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Catwoman (2018)
Catwoman, Vol. 3: Duchess of Gotham
Never cage her. Never chain her. Never try and keep her down.
Continuing where Catwoman Vol. 2 leaves off, after the explosive events in Alleytown…the Cat wants out.
But with Selina Kyle locked up while under investigation for murder, there still has to be a Catwoman on the streets of Gotham to keep the mob families behaving under the Cat's claws…it's a good thing Eiko Hasigawa has a Catwoman costume in the back of her closet that's just waiting to be put on again!
Continuing where Catwoman Vol. 2 leaves off, after the explosive events in Alleytown…the Cat wants out.
But with Selina Kyle locked up while under investigation for murder, there still has to be a Catwoman on the streets of Gotham to keep the mob families behaving under the Cat's claws…it's a good thing Eiko Hasigawa has a Catwoman costume in the back of her closet that's just waiting to be put on again!
168 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
11 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 15, 2023
Note: I read this book in single issue form. As far as I can tell the book will consist of issues #51 to #56. If the trade does contain other material I will circle back and amend this review as needed when it comes out.
In "Catwoman: Duchess of Gotham" Tini Howard, finally hits the accelerator hard on this series. The book is fast, lots and lots of fun, and, most importantly significantly more coherent and put together than the last volume. Expect some tense prison scenarios, the recruitment of some very talented individuals to Catwoman's crew, a showdown between the five families, Tomcat and Eiko on the prowl, Black Mask back in all his creepy misogynistic glory and a huge hyperkinetic finale that is well worth waiting for.
Four and a half stars rounded to four.
In "Catwoman: Duchess of Gotham" Tini Howard, finally hits the accelerator hard on this series. The book is fast, lots and lots of fun, and, most importantly significantly more coherent and put together than the last volume. Expect some tense prison scenarios, the recruitment of some very talented individuals to Catwoman's crew, a showdown between the five families, Tomcat and Eiko on the prowl, Black Mask back in all his creepy misogynistic glory and a huge hyperkinetic finale that is well worth waiting for.
Four and a half stars rounded to four.
January 8, 2024
WOW! This was an amazing hybrid of story and art! Taking Selina through her time in jail and the escape; Eiko moonlighting as a new Catwoman working with Dario as Tomcat; and the grand plan and overthrow of the entire crime boss scene in Gotham, putting Selina at the end of all of it? Sheer genius!
You absolutely should be reading this DC run on Catwoman!
Strong recommend.
You absolutely should be reading this DC run on Catwoman!
Strong recommend.
November 26, 2023
What a redemption!
I really didn't like Volume 2 but Volume 3 came in and saved the day.
I enjoyed the Orange is the New Black meets Gotham vibe.
All the storylines (Eiko, Dario, the mob heads) came together for a satisfying conclusion that kept you invested in what's next.
The artwork was consistent with no distracting change-ups like in Volume 2.
Can't wait for the next volume.
I really didn't like Volume 2 but Volume 3 came in and saved the day.
I enjoyed the Orange is the New Black meets Gotham vibe.
All the storylines (Eiko, Dario, the mob heads) came together for a satisfying conclusion that kept you invested in what's next.
The artwork was consistent with no distracting change-ups like in Volume 2.
Can't wait for the next volume.
August 10, 2024
A wonderful Catwoman run by Tini Howard goes to a prison drama and a big street fight to move all the pieces into place for the big Batman/Catwoman war. This series is terrific, but jail stories don't grab me like the big organized crime strategy game Howard played through the last two collections. Still maybe the best Catwoman run I've ever read.
November 10, 2023
Imprisoned for murdering Valmont in the previous volume, Selina sets her sights on making it through her sentence alive. But the streets of Alleytown still need a Catwoman - thank the kittens for Eiko Hasigawa, huh?
"Character in jail" arcs are always hit or miss - you either end up with them breaking out and coming back a lot (see: Daredevil) or lots of prison drama that feels invented. Catwoman's tenure in Blackgate manages to do neither. Selina's actually just trying to keep herself safe, but the world around her wants her to do anything but that. Enter a new cast of inmates including familiar faces like Lady Clayface and Orca, and new ones like Marquise. It's like Orange Is The New Black with supervillains, which is pretty fun actually. And the story doesn't wear out its welcome, resolving pretty well in six issues.
Plus there's enough interaction with the outside world as the newly christened Tomcat and Eiko Hasigawa re-donning the Catwoman suit do their best to keep the peace that Selina has worked so hard to establish.
Artwise, we have Sam Basri on two issues, before series artist Nico Leon returns for the remaining four. Leon seems to have adjusted his style, it doesn't pop quite so much as it did in the opening arcs of Howard's run, though it might just be a different colourist. Either way, it wouldn't really suit the inside of a prison as much as the lights of Gotham, so it's a good change.
Howard's Catwoman goes to familiar yet new places, keeping her overall plot ticking over while introducing new wrinkles along the way.
"Character in jail" arcs are always hit or miss - you either end up with them breaking out and coming back a lot (see: Daredevil) or lots of prison drama that feels invented. Catwoman's tenure in Blackgate manages to do neither. Selina's actually just trying to keep herself safe, but the world around her wants her to do anything but that. Enter a new cast of inmates including familiar faces like Lady Clayface and Orca, and new ones like Marquise. It's like Orange Is The New Black with supervillains, which is pretty fun actually. And the story doesn't wear out its welcome, resolving pretty well in six issues.
