Catwoman: Soulstealer: The Graphic Novel by Sarah J. Maas
Product Details
Web ID: 16223851I LOVED this!
Thank you NetGalley, DC Comics and Sarah J Maas for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing. I have a lot to say, beginning with: I ADORED this story. The scene: this is an off-canon Selina Kyle/Catwoman story that essentially takes a “what if Selina Kyle was never up against Batman, but one of his protégés? And what if she trained with the league of assassins?” and let me tell you, this was a wonderful idea. I am a Batman and Bat-family fanatic. I’ve read almost every major Batman story written at this point, and a number of Catwoman led stories as well. I’ve never seen this particular approach. It does something different with her origins and her story in Gotham while still staying very true to the roots of who she is. Sometimes creative liberties taken with “what if?” stories end up seeming like an entirely different character, and sometimes that works, but I certainly don’t always prefer it. This story takes the Selina Kyle we know and love and puts a new spin on her. Not to mention: gives her a new love-to-hate rival and love interest. This story was thrilling and captivating, and I had no trouble finishing the entire book in a day. The team up with Poison Ivy and Harley is kick-butt and full of girl power, without getting anywhere near campy. Selina is morally grey (but I’ll always maintain that she’s closer to the lighter side,) and she cares for her own those she knows have suffered first and foremost. The art: for the most part, I was dazzled by the art in this novel. The gala scene, at around page 100, with Selina in the red dress and dancing with Luke with the lanterns in the background: this whole scene was completely swoon worthy. I don’t always like the style of mostly black and white coloring with artistic splashes of color, and I wasn’t sure about its use here at first, but I think this is my favorite I’ve ever seen it. My ONLY qualm: particularly during fight scenes, which tend to be darker in coloring and have a lot of movement going on, the darkness of the coloring made it much more difficult to tell what was happening that I would have liked (ie. Who just kicked that person in the gut? Who did the gut kicking? Who just went flying backwards? Did someone just leave the scene? Did that guy get knocked out, or is he still up?) It is hard to confidently assert this qualm, though, as I think it may have been a consequence of the device I was reading on. All in all, I LOVED this book. I’ve already purchased the hardcover of the regular book version of this because of how much I enjoyed it. I wholeheartedly expect to purchase a physical copy of the graphic novel when it releases. I will absolutely be recommending this to friends.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com