You know when a creator completely changes an existing character and then that character stays that way forever (for better or for worse)? We're talking about that this week.
No new episode next week. I'm gonna be in sunny Toronto! We'll be back March 21!
What a week! B.P.R.D, Solomon Kane and The Unwritten their usual high-quality astonishment; Giffen managed to bring some Morrison-era weirdness into present-day Doom Patrol; present-day Morrison continued his efforts toward ensuring that someday I'll refer to Morrison-era Batman weirdness in Batman and Robin; Jersey Gods got turned on its MF ear; there's a damn A-Team comic and somehow The Twelve has manged to claw its way partially free from that shallow grave I tearfully buried it in.
Sadly, it's Cat Week, so I won't be reviewing any of those comics. No, there were really only two books of note this Wednesday, and here they are:
R.E.B.E.L.S. No. 14
This is the first time in a fairly long time that a series that I enjoy has manged to wrap up a long and at least moderately complex storyline in a way that has left me satisfied. All of the major plot-threads managed to come together for a finale without feeling extraneous, a lot happened without feeling rushed and the villain's defeat was both not easy and not only achievable by deus ex machina. I sure do hope that this thing continues, whether as R.E.B.E.L.S. or as L.E.G.I.O.N. '10.
The really important thing about this issue, however, is Tigorr. Everyone's favourite Omega Man really comes through in this issue, leading his team back from the furthest reaches of Starrospace in order to save the day with his trademark aplomb. How he manages to traverse two galaxies, have his mind taken over and save the day without letting his stogie go out, I'll never know, but I sure do hope that Dox makes him his right-hand man (er, alien) after the reorganization. He'd be purr-fect for the job!
Secret Six No. 19
The Secret Six, complete with new member Black Alice, go about their usual business in this issue as they raid a summer camp run by that Brother Blood cult from Teen Titans.
----- PARENTS: DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO ANY SUMMER CAMP RUN BY A GROUP THAT HAS THE WORD "BLOOD" IN ITS NAME. IT'S JUST GOOD SENSE. THAT IS ALL. -----
Now one might think, based on the cover image, that Catman plays a prominent role in this issue. Sadly this is not the case, though that cover does almost make up for it (I just want to scratch his pointy little ears!). No, Catman only gets as much face-time as any of the other characters in the issue. However there's a pretty god chance that this story arc is going to be full of opportunities for Catman to shine, and possibly to shed the excess baggage that is his team and prowl solo, thus giving us the kind of all-cat experience that we want! Everybody start writing postcards!
In honour of Cat Week, I am going to examine a guy who has been around the DCU for a long time, but has only recently converted to hunkdom. Not unlike Kiefer Sutherland, Catman only became sexy when he was given a starring role in a series. For this we can thank Gail Simone, who saw the potential for hunkiness where no one else did. So let's all take a good, long, dreamy look at
HE WISHES SHE WAS DEADSHOT.
Well, y'know. His costume is basically Batman's. And it doesn't help that he broke onto the scene back in the sixties as a villain who was ripping off both Catwoman and Batman.
I WONDER IF THOMAS EVER LOOKS BACK ON THIS AND IS DEEPLY ASHAMED.
But the claw marks on the front, matching the real scar underneath, add a bold, seductive touch. And the brown and gold colour palate he has gone with as of late is working for him. And he fills the suit out nicely.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. MY COSTUME IS NOTHING LIKE THIS ONE."
Sans costume, Thomas Blake is a blonde (or possibly red-headed depending on the artist), ripped, square-jawed and frequently shirtless dreamboat. He has a macho permanent stubble and loose locks thing going on, not unlike Sawyer from Lost but possibly with more shampoo.
MAN. CATMAN.
I am going to give Catman full marks for looks, but he will lose points on the unoriginal costume choice.
Who doesn't love a sexy anti-hero? We all love Superman and everything, but there's something extra delicious about a villain with morals. He's the unofficial leader of the Secret Six, commanding respect with his relative sanity, his awesome fighting skills, and his perfectly sculpted chest.
"DON'T MAKE ME REMOVE MORE OF MY COSTUME! BECAUSE I WILL!"
DEADSHOT WILL PROBABLY SHOW HER HIS IF SHE ASKED.
Let's not forget that this guy hit rock bottom not long before joining up with the Six. He was fat, disgraced, and suicidal when he decided that, rather than offing himself, he would move to Africa, get ripped and come back with a vengeance. And you have to respect that.
MACHO!
Not as terrifying as his sexy pal Deadshot, but by no means a sappy good guy, Catman has a perfect balance of good and...well, I don't want to say 'evil', but certainly 'self-interest.'
She smells like catnip.
According to Wikipedia, Catman is "an Olympic-level athlete and skilled hand-to-hand combatant. He is also one of the world's finest hunters and trackers." So basically, if you are choosing a partner for The Amazing Race, this is your guy.
"LET HER GO OR I SWEAR I WILL TAKE MY SHIRT OFF AND MAKE OUT WITH YOU SO HARD."
The only job Catman has is working with the Secret Six to kill people who are even worse than they are for large amounts of money. Since I didn't fault Jonah Hex for being a bounty hunter, I can't really take points away from Catman on this one. Or can I? Hex is an entrepreneur, and he works alone. That makes his work slightly sexier.
But I do love the "will-they-or-won't-they" romance he shares with Deadshot.
"I SEE YOU ARE WEARING YOUR TIGHTEST SWEAT PANTS. AS AM I."
You could argue that Catman is a much lesser Batman, and why eat hamburger when you can eat Bruce Wayne? He's a B-lister for sure, but he clawed his way up (pun!) from D-list, so that's something. We can't really ignore the fact that, for many decades, this guy was a total joke. And, y'know, he kills a lot of people.
COOKING WITH CATMAN!
HE HAS REALLY NICE EYES, TOO.
He's the first villain, if we can consider him that, to be rated among the Super Hunks, so I'll go easy on him. For a villain, he has surprisingly few flaws.
THIS WOULD ALSO MAKE A GOOD COSTUME.
I'm afraid so, Catman. But that is a perfectly respectable score! In fact, that ties you with Iron Fist, so not bad at all! Especially considering the dramatic and sexy comeback from being a fat loser.
Living Between Wednesdays is a place for people who love comic books and superheroes.
