Catwoman (Book 1): The Dark End of the Street [Paperback]

Ed Brubaker (Author), Darwyn Cooke (Author), Mike Allred (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Selina Kyle - Catwoman - is missing and presumed dead. The mysterious circunstances of her death has drawn the attention of a private eye by the name of Slam Bradley. He follows the trail in an attempt to discover if this cat has one more life left.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563899086
• ISBN-13: 978-1563899089
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.3 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bright Light in the Alley, October 25, 2002

By 

Allan C. Suaza - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catwoman (Book 1): The Dark End of the Street (Paperback)

How well do we really know Catwoman? Well, whatever your perception of her, Selina Kyle is redefined here in this wonderful collection of originally-presented-in-magazine-form tales of Catwoman. If you're not all that familiar with her (forget what you've seen in the movies, TV, and cartoons) this is a good starting point, and for longtime fans as well. Unabashedly told in the familiar Film Noir style, we see Selina Kyle forced to reexamine herself and her life, and a neat plot twist that coincides with her eventual evolution into a reluctant Robin Hood type hero. She's all too likeable from the start. Ed Brubaker's writing is great, all the while keeping a tone of suspense with occasional light-heartedness thrown in. And Darwyn Cooke's clean and bold art style complements perfectly Brubaker's story telling. All in all, this collection is a good stand-alone book for everyone and a must for Catwoman fans. (Oh, and check out "Selina's Big Score", written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke for a really cool "prequel" to "The Dark End Of The Street".)

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty and Intelligent Crime Noir and Pulpy Comics FUN!!!, September 6, 2003

By 

Bryan E. Leed "Jesus says, 'Go and Sin No More!" (Dayton, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Catwoman (Book 1): The Dark End of the Street (Paperback)

This book picks up after the previous trade paperback book, "Selina's Big Score," (which is also well worth buying). Compared to that prior book, "The Dark End of the Street" is printed on cheaper, more pulpy paper, but it is less expensive and has 25% more pages than the glossy-papered "Selina's Big Score."

Where "Dark End" really beats "Big Score" is all in the cool, new Catwoman costume, which debuted here in these stories in "Dark End of the Street." This costume is probably the coolest looking costume that Catwoman has ever worn. It looks very practical and utilitarian for a cat burglar and social vigilante, that is the new and improved Selina (Catwoman) Kyle.

This book retains and continues the retro, private eye feel of "Selina's Big Score," and then this book improves upon that foundation by having lots of exhilarating costumed Catwoman action! She comes alive in her element of a rough & tumble, dog-eat-dog underworld! She swings around the rough parts of Gotham City like that is where she feels most at home in her life. She solves crimes like a rookie detective who has the skills of a master, crime fighting hero.

This book starts with a few short stories of private dick, Slam Bradley, trying to figure out the mystery of the missing Catwoman; which leads into the retelling of the first 4 issues of the new, monthly Catwoman comic book series, in which Catwoman hunts down a serial killer.

The final face-off with the killer is the only weak part of the book, it being amusing, but it does not live up to the previous 100 pages of gritty intrigue (it kind of gets less realistic at the very end of this book). But don't let that discourage you from getting this book. The trip is more fun than the final destination, but it's a really fun trip!

"The Dark End of the Street" is well worth buying! If you have any interest at all in the Catwoman comic book series, you will love this book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Actually, this is the BEST Catwoman, August 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Catwoman (Book 1): The Dark End of the Street (Paperback)

I don't know how anyone can think that Brubaker's depiction of Catwoman is misogynist unless they don't actually know what the word means. This is the Catwoman who is a strong-willed woman finding her own place in Gotham, who fights the good fight and has real conflict within herself. This is one of the best comics on the stands these days and Brubaker is one of the best writers working in comics. And the art in this collection, by the talented Darwyn Cooke is to die for.