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About a month ago, I said "The end of this Cat-Tales will certainly resolve this whodunnit mystery. More importantly, it means that Selina won't be able to go back to the way things were, and [that] isn't necessarily a bad thing." That that prediction came true is not at all a vindication of any faith I had, so much as it is yet another example of the rich tapestry of Cat-Tales. The various threads have been spun and interwoven with deceptive ease and elegance, adding to an masterpiece that continues to grow naturally and gracefully.

The most evident example of this growth is the novel format of this Cat-Tales: a whodunnit mystery in the style of Agatha Christie's Poirot. It seems fitting that Chris, who has taken such care and invested so much passion into her characters, should take a page from the detective who solves cases by understanding the character of the suspects. How did Batman solve the mystery? On the surface, by understanding why the crime was committed and how it was done. More accurately, by eliminating suspects whose very character could and would not commit the crime, and by identifying the suspect whose character provided the necessary motivation to do so. More importantly, through Selina and her character: the way she approached the investigation, the way she interpreted her findings, and, ultimately, the potential impact of her presence.

I should also acknowledge several other characters that "only" had a supporting role, but whose presence was welcome because their portrayal was so in character. Cassie, who contributed to the investigation by working with her weaknesses instead of against them. Barbara, whose contribution to the investigation embraced who she has become. Tim, who maintained his sense of humor during the investigation, and, by sounding out the relationships betweeen disparate facts, connected the dots and reiterated how he may one day become heir to the World's Greatest Detective. And finally, Alfred, who, more than anyone, has suffered the frustrations of Bruce's stubbornness over the years and earned the right to a "cackle of triumphant glee" or "war whoop" (in private, of course, so as not to compromise "the dignity of his position").

The "theme" of character can also be seen in the character growth displayed during the 6th chapter and the following epilogue by acknowledging past mistakes and making honest efforts to reap the benefits of the lessons learned from those errors. We witnessed Batman apologising to Jim Gordon for ignoring their friendship and working relationship by treating him the same way he treated the GCPD. A crime had been committed, a life had been lost, and those tragic events would repeat again if action was not taken. But that action could not take place until apologies had been made. We learned how Catwoman acknowledged her past mistakes and took measures to repent for them with an impressive and significant gesture. We saw how Batman failed to acknowledge that act in the past, and took steps to acknowledge both her efforts and his mistake now.

That character growth, how things won't be the same, and how that is a good thing, leads to the most important development in this Cat-Tales (and several others to date):

With this Cat-Tales, a new milestone has been set. I look forward to seeing how the characters and plots of Cat-Tales evolves towards the next one. You've outdone yourself once again, Chris. Congratulations.