Catwoman #53
	Story Title: ‘The Replacements’ (Part One) Writer: Will Pfeifer Pencils: David Lopez Inks: Alvaro Lopez Colorist: Jeromy Cox Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher Cover Art: Adam Hughes Assoc. Editor: Michael Siglain Editor: Matt Idelson Published by: DC Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

Another week, another slew of OYL issues (Batman, Catwoman, Hawkgirl, JSA Classified, Manhunter, Robin), one more than last week’s releases…and as I am endeavoring to follow up on a ‘Universe/Title wide’ OYL setup, and given that I have been pretty up-to-date with the ‘Cat, I went in for this issue too…..and that is a good thing. (I can’t stand this phrase)

If you are one those who haven’t seen the previews for this issue (a show of hands please), let me get you up to speed with what the rest of us know. Its One Year Later (of course it is), and as with every other character, Catwoman too has undergone changes, the most prominent one being her (Catwoman) and Selina Kyle parting ways. Yup. You heard it last here folks, Ol’ Green eyes is no longer the feline thief turned semi-protector of Gotham’s East End. As a matter of fact, Selina Kyle is not even Selina Kyle, she is someone else. She has a new name, a new identity and a new…uh, daughter. (And here ends the preview’s revelations).

OYL, Selina (but not ‘Selina’) is just getting motherhood, with a new ‘phony’ Catwoman (and guessing her identity won’t get you any cookies) trying to take care of EE (East End). I say phony and trying, because as far as I am concerned, there is only one true Catwoman and she is currently off-duty. The new Catwoman, has her share of fumbles and tumbles. Her character reminded me of Spoiler (Stephanie Brown), complete with the ‘journal’ style self-musings. I liked and still like Stephanie, but that style doesn’t work here…..at least not for me. We all know that this won’t last for long, and I just hope that when this ends, the new ‘Cat isn’t sent off to the big bank-locker in the sky.

As for the most important question and one of the two secrets here…..Who is the baby’s father? It isn’t revealed yet. Although, from what is shown here, one can assume that the big-bad Bat is not the guilty party. He does make an appearance here, and it could just be the new addition, but it didn’t seem like they were either pro- or anti- each other. They came across more as the friends they have been depicted as in this series run of the title. As for the other obvious choice, depending on how you see it, Slam Bradley could go either way. According to me, if either of these men were ‘the one’, they would have been there before, during and after the birth, except for their guest appearances. But, even then, Slam’s pining is getting a little long in the tooth. I never liked him with Selina. It is too much Eeww for me.

Well, what else is left. Aha! The villain. Of course there is a villain….and it’s a carry over from the previous arc. Without naming any names, let me just say this, seeing him brought back memories of my undergrad classes…..Engineering Drawing classes.

Conclusion: I like it….well, except for Catwoman. Artwork is well suited to Gotham.

Rating: 8/10 (Almost 8.5)