Catwoman

Selina Kyle in Catwoman v5 #8.

Catwoman is a female comic character who features in DC Comics.

Biography

Golden Age

Selina Kyle was a female human born in the year 1920. When she was 18 years old, she found herself trapped in an abusive marriage to a man who valued personal wealth and status over family. She eventually left her husband, and turned her aggression towards crime. In 1938, she donned a disguise and become a professional jewel thief known as the Cat. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #197) In time, she gained a feared reputation as a master thief called the Cat where she partnered with Denny Travers. They intended to steal a valuable diamond necklace from his rich aunt the heiress Martha Travers. Several criminal gangs were similarly after the necklace with the theft gaining the attention of Batman and Robin. Robin was the first to learn about the mysterious figure known as the Cat and revealed his findings to Batman. He unmasked her after finding her disguise as an elderly passenger where the beautiful thief attempted to entice Batman into a life of crime as her partner. He refused her though was still attracted to her where he 'allowed' her to escape being taken in by the authorities. (Batman v1 #1) A short time later, Batman encountered the Cat a second time; however, she was now calling herself the Cat-Woman. Batman bargained with her in order to learn the whereabouts of a much deadlier adversary – the Joker. Although the Dynamic Duo gave pursuit, Catwoman managed to escape by diving into Gotham River. (Batman v1 #2) Later on, the Cat-Woman began using a cat mask, an organization known as the Diamond Syndicate hired her to steal a large quantity of diamonds. The theft was actually a front, enabling the Diamond Syndicate to collect on the insurance money. Batman and a Gotham City police detective named McGonigle investigated the case, but once again, the Catwoman managed to elude capture. (Batman v1 #3) Afterwards, Ian Karkull hired Cat-Woman for $100,000 to go to Hollywood and kill actor Ronald Reagan on the set of Kings Row. However, the Justice Society got wind of Karkull's plans, and sent Batman and Robin to stop her. When the Dynamic Duo confronted Cat-Woman, she saved them by shooting a second hitman sent by Karkull (who suspected that Cat-Woman wouldn't go thru with the murder, and sent a back-up). Cat-Woman was wounded by the hitman, and Batman turned her over to the police. (All-Star Squadron Annual v1 #3) Catwoman soon escaped and resurfaced, this time assuming the guise of wealthy socialite Marguerite Tone. As Tone, Catwoman and her gang prompted a faux scavenger hunt, which turned out to be yet another scheme to steal precious valuables. Batman investigated the case, and captured the Catwoman, whereupon she kissed him. Once again, Batman found himself in an awkward position and allowed Catwoman to escape from captivity. (Batman v1 #10) Not long after this event, Catwoman met playboy millionaire Bruce Wayne. Unaware of Wayne's dual identity as the Batman, she ironically began to fall in love with him. Wayne was determined to bring Catwoman to justice, but unlike his other foes, Bruce believed that he could reform Catwoman. Disliking the idea of rehabilitation, Selina continued to conduct a crime spree, though ultimately Batman captured her – this time sending her to prison. (Batman v1 #15) Selina soon escaped confinement and embarked upon one of her most courageous schemes to date. Selecting Bruce Wayne as her next target, Selina adopted the identity of a socialite's maidservant, Belinda. She lured Wayne's butler, Alfred Beagle, into a trap – a trap that culminated in bringing Batman and Robin to her lair. She managed to capture the Dynamic Duo, and used their captivity as an opportunity to raid Wayne Manor. Batman and Robin managed to escape however, and using Alfred as a decoy, succeeded in apprehending the Catwoman. (Batman v1 #22)

Never one to stay in prison for very long, Selina soon escaped and reformed her criminal gang. This time, she decided to change her outfit and dropped the cat-head mask in favor of a leather head piece with cat ears that covered her face, but left her mouth uncovered similar to Batman's own cowl. With this new outfit, the nature of her crimes became more feline, often using household cats to aid her in her criminal endeavors. However, during an incredible criminal spree, she was eventually confronted by Batman and Robin once again, and on her escape attempt she fell to a chasm to her apparent death. (Batman v1 #35)

