Catwoman: When in Rome

Catwoman: When in Rome (2004-2005), is a six issue miniseries, published by DC Comics, and composed by the award winning creative team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. It was the third part of the Critically Acclaimed series, with The Long Halloween and Dark Victory being the first two parts.

Many spoilers in summary ahead:

Summary

In chapter 1, Catwoman is awoken by a Batman nightmare following the events of Long Halloween, Selina Kyle AKA Catwoman and Edward Nigma AKA The Riddler, travel to Rome to uncover the secrets surrounding Selina's parentage. When they arrive in Rome they meet up with Selina's contact, an excellent hitman known as "The Blond", who doesn't know about Selina's motives or her secret identity, that night Selina ventures the night in a makeshift Catwoman outfit, and pays a visit to Italian Capo Don Verinni, before she can even interrogate him , he dies from a Joker Juice laced wine and Catwoman's name soars to the top of the mafia's hit list.

In Chapter 2, Selina has a second Batman Nightmare. When she awakens, the house is ablaze and she has to jump out of the third story window. The three relocate to the Blond's yacht, where two more attempts on Selina's life, one by a sniper and one by Don Verinni's son shooting Catwoman with Mr. Freeze's SubZero gun.

In Chapter 3, after being freed from the block of ice, Catwoman breaks into the Vatican and steals the "Boss of all Bosses" ring, which gives control of the entire mafia over to the wearer, and is immediately knocked out by Supervillian the Cheetah.

In Chapter 4, Hallucinates again, fights, and almost gets killed by The Cheetah.

In chapter 5, Selina meets her possible mother Louisa Falcone, wife of Carmine Falcon, where she is disappointed, when Louisa states rather unconvincingly that she couldn't be her daughter. Catwoman hallucinates again, but she realizes five nightmares in five days is too much and realizes she's been hit with the scarecrow's fear toxin, by The Riddler.

In Chapter 6, Catwoman has her final showdown with The Riddler, The Cheetah, The Scarecrow, and the man with Mr. Freeze's gun. The Riddler explains how he has been using this trip as a plot to learn batman's identity, secrets about Selina, have her pay his tab, and acquire the "Boss of all bosses" Ring. Selina defeats them and with the yacht ablaze is saved by "The Blond", who had been ordered to kill Selina, but instead kisses her, now knowing her identity. "The Blond" actually has some proof that Selina may be Louisa's daughter.

In the last scene, Selina is standing at the airport gate waiting for "The Blond" to join. The Riddler appears, holds a knife to Selina's throat and makes her give him the ring. Selina double crosses him and actually gives him a fake ring laces with fear toxins. The Blond is killed for not taking out Selina, and Selina boards the plane.

The epilogue has Selina at Carmine Falcone's grave and explaining why she became Catwoman.

While not as critically acclaimed as the first two parts, it still has nothing but great reviews under its belt.

Examples of Catwoman: When in Rome include:

