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Catwoman (2018)

Catwoman, Vol. 4: Come Home, Alley Cat

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In the aftermath of "The Joker War," Selina Kyle has taken up residence in Alleytown. But when she finds that her old stomping grounds have been taken over by drug-running mobsters, she hatches a plan to take the town back! But unbeknownst to her, she's being tracked by a terrifying new foe: a hit man in priest's clothing known only as Father Valley, who carries a bag of bibles around as trophies from each of his victims. Will she be able to loosen the mafia's stranglehold on her new hometown or become another victim to Father Valley's sacred oath? Plus, Selina heads to the jungle to steal a diamond from a supervillain auction!

Collects Catwoman #14-15 and #22-28.

248 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2021

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About the author

Ram V

485 books342 followers
Ram V (Ramnarayan Venkatesan) is an author and comic book writer from Mumbai, India. His comics career began in 2012 with the award-nominated Indian comic series, Aghori. A graduate of the City University of London’s Creative Writing MA, he has since created the critically acclaimed Black Mumba and the fantasy adventure series, Brigands.

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5 stars
44 (12%)
4 stars
154 (42%)
3 stars
142 (39%)
2 stars
19 (5%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Chad.
10.2k reviews1,047 followers
March 11, 2021
Starts off with a bunch of one and two issue filler stories that were actually quite good. Then The Joker War brings Selina back home to Gotham. Afterwards she decides to stick around Gotham and set up her own crew of thieves. It's a lot like a return to Ed Brubaker's run. I really like Ram V.'s writing. He's very talented. So is Fernando Blanco on art.
Profile Image for Gabrielle (Reading Rampage).
1,175 reviews1,724 followers
February 25, 2021
So, to start off, I must mention that this Catwoman installment has a Joelle Jones cover, but the art in the actual issues is by Fernando Blanco, so the way it’s advertised is a little misleading. It continues the Catwoman story previously drawn by Jones, but I guess she has other projects now. Honestly, this was a bummer, as I had been drawn to this new Catwoman series because of Jones’ distinctive style, which I absolutely love. I worked hard on keeping my disappointment from spoiling the reading experience.

After the Raina Creel finale of the previous volume, Catwoman still has a little unfinished business in Villa Hermosa, but really, she longs from home. And not simply Gotham, but the neighborhood where she first cut her claws: Alleytown. This volume see Selina still trying to figure out who she is after leaving the Bat at the altar, but really, it sees her kicking ass and taking names as she makes her way back to her old haunts, with a few exotic interludes in the middle of the book.

Despite not having the amount of Jones artwork I was craving, I must say that this is a pretty good collection of Catwoman stories, well-written, with a good balance of character development and action. And Blanco’s art, while not as sexy as Jones’, is still awesome: he captured Selina Kyle very well, and puts her in gloriously grimy settings.

4 stars, despite the disapointment!
Profile Image for Craig.
2,828 reviews31 followers
July 31, 2022
Kind of a mish-mash of single issue stories, two-issue stories, etc., before it finally settles into a serialization pattern again toward the end. These aren't bad, just not that well-connected and some of them are a bit rushed (Selina's trip to an island where she helps a panther-god free the people?). A bunch of different writers and artists on board, too, so there's another reason things feel disconnected. At the end, with Selina back in Gotham and carving out a piece of Alleytown, things are starting to come back around again, but it's a case of too little, too late (although the next collected volume might be something a bit better).
Profile Image for Chris Lemmerman.
Author 7 books120 followers
February 19, 2021
This volume of Catwoman is a little all over the place, but that's to be expected since it's mostly a collection of placeholder stories for the main part. It actually includes issues 14-15, and 22-28, rather than the solicitation material.

#14-15 are a short two-part heist story by Ram V, with art by Mirka Andolfo. This is definitely a placeholder, but it's also I think kind of an audition for V, since he has since taken over the title properly. It's fine - it does Catwoman-y things, and she looks good doing it thanks to Andolfo's artwork.