Silver Age

Afterwards, she came to abandon her life of crime and lived a life of a shopkeeper. During this time, she came to read a newspaper article that spoke of Batman's exploits and his 'conquest' of Catwoman. It was then that her shop was attacked by a pair of robbers but they were stopped by the timely arrival of Batman and Robin. However, this caused Selina Kyle to resent the masked vigilantes where she came to want a return to her old life of crime. (Detective Comics v1 #203)

She came to seek out the rare gem known as the Fist of the Flame which led to a clash with Wonder Woman. She along with Wonder Woman and I-Ching were transported to the world of Nehwon. (Wonder Woman v1 #201)

Bruce Wayne attended to Wayne Foundation business when Selina Kyle walked into his office. She told Bruce she’d recently been paroled and wanted to do something positive with the rest of her life. She had a fortune she wanted to invest in the Wayne Foundation, but Bruce objected that her money was dirty. She assured him it came from an inheritance, and he still balked that it wouldn’t be good for his public image, and Selina blew up saying she’d already paid her debt to society. Bruce relented, reasoning that she deserved a second chance at life and he shouldn’t stand in her way. Selina told Bruce they could talk more about business over dinner, and Bruce realized that he’d never been closer to any woman than Selina except Silver St. Cloud and wondered if romance with her might be in the future. Bruce met with Lucius Fox, asking him to compile a dossier on Selina to learn everything he could about her. (Batman v1 #308) Selina Kyle called up Bruce Wayne, asking for a lunch date to discuss her planned investments in the Wayne Foundation. Bruce noted to himself how open she seemed unlike the cold and calculated Catwoman he once knew, and hoped she had actually given up on her life of crime. (Batman v1 #310) Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle attended a publicity event for Gotham’s Children’s Telethon, with Bruce presenting a huge check for the charity. Bruce and Selina went out to dinner and Selina was pleased that he wasn’t embarrassed to be seen with a former criminal in public. Selina admitted it was thrill-seeking and an interest in getting Batman’s attention that drove her to a life of crime, but she insisted she was her own woman now. Bruce and Selina admitted having feelings for each other and ended the date with a kiss. (Batman v1 #313)

Selina called on Bruce at the Wayne Foundation, but was told by his secretary Gwen that he was away on urgent business. Bruce’s business partner Lucius wanted to have a word with her, and told Selina he had a dossier on her that let him know all about her time as the criminal Catwoman. He warned her that Bruce Wayne was a friend of his, and he did not want to see him taken advantage of. Selina was insulted by the insinuation and stormed off, and Lucius worried that he might have acted out of turn. (Batman v1 #314) Bruce met Selina for lunch and she told him she knew he had Lucius compile a dossier on her, and was angered by his invasion of her privacy. Bruce asked her to consider his position concerning her past life as a criminal. Selina didn’t care that he told her he trusted her now, she threw a drink in his face and stormed off. (Batman v1 #315) Bruce bribed Selina’s doorman to let her into her apartment, and he told her he wanted to make up with her. Selina was furious at his presumption, and kicked him out. He said he was willing to forgive her mistakes as Catwoman, but was sad she couldn’t forgive him being skeptical of her. Selina thought she was being too tough on Bruce and said they could put past differences aside, and they kissed. (Batman v1 #317) Bruce attended a raucous party with Selina aboard an airplane. When they landed Selina noticed another plane unloading Egyptian artifacts dedicated to the cat-goddess Bast bound for the Riverside Museum. Selina said once upon a time those artifacts wouldn’t have been safe from her, but promised Bruce those days were over even though she couldn’t keep her eyes off the goods. (Batman v1 #318) Bruce Wayne decided to reopen Wayne Manor and move back in. He threw a charity costumed ball with Alfred preparing the gala. Bruce dressed as Henry VIII and greeted Selina Kyle, dressed as Catherine of Aragon and Lucius Fox, dressed as Abraham Lincoln. Bruce was pleased that Selina and Lucius were able to bury the hatchet, making the attempt to get along. Gentleman Ghost attempted to rob the ball, but Bruce slipped away, changed into Batman, and foiled him. (Batman v1 #319)

