SCOTT MORSE ON WRITING CATWOMAN

[MattBrady]

For the first time in over three years, DC’s Catwoman will have someone other than Ed Brubaker’s name beside the writer credit starting with issue #38. That name – Scott (Spaghetti Western, Batman: Roomful of Strangers) Morse, who will be coming on for a three issue run.

Stylistically, many would see Morse’s art to be perfect for the series, which, previous to the new look given to it by Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti, was home to the likes of Darwyn Cooke, Cameron Stewart and Javier Pulido. But nope – Morse is virtually words only this time out.

“I’ve done a cover or two for the series in the past, and I did the cover for the last issue of Harley Quinn, so I’d been talking to [Catwoman editor] Matt Idelson about things,” Morse said. “We ended up pitching stories back and forth after Batman Roomful of Strangers, and had been talking about doing a project together in some capacity.

“When Ed decided it was his time to leaveleave the book, Matt called and said they needed a writer to help fill in between Ed and the next guy. Matt asked if I could grab a few issues, and I came up with a story that would sustain for three issues, Matt liked it, and we went from there.”

Morse said that his three issues won’t be a radical departure for the series, or break with the tone and style Brubaker had set for the character (read: no, Selina’s not going back to Ertha Kitt-style “Mrrrrrrooow”s), as he was a fan of the series and how Brubaker had redefined the character.

“What I’m going to be doing will be very close to what Ed had established,” Morse said. “We’re going to add a little fun to it for this storyline – to make it a little more lighthearted, but still sticking to what Ed created and established for the characters. She’s still kind of on that fence of being good or bad – she’s good for her own reasons.”

Morse is also hearkening back to a classic Batman ingredient – a new villain with a catchy name: Wooden Nickel.

“The story I have her in, she’s been thrown into a situation because of who she is, rather than anything she may have done, or from trying to stop a bad guy,” Morse said. “It’s a situation where Wooden Nickel comes after her because of her past, and because of her connections to both sides of the fence. It all ties into a larger story. There are two different stories going on inside my three issue run – the Wooden Nickel thing, and something larger that’s happening behind the scenes.”

The larger thing?

“It’s a situation they can tap into down the line if they want,” Morse explained. “It’s left somewhat open-ended at the end of my story. I don’t know if Matt’s going to try and explore it at the end of the series or not, though. It’s something new that exists in Gotham – a new type of threat that the heroes of Gotham have never really addressed before. It should be interesting to see what people think.”

Alright – and as for that image up there? Hey, we said he was “virtually words only” this time. “I’ve done the cover for issue #38, but Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti are still attached as the art team at least through my arc,” Morse said. “I can’t say what’s going on after me, but they’re my artists. So, as for me – just the cover to the first part. DC hasn’t gotten a hold of me for the other parts yet, but we’ll see.”

[Matches Malone]

Morse would have been an excellent choice as the new permanent writer. Hope they get someone as talented for #41 and beyond.

[BillReed]

Bah. Wish he was drawing it, too.

[ColourMan]

Hmm....never heard of him.

I don't like his art, though, judging from that one pic up there, so I'm glad he's just writing.

[samnoir]

I think Morse's visuals on Catwoman would be incredible as well.

Anyone who wants a taste of Morse's unique style and voice should check out Volcanic Revolver.



This graphic novel is self contained and has the feel of a Spaghetti Western by way of an period Gangster film with an ensemble cast.

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[samnoir]

Sunday morning, and the streets light up with the bomb-torn fragments of downtown Little Italy.

VOCANIC REVOLVER details the explosive mob war between the Valdezio crime family of 1929 New York, and their rivals, the McMulligan crime family. The McMulligans have decided to move in on the Italian territory, using every trick in the book to undermine their enemies and establish control. When their schemes stoop to using women and kids for hits, the Valdezios up the ante and hit back hard from both the political world and the blood strewn streets of Little Italy, leaving the McMulligans looking like a pimp-slapped flatbacker on a hot Saturday night.

You can watch the incredible Flash animated Trailer for Volcanic Revolver here!

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[Von Raven]

UGH! That artwork above looks terrible!

[TheRay]

Well, I love that image...it reminds me of the more noir-ish art I enjoyed so much from the beginning of the current Catwoman series with Darwyn Cooke and Cameron Stewart. I'm dissapointed in Brubaker leaving...he's consistently made this title a must-read for me but I look forward to this arc and I'm anxious to see who they'll choose as a permanent replacement.

In regards to artists, I'd personally like to see some Catwoman tales by the likes of Mike Allred and Phillip Bond.

[Matches Malone]

Definitely check out Volcanic Revolver - it's a great read. Morse's art is very stylized, but he is one of the best craftsmen in the industry. I also wish he was drawing his Catwoman arc.

Other Morse work includes Batman: Room Full of Strangers, Spaghetti Western, and a recent issue of Plastic Man (#7, iIRC).

[reallybigmonste]

anything Morse does, i'm on board fur. he always seems to touch on some emotional aspect of the story, or a really really fun time. But his art is just effing great, the flow of the line and everything is so gesturally sweet.. he's a king.

[Greg T]

Can't wait to read Morse's story. Is that his art on the pinup. If not, who is it, and can they please draw the series?

[rockieman]

Originally posted by Greg T
Can't wait to read Morse's story. Is that his art on the pinup. If not, who is it, and can they please draw the series?

