Catman’s Shocking Upgrade Will Blow Your Mind!

The infamous foe of Batman, Catman, has returned and is more striking than ever before. In case you haven’t heard, Catman is among the main characters gracing the pages of the latest Secret Six comic, sharing the spotlight with heavyweights such as Deadshot and Jon Kent, also known as Superman’s son. Given his illustrious teammates, it’s no surprise that Catman has stepped up his appearance. He now boasts glowing red eyes, retractable claws reminiscent of blades, and a cloak exuding toughness. To put it simply, he embodies the essence of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, in the most appealing manner possible. His grand entrance only served to make him even cooler than before.

Catman quietly approached Superman and Deadshot, cradling Dreamer in his arms. With one arm, he inserted a knife into the back of Deadshot’s head – a move that usually wouldn’t work on someone who never misses a shot. Despite being weakened by synthetic kryptonite and briefly falling, Deadshot quickly stood up again due to his current semi-immortal state, possibly linked to him technically being deceased. Nevertheless, Catman’s chilling entrance into the fight is among the coldest in recent comic book history.

Who is Catman, and Why Should You Care That He’s Back?

Thomas Blake, who is more famously known as Catman, made his debut in “Detective Comics” issue 311, all the way back in 1963. This character was ingeniously crafted by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney. He was a highly skilled hunter who, after feeling unchallenged and seeking more formidable targets, chose to lead a life of crime. Initially patterned after Catwoman, he carried out crimes with a feline flair, leading to some of the earliest instances where Batman and Catwoman joined forces to clear her name.

For approximately four decades, Blake was merely seen as a poor imitation of Batman, often used for cheap jokes. However, this changed significantly when Gail Simone redesigned the character in the mid 2000s. She transformed him into a complex, dark mirror image of Batman, embodying charm and frequently exhibiting behaviors more akin to an anti-hero than a villain. Despite his lethal actions that always landed him on the wrong side of the law, he was not devoid of morality. In contrast to Batman’s gruff exterior and golden heart, Catman exudes charisma and is often more complex than just a villain. Simone also established him as a formidable adversary, eliminating the cat-themed gimmicks and weapons in favor of heightened senses, acrobatic skills on par with Olympic athletes, and combat abilities that enabled him to match Batman daily. His unique persona sets him apart, making him stand out even among Batman’s elite rogues gallery.

Catman, known for his intense battles against Batman, also has ties with The Secret Six, a team historically composed of villains who collaborate on underhanded tasks. During the revamp in the mid-2000s, he led this group alongside Deadshot, his current comrade. Now, he’s making a return, spearheading a fresh take on The Secret Six. However, with Superman being part of the team, it seems improbable that Catman will regain his previous leadership role. Furthermore, if Superman manages to control his more violent teammates, this new version of The Secret Six may be less lethal compared to its past iterations.

Introducing a younger version of Superman into this team adds an extra layer of thrill to envision. Both Batman and the original Superman are iconic characters adored by fans, often referred to as DC’s top duo, and they rightfully earned the title “World’s Finest.” The partnership between the new Superman and a darkly inverted Batman could result in an equally captivating alliance. Unlike the bond forged over decades of trust and mutual understanding, this team will showcase what happens when the unwavering idealism of Superman meets Batman’s pessimistic view of a world he believes can’t be saved. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the evolution of Catman’s interactions with his reluctant comrades.

An improbable grouping of the Secret Six has formed with a common objective: locating Amanda Waller who was abducted before the organization Checkmate can uncover secrets implanted in Dreamer’s mind during the Absolute Power incident, leading to the creation of the widely acclaimed Absolute Universe. Each member aims for Waller for different purposes, and their intended actions upon finding her vary significantly. However, it is clear that with Catman’s fresh style, they will undoubtedly be one of the chicest groups around.

Secret Six #2 is on sale now.

2025-04-04 05:40

Who is Catman, and Why Should You Care That He’s Back?

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