The GCPD named Selina Kyle as the main suspect in the Riverside burglary and Batman, feeling heartbroken, felt that he no choice but to be the one to arrest her. Selina protested her innocence even though Batman promised her that if she turned herself in he’d help her prove her innocence. Selina said she wouldn’t live long enough to see a trial and lobbed her cat at Batman. The cat tried to scratch his eyes, giving Selina enough time to escape her apartment. She showed up as Catwoman at the Wayne foundation, begging Bruce to just trust in her innocence, saying she had need of his resources. Bruce said he loved Selina, not Catwoman, and asked why she was wearing her old costume. She replied that it made what she had to do easier. Bruce promised her the finest lawyers money could buy, and she told him he didn’t understand her situation and was as useless as Batman before leaving. Batman revisited the Riverside Museum to see if the police missed any evidence and discovered a suspicious fiber. He analyzed it in the Batcave, telling Alfred he was becoming more and more convinced that Selina was innocent. Catwoman visited Pinch, a fence she knew, and said he was going to help her with her problem. He told her about the Apex Import and Export warehouse, under which were catacombs used by bootleggers during prohibition. Catwoman found her headaches becoming more intense and her health deteriorating. Batman met her in the catacombs, and after a brief scuffle and avoiding a few bootlegger boobytraps he convinced her he was there to help. The fell through a trap door into a giant cat’s cradle made of adhesive polymer, and Catman revealed himself, bragging about having them where he wanted them. Catwoman begged Catman to give her the Egyptian urns he stole, saying her life depended on it. Catman said her life and Batman’s were at an end and activated a motor that started stretching the cat’s cradle, threatening to pull Batman and Catwoman apart limb from limb. Catman left them, and Batman threw a batarang at him, but it only managed to clip the heel of his booth. Batman freed himself and Catwoman with a penknife hidden in hid utility belt, but by the time he got to her Catwoman was seriously injured. He took her to the Batcave to get medical treatment and to analyze the piece of Catman’s boot he’d sliced off with the batarang. Catwoman awoke in the Batcave, amazed at seeing it for the first time and saying it was everything she thought it would be. Batman told her Catman had soil on his boots native to the Ionian Islands of Greece and said he was going after him. Batman insisted she recover in the Batcave, but she pointed out that she could be dead by the time he came back, and if he tried to keep her cooped up she’d simply escape, so he agreed to let her go with him. Catwoman flirted with some Greek dock workers and learned the Ionian Islands were all owned by millionaire Andros Akropolis, who was also a collector of ancient artifacts. They realized Catman’s plan was to sell his loot to Akropolis. Catman met Akropolis on his motorboat, showing up with only one of the Egyptian pieces he’d stolen, fearing Akropolis would double-cross him. In return for all the treasures he stole Catman wanted the deed to an abandoned island in the Ionian chain. He planned on retiring there and making it a haven for wanted criminals in exchange for a portion of their loot. Akropolis, his men and Catman landed on the island and Catman showed them the hot springs geyser where he’d hidden his loot. Akropolis pulled a gun on him, and Batman and Catwoman showed up. Akropolis emptied his clip, but Catman managed to escape thanks to the supposedly mystic cloak that gave him nine lives. Akroplis told Batman he was only trying to recover the artifacts for the U.S. government and Batman couldn’t prove otherwise. He said Batman and Catwoman were trespassing and warned them to get off his island before he sped away in his motorboat. Catman was hiding nearby and put his clawed glove to Catwoman’s throat, demanding they help him escape in the Batplane. Catwoman told him she needed the herbs he had to live, but he said he wasn’t in the mood for making bargains. Realizing she had nothing left to lose Catwoman stomped on his foot with her stiletto heel, and he fell into a hot spring geyser, seemingly to his doom. Before he fell Catwoman managed to rip off a piece of his cloak. Catwoman’s health deteriorated and Batman brought her back to Gotham to be treated by Dr. Dundee. Bruce Wayne visited her, and Dundee said she had a miraculous recovery. Selina chalked it up to having the remains of Catman’s cloak. Bruce thought there had to be an explanation besides magic, but he couldn’t think of one. (Batman v1 #324)

After leaving her criminal past, she came to disown her sister Felicia who still operated in criminal circles. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #176)

Post-Crisis

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.