Re-read the last paragraph. He states it's his cover to #38.

[Tek3311]

Argh. I guess I'm gonna have to buy Catwoman again for three issues. I just wish ANYONE besides Gulacy was doing the art.

Morse, my personal favorite artist, would be nice, but I dont' need him. Just not Gulacy.

The story will be great, though.

[aphterburn]

His art would have been great and preferable to the way it looks now.

[qtzar]

Originally posted by TheRay
Well, I love that image...it reminds me of the more noir-ish art I enjoyed so much from the beginning of the current Catwoman series with Darwyn Cooke and Cameron Stewart. I'm dissapointed in Brubaker leaving...he's consistently made this title a must-read for me but I look forward to this arc and I'm anxious to see who they'll choose as a permanent replacement.

In regards to artists, I'd personally like to see some Catwoman tales by the likes of Mike Allred and Phillip Bond.

mike allred would be frikin` awsome on catwomen. we know he has more time on his hands these days.

[OcCaM]

Actually, Morse's stuff thus far from DC hasn't seem to do very well. I personally love his artwork, and I'm always happy when he does a project because I can wait and get them in our store's freebie section (which was great on that over-priced Gordon story!)

Actually, the Elektra Echo and Glimpse mini series was only in the half off bin, bummer. When will Marvel put a trade out of this? For those of us who think the X-franchise is uninspired!

Anyway, I wish Scott was doing the interiors! That I would have bought! But, I could understand why he isn't.

[ThatTalkingGuy]

I might be more excited about this if I didn't spend 12 bucks on Spaghetti Western.

[Tek3311]

Originally posted by ThatTalkingGuy
I might be more excited about this if I didn't spend 12 bucks on Spaghetti Western.

I take it you didn't like Spaghetti Western, then. Why?

[ThatTalkingGuy]

Originally posted by Tek3311
I take it you didn't like Spaghetti Western, then. Why?

It was twelve bucks for something that took about five minutes to read. Nothing of substance to it, just a bunch of situation based jokes that didn't sit too well with me. it didn't help that the product was placed in a 'sleeve' that prevented me from looking at the book and realizing it's style made it something that I had no interest in reading, but I still felt cheated. There was no real way to know what I was in for....and it didn't feel too great after I realized what I spent my money on.

That said, I usually like Morse. That trailer above was pretty neat. But it'll be a long while before I buy anything of his based on his name again.

[LifeonMars?]

i really wish scott was doing the art too. love his stuff

[Tek3311]

It was twelve bucks for something that took about five minutes to read.

I'll agree with you there. It was a pretty quick read. Although, I really got into the intricacies of the art, so it took me a little longer.

Nothing of substance to it, just a bunch of situation based jokes that didn't sit too well with me.

Hmmmm...nothing of substance? I saw plenty of substance, regarding human nature and hope. Plus there were some situation jokes. I guess Morse's sense of humor is more similar to mine than yours.

it didn't help that the product was placed in a 'sleeve' that prevented me from looking at the book and realizing it's style made it something that I had no interest in reading, but I still felt cheated.

You could have removed the sleeve easily in the store. And it said on the back that the book was in "widescreen format." I don't see why you felt cheated. While there may not be as much actual dialogue as your average $12 comic, there's certainly as much story, within and outside of the art. Didn't you find it surprising or at least clever when you learned of why these guys were robbing a bank? And the conclusion had to make you smile, too.

There was no real way to know what I was in for....and it didn't feel too great after I realized what I spent my money on.

Like I said, the book clearly said that it was in widescreen format, and either way, it wouldn't have been so hard to take the book out of its sleeve. As for spending your money...think about how much more effort and beauty are in those pages as compared to the average graphic novel. I realize that story is more important than art, but within that art, is much of the story. It's not hard to appreciate that Morse captured every moment just right.

I mean, if you didn't like this book...you didn't like it. I'm not gonna argue with you. But to say that you were cheated and that there was nothing of substance...that's unfair.

That said, I usually like Morse. That trailer above was pretty neat. But it'll be a long while before I buy anything of his based on his name again.

Morse's work is really genius in its apparent simplicity. He tells stories differently than anyone else in comics. Southpaw is another example of that. The Barefoot Serpent, is a good example also, to some extent.

The thing that I'm interested to see about this Catwoman run is that...it's not Morse on the art. So much of his storytelling is through his art. He's going to have to change his style a good bit.

[DrTzinTzin]

MY EYES - THEY BLEED!!!!!!!

[Black Clouds]

I agree, while a very enjoyable read that put a smile on my face for the rest of the day, it really did read in 5 minutes, and for 12$, that is a bit much. Should've been $4.95, and I'd have been much happier.

Scott Morse is a talent artist and writer, so I can vouch for how good he is. Still, superhero fanboys have a peculiar sense of what's good and what's not so I have no idea how he will be received.

[Jason Seaver]

Originally posted by MattBrady
“I’ve done the cover for issue #38, but Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti are still attached as the art team at least through my arc,” Morse said.

That's just mean; I really want Gulacy & Palmiotti gone from this book. After a year, I still don't recognize Slam Bradley and other supporting characters when they show up.

Originally posted by Von Raven
UGH! That artwork above looks terrible!

i know, thank god that garbage isn't even touching the catwoman comic.