Watching as she ambles about, looking for any scrap of food, clothing, or hope, is heartbreaking.

I was fascinated by the pages devoted to the harsh reality of homelessness and the constant compromises Selina makes not only in order to survive, but also to retain any shred of her dignity. Her first few weeks of homelessness reflect every teen’s idealistic dream of leaving home.īut of course, that luck and that rush of independence doesn’t buoy Selina for long. When she first gains her independence and strikes off on her own, we’re privy to her wins: easily swiping food to feed herself, stealing some extra clothes from the mall, bathing in a fancy high-end store bathroom, etc. Or, well, Selina not being miserable the whole time. While the lows of homelessness where about what I expected, I was surprised to see some “highs” as well. In addition to tackling domestic abuse, Under the Moon also confronts important topics such as homelessness and self-harm as well. Though he’s technically a visitor in their home (as he claims no legal ownership of it), he has deemed himself king. He’s a large man who’s a heavy drinker and who can snap at any point. Selina’s mother’s boyfriend is about as disgusting and terrible as they come. The book’s depiction of domestic abuse can be pretty jarring at times. I’ll admit that the first third or even half of the novel is pretty bleak. But it’s the how and the execution (both written and illustrated) in this newest graphic novel from DC Ink, that makes the difference. These things are what make Selina Kyle, as well as Catwoman, who she is. Sure, a lot of her backstory in Under the Moon is very reminiscent of her classic history: The abuse, homelessness, petty theft. She also realizes, to her surprise, that there’s solace and happiness to be found in being a part of a group, and so she joins a pack of other runaways/homeless youths who support themselves by committing small crimes. After living on the streets on her own for a while, she discovers that the solitary life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Under the moon catwoman tale