Linda Fite

When Linda Fite was first asked to write the title Claws of the Cat for Marvel, she was a bit concerned. It was 1972, and to her, it felt a bit cliche. DC had their own “cat” woman. There was something a bit demeaning with a female character always having to don a suit associated with a cat. Never the less, she agreed – it was a writing job after all. Perhaps she could infuse the title with her own voice as a strong, independent woman?

Fite had written for Marvel before this. She was initially hired as an editorial assistant and had her work appear in issues of The Uncanny X-Men as well as Rawhide Kid. To have ownership of her own title and its direction was exciting.

The Claws of the Cat #1 was published in November of 1972. For the first issue, Fite was teamed with artist Wally Wood and colorist Marie Severin. The cover itself was eye-catching in both color and presentation. This was nobody’s Catwoman.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with unknown titles, poor sales brought a close to the series after four issues.

Fite continued to write in the 1970s, contributing to Marvel’s Night Nurse and other titles.