When I think of a bold, strong, sassy, unique and one-of-a-kind comic female character, I cannot think of anyone but Catwoman. Introduced in the world of comics in June 1940 in Batman by DC Comics, Catwoman has made headlines in the comics world since then.
Originally characterised as a supervillain and adversary of Batman, Catwoman is a Gotham City burglar who had been sometimes portrayed her as an anti-heroine, often doing the wrong things for the right reasons. She has enjoyed a huge fan-following over the years and is now coming to entertain audience through Catwoman #9.
Launching from today, Catwoman #9 is written by Ram V. This is Ram V’s second collaboration after Batman Secret Files. A spokesperson from DC told AnimationXpress, “We’re happy to share that Ram V has written an issue of DC’s Catwoman in March! It’s his first full issue of a comic here at DC unlike Batman: Secret Files which was a short story) and we’re excited to pair him with John Timms as artist for the issue.”
Currently, Ram V is a well known name in the comic industry and one of the writers from White Noise studio, responsible for writing Paradiso from Image, These Savage Shores from Vault, Brigands and Ruin Of Thieves from Action Lab, Quake from Titan and the graphic novel Grafity’s Wall. He had his first DC Comics story appear in Batman Secret Files.
The synopsis of Catwoman #9 goes like:
When crooks break into the pawn shop where Catwoman has set up her secret headquarters, they make off with a personal item that she has to get back. The trail of loot leads her to the Broker, the man who moves all illicit merchandise in Villa Hermosa. Now, Catwoman could just walk in and ask for her property back, but that’s never been Catwoman’s style. Instead, she’s going to pull off a heist that will teach her foe a lesson, making sure the Broker never crosses the Cat ever again.
We have a quick chat with Ram V on Catwoman :
What’s unique about the character of Catwoman that you enjoy and why?
I love the chaotic ambiguity within which she thrives– only ever choosing to navigate by a vague moral compass showing her true north. It makes her unpredictable and enigmatic. You often question her choices, but you hope that she’ll end up doing the right thing eventually.
What are the challenges that you’ve faced while working on this project, given unlike Batman, it’s a full issue?
You’re still telling a complete story, eight pages or 22 – so in that sense a lot of the challenges are similar. The most interesting thing for me, given the content of the issue, was to construct a complete and working con-job that had set-up, execution and pay-off within the 22 pages while still telling a cohesive story outside of it. Beyond that it’s all understanding character, structure and having fun with it!
Did you feel any pressure of the immense popularity that the character enjoys or maintaining its aura?
Not really. I mean, you want to do justice and write well and tell a good story. But those things are all internal and about taking pride in the work you do and I always push myself to do those things regardless of the character I’m working on. I understand there are expectations when you write a character as popular as Catwoman but it doesn’t add to the pressure of just writing a good story, only to the excitement!
Where you influenced by any of the books of this female superhero while you were working on the upcoming issue?
Yeah, I spent some time researching what I wanted to do with the character. Darwyn Cooke’s Selina’s Big Score and parts of the Cooke, Brubaker run are woven into the fabric of this story, if you will. But beyond that I’ve drawn influences from film and animation.
How did the art by John Timms help you in writing the story?
John is absolutely the perfect artist for this story. When I saw the first pages from the script come in, I knew he’d absolutely nailed the aesthetic. The whole story feels dynamic, slick and opulent. And while my script for this was dense with some complex action sequences, John opens it all up and pulls off the action with ease! Absolutely thrilled I got to work with John on this.
What is it like to be associated with DC Comics for the second time?
I’m enjoying it tremendously. I love working with my editors on stories. I think it’s important to find people who back your work and understand what you’re aiming for with your stories. The editorial at DC has been an absolute pleasure to work with.
What are your upcoming projects in the near future apart from Catwoman?
On the personal side of things- I’m working on a graphic novel and a creator owned series at the moment and there are more things upcoming at DC in 2019. But all projects that are yet to see official announcements. So I’ll have to keep you in the dark a little while longer.
