Catman Scratches His Way Into Target

When I visit Target, I usually wander down the toy aisles, checking out the new superhero action figures.  I don't purchase any of them (anymore), but I like to look at them and keep abreast (wink wink nod nod -- that's for all you straight comic book geeks) of what figures are being produced and how good they look.  My heart skipped a beat this past week when I stumbled upon a Catman action figure.  As you know, he's this blog's namesake.

I never liked Catman much as a kid.  He was always portrayed in the Batman comics as a big doofus.  Then in 2005, Gail Simone used him in the Villains United mini-series, which eventually paved the path for the Secret Six series.  She took a lame and relatively unknown Batman villain and turned him into a sexy villain with a heart.  I liked him so much that I used him as the basis for this blog.  Although he has yet to appear in DC's New 52, Catman's name still graces the top of this webpage. 

So...back to Target.  I picked up the Catman action figure off the shelf and began to examine it.  It was beautiful.  Unfortunately, I couldn't justify spending $15 for something that would probably just sit in a box at home.  If I made money off this blog and/or had an office for my creative work, I would pull out all the stops and have Catman paraphernalia proudly displayed.  However, this isn't a perfect world, and that isn't the case.  I can just hope that someone gives that Catman action figure a good home. 

The Catman Scratcheth

Being that this blog is named after him, it's only fitting that I plug his appearance in an upcoming comic/storyline.  Catman will be appearing in Birds of Prey #11, as he and Huntress attempt to go out on their first date.  

See?  That's what's been missing from the ongoing Secret Six series:  Catman's sexual prowess.  After all, he bedded the deadly Cheshire and she bore a son from that union. (Although she also did the same with Speedy/Red Arrow/Arsenal and they had a daughter, so maybe she's just a slut.)  And then later, he hooked up with Huntress.  Now let's hope this becomes an ongoing relationship/fling/no strings attached affair.  Comic book characters need to have personal lives, too, you know...

Happy Valentine's Day, Catman and Huntress.  I hope you survive the experience.

Secret Six...the ongoing series

After reading Villains United and the Secret Six mini-series, I was SO excited to learn that The Secret Six were getting their very own ongoing monthly comic, written by Gail Simone, the writer who made me fall head over heels for the team members originally, and drawn fantastically by Nicola Scott.

I've now read the first three issues of the ongoing series and all I can say is, "Meh." What happened to the wonderful character development? What happened to the weird conversations with Ragdoll? And, most importantly, what happened to giving us some sexy Catman action?

Sigh...

I'm sticking with you, Gail, but I hope you can make me drool with antipication every month like you did with the previous limited series.

Villains

As I started getting back into comic books after a 15-year sabbatical, I recall seeing Salvation Runin the comic book store, but skipped over it until halfway through the series when I finally realized what it was actually about (since the title was NOT a dead giveaway). I then picked up back issues and followed the series through its end. I'm not sure how sales were for Salvation Run but, in my opinion, it might have done better with a clearer title. But I digress...

The idea that a large number of DC Comics villains were sent to a "prison planet" intrigued me, as it recalled Marvel Comics' Secret Wars back in the 1980s. Plus, I do love mustache-twirling villains (what would a hero be without a villain?) and its rare that a villain is the star of a comic book series. While Salvation Run was just "okay," I did discover that DC had put out another comic about villains a couple of years previous called -- what else? -- Villains United. I picked up all the back issues (because I do loves me some villains!), despite not being incredibly thrilled with the line-up other than Cheshire, whom I've always liked as a character since my 1980s New Teen Titans days. Immediately, I was drawn in by Gail Simone's storytelling and character development. Further, I discovered that the storylines were very adult-oriented and "spoke to me," if you will. The old Batman villain (and Catwoman knockoff) Catman is now hot and sexy? Cheshire flirts with him, they fall into bed, and have a child together? A new Ragdoll has a twisted sense of humor and is seemingly in love with a Parademon from Apokolips who looks after his welfare? Vandal Savage has a daughter code-named Scandal who's a lesbian and partnered with fellow teammate Knockout who's also from Apokolips? The also now-sexy Deadshot is caught in bed with Knockout as Scandal walks in on them?! SCANDALOUS! I love it! These are not your 1980s comics characters! And suddenly, I'm in love with all these minor characters I didn't know I could instantly love!

I voraciously devoured every issue featuring the Secret Six that I could get my hands on (including their appearances in Birds of Prey). I was a bit disappointed that the Parademon was taken away from us too soon because I loved the twisted chemistry between he and Ragdoll, but I was grateful for Simone to bring on the equally twisted "new" Mad Hatter. And then I was pleasantly elated when Ragdoll disposed of him by pushing him off a cliff because, truly, one eccentric person in the group is enough.

Losing Knockout to death in Birds of Prey was a bit sad...but quickly gotten over. She always seemed generic and disposable to me whereas a few of the other Secret Sixers are certainly not.

So, with all that said, it's not difficult to guess that I am full of anticipation for the new ongoing Secret Six series featuring Gail Simone's writing. I wish it (and her) much success as I want to continue to read where the future takes some of my newfound favorite characters month after month after month. And, it goes with saying, that I look forward to many future sexual (and sometimes bizarre) escapades of the Six.