Issue 22 is another fill-in from Paula Sevenbergen, with Aneke on art. Also a fine story, if a bit daft since it's about a maid service that steals things. I've heard worse ideas? This flows into issues 23-24, which see Blake Northcott and Sean Murphy pen a tale that brings back Snowflame of all people, a cocaine-powered psycho. This story seems to want to do far too much in only two issues, with Selina stealing from an auction and rescuing a country and dealing with a panther god (?) as well. Probably could have done with an extra issue here.

It's the final issues of the book that really shine though. Ram V and Fernando Blanco take over full-time, and are able to really start building something. The fallout from the Joker War ties nicely into Catwoman's appearances in the main Batman book, while the move back to Alleytown reminds me of Ed Brubaker's run on the title way back when, with Selina looking to carve out a piece of Gotham for herself and make it somewhere safe, if not entirely legal. Blanco's art has been a Catwoman mainstay since it became clear Joelle Jones wouldn't be able to draw every issue, and he slips into a main artist role very easily. I love his slick style, I really do.

Catwoman's latest collection is okay, with hints of something greater. If you can muddle through the opening issues and get to the actual meat of the book, you'll find something worth sticking around for.
Profile Image for Kat.
2,343 reviews117 followers
December 3, 2020
Basic plot: After leaving Villa Hermosa, Catwoman continues to work on the question of who she wants to be.

Solid short stories in here after the previous, longer arc wound down. The art was good, but I already miss Jones' work. I love her style the most. Out of all the things I like here, the one thing that confuses me is why Catwoman is being drawn in her old school costumes instead of the current one. It's a bit odd. Still enjoying the series tremendously.
Profile Image for Rylan.
396 reviews15 followers
October 18, 2021
This would easily be five stars if the first two stories didn’t suck so bad. But things get really good once Ram V takes over and holy shit this might be the best Catwoman run we’ve gotten in a long time. Thank you Ram V.
Profile Image for Robert.
4,469 reviews28 followers
March 6, 2021
Sure. Catwoman wanders home and finds a part of Gotham that isn't already controlled by the mob or an Arkham escapee to claim for her own. That's NOT believable. And to double the disappointment, nothing really required the story to take place in Gotham, so a completely unnecessary head scratcher to boot.
Profile Image for Matty Dub.
663 reviews9 followers
April 15, 2022
This is such a mix bag, the volume starts with two older issues by Ram V that he had done for the Year of the Villain initiative and honestly, it’s pretty meh and what follows is short stories by two different creative teams.. also in the realm of mediocrity.
Then V steps in as regular writer and things change, he actually manages to catapult his story off of the mediocre Joker War event to write a kickass street level vigilante story that is reminiscent of Frank Miller’s Daredevil. Blanco’s art is beautiful and a neat upgrade to what Jones was doing.
So yeah, bad first half, good and extremely promising second half, on to volume 5!
Profile Image for John Funderburg.
610 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2020
A stronger second half to this volume. Selina's adventures in Villa Hermosa end rather dully, bit issues 22, 23, and 24 are quite good.
Profile Image for Ronan The Librarian.
371 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2022
3.5, rounded up.

This volume was an improvement on the last couple, as Ram V takes over on full-time writing duties for the title. The script feels tighter and flows smoother. There are a couple of very enjoyable short stories before V starts to build the overarching story he wants to tell, that has Selina travel back to her origin-- where you could say the Catwoman was born, in Alleytown. She buys the building her mentor used to own, where she learned her trade, and enlists local kids to be her little helpers in thievery. She's trying to wrestle control of Alleytown from the powers that be, but that'll take some doing. Meanwhile, there are a few pairs of eyes following her movements, for varied motives. As Selina is still trying to decide her motivation, Ram's take is thus far interesting and I'm hopeful to see where it goes. One dissonant issue I had while reading was believing that Selina would endanger kids the way she does repeatedly in the book. Like, several instances where the kids would almost assuredly be killed, or arrested at the very least. Other than that, the book is still entertaining and Ram's given me hope it can reach for the next rung.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,733 reviews34 followers
May 17, 2021
**I've read WAAAY more than I've been able to review, so.... time for some knee-jerk reactions!**
- A solid Catwoman read. It made me interested to read "The Joker War," and it has me wondering what happened between her and Bruce.... Things seemed to be going so well after "City of Bane." (I know, I know... I should read in order, but....)
- It's always fun watching a "good" criminal outsmart really nasty criminals--and this Catwoman comic definitely delivered that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,201 followers
December 21, 2021
This run of Catwoman might just not be for me.

