upon my physical copy in BMV books in a serendipitous moment shortly after finding out about the comic from a screenshot on Twitter and it was only $10!
Actually stumbled upon my physical copy in BMV books in a serendipitous moment shortly after finding out about the comic from a screenshot on Twitter and it was only $10!
January 14, 2024
IRCB Jan 2024 Book of the Month
This has been on my to-read list since the trade was first released, and it did not disappoint.
Read for Batman’s foes aging gracefully, a compelling heist tale with charming interpersonal relationships, and Cliff Chang being an absolute legend by writing, drawing, coloring AND lettering, and pulling off every one flawlessly. Whatever the comic version of an EGOT is, he should get it for this title.
This has been on my to-read list since the trade was first released, and it did not disappoint.
Read for Batman’s foes aging gracefully, a compelling heist tale with charming interpersonal relationships, and Cliff Chang being an absolute legend by writing, drawing, coloring AND lettering, and pulling off every one flawlessly. Whatever the comic version of an EGOT is, he should get it for this title.
January 8, 2023
This was not in my radar, but I am so glad I got the time to read it. What a fun alternative future story. Loved the new versions of Batman’s villain gallery, specially Croc!! Fully recommended!
October 1, 2023
something about redemption and failure and growth and loss and death and friendship and oppression and freedom and love. an amazing and very human story. one of my favourite comics ever i think.
December 28, 2023
3.5 stars. Read via library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.