The latest issue of Absolute Catwoman reveals a brilliant gender-flip that twists two DC heroes. This is not the first time the Absolute Universe setting has changed a classic character in such a manner. However, it is notable for how it merges two characters into a single new creation.
The first issue of Absolute Catwoman revealed that Selina Kyle had been part of a gang of thieves called The Calicos. The group apparently broke up for unknown reasons. However, they returned in a big way when a new group of Calicos abducted Selina’s best friend and fellow classic Calico, Holly Robinson.
Absolute Catwoman #2 by Scott Snyder, Che Grayson, and Bengal dives deeper into Selina’s past with a few flashbacks. Here, we learn that the original Calico gang was made up of four girls. Beyond Holly and Selina, there were two girls whom Selina thinks of as “the tough one” and “the smart one” respectively. These girls are revealed as familiar DC Comics heroes after Selina runs into them while trying to retrace Holly’s footsteps before her abduction. However, one of the Calicos appears to merge two heroes who shared a codename in the original DC Universe.
How Absolute Catwoman reinvents two classic DC heroes in one origin
While infiltrating an auction, Selina is confronted by “the smart one” from her old gang. Selina identifies the pale-skinned redhead as Victoria Sage. With a cool manner an unexpressive face, Victoria is clearly meant to be a distaff version of Victor “Vic” Sage. Also known as The Question.
The Question has one of the strangest publication histories in all of American comics. Indeed, its entirely possible he’s more famous for his role in various adaptations than in his original comics. It’s also debatable that Vic’s successor, former GCPD Detective Rene Montoya, is better known to modern comic readers than the classic Question.
Regardless, the character of Victoria Sage introduced in Absolute Catwoman #2 merges the Montoya and Sage Questions. She shows both heroes’ strong morality, despite contrarily being a nominal outlaw. Physically, she has Vic’s red hair and pale complexion. Emotionally, she has Rene’s confrontational personality.
It’s unclear why Snyder and Grayson elected to merge the two Questions in Absolute Catwoman. It may have been to differentiate Victoria from the rest of the Calicos visually, as Selina and Helena Bertinelli (aka “the tough one”) are both dark-haired women with dusky skin. Throwing Rene Montoya into the mix might have been confusing in the long shots of the action scenes. It may have also been to avoid portraying career cop Rene Montoya as a thief. Or it may simply have been to add another female hero into the male-heavy Absolute Universe. In any case, it is a good question.
Absolute Catwoman #2 is now available at comic shops everywhere.