It's not a bad volume. Salina is still great, some cool action scenes, but I just can't seem to care or get attached to any of the characters. It feels almost lifeless for me, or just might be me and I'm not all that interested in Catwoman. Hard to judge.

A 3 out of 5.
Profile Image for OmniBen.
1,367 reviews46 followers
April 1, 2022
(Zero spoiler review)
Its a strange thing, to be reading and reviewing volume four in a series, when I've read none of the prior material. But when my local library has some free Catwoman sitting there on the shelf, turning my back on my girl Selina Kyle wasn't something I was capable of. That and the fact that Ram V was writing, which gave me hope that this more modern run might actually be worthwhile, and not the wretched waste of paper that any of her runs have been since he left.
The Ram V issues, although nothing spectacular, and just a little too formulaic and 'comic booky' were passable, if not enjoyable fare. Elevated by the Fernando Blanco art, which was a welcome surprise. I enjoyed it more than V's writing, if I'm being honest. The much better written 'These Savage Shores' (the only other Ram V story I've read) had me expecting a little bit more from him, and I just can't tell if I'm more or less forgiving of this fact, seeing as Catwoman is one of my favourite characters.
Blanco is a very adaptable, talented artist, with his style here coming across to me as a slightly more detailed Michael Lark. He did occasionally skirt the lines, verging dangerously close to cartoonishness, which I wasn't a fan of, but overall, really good stuff.
The main issue here, and it is a big one, was the additional issues, not executed by either V or Blanco. I think there were three of them, but I may have been wrong because I skipped them, once I realised what I was in for. Further solidifying my position that the vast majority of modern comics are written by no name, talentless hacks whose spec scripts, portfolio's or resume's would have been burned upon sight, then the ashes exorcised, lest their terrible contents infect the offices of the current, and immeasurably more talented creators of yore. I quickly expunged what little of it I read from memory. Nobody is gonna do my girl Selina Kyle dirty with such pathetic storytelling. Don't worry Selina, Daddy won't let them do that to you ever again. Shhh Shhh, there there, it's alright... 2.75/5


OmniBen.
5,870 reviews144 followers
February 24, 2021
Catwoman: Come Home, Ally Cat picks up where the previous trade paperback left off collecting nine issues (Catwoman #14–15 and 22–28) of the 2018 on-going series.

The trade paperback has Selina Kyle as Catwoman continues her soul-searching adventures in Villa Hermosa. However, everywhere she turns, she finds troubles – in particular Raina Creel's criminal crew. Later on, Selina Kyle has taken up residence in Alleytown. However, when she finds that her old stomping grounds have been taken over by drug-running mobsters, she hatches a plan to take the town back and confronting a new antagonist, while doing so.

Ram V (Catwoman #14–15 and 25–28), Blake Northcott and Sean Murphy (Catwoman #23–24), and Paula Sevenbergen (Catwoman #22) penned the trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well, mainly because the trade paperback is being pulled in so many different directions that it's tough to find a core story, which makes it seem directionless. It just felt like a hodgepodge of stories thrown together.

Fernando Blanco (Catwoman #25–28), Mirka Andolfo (Catwoman #14–15), Cian Tormey (Catwoman #23–24), and Aneke (Catwoman #22) penciled the trade paperback. For the most the pencilers are rather distinct with each other, which make the flow rather disconcerting.