Accidental Kiss: At the end of chapter 4, Selina hallucinates and believes she's kissing Batman but it's actually The Riddler.
Action Girl: Catwoman and The Cheetah.
Amazonian Beauty: Catwoman is curvy and built (in more ways than one).
Anti-Hero
Art Shift: Thanks to Dave Stewart When in Rome looks completely different than the other two series.
- Also Selina looks significantly different than she did in the other two series.
Badass Normal: Selina could be one of the female incarnates.
- The Blond.
Bath Kick: Selina does this in Chapter 1.
Berserk Button: The Riddler better not touch Selina. Don't call The Riddler Eddie.
Big Bad: The Riddler and Louisa Falcone.
Big No: When Selina hallucinates Batman shooting her.
Butt Monkey: Double Subverted, It seems like The Riddler is this, then we learn he is behind all of Selina's problems and he seems like he is the Manipulative Bastard, but by his last appearance he retains his former Butt Monkey role.
- The Scarecrow is this even though he only appears in three or four panels.
Catch Phrase: The Riddler's "Question and Answer".
Catgirl: Catwoman and The Cheetah, obviously, though Cheetah is a bit more literal.
The Chessmaster: The Riddler.
Classy Cat Burglar: Catwoman, naturally.
Clothing Damage: While attempting to escape from Don Verinni, a dog bites Selina in the ass and rips her suit, exposing a butt cheek.
Combat Pragmatist: Selina's on par with Batman in this series.
The Determinator: Selina has a lot of setbacks, but she never gives up on her mission.
Designated Girl Fight: Catwoman dances with the guys but only really fights The Cheetah.
Downer Ending: Selina doesn't find out if the Falcones were her parents.
Failure Is the Only Option: Considering her potential father is dead, and her potential mother wanted her dead, Selina may not ever learn the truth.
Fan Service: Selina gets completely naked multiple times, or she's in skimpy lingerie, but the majority of the time she's in her skintight Catwoman suit.
- But on the non sexual side, there just as many callbacks to former Batman stories, such as The Long Halloween.
Fetish Fuel Station Attendant: Catwoman is tall, muscular, big breasted, whip carrying, dominatrix with a preference towards cats and cat metaphors.
- Also the Cheetah: Her face is half woman, half cheetah, she just as ample chested as Catwoman with cheetah covered skin, and frequently walks around in the buff.
Finagle's Law
Foreshadowing: The Riddler asking Selina if she knew Batman's identity, him being in every one of her hallucinations, and him returning to Gotham all of a sudden.
Freudian Excuse: Since the Falcones didn't claim Selina, she began a life a crime to make a life that she would have had.
Genre Blindness: The Riddler doesn't realize that Selina is much smarter than he gives her credit for.
Harmless Freezing: Subverted, she isn't hurt, but Selina sleeps for days afterword.
Hell-Bent for Leather: Selina doesn't have her luggage on the first night so she buys a leather suit from a roman shop.
Hartman Hips: Even more pronounced than her bosom.
Heroic Build: One depiction of Selina where she is both muscular and curvy.
Human Popsicle: Happens to Selina when she is shot by Doctor Freeze's SubZero gun.
Lampshade Hanging:

Selina: "Well why the hell else would I be on a horse?"

Laser-Guided Karma: Riddler doesn't get away with anything.
MacGuffin: The ring from the Vatican.
- Also Louisa Falcone.
Male Gaze: Especially when Selina's naked in the pool.
Manipulative Bastard: The Riddler exploits Selina's parental quest for his own gain. He planed every move from the start, just to learn Batman's identity.
Most Common Superpower: Catwoman's breasts had never been as big as they are in this series.
My Name Is Not Durwood: Selina constantly calls The Riddler "Eddie" much to his dismay.
- "It's Edward, you bitch"
Naked People Are Funny: Catwoman has to jump out of her window naked into a pool because her room catches on fire.
Power Trio: Selina is Ego, The Riddler is Super Ego, and The Blond is Id.
Rogues Gallery Showcase: Has appearances from Catwoman, The Riddler, Scarecrow, and Mr. Freeze'a gun. In hallucinations, Batman. Joker, and Two-Face appear .
- And from Wonder Woman's Rouges, The Cheetah.
Running Gag: Selina calling The Riddler "Eddie", The Riddler walking in on Selina in the nude, Selina's hallucinations.
Shout-Out: Pay attention you can spot countless references to The Long Halloween and Dark Victory.
Spandex, Latex, or Leather: Of course leather.
Status Quo Is God: Selina doesn't know any more about her parents then when she started.
Vapor Wear: This series apparently wanted to make it canon that Selina doesn't wear a bra or panties underneath her Catwoman suit.
Victoria's Secret Compartment: The Blond asks were Catwoman stashed the ring. She grabs her chest and says "somewhere safe".
Will They or Won't They?: Selina and The Blond.
You Have Failed Me: Louisa Falcone orders her nephew, The Blond, dead because he falls in love with Selina and couldn't kill her.