Plus there's enough interaction with the outside world as the newly christened Tomcat and Eiko Hasigawa re-donning the Catwoman suit do their best to keep the peace that Selina has worked so hard to establish.
Artwise, we have Sam Basri on two issues, before series artist Nico Leon returns for the remaining four. Leon seems to have adjusted his style, it doesn't pop quite so much as it did in the opening arcs of Howard's run, though it might just be a different colourist. Either way, it wouldn't really suit the inside of a prison as much as the lights of Gotham, so it's a good change.
Howard's Catwoman goes to familiar yet new places, keeping her overall plot ticking over while introducing new wrinkles along the way.
November 23, 2023
Most of this volume consists of a prison drama, with Catwoman locked up following the events of the previous one, and initially reluctant to try and escape. Instead, we see her recruiting allies at the prison and putting one over on the authorities. Although there are indications that we're in Gotham City, not the real world, for the most part there are no costumed antics or whip-wielding - it may not be grimy despair of some regular prison dramas, but it's still very light on the superheroics, and fits with the tone of the rest of the series.
Needless to say, Selina eventually gets out, to follow up on the story elements we had left over from Vol. 2 - this time without the interruptions as other, wider, DC plotlines had to be shoe-horned in. In between, Eiko takes up the "Catwoman" mantle, pretending to be the real deal while double-crossing her rivals. This may be a smaller element than the prison sections, and it's all closely tied in with the main plot, but it provides something for those expecting something more traditional from a comic about a costumed anti-hero. And the closing sections, once Selina is no longer locked up, are full-throttle action that still leaves room for some emotional drama with Tomcat.
Although the main artists keep changing every two or three issues, in this one, they're all good - although I'm no fan of the "skintight latex" look they've gone with on the covers.
Needless to say, Selina eventually gets out, to follow up on the story elements we had left over from Vol. 2 - this time without the interruptions as other, wider, DC plotlines had to be shoe-horned in. In between, Eiko takes up the "Catwoman" mantle, pretending to be the real deal while double-crossing her rivals. This may be a smaller element than the prison sections, and it's all closely tied in with the main plot, but it provides something for those expecting something more traditional from a comic about a costumed anti-hero. And the closing sections, once Selina is no longer locked up, are full-throttle action that still leaves room for some emotional drama with Tomcat.
Although the main artists keep changing every two or three issues, in this one, they're all good - although I'm no fan of the "skintight latex" look they've gone with on the covers.
May 28, 2025
I accidentally read this first and didn’t read the two trades before it. With that said, this was a good trade and I enjoyed the arc!
This depiction of Selina feels a lot more true to her character than other recent iterations of her. At her core she’s a morally grey character who realizes that doing things by the book isn’t always the right way. She isn’t all flippant puns and sexy mystery, but someone who struggles with her past, her choices, and her passion to defend the streets that she loves. The ends justify the means for her but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have regrets or guilt for her decisions.
But all of the above wasn’t handle ham handedly. It felt like a pretty light touch, which made this so fun and easy to read. I really breezed through it!
This depiction of Selina feels a lot more true to her character than other recent iterations of her. At her core she’s a morally grey character who realizes that doing things by the book isn’t always the right way. She isn’t all flippant puns and sexy mystery, but someone who struggles with her past, her choices, and her passion to defend the streets that she loves. The ends justify the means for her but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have regrets or guilt for her decisions.
But all of the above wasn’t handle ham handedly. It felt like a pretty light touch, which made this so fun and easy to read. I really breezed through it!
November 8, 2023
Another solid chapter of Tini Howard’s run on Catwoman sees Selina locked up and, unsurprisingly, breaking out in her typical style. Having another ‘Catwoman’ running about is always a recipe for fun and I enjoyed the continuation of a more grounded Selina.
The art remains good and I liked that the fill in artist complimented the main art style.
3/5
The art remains good and I liked that the fill in artist complimented the main art style.
3/5
June 8, 2024
Gotham's most famous anti-hero is in prison and need to keep the mob in check. Selina Kyle builds allies in prison and relies on proteges Eiko and Dario to maintain the Catwoman mantle to buy Selina more time. I haven't read many Catwoman solo titles but her iconic character and rich lore certainly warrants one.
A random entry point, look forward to reading more.
A random entry point, look forward to reading more.
September 21, 2023
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
December 6, 2023
Tini Howard shouldn't be allowed to write a Catwoman comic ever again. And she should also stay away from Harley Quinn by the way
April 6, 2024
I love me an issues-long prison story. After that is what you expect. Howard is doing fun work.
September 8, 2024
Purrrr. This set up Gotham War sooo well, I absolutely loved it 🫶🏼🫶🏼
March 25, 2025
While I was reading, it felt like Selina was spending too much time in prison. But it seems to be paying off towards the end of the volume, so there is some kind of purpose being served.
October 13, 2025
Classic Catwoman capers.
May 27, 2025
Love this prelude to the Gotham War!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews