The lack of foresight in DC Comics Editorial policy.

Posted Sun September 24, 2006 1:40 am, by Sarah F. written to Warner Bros. Studios, Inc.

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I'm writing in regards to the utter disconnect between Paul Levitz and Dan DiDio of DC Comics and the fan base of the DC Comics world in regards to the character of Catwoman, the parentage of her child and her relationship with Batman. This is not a short-term problem, but has been an issue for at least the last three years. The editorial backlash toward this classic and enduring character has become increasingly hostile and her characterization has suffered abysmally. They've invented a woman who utterly lacks any qualities reminiscent of the classic character millions of people have come to know and love, and they show every intention of permanently setting her upon this path. I can't even trust that sending this letter to DC Editorial will have any effect since the hostility to this character seems utterly entrenched, regardless of what the artists and writers actually seem to want to do and where they want to take the characters.

Quite frankly the latest revelation of the father of Selina's child being someone other than Batman is so utterly beyond the pale of how her character would behave that I can't even bring myself to continue to purchase or consider purchasing another Catwoman book until some serious changes are made to her character. While I realize that this is by no means a flagship title such utter disrespect for her character leaves me questioning DC Editorial's ability to respect any of the characters in their custody and makes me question my purchases of ANY of their product considering the utter risk that I will find them as consistently dissatisfying as the Catwoman book.

Ideally, I like may other fans would like to see the fun, spunky, playful woman that we knew and loved during the 1990's. She was an elegant and admirable woman, even if she was a thief. She may have had a tragic past, but she fought back and stood against the world with her own unique moral standard and a cheeky smile. I found her far more palettable than the pathetic excuse for an ineffective heroine who really is a confused failure as a hero, not to mention a tragic, inelegant whore. She's a character who struggles, but the current catwoman is not a character I can like.

I would suggest that Warner Brothers consider hiring editors who are willing to allow the characters and storylines dictate the direction of the DC universe, rather than enforcing their personal bias against a classic character. If this is something they consider untenable then at the very least Warner Brothers should considder minimizing the damage this does to such massive cultural icons by playing up the traits and characterizations the fans want to see in the other media that the character can be found in.