From straight-up baddie to crimefighting partner, (anti-)heroine, love interest, sex object, feminist role model, femme fatale, damsel in distress, dominatrix, thief, spy, killer, prostitute, mother, you name it – Catwoman has been around almost as long as Batman and, more than anybody else in this corner of the DC Universe, she’s done it all!
Over the last 75 years, Selina Kyle has kicked butt in all kinds of stories, often coming across as part of both the problem and possible solution for the persisting sexism in the comics industry. With such a vast portfolio, readers may find it even more challenging to look for a solid, self-contained Catwoman tale than to look for satisfying standalone Batman comics. So here are a handful of tips for those searching for their favorite version of Catwoman:
‘Claws of the Catwoman’ (Batman #42)
If you like the idea of Catwoman as a zany cat-themed villainess, this is the comic for you. After literally using the spelling of the word ‘CAT’ to break out of jail, Selina Kyle goes on a crime spree based on famous felines of fiction, such as Puss in Boots and the Cheshire Cat. Why? Who cares – the point is that we get to see the Dynamic Duo ride in a rodeo and swing in a hip night club, among other amusing shenanigans…
Written by the prolific Batman co-creator Bill Finger, this is a rare tale penciled by Charles Paris (who usually inked other people’s pencils), which means that the art is as charming as the kooky plot!
‘Object Relations’ (Catwoman (v2) #54)
By the 1990s, Catwoman was more of a straightforward cat burglar than a campy crook. She still robbed cat-related objects in many of her heists, but she no longer felt the need to leave deliberate clues about the next target or to set up overelaborate deathtraps for the Caped Crusader. Which is not to say that this iteration of Catwoman was not playful and twisted in her own way, as seen in ‘Object Relations’ where, not content with stealing a precious diamond from a museum, Selina proceeds to screw with the heads of the museum staff, with very funny results.
This run remains my favorite work from writer Devin K. Grayson and ‘Object Relations’ is definitely one of its highlights (closely followed by ‘Shared Mentality’ in the next issue).
‘Claws’ (Gotham Adventures #4)
Selina’s obsession with cats has spurred quite a few anti-vivisection stories throughout the years. You can argue that escapist superhero comics may not be a suited forum for such a topic (in contrast to, say, Scottish anarcho-punk), but this tale from Gotham Adventures pulls it off, because the story isn’t just preachy, it’s faithful to the character. It’s also a great example of Batman’s and Catwoman’s flirty yet doomed relationship, as their morals keep getting in the way of their romance.
The team of Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett, and Terry Beatty consistently killed on this series, cramming each issue with neat little touches and moments while sustaining a breakneck pace.
‘Trickle Down Theory’ (Catwoman (v3) #5)
In 2001, Ed Brubaker reinvented Selina Kyle as the protector of the poor, crime-ridden East End of Gotham City, occasionally teaming up with hardboiled private detective Slam Bradley. Catwoman became a gritty-as-hell series with stories such as ‘Trickle Down Theory,’ where Selina goes up against a dealer who is using local kids as drug mules.
Brubaker, author of Criminal and more recently The Fade Out, is one of comics’ most acclaimed crime writers, but the series also benefitted from the stylish work of awesome artists Brad Rader and Cameron Stewart.
‘A Night on the Town’ (Batman #392)
Finally, regarding the Batman/Catwoman love affair, it’s hard to beat the adorable ‘A Night on the Town’ (or ‘A Town on the Night’ if you believe the title page inside the comic instead of the cover).
Taking place late in Doug Moench’s original Batman run of the mid-1980s, when Selina had reformed from her criminal ways, in this issue the two vigilantes go on a date. Needless to say, things don’t go exactly as planned, as their romantic plans are continuously interrupted by Gotham’s hooligans, gangsters, rapists, pushers, and muggers. The result is twisted yet bittersweet!