In a story that seems calculated to strike too close to home as the riotous ride of the 2016 election draws to a close, Catwoman Election Night follows Selina’s investigations into the neck-and-neck mayoral race between Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin) and up-and-coming Constance Hill. Selina’s interest in the election revolves around the orphanage where she grew up, Miss Kitty’s Home for Wayward Girls, which lies in a Gotham neighborhood known as The Narrows which would be blocked off from the rest of the city by Cobblepot’s proposed city improvement- a giant wall around the city.
While Penguin’s political dialogue is definitely meant to bring a certain orange-faced golden-haired nominee to mind, the subplot revolving around Hill is no less unforgiving, though less analogous to a real person. Writer Meredith Finch writes a short-and-sweet something that falls just short of a whodunnit and slid opportunistically onto shelves like so many one-shots that feature politicians (Spidey Meets the President! anyone?).
The most interesting thing about Election Night is the way it ties in with the latest incarnation of Prez! A Prez! short,Trigger Warning, written by Mark Russell, follows the main story, addressing some very real concerns the modern United States has about gun control and women’s reproductive rights with all the subtlety of a baseball bat to the groin.
The Election Night art team- Shane Davis, Igor Vitorino, Michelle Delecki, and Gabe Eltaeb- do a great job of keeping the Gotham aesthetic both in the present day and flashback storylines. The art for Trigger Warning, from Ben Caldwell, Mark Morales, and Jeremy Lawson, is more cartoony (appropriate for a more cartoonish setting) and definitely more colorful.
If you’re feeling stressed out by real life elections, Catwoman: Election Night is a great way to take your mind off things for a bit. It might not be the most sophisticated story, but it’s definitely a fun read and a great way to pass a Tuesday night.
