DC has a certified banger on its hands with Absolute Catwoman #1. This is an absolutely killer debut that marks a stellar start for what could easily become a landmark series for the entire Absolute line. Che Grayson introduces us to a version of Selina Kyle who is an absolute blast to root for, especially when she finds herself completely in over her head. Plus, the final reveal alone makes this book an essential addition to your weekly pull list. I cant wait to see where this goes next.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1
Not Your Mother's Catwoman
The story opens with a brilliant piece of visual misdirection that immediately flips the script on classic DC lore. A thief sporting a sleek, Darwyn Cooke-inspired Catwoman suit slinks through a high-end apartment while the narration hypes up the classic thrill of the steal. Just as you think you are settling into a traditional Gotham heist story, the true protagonist of the series crashes the party. Our “Absolute” version of Selina Kyle appears in all her high-tech glory, completely rewriting expectations by casually tranquilizing her feline intruder.
This is actually Selina's apartment being robbed, and she immediately clarifies that the emotional thrill of thievery was never her thing. Grayson uses this moment to instantly establish that this version of the character is entirely different from her core-universe counterpart. This Selina has fought her way out of poverty to build a legitimate life, and she has zero desire to look back.
Days of Future’s Past Lives
The peace of Selina's hard-earned quiet life does not last long, shattering completely when a crew of women in cat-themed gear opens fire on her penthouse. This explosive ambush introduces a fascinating piece of new Absolute history known as the Calicos. While the narrative keeps the exact details close to the chest, it drops enough breadcrumbs to reveal that Selina used to run with this crew before a past job cost her something incredibly dear.
The attackers currently tearing up her apartment are clearly impersonators rather than old friends, proving that an outside enemy is actively trying to dismantle her new life. Selina unleashes an impressive arsenal of advanced gadgets to fight off the strike team, forcing them to scatter, though the intruders manage to detonate her entire penthouse before retreating into the night. Someone is trying to get Selina’s attention in an EXPLOSIVE way.
Year One Vibes
A quick jump to a flashback from earlier that day introduces Holly Robinson, the fan-favorite character originally created in Batman: Year One, who clearly serves as the emotional anchor for this entire arc. A second flashback scene establishes their deep history, showing how a young Selina successfully helped Holly evade the GCPD when they were kids, cementing a lifelong friendship. Back in the present, Holly tracks down Selina on her birthday with a cake in hand, desperately begging her old partner to help her pull off one last job.
Selina firmly shuts the idea down, prompting Holly to leave in a huff while leaving the birthday dessert behind. When a curious Selina investigates the cake, she discovers a mysterious electronic orb hidden inside, leaving her with no time to process the mystery before the Calico copycats arrive to blow her home to pieces.
Look What The Cass Dragged In
The narrative slams back into the present as Selina lands on her feet (lol) after the penthouse blast, injured but entirely undeterred. She looks up just in time to spot Holly strapped and restrained to the back of a motorcycle driven by a masked kidnapper. Selina immediately summons the WildCat, her high-tech motorcycle that can physically transform into a pouncing, cat-like vehicle, triggering a frantic highway chase. Selina engages the driver in high-speed, close-quarters combat, but she quickly realizes she is dealing with an elite threat. Regardless of the offensive angles Selina throws, this mysterious opponent effortlessly reads her fighting style, blocking every strike while delivering devastating counters. The driver manages to slip away into the traffic with Holly, leaving a frustrated Selina to regroup.
The final pages deliver a massive cliffhanger by unmasking the silent driver on the motorcycle, revealing her to be Cassandra Cain. Cassandra remains completely (characteristically) mute throughout the entire debut, operating as a cold, efficient enforcer for a hidden employer who clearly knows Selina’s past inside and out. Is she silent because of similar reasons to her Earth Prime counterpart?
The tactical precision of the attack suggests a major player like Grimm could be pulling the strings behind the scenes, especially considering how his influence has been bleeding into every corner of the Absolute Universe lately. Left with a destroyed home and a kidnapped best friend, Selina decides she needs to upgrade her firepower if she is going to bring Holly back alive. This debut makes one thing absolutely certain: you never steal from Selina Kyle.
Art That Doesn’t Pussyfoot Around
Bengal’s artwork provides a spectacular, high-energy foundation that completely carries the day for this first issue. The character designs feel incredibly fresh, especially the sharp contrast between the nostalgic, classic suit in the opening and Selina’s armor-plated, tactical tech gear. Giovanna Niro’s vibrant color palette perfectly enhances the high-tech noir aesthetic, popping brilliant neon highlights against the dark backdrop of the city streets.
The action sequences are handled with a kinetic fluidity that makes the highway chase feel like it is moving at two hundred miles per hour. The visual storytelling excels during the final brawl, clearly conveying Cassandra Cain’s physical superiority through precise choreography and sharp panel layouts. Bengal and Niro work in perfect harmony to give this title a distinct, unforgettable style.
Conclusion & Verdict:
Absolute Catwoman #1 delivers a phenomenal opening salvo that successfully separates itself from the weight of decades of DC continuity in an effort to carve a new path. By blending high-tech gadgets with a grounded story about survival and old loyalties, Che Grayson has built a world that feels completely unique but familiar. I cannot wait to see what other secrets unfold, and am excited to see Selina reach new heights of popularity due to this new exposure. As a massive Cassandra Cain fan, I cannot WAIT for this new interpretation of the character. Looks like the Absolute Universe has more lives than some think.