It’s deep into the evening. Gotham City is gleaming like a million little diamonds. Selina Kyle is feeling good about herself. She may be enjoying a $7 latte on a rooftop, but that’s not why she’s feeling good. Maybe it has something to do with the new creative team on her book. Writer Tini Howard takes over the writing on Catwoman #39. Having spent her time in Alleytown, Selina has returned to the heart of Gotham to take-on some serious business. Artist Nico Leon brings Selina’s story to the page with the aid of talented colorist Jordie Bellaire. Howard and company make a promising debut with stylish visuals and clever narration.

The top criminals of Gotham City’s underworld have arrived to discuss business. Catwoman is there, but she’s not really there. They seem lost in their own business. A bit too lost in it to notice that the woman dancing in the sexy catsuit on the stage with the stripper pole...there’s something familiar about her, right? Well...it’s too late for them by the time the full costume comes out. Somewhere in the mess of that meeting, there’s a woman. She’s the head of the local branch of the Yakuza. Selina’s got a proposition for one of the most powerful women in Gotham City’s underworld. 

Much of the first half of the Howard’s debut issue is spent establishing the foes that Catwoman is likely to be dealing with in the issues to come. The opening issue in Howard’s four-part “Dangerous Liaisons” series introduces everyone she’s up against with style and poise. Kyle is narrating things as she goes into the backgrounds of Gotham City’s biggest scum. Then she lays-out her reasons for returning to the heart of Gotham to deal with them before diving into the opening of the plot. It’s a smartly-structured opening issue.

Leon has a firm grasp of Catwoman’s style and poise. The stylish nature of Leon’s framing of the opening scene shows a willingness to explore mood over content in a way that makes for a deeper connection with the emotions of the plot than often makes it to the comics page. There’s range, too: Selina’s face becomes cleverly thoughtful when mystery enters the panel. Bellaire’s colors are absolutely gorgeous as a symphony of blues and blacks in the foreground are contrasted against the rich and vibrant hot pinks in the background. Kyle’s pleasure at her situation is written into her poise and body language much more than it is in her face, which remains an appealing mystery in the opening chapter of the new story.

Howard, Leon, and Bellaire do a brilliant job of opening the current era in Catwoman’s life. It will be interesting to see the series play out from here. Howard is a seasoned storyteller who knows what she’s doing. Leon and Bellaire work remarkably well together...each artist admirably amplifying the work of the other. It’s been quite a while since Catwoman reached the level of achievement it has in the 39th issue of the current series.

Grade: A