After losing custody of the children, Selina and her sister ended up in the care of the state whereupon their father drank himself to death. She and Maggie then were quickly split apart with Selina spending a year at juvenile hall. When she was 13 years old, she fled the home and went on the streets where she came to fend for herself. (Catwoman Secret Files and Origins v1 #1) After running from the Youth Authority, she was found on the streets by another girl her age named Sylvia who took Selina to meet Mama Fortuna. From there, she learnt to be a street thief where Fortuna taught her to use her child-like innocence as a tool to help her steal. This saw her being part of a group of underage thieves that operated from the Alleytown area. It was Mama Fortuna's cruel treatment of them that led to Selina and Sylvia running away from her where they began to work the streets as prostitutes. This was until one day when she and Sylvia came to drift apart from one another. (Catwoman v3 #12)

Four years later, she came to notice a 13 year old Holly Robinson about to be sexually abused by a cop on the street. She punched the cop to knock him out where she and Holly fled the scene. Afterwards, she started to look out for Holly and took her under her wing. (Catwoman Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)

She came to attend the wedding of Johnny Vitti who was the nephew of Gotham's notorious crime boss Carmine Falcone. During the event, Selina in her civilian guise met up with Bruce Wayne where the two danced for a time. He though had to leave where afterwards she took on her guise as Catwoman as she snuck into the mansion to steal from the Falcone crime family. She was interrupted by the arrival of the Batman where the two fought and drew the attention of guards who they dealt with after which the two departed the scene. However, Carmine Falcone learnt of the intrusion into his home and in anger placed a million dollar bounty on both Batman and Catwoman. (Batman: The Long Halloween v1 #1)

Selina later came to leave Gotham and headed for Rome where she looked to investigate the Falcones through their relatives in Italy. Accompanying her was the Riddler as she believed his genius would be useful to her. Arriving in Rome, she was greeted by Christopher "The Blond" Castillo who was a mobster that worked for Don Verinni who was the 'boss of bosses' of the Italian mob. As Catwoman, she tried to interrogate Verinni but he died after being poisoned by Joker Venom before he could give her any answers. (Catwoman: When in Rome v1 #1)

She later joined Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn as the three decided to work together for a time. (Gotham City Sirens v1 #1) However, her allies came to drug Selina in order to find from her the true identity of Batman. Despite falling under Ivy's influence, Catwoman was able to use mental control techniques to state a lie where she claimed that Batman was an identity shared by many people across Gotham. (Gotham City Sirens v1 #2)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Selina Kyle

It was said that her father was infamous Gotham mobster Rex Calabreese who abandoned her when she was only 9 years old. (Batman Eternal v1 #23)

Gotham was later involved in the War of Jokes and Riddles that was fought between the Joker and the Riddler who started gathering people under their respective factions. Catwoman was one of the few to not pick a side as she found the war to be pointless and instead operated on her own. This mean that she was not seen as a high priority by Batman who instead focused his efforts in stopping the conflict between two of his foes. (Batman v3 #28) Afterwards, she was invited to meet a supervillain called the Designer where Catwoman along with the Joker, Riddler and Penguin met with him. He offered each of them their fondest desire and the means to achieve it where Catwoman stated that she wanted to steal the Wayne fortune. However, the plan was thwarted when the Joker ended up killing the Designer leading to the four criminals disposing of his body to hide their involvement in the incident. (Batman v3 #89)

She later went to the Odyssey Hotel after she found out that someone had registered a room under the name 'Selina Kyle'. Catwoman initially believed this to be an imposter who was masquerading as her and looked to investigate only to find Colonel Steve Trevor waiting for her. He had drawn her out to recruit her into a government led superhero team that would be a counter to the Justice League and offered to give Catwoman the identity of the fake 'Selina Kyle'. (Justice League of America v3 #1)

