With Valentine’s Day upon us, romance is in the air! To celebrate, Comic Book Treasury has chosen to focus on one of the most iconic relationships in comic book history: Batman and Catwoman. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the Bat and the Cat first met in Batman #1 in spring 1940. Introduced as a mysterious burglar and jewel thief, Catwoman was conceived to appeal to female readers and add sex appeal. She was introduced as a friendly foe, a member of his rogue’s gallery, and a potential love interest.
This was the start of what would become a complex love-hate relationship that has been explored and put through many challenges, including deaths and other perils such as the end of the DC Universe!
Today, the spotlight is on the couple as the stars of our Essential Reading Order. This selection of comics is the perfect way to understand their cat-and-mouse relationship, which is filled with attraction and conflict, flirtation and moral ambiguity.
Where to start with The Bat and The Cat?
To celebrate “the greatest rivalry-turned-romance in comics” (per DC Comics!), the publisher released a few years back a collection featuring the most famous stories from their history, from their first encounter in the 1940s on opposite sides of the law to their engagement, and everything in between. There is, unfortunately, no editorial text to contextualize the story and their relationship throughout the years.
- Batman: The Bat and the Cat: 80 Years of Romance
Collects stories from Batman #1, #3, #15, #324, #392, #615 (1940 series), Batman #24, #44, #50 (2016 series), The Brave and the Bold #197, Solo #1, and Catwoman #32.
You can also read more stories featuring Batman or Catwoman with the following reading orders:
The Best BatCat Comics: An Essential Reading Order
The following list is not a complete BatCat reading order, but rather a recommended/essential reading list. For a complete endeavour, we invite you to