Overall, this series of Catwoman (2018) has been a mixed bag of stories. It started out rather strong as it gave a new direction and new city for Selina Kyle as Catwoman. However, it slowly went downward from there and eventually leveling off with mediocrity.

All in all, Catwoman: Come Home, Ally Cat is a mediocre conclusion to an equally mediocre series.
Profile Image for Adam Fisher.
3,557 reviews21 followers
May 5, 2021
WHEW! The publishing hold from COVID has some of these Volumes coming out super thick! This Volume of Catwoman is 9 issues! Always enjoy the stories and would have to read them anyways, but takes me a bit longer lately. Ram V jumps into the title, taking over for Joelle Jones, and the book works well, taking the Cat back to her thieving roots.
First in Villa Hermosa, then back to Alleytown in Gotham, Selina is taking her life back by not only stealing what she needs to survive, but also using it to amass and army of stray teens to help her control the streets. It seems as if she has temporarily given up on living the fanciest life possible.
HOWEVER, there is also the tie-in to Joker War in this Volume. In that issue, Catwoman pulls a huge double cross and takes most of the Joker's money, which originally was to get divided between her, Penguin, and Riddler, and gives it back to the person Joker stole it from: Bruce Wayne (with a percentage going directly to helping youth and homeless).
Overall, a great Volume and nice continuation of the run began by Joelle Jones. Hope this book continues on. Recommend.
Profile Image for Jamie Revell.
Author 5 books13 followers
March 31, 2021
This is a collection of short stories, mostly written by Ram V, but with a few guest writers added into the mix. As a collected edition, it ends up feeling disjointed in a way that the individual issues might not have - some are good, some less so, and there's not really a consistent style or theme to it. It also doesn't help that the first story is out of chronological order with what follows - taking place (and originally having been published) before the final material in the previous volume. On the other hand, some of the stories are strong, and V is obviously aiming for a gritty crime drama feel, rather than something that's more obviously superheroic. The last few installments, once a plot starts to come together as Catwoman takes up her old haunt in a slum district of Gotham, are the best part, and bode well for the future, now that the placeholder shorts are out of the way.
Profile Image for Alex E.
1,685 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2024
Selina returns to Gotham after City of Bane - but it looks like there is something missing as City of Bane ends with Bruce and Selina in a good place. Here it picks up and it seems like she is moving on.

This volume was just - ok for me. I really like Ram V and how he writes, but something about this volume just felt very ...meh. I couldn't really get attached to the characters didn't really care about CAtwoman stealing a diamond in the jungle fighting a giant panther... it just didn't click for me at all.

The art however, is really good. I think Fernando Blanco is a great fit for the story and fits the tone of the book really well. The art kind of kept me hanging on as the mundane plots just seemed to meander for me.

Overall, I would say if you're a diehard Catwoman fan, then check this out. For me, I'm thinking of dropping the book.
Profile Image for FrontalNerdaty .
467 reviews8 followers
August 6, 2021
Catwoman finally returns to Gotham and proceeds to right the wrongs of the streets.

What I liked -
The return to having Catwoman as a ‘street level’ character is a great choice and much needed. Having her fighting drug lords, kingpins and police is not entirely new territory but it’s stronger than having her fight jungle folk and giant tigers. The art remains consistent and the issue from the perspective of a jewellery stealing cat is fun.

What I disliked -
Whilst the return to street level is welcomed the story is written in a way wherein everything just continues to fall in to place for Catwoman. This isn’t terrible but having her never fail doesn’t always make for a gripping read.

3/5
Profile Image for Shaun Stanley.
1,261 reviews
July 9, 2024
Catwoman Vol. 4 Come Home, Alley Cat collects issues 14-15 and 22-28 of the DC Comics series written by Ram V with art by Fernando Blanco.

We first get an out of order arc of Catwoman still in Hermanos Villa before transiting to her return to Gotham City where she is set on cleaning out her hometown neighborhood of gang members and train the local teen misfits into master class thieves.

