DC Showcase: Catwoman

Last updated
DC Showcase: Catwoman
DC Showcase Catwoman.jpg
Directed by Lauren Montgomery
Screenplay by Paul Dini
Based on Catwoman
by Bill Finger and Bob Kane
Produced byLauren Montgomery
Alan Burnett
Starring Eliza Dushku
John DiMaggio
Liliana Mumy
Kevin Michael Richardson
Tara Strong
Cree Summer
Music by Christopher Drake
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Home Video
Release date
  • October 18, 2011 (2011-10-18)
Running time
15 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

DC Showcase: Catwoman, also titled as simply Catwoman, is a 2011 short animated superhero film, directed by Lauren Montgomery and written by Paul Dini. The film features Eliza Dushku as Catwoman / Selina Kyle in her first solo tale, as she attempts to bring both a Gotham City crime boss called Rough Cut and his smuggling ring to an end, stumbling upon a mysterious cargo shipment far worse than just smuggled diamonds. DC Showcase: Catwoman was released on October 18, 2011, as a bonus feature and continuation of the Catwoman story line on Batman: Year One Blu-ray and DVD. It is the fifth installment in the DC Showcase series. [1]

Contents

Plot

The film starts with two men pursuing a grey cat in an attempt to shoot it dead. The cat supposedly jumps into the river and is presumed dead. As the two men leave in a limousine with a crime boss called Rough Cut, Catwoman is shown under the bridge with the grey cat, which has a yellow wristband around its neck, grabbing Catwoman's interest.

Later on, Rough Cut and his two cohorts go to a strip club. As a woman dances and strips, he gives her a small chunk of diamond. Catwoman enters the strip club and covers for the other stripper women, but this only proves to be a way for her to confront Rough Cut. As every single person has already fled the strip club, Catwoman and Rough Cut are left alone. After a short fight, he escapes before she can get him. Some while later, Catwoman attacks Rough Cut whilst he is driving a craned truck. Catwoman slips the crane hook under the truck and escapes before it crashes, the hook flying over and slicing a ship full of goods in half. The truck overturns and Rough Cut is killed.

When Catwoman goes to the ship, she finds a group of trafficked girls, which is revealed to be the mysterious cargo shipment. Catwoman notices Holly Robinson to be one of the girls. As the police arrive, Selina Kyle comforts Holly, giving her the yellow wristband that belonged to Holly before she was trafficked. Selina also gives Holly a handful of diamonds because she is in need. The film ends with Catwoman jumping from one building to another as Holly watches her disappear into the night.

Cast

DC Showcase: Catwoman stars Eliza Dushku reprising her role as the titular character. Dushku previously played Catwoman in the animated film Batman: Year One. [2] [3]

Critical reception

DC Showcase: Catwoman was met with mixed reviews from critics. Jack Brink of Screen Rant described the short as "mature" and filled with "violent and brutal action", noting that it has a 3.2/5 on Letterboxd. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catwoman</span> Comic book character

Catwoman is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, she debuted as "the Cat" in Batman #1. She has become one of the superhero Batman's most enduring enemies, belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery, as well as Batman's best known and most enduring love interest, with many stories depicting their complex love–hate relationship. Since 1993, Catwoman has had her own ongoing series, Catwoman.

<i>Batman: The Long Halloween</i> Limited comic book series by Jeph Loeb (1996-1997)

Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue American comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was the follow-up to three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team. The series' success led to Loeb and Sale to reteam for two sequels, Batman: Dark Victory and Catwoman: When in Rome, which are set concurrently.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cat and the Claw</span> 15th and 16th episodes of the 1st season of Batman: The Animated Series

"The Cat and the Claw" is a two-part episode of Batman: The Animated Series, directed by Kevin Altieri and Dick Sebast, which aired on September 5 and September 12, 1992, respectively. Although the episodes were produced consecutively as the 15th and 16th episodes of the first season, the first part aired as the series premiere and was separated from the second part, which was the eighth episode aired.

<i>Batman: Nine Lives</i>

Batman: Nine Lives is an Elseworlds graphic novel published by DC Comics in 2002, written by Dean Motter, with art by Michael Lark.

<i>Catwoman: When in Rome</i>

Catwoman: When in Rome is a DC Comics six-issue miniseries written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. Sale took inspiration for his art from René Gruau, the French/Italian fashion illustrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Robinson (character)</span> Fictional character in DC universe

Holly Robinson is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. Holly Robinson is a frequent ally and sidekick of Catwoman. She was trained by Wildcat and her friend Selina Kyle, and temporarily became the new Catwoman following the birth of Selina's daughter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batcycle</span> Fictional superhero vehicle

The Batcycle, Batblade, or Batpod is the fictional personal motorcycle of the DC Comics superhero Batman. In the comic book universe, Batman's personal Batcycle is a modified street-bike with a 786 cc liquid-cooled V-4 engine. It contains a computer-controlled carburetor and bulletproof wind-guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntress (Helena Wayne)</span> Comics character

The Huntress, also known as Helena Wayne, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is the daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of an alternate universe established in the early 1960s and referred to as "Earth-Two", where the Golden Age stories took place. A modern-day predecessor of Helena Wayne as Huntress with no blood-relation to Batman or Catwoman, Helena Bertinelli, was additionally co-created by the character's co-creator Joe Staton in 1989, originally intended as a reinvention of the character following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, before being retconned as different characters.

