Reason one: Tim Sale is an awesome artist. His style is so classical, but with a twist that can only be described as Sale-ish. Catwoman is beautiful. Joker and Two-Face are as scary as they have ever been. Riddler is silly and pathetic, but a genius and funny-man as is the way of Sale. The art in these books focuses on the characters. The backgrounds are minimalist, except when they are the focus. Also, in Catwoman: “When in Rome” the reader is blessed by a cornucopia of full-page pieces which display Sale’s prowess and command of motion, and simple detail. Also you should know that there are many a’ scene of half naked Catwoman. Unlike most artists of this day, these are particularly Sale-ish: classical, simple and perfect.

Reason two: Jeph Loeb, as you all must understand, is perhaps the greatest comic book story-teller in recent times. If he is famous for one thing, it is being able to weave a mystery into which many, if not all, of the characters available are interwoven. If he can’t find a reason to place a character in the story, sometimes Loeb just mentions them; i.e. Catwoman says, “…X-ray vision, just like you know who.” And, naturally, it would be odd to throw Supes into this mob-based mess that Miss Kyle has gotten herself into, but you get the feeling that Loeb just had to mention him. I mean the guy’s been writing Superman/Batman for a year now, so I’m sure he just couldn’t resist. If you get one thing out of this it should be: This story is good, and it is going to get messier and messier before it ends. The dialogue between Nigma and Kyle does tend to get tedious, but it fits so it is acceptable. The dream sequences are really entertaining, and are used as yet another medium through which Loeb is able to divine those characters which are either uninvolved or not yet involved.

I know that this is a low printed book for some reason, and I know that many folks want their books drawn by a Turner or any of the various Lee boys. But, the combo of Loeb and Sale works like a super secret, government funded, Swiss manufactured clock. Everything - and I mean everything, falls into place with such precision. These books should not be ignored.

-Peblee