Tiring of seeing her life ruined by her role as Catwoman, Selina burned her catsuit. But this bold move meant absolutely nothing because, after being contacted by a woman named Roulette about a competition of thieves that threatened the lives of children, Catwoman was given another suit and joined the race to save them. (Catwoman v4 #30) After completing several challenges during the Race of Thieves, Catwoman realized that there never were any children in danger and that Roulette had actually been hired by a man named Hunt Stone to steal evidence that implicated his ancestors in a famous murder - unaware that he was actually destroying evidence that bequeathed him a huge fortune. (Catwoman v4 #31) Wanting to get back at obsessive-compulsive Roulette for tricking her, Selina began systematically sabotaging every aspect of her strictly regimented and planned out day, until Catwoman forced Roulette to declare her the winner of the Race of Thieves. (Catwoman v4 #33)

Her father Rex Calabreese used his contraband supplier a young girl named Jade to deliver a message to Selina to meet him at his cell at Blackgate. Reluctantly, she did so where he commented that there was chaos in Gotham and that it needed a kingpin to unite them with him suggesting her as his heir. (Batman Eternal v1 #23)

Along with leadership of the Calabrese Family came ownership of the Egyptian Nightclub - the legal front for her family's income, which she found somewhat boring. Having learned about a group of Arkham escapees still on the loose, Catwoman told Batman what she knew about them as a means of demonstrating her good intentions, despite heading up a crime family. (Batman Eternal v1 #28) After being invited to a secret weapons sale - the weapons in question being from Batman's own supply - Catwoman began to research high bounties in Gotham, and was tipped onto Stephanie Brown. (Batman Eternal v1 #40) Before long, Selina found and kidnapped her for a short time before "Spoiler" was rescued by Batman and Bluebird. (Batman Eternal v1 #42) Later on, Batman came to be captured by Lincoln March with rioting breaking out across the city, and Selina insisted that her people help prevent the riots - while secretly making strategic thefts to further her causes. After finally defeating March, Batman confronted Selina, only to tell her that their partnership/relationship was over. With a smirk, she responded that she'd decided it was over long before he had. (Batman Eternal v1 #52)

As the new Calabreese boss, she began to head the criminal operations of the family. (Catwoman v4 #35)

Overview

Personality and attributes

Selina Kyle in Catwoman v5 #1.

In appearance, she was noted for being a beautiful young woman who had pretty eyes. Initially, she came to be a notorious burglar who was known as the Cat. (Batman v1 #1) In some cases, she was also referred to as the Cat-Woman. (Batman v1 #2) She once assumed the guise of wealthy socialite named Marguerite Tone. (Batman v1 #10)

It was said that her father Brian Kyle fell into alcoholism after his wife's death. (Catwoman v2 #0)

One account claimed that her biological father was Rex Calabrese who was a notorious mobster in Gotham who went by the name of 'the Lion'. (Batman Eternal v1 #23)

She had an older sister who was Maggie Kyle where the two grew up together despite the tensions in the family home. (Catwoman v1 #2) According to Selina, Maggie was always so perfect with her always trying hard to the point of begging for love and affection. Thus, she was devoted first to their mother then to the church then to her husband. (Catwoman v5 #4)

One incarnation of her was said to have had a sister by the name of Felicia Kyle. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #176)

After being on the streets, she came under the guidance of a woman named Mama Fortuna who led a group of underage thieves. However, she treated the kids as slaves and kept all their findings for herself. It was this reason that she and her friend Sylvia ran away from her. (Catwoman v3 #12)

A close friend of Selina was Holly Robinson who was 4 years younger than her but decided to take her under her wing. (Catwoman Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)

On her first encounter with Batman, she tempted him to join her where they could be partners and operate as the King and Queen of Crime though he rejected her. (Batman v1 #1)

Despite her initial rejection, she later came to take Kitrina Falcone as her sidekick where she went by the name of Catgirl. (Batman v1 #697)

Powers and abilities

Crime boss of Gotham in Catwoman v4 #35.