Catwoman is a DC Comics character.

<i>Batman: Year One</i> (film) 2011 film directed by Lauren Montgomery, Sam Liu

Batman: Year One is a 2011 American animated superhero film based on the four-issue story arc of the same name printed in 1987. It was directed by Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu. The film premiered at Comic-Con on July 22 and was officially released on October 18, 2011.

<i>Gotham City Sirens</i> American comic book series published by DC Comics

Gotham City Sirens is an American comic book series that was written by Paul Dini with art by Guillem March and published by DC Comics. The term Gotham City Sirens refers to three of the most popular female villains inhabiting Gotham City: Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.

Catwoman is a fictional character first appearing in issue 1 of the Batman comic book. After her debut she would appear in many forms of media including live-action and animated film, radio, live-action and animated television, records, video games, web series, live performance, and podcasts. The character has made live-action appearances in the Batman television series (1966–68), its film adaptation Batman (1966), Batman Returns (1992), Catwoman (2004),The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Gotham (2014–19), and The Batman (2022). The character has also appeared in numerous animated television series and movies, most notably Batman: The Animated Series (1992–95) and The Lego Batman Movie (2017), as well as video games such as the Batman: Arkham series.

Batman: The Dark Prince Charming is an original two-volume graphic novel series from American comic book publisher DC Comics and French publisher Dargaud, featuring the DC Universe character Batman. The first volume was released on November 1, 2017, followed by the second volume on June 20, 2018. It was written, illustrated, and painted by Italian artist Enrico Marini and is his first major American publication. In The Dark Prince Charming, Batman pursues the Joker and Harley Quinn, who have kidnapped a child whose mother claims her to be the daughter of Bruce Wayne. The series is considered a standalone, out-of-continuity story.

<i>Batman: Hush</i> (film) 2019 animated film directed by Justin Copeland

Batman: Hush is a 2019 American animated superhero film featuring the DC Comics superhero Batman and loosely based on the 2002 comic book story arc of the same name. It is the thirteenth installment of the DC Animated Movie Universe and the 37th overall film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. In the film, Batman forms an alliance with Catwoman to defeat a new villain named Hush, who knows all of Batman's secrets and targets key figures in his life.

Selina Kyle (<i>Batman Returns</i>) 1989-1997 Batman film series character

Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, is a character portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton's 1992 superhero film Batman Returns. Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, she is initially depicted as the meek assistant and secretary of wealthy industrialist Max Shreck, who pushes her out of a window when she uncovers his corruption. Selina survives the fall and swears revenge against Shreck as Catwoman, which brings her into conflict with Batman. She forms an alliance with the Penguin to disgrace Batman while beginning to date Bruce Wayne, unaware that he is Batman's alter ego. After discovering each other's secret identities, Selina ultimately rejects Bruce's plea to abandon her vengeance and kills Shreck before vanishing into the night.

<i>Catwoman: Soulstealer</i> 2018 Novel by Sarah J. Maas

Catwoman: Soulstealer is a 2018 young adult coming of age novel by Sarah J. Maas. It is the third novel in the DC Icons series, following Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo and Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu. The DC Icons novels retell the stories of renowned DC heroes in their adolescence before they become a superhero. Catwoman: Soulstealer features numerous DC characters including: Batwing, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and The Joker.

<i>Batman: The Long Halloween</i> (film) 2021 American film

Batman: The Long Halloween is a 2021 American two-part animated direct-to-video superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, based on the DC Comics storyline of the same name. Part 1 is the 44th film, and Part 2 is the 45th film, of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, with both parts serving as the third and fourth installments of the Tomorrowverse. The film is directed by Chris Palmer and stars the voices of Jensen Ackles, Josh Duhamel and Naya Rivera in her final film role. The film is dedicated to Rivera following her death the year prior. In both parts of the film, Batman attempts to unravel the mystery of murders committed on holidays throughout the year, and uncover the true identity of the serial killer Holiday.

<i>Batman 89</i> (comic book) DC Comics limited comic series

Batman '89 is a superhero comic book limited series published by DC Comics that serves as an alternative continuation of Tim Burton's first two Batman films, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), which starred Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne / Batman, while ignoring the events of Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). The series is written by the first two films' screenwriter, Sam Hamm, and illustrated by Joe Quinones. It was launched in August 2021 and ran for six issues.

<i>Catwoman: Hunted</i> 2022 American-Japanese animated superhero film

Catwoman: Hunted is a 2022 American-Japanese animated superhero film based on the DC Comics character Catwoman by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation for DC Entertainment. It was released on February 8, 2022, by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It is the 47th installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line. The film is directed by Shinsuke Terasawa from a script by Greg Weisman. It stars the voices of Elizabeth Gillies and Stephanie Beatriz. OLM, a Japanese studio behind the Pokémon anime series, provided their animation services for the film with their Team Inoue. The film follows Catwoman as she attempts to steal a priceless jewel. The heist puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of criminals and villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol as well as Batwoman.

References

  1. "First Look: Eliza Dushku Pounces into Animated Catwoman Role". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  2. Monteil, Abby. "Every actress who has ever played Catwoman in movies, TV, and video games". Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  3. Cassidy, Mark (2011-07-24). "Eliza Dushku On Voicing Catwoman In Batman: Year One". ComicBookMovie.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  4. Brink, Jack (2022-10-07). "10 Best DC Showcase Shorts, According To Letterboxd". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-31.