Catwoman #1 comic book review

Catwoman #1

Written by Judd Winnick

Artwork by Guillem March

Published by DC Comics

This is part of the new 52

While I haven't read any of Judd Winnick's previous works, I was chomping at the bit to check out Catwoman #1.

Why?

Guillem March, that's why. He was doing pencils and inks and I try to always encourage an artist when he's doing a-z on the art chores. So I was definitely giving this title a shot.

This book is rated teen plus and for good reason. I was a bit surprised by the level of violence and sex for a mainstream title. Don't get me wrong, I thought Winnick did an awesome job on the story and dialogue and I have absolutely no problem with any of the more adult feel to this title. I'm very happy Dc did their new version of Catwoman like this.

There was also a lot of talk and controversy surrounding the ending of this first issue and with good reason. I won't spoil anything if you haven't read this issue yet maybe waiting for the trade or haven't given this book a chance.

Okay, now I've given you a pretty good overview of the title without giving away any major plot points or spoilers.

This brings me to the reason why I wanted to buy this book in the first place- Guillem March.

His work while very reminiscent of Tim Sale has ascended a mere comparison to Sale. In fact I would consider his overall style more of a European feel. March has lifted Winnick's script to where this character and previous title should have been before. The cover that March did also deserves mention. As in all of his work with Catwoman he combines a sexual energy,playfullness and sense of danger that only a few other artists have ever attained. In other words, March shows that he gets Catwoman and is the artist to beat whenever someone else renders her in the future. He has lifted the bar for all artists to follow. The sequential interiors are just as beautifully rendered.

March has become my favorite Catwoman artist.

I know some people might think I'm overplaying March's talents but I'm giving my humble opinion and telling you what I like. Just keep this in mind.

I hope that DC keeps the creative team intact for as long as humanly possible. As long as they do so I'll continue picking up the title.

Kudos DC.

Rich.

Stepping back.

Today I'm going to do a Blog unlike anything I've done in a long time.

It might be a bit too personal for some people, so you might want to tread lightly while reading the contents herein.

For the last little while I've been super busy as well as wrestling with a variety of issues on an emotional and physical level. It's been tough but at the very same time incredibly rewarding. When nothing makes sense anymore, remember to keep it all in perspective.

What do you do?

Do you let it overwhelm you and drown in the mire of fatigue?

Ruin your life and consume you whole?

Or do you suck it up,man up or insert whatever type of macho bravodo crosses your mind in this section.

What do you do?

Personally for the last few years since my Mom passes I've been rethinking a lot of the little things that occupy space in our life. Things that make us waste time. Being an independant artist means that time is always of the essence and you never seem to have enough hours in each and everyday. So, that means cutting out the things that make you waste what little time you have to create.
Do you know what you have to do?

What you really need as opposed to what you THINK you need?

Damn.

I've always been a big believer in trying to get my work out to anyone that would look at it but not at the cost of not being able to spend enough time with my family. We all have to make sacrifices at some point.

This last year that went by was quite an interesting year. I think I ended up doing a bit more than double the amount of private Commissions I did the year before. Not only did I have the time to do them but I was also able to put together a Sketchbook for 2011 AND at the sametime still continued work on Silent Scream and the ever expanding bonus section of the 3 books. Memento Mori Volume 2 is almost finished and will have a large Bonus section with tons of extras, ranging from pinups to some script pages as well as a Bonus story and a look at some pencils for a few pages and even unused pages. I'm going to submit it to Diamond and see what happens.

No matter what happens this year, I've already achieved more than I had thought possible and I'm still very far from finishing putting out creator owned work that is important to me. Myabe one day I can leave all the things rattling around in my head and do other people's stories but until that day I hope a lot of you will stick around with me for a wild ride.

Rich.

Charlie Huston

Charlie Huston.

To be honest before I read Moon Knight a few years ago I had no idea who this writer was but after reading the first few issues, I had decided to find his other works. Huston's style is akin to the earlier Masters of pulp fiction but while he refuses to become limited by the trappings of said genre, he continues to push the boundaries mixing genres and themes. His books are engaging and if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, give his work a look see and you won't be dissapointed.


I've put together a list of some of his novels and if you have any problems finding them just look on Ebay or Amazon and you'll be good to go.

The Shotgun Rule

Already Dead: A Novel

No Dominion: A Novel

Sleepless: A Novel

Six Bad Things: A Novel

A Dangerous Man: A Novel

A Dangerous Man: A Novel

Caught Stealing; A Novel

My Dead Body: A Novel

As you can see from this list Mr Huston is a very prolific writer and I've only listed a few of his titles currently available in the marketplace. Be assured if you pick up one of his books, I can guarantee you that you will be entertained.

Rich.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year.

I can't believe another whole year has gone by again. I really didn't even see it go by. That's the scariest part. I know a lot of people make these kinds of comments but the truth is that because for most of 2011 I was only sleeping about 5 -5 1/2 hours every night. In small doses you can get a lot done but I have an extremely hard head and LOVE to push myself past the breaking point mentally and physically, so, that's what I did all year long. I did achieve a lot artistically speaking but somehow Istill feel like I could have done more. I think it's more of a question of how to work faster,harder and smarter while still retain some semblance of a normal life. This has always been my goal from the beginning.

All of the resolutions I set for myself I managed to achieve, which wasn't easy but I also learned to be a wee bit more flexible and adapting to unforseen circumstances. I also made a few more contacts, met some very cool artists,directors and just some plain good ole individuals who support my work.

This year my resolutions are bigger in scale but still very doable. Especially now with some of the new tools I got this year to help me create more. I guess while I'm still very much old school when I create I've begun to embrace the digital frontier, ever so slowly moving from analog to digital. I will always create with my hands and tools based in the "real' world as opposed to the digital realm but that doesn't mean I can't broaden my bag of tricks.

Change or die.

Adapt constantly.

Push your limits.


Being an independant artist in the comic's world is akin to being from a Leper Colony. Most of the established Pros see you as a threat so they try to brow beat you,box you in to a corner and in some cases try to blacklist you. I know while I've met some very cool established pros in the Industry, the majority of the Community is far from being as accepting. That's okay. I would be surprised otherwise. I guess some people think that I'll back down and run with my tail between my legs but as I've already proven I don't back down from a fight.

Optimum Wound is still here and so am I.

My partner Jason and I have proven that even though we're still a very small Company that we're still alive and kicking and while Optimum Wound only published my Sketchbook last year, there are a few things coming along for the New Year.

Now, 2012 will have the release of only 2 books from the Company that I can guarantee. The question being will either or both of them be listed in Diamond's catalogue.

I guess time will tell.

I'm also very interested in how Diamond will treat Opwound when our stuff is sent for solicitation.

Hopefully it will be a good experience........ This time around.