The Bat and The Cat -- A Valentine's Day Special
Is it love at first sight? Or is it a match made in Heaven? In either case, the relationship between Batman and Catwoman has become intricate through the years. From their first meeting to the meetings on the rooftops, the level of intimacy between these characters is beyond measure. The chemistry between them is so strong that these two characters has been chasing each other for a very long time.
In celebration of Valentine's Day, let us look back at the evolution of the relationship between Batman and Catwoman.
When Catwoman (back then she was named as 'The Cat') first appeared in Batman #1 (1940), she disguised herself as an old lady to steal a jewelry worth half a million dollars. In that story, it was Robin who caught her. After Batman revealing her disguise, he was surprised to see a beautiful young woman. Yeah Batman, whats the matter? haven't you ever seen a pretty girl before? Well, it doesn't end there. At the end of this story, Batman and Robin eventually captures her. When they left the yacht, Batman "allowed" her to escape. Robin was ready to respond, but Batman "accidentally" blocked him. Was she the one Batman was looking for to spend his life with? To paint a better picture, during "The Cat," Bruce Wayne was engaged to Julie Madison.
It didn't take long before these two love birds would meet again. In Batman #2, Batman bumps unto Catwoman and suddenly recognizes those beautiful eyes. He even gave her a compliment by saying that she's the prettiest jewel thief in the business. Man, Batman fell hard for this woman! In this story, he also let Catwoman get away with the jewel cast. But to be fair, he saved Robin from being poisoned at the expense of letting Catwoman escape.
When Batman #3 was released, fans were beginning to think Catwoman was more than just a guest appearance in every Batman comicbook. As her third straight appearance in the book, she steals a kiss from her protector, Batman. And at the end of the story, Catwoman dreams of a reality where she's beside Batman all day long.
A few issues later, Catwoman would kiss Batman for saving her again. This time, she kissed him just because she wanted to and not because she wanted to escape. And yeah, Batman was left mesmerizing after that kiss.
During the Silver Age, DC Comics gave Batman a lot of love interests that are borderline weird. One of which was with Batwoman--Kathy Kane. This is not the lesbian Batwoman that we know now. But in any case, this was a weird love team because they were freakin related by blood. They were simply crime-fighters who were forced (by the writers) to become lovers. Man, don't even get me started with Batman and Bat-Girl! Towards the end of the Silver Age, they were matching Batman with Barbara Gordon. Man, that was REALLY weird! Good thing it didn't take long before DC realized how sick that was. It was then and there where they tried to bring back Catwoman as Batman's love interest.
In Batman #197, Catwoman tried to compete with Batgirl by reforming and fighting crime to get Batman's attention. In the same issue, she proposed to a partnership with Batman (well, actually more than just a partnership) but the latter said that he was already satisfied with what he has (referring to Batgirl).
Many thought that it was the perfect love story (or at least better than Twilight). You have a trouble maker who was willing to change just for love. She wanted him, but he had other priorities. But then again, a leopard (in this case, a Cat) cant change its spots.
After pitting Batman to make a choice, I guess that was the moment when Catwoman crossed the line. She reverted to her criminal ways thus making it easy for Batman to make a choice. The only good thing that came out of this issue was that Batgirl guaranteed everyone--even Catwoman--that she doesn't have any interest in Batman (oh good Lord!).
This is where things gets complicated. Through the years, the relationship between Batman and Catwoman can be categorized as a love-hate relationship. When Catwoman shows her love for Batman, the latter deflects it. However, when Batman is the one expressing his love for her, she's the one who reciprocates it with detest. In Batman #256, Bruce realizes the curse of caring for someone
This love-hate relationship would go on for years! It is only during The Hush Saga where their relationship would progress. While looking for Poison Ivy, Batman encounters Catwoman and an enraged Killer Croc. This skirmish ended up with Batman saving Catwoman from the clutches of Killer Croc. Later on, Catwoman realizes that she hasn't properly thanked Batman for saving her life countless of times prompting her to kiss the Dark Knight
After Hush, it seems like their relationship was going strong. With panels like these from Catwoman (vol.3) #31, how can you not root for them to end up tying the knot?
Heart of Hush only strengthened the love between these two characters. With lines like this, how (again) can you deny the fact that these two characters are made for each other?
That was supposedly the penultimate line that culminates Bruce and Selina as the greatest love story ever told. But DC decided to reboot their universe (thanks a lot DC). We'll, i'm not really complaining. Although their relationship in the New 52 universe is light years away from where they were in the pre-New 52 universe, we still got some panels like these:
It could have ended there. But DC launched its "sort of reboot" Rebirth. Tom King added another aspect to the Batman-Catwoman relationship. King made a beautiful comparison between the two where you could see that they're two opposites perfectly made for each other.
Batman lost his parents; Catwoman's parents left her. Growing up was agony for Bruce; Celina was taken inside the Wayne Orphanage making her childhood the happiest time of her life. Batman's drive was to provide justice so that no one else would carry his burden; Catwoman, on the other hand, was driven by revenge to those who burnt down the orphanage.
King culminates "I am Suicide" with a very heart warming exchanges between Batman and Catwoman in Batman #15 (2016). They were trying to recall the first time they've met. Batman refers to "The Cat" storyline in Batman #1 (1940) while Catwoman talks about Batman #406 Year One.
A year into Rooftops, Batman and Catwoman are now engaged. It took them awhile, but nonetheless, a love worth waiting for.
Here's a little bonus for y'all. Guillem March, the artist for Catwoman, pitched this idea to DC but the latter didn't approve of it. After their hardcore "fun time," (yes, I didn't show you guys the intense panels where they're really passionate at what they do hehe) Catwoman finally discovers who Batman is. In the New 52 Universe, Selina has kissed both Bruce Wayne and Batman in different occasions. With those kisses, she deduced that Bruce Wayne is Batman. So, because of this, Selina went to Wayne Manor... and started to STRIP!
You don't believe me? hehe. Here's the link to Guillem March's page :)
Paolo Ollero, 27, working law student, is a comicbook enthusiast who recently expanded his collection to action figures, memorabilia, movie posters, and statues. He is one of the admins for The Dark Knight Philippines -- the premier Batman group in the country. He also contributes reviews and write-ups in Geekend Gladiator.