I’m not a fan of how this Catwoman series has been collected so far with the out of order issues. I did enjoy Ram V returning Catwoman to her roots and giving her a mission. This series was a lot of set-up for future stories.
Profile Image for Garrett.
1,731 reviews22 followers
June 19, 2022
Given more space to do more, this one does. Selina is back to her roots, and the storylines seem a little more grounded not only in terms of fewer noseless harridan zombie makers, mystic animals and coked-up codpiece wearing tin-pot dictators in favor of street crime and the basic evils of men, but also within the DCU proper, which I guess was sort of the point of the previous volumes - the Cat takes a break. I liked where this one went and where it promises to go a lot better - I think I might just prefer Ram's take to Joelle's. Blasphemy for some, I'm certain.
Profile Image for Kris Ritchie.
1,622 reviews16 followers
March 5, 2022
Damn, ok I really liked this one. It felt like Ram V was trying to let Selina have a big hesit comeback, but also try to get in touch with her city. There are not a lot of side characters, aside from the new street group, introduced as the focus is on Cat and the City she lives in.

The weakest issues, IMO, were those not written by Ram V as they seemed to not go with the more noir, action vibe Ram had.
Profile Image for Robin.
48 reviews2 followers
December 11, 2022
First things first. I bought this because I thought it was another Joelle Jones collection of stories like others in this series. Alas although the cover is by Jones, the actual stories aren't, so I was immediately left with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. :(

That said, it's a good collection of stories and some nice illustration, it's just not as beautiful as Vol 1 & 2 that I already own (Vol 3 seems impossible to find on sale anywhere).
Profile Image for Emma.
1,686 reviews9 followers
April 2, 2021
Why DC decide to change writers halfway through a run is beyond me. I really miss Joelle. The first few issues were quite good and the art was amazing but after that my interest totally waned. I found myself skimming through the last few issues. The art and story was completely lacklustre. Really hoping this run improves.
573 reviews10 followers
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed the adventure in Villa Hermosa, but it's great to see Catwoman back in Gotham City, protecting a poor neighborhood so as not to have to stay in the shadow of the bigger Batman books and still running the action sequences Joelle Jones's run did so well, but now with some new sparks in dialogue thanks to Ram V.
Profile Image for Nitish Dang.
34 reviews
October 1, 2025
This couldn’t be any better. Ram V sets the stage for Selina’s turn to Gotham in an exciting way, but also by introducing tons of organized crime elements and how she ends up overcoming them. Also introduce a new character that’s pretty chill and cool

Well, I enjoyed Joel Jones art I would say the writing here is much better

It sounds like you’re watching a gangster movie
Profile Image for Susan.
1,686 reviews38 followers
April 19, 2021
After the previous volumes this one was a real letdown. The story was more about organized crime in immense detail and I just didn't care. Catwoman will always be awesome but this storyline didn't do her justice.
Profile Image for John Hartford.
55 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2021
Would be a 5/5 if it only collected the Ram V issues. Jumped on here to check out his run and totally didn't need to read the previous 3 volumes. Can't wait to see where he takes the story.

Also bring back Gentleman Ghost.
Profile Image for Lilybeth.
800 reviews50 followers
July 28, 2021
I didn't like that this was just a jumble of different stories put together.
I wish there was a more cohesive thread throughout the book.
Of course, I enjoyed it...It's Selina being Selina...but this installment pales in comparison to others in the series.
Profile Image for Pao Vargas.
59 reviews
September 25, 2021
4/5☆

• Catwoman #14-15 ~ 5/5☆

• Catwoman #22 ~ 2.5/5☆

• Catwoman #23-24 ~ 4.5/5☆
“I lived in Gotham long enough to know that sometimes…the boogeyman is real.” — Catwoman vol. 5 #23

• Catwoman #25-28 ~ 5/5☆
“I was playing this game long before you even sat at the table, honey.” — Catwoman vol. 5 #28
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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