Catwoman (The New 52!) # 9 (Night of Owls)

By Mark Rodriguez

The Court of Owls have unleashed their army of Talons, and as they storm Wayne Manor, Batman has Alfred call out to everyone in the Bat Family to help out. Catwoman didn't get the call. In her case, she was planning to rob the Penguin... who happened to be a target of the Owls.

"Night of the Owls- Mirrors come in all Sizes" starts in Gotham 1665. One of the Talons was sent to kill someone, but feeling a sense of honor, he gave the man a blade so he could fight for his life. The man ran out into the streets and the Talon was seen killing him. Forced to kill several British officers, the Talon also lost one of his blades. As a result, the Court prepares the next Talon and put this one to sleep.

Back to modern day, Catwoman and her new partner in crime, Spark, plan to rob a 300 year olf owl-head blade from the Penguin. The Court awakens all the Talons for their attack on the city, and send Ephraim Newhouse, the Talon from 1665, after the Penguin. After being on stakeout for most of the night, Catwoman and Spark decide it’s time to make their move.

The Penguin is busy trying to make deals with some Russian bad guys. Just then the Talon breaks in and kills all his bodyguards. Penguin tries to buy his way out of the situation, but the Talon only wants to kill him. He then pauses to notice the Penguin has the same blade he lost centuries ago.

Catwoman and Spark watch all this, considering the plan to be ruined by this sudden attack. Spark wants to leave, but Catwoman has a bout with her conscious and decides to bust in and help the Penguin. Catwoman however is no match for the Talon, and Spark comes to help. He tells her to grab the knife and run, but now the Talon tries to attack him. Catwoman and Spark take the Talon down, and the owl-themed assassin accidentally fell on his knife, stabbing himself in the neck.

However, it isn’t over as the Talon simply yanks the knife out of the side of his neck and continues the fight. The Talon throws a rope around Spark’s neck and tries to strangle him. Catwoman tries to talk him out of it, saying that she can help him get all his knives back. The Talon agrees, but just then the Penguin blows his brains out with his umbrella gun. Catwoman said he didn’t have to do that… but Penguin says he owes her one and that means a lot in Gotham.

Spark has the knife they came to steal, but Catwoman decides to wrap the fallen Talon up and leave him with his knives right next to the Bat Signal. Catwoman leaves thinking that the Talon might have been a monster, but no one is born a monster… and even they deserve mercy sometimes.

My Opinions

This was an interesting story I’d have to say. Similar to Batgirl, Catwoman has a lot of inner monologue in her comic. It makes it interesting and its cool to see her point of view since she is completely out of the loop from the whole Court of Owls business. It's kinda funny how she got involved by sheer happenstance, and it also shows at this point of the new 52, she wasn't considered part of the Bat Family. It's some sort of irony that she showed some mercy to the Talon, just like he once gave one of his victims a fighting chance.

Catwoman's series was a nonstop thrill round as she was running from the Russian mob and also super villains for several issues until she finally slowed down some when she decided to partner up with Spark. It's kinda odd that Spark kinda came along for the ride for this encounter with the Owls. I forgot how long his partnership with Catwoman lasts but I know it's not too long after this that he betrays her. Sorry for the spoiler. It was a good fight as Catwoman and Spark tried to stop the Talon while Penguin basically wanted to kill all of them.