PREVIEW: All Bat-Related New 52 Releases of 2013

A preview of DC’s collected editions of all Batman-related New 52 series being released throughout 2013. Enjoy!

NOW AVAILABLE (2013-)

- Batgirl Vol.2: Knightfall Descends

Written by Gail Simone, Illustrated by Ed Benes and Ardian Syaf

- Batwoman Vol.2: To Down The World

Written by JH Williams, Illustrated by Amy Reeder

- Justice League Vol.2: The Villain’s Journey

Written by Geoff Johns, Illustrated by Jim Lee and Scott Williams

- Justice League International Vol.2: Breakdown

Written by Dan Jurgens, Illustrated by Aaron Lopresti

- Suicide Squad Vol.2: Basilsk Rising

Written by Adam Glass, Illustrated by Fernando Dagnino

MARCH 2013

- Batman Vol.2: The City of Owls

Written by Scott Snyder, Illustrated by Greg Capullo

- Catwoman Vol.2: Dollhouse

Written by Judd Winnick, Illustrated by Guillem March

Catwoman Vol.2: Dollhouse (Review)

Judd Winick has certainly captured the true spirit and fundamentals of Catwoman in volume 2: Dollhouse.

(Spoilers follow…)

The Selina Kyle of volume one seemed fixated on her “intimacies” with Batman, which led to a lot of her self-thought to be focused on him, what he’s thinking, or how a relationship between them would ever work. This is not what Selina Kyle should be all about.

If Catwoman is to ever have any real success in her own series, then Batman must not be involved. Sure, her stories take place in Gotham City, and certain events (Death of the Family, Requiem) can have impact on her story, but it should not be up to Batman to be the deciding factor in a “Catwoman” book. Now, Dollhouse is a much better collection of issues then The Game. Winick puts the focus on Selina and her personal life, as well as her cat-burglar career, both of which experience highs and lows, but mature and grow more complex and detailed. This is what readers want in comics.

Winick gives Selina a new partner in crime, one with superpowers too, and sets them both on a series of various criminal activity from stealing priceless artifacts, to getting themselves mixed up with The Penguin and even a Talon from the Court of Owls. What makes this volume so much better is the interlocking stories. When I read it, I really felt as though this series was finally beginning to develop its own world, full of new supporting characters and new environments, tailored to Catwoman’s persona and lifestyle.