An added bonus on the Batman Year One DVD (review forthcoming), Warner Bros. released a short feature centered on that feline vigilante and vinyl fetishist, Catwoman. Catwoman is voiced by Eliza Dushku (of Joss Whedon fame) who fits the character so well that Warner Bros. would be mad to not pursue more animated projects in which she could reprise the role. The ideal blend of tough and sexy, this is how it is done.

Written by the legendary Paul Dini (of Batman the Animated Series and more) and directed by Lauren Montgomery, a veteran of several DC animated films, the story is rather straightforward but told in such a clever fashion that it holds the viewer's attention throughout. On the trail of some gangsters led by Rough Cut (voiced by John DiMaggio). The trail leads to a seedy strip club where Rough Cut (whose teeth have been replaced with diamonds) tips the dancers with rough cut jewels. Catwoman takes the place of one of the dancers and proceeds to engage in the most adult content that I have ever seen in a DC-related animated product.

No, this is not a 'family friendly' cartoon

Disarming the thugs who think that she is just the next dancer (and dressed as she is, who wouldn't mistake Catwoman for an erotic entertainer?), Catwoman unzips her catsuit and extrudes her bullwhip from within... one of the weirdest moments of fan fetish I have ever seen. That costume may look skin-tight but apparently it is like Doctor Who's TARDIS and has inner dimensions that far exceed the outward appearance. Using her whip and her feline grace, Catwoman brutally beats the thugs and takes on Rough Cut single-handedly. The violence is very extreme and definitely indicates that DC Entertainment are interested in pursuing a more 'adult' path in their releases.

The battle extends to the streets of Gotham where Rough Cut takes off in his limo and Catwoman gives chase on a stolen motorcycle. The chase finally ends at the docks where, if anything, the action gets more extreme and there are explosions aplenty. The animation is incredibly fluid and the action spread out with cinematic flair. Neither too short or drawn out, the feature is well-timed. I had no real anticipation for this short but it really delivers the goods and should make fans hungry for more. This is exactly where DC should be putting their attention in developing their properties for mass consumption as they have always excelled in animation.

I am more than a little concerned with the attraction of extreme violence and titillation, as the Catwoman short dances the fine line of appropriate material. I can't understand why there cannot be a Catwoman cartoon suitable for young women instead of old dudes for instance. She's one of their most beloved characters and deserves a more approachable product. Since Julie Newmar purred her way into the living rooms of America in the 1966 Batman TV series, Catwoman has been a sexy character. The modern interpretation presents Catwoman as not only lovely to look at but dangerous and determined to boot.

An exemplary animated feature, the Catwoman short sets a high water mark for the character that should have Anne Hathaway sweating in her high heel boots.