Mama Fortuna came to teach an underage Selina to use her childlike innocence as a tool to help steal from people. (Catwoman v3 #12)

Initially, it was said that her body was well conditioned but she lacked the skills to properly command it. Similarly, her mind was sharp but she lacked the focus to use it. (Catwoman Annual v2 #2)

Another one of her trainers who she trained under briefly was Richard Dragon. (Richard Dragon v1 #7)

From Talia al Ghul, she was taught a simple mental control exercise that allowed her to hide certain secrets deep within her mind. (Gotham City Sirens v1 #2)

She was known to make use of disguises on occasion. (Batman v1 #1)

Selina Kyle was able to make the clawed gloves in secret and could use them to aid in her escape. (Detective Comics v1 #122)

Her main choice of weapons was a cat o' nine tails whip that she could wrap around her waist to store it. (Batman v1 #39)

At one point, she had her own mode of transportation similar to the Batmobile with this being a speedster she called the Kitty Car. It could outrace the Batmobile reaching higher speeds and it also had rocket-jets on the side that allowed the vehicle to jump short distances. (Detective Comics v1 #122)

Notes

• Catwoman was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane where she made her first appearance in Batman v1 #1 (June, 1940).
• Kane stated that he saw cats as a kind of antithesis of bats where he wrote in an interview:

"I felt that women were feline creatures and men were more like dogs. While dogs are faithful and friendly, cats are cool, detached, and unreliable. I felt much warmer with dogs around me—cats are as hard to understand as women are. Men feel more sure of themselves with a male friend than a woman. You always need to keep women at arm's length. We don't want anyone taking over our souls, and women have a habit of doing that. So there's a love-resentment thing with women. I guess women will feel that I'm being chauvinistic to speak this way, but I do feel that I've had better relationships with male friends than women. With women, once the romance is over, somehow they never remain my friends."

Alternate Versions

• In Future State: Catwoman v1 #1 (2021), an alternate version of Catwoman appeared in the possible timeline of Future State. She was shown to be operating in Alleytown that was oppressed by the Magistrate's Peacekeepers where she helped the Strays and was aided by Cheshire Cat.

In other media

Television

• In Batman, Catwoman appeared in the 1966 live-action television series where she was initially portrayed by actress Julie Newmar and later by actress Eartha Kitt.
• In The Batman, Catwoman appeared in the setting of the 2004 animated television series where she was voiced by actress Gina Gershon.
• In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Catwoman appeared in the 2008 animated television series where she was voiced by actress Nika Futterman.
• In Gotham, a young Selina Kyle appeared in the setting of the live-action television series where she was portrayed by actress Camren Bicondova.
• In Harley Quinn, Catwoman appeared in the setting of the animated television series where she was voiced by actress Sanaa Lathan.

Films

• In Batman Returns, Catwoman appeared in the 1992 live-action film where she was portrayed by actress Michelle Pfeiffer.
• In The Dark Knight Rises, Catwoman appeared in the 2012 live-action film where she was portrayed by actress Anne Hathaway.
• In Batman: Hush, Catwoman appeared in the animated film where she was voiced by actress Jennifer Morrison.
• In Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman appeared in the setting of 2022 animated film where she was voiced by actress Elizabeth Gillies.

Video games

• In DC Universe Online, Catwoman appeared in the setting of the MMORPG where she was voiced by actress Kelley Huston.
• In Infinite Crisis, Catwoman appeared in the setting of the MOBA video game where she was voiced again by actress Grey DeLisle.
• In Injustice: Gods Among Us, Catwoman appeared as a playable character in the fighting video game where she was voiced by actress Grey DeLisle.
• In Injustice 2, Catwoman appeared as a playable character in the setting of the fighting video game voiced once more by actress Grey DeLisle.

Appearances

• Batman v1: (1940)
• Detective Comics v1:
• The Brave and the Bold v1:
• Catwoman v1:
• Catwoman v2:
• JLA v1:
• Catwoman v3:
• Gotham City Sirens v1:
• Catwoman v4:
• Justice League of America v3:
• Batman Eternal v1:
• Batman v3:
• Catwoman v5:

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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