Warning: Spoilers for Catwoman #67
Summary
Catwomanhas been the long-term on-and-off-again love interest ofBatman, but recently (and thankfully) she’s been getting a little space from the Dark Knight. But even as her very life is threatened by a deadly illness, she makes the decision not to run to Batman for help — even if it costs her her life.
InCatwoman#67 by Tini Howard and Carmine Di Giandomenico, Selina Kyle returns home to Gotham, the city of Batman and all his Robins. She has a shard of Vandal Savage’s meteorite stuck in her head that’s been helping her live through nine entire lives. But her luck is running out, becauseCatwoman is on her last life and fading fast— butshe’s still not willing to turn to Batman or his allies for help.
Nightwing comes to visit her, and as an intermediary, he tries to reconcile Catwoman and Batman, informing her that she has the backing of the Bat-Family if she’s in trouble. Even Selina Kyle’s brother-figure, Dario, urges her to call on her secret support. Her simple answer is “no.” Catwoman believes she can handle this all on her own.
32 Years Later, It’s Clearer Than Ever DC Wasted Its Best Movie Catwoman
Tim Burton’s Batman Returns introduced Michelle Pfeiffer’s beloved Catwoman portrayal, yet no other movie or TV show took advantage of its popularity.
The Bat and the Cat: Is 80 Years of Romance Dead?
From Enemies to Lovers to Exes
The Bat and the Cat are a pairing that goes back nearly 80 years, since Batman’s conception. Once a cat-burgling jewel thief,Catwoman slowly evolved into an antiherountil, eventually, she was a trusted member of the Bat-Family with her own codename.Bruce and Selina’s romance has been a tumultuous affairthroughout the history of their characters. Neither of them are necessarily overly romantic partners, and Catwoman especially isn’t the type to like being tied down or told what to do — or what not to steal.
For romance-fans that want a happy ending for the Bat and Cat, check out Tom King’sBatman/Catwoman(2020) from DC’s Black Label imprint!
Despite this reluctance, writer Tom King’sBatmanrun saw Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle go so far as to get engaged and nearly get married. Eventually, the marriage was called off, andBatman devolved into another love triangle. Batman needs grief to fight crime, and so he can’t permanently be with Catwoman — he would just be too happy. Catwoman, likewise, needs not to be changed into an average hero, which has never been her style. Yet torefuse Batman’s help with her own life on the linesays enough about their true relationship.
Catwoman Belongs in Gotham Just as Much as Batman
Even If They Don’t Work Together
Gotham isn’t just Batman’s city. Selina Kyle grew up there, on the streets, and she’s learned how to protect the city and those she cares about. The mere fact that she’s willing to die to protect it shows thatshe’s on the same level of heroism as Batman. And to not call on Batman shows that their relationship may be fractured beyond repair.
In times of crisis throughout the years, the Bat and the Cat have turned to each other when they were at their weakest. ButCatwoman#67 finally answers the question of whether Catwoman still has feelings forBatman. As it turns out, despite saying otherwise in the issue, she would rather die than see him again.Catwoman’sanswer is final - and it may just be fatal.
CATWOMAN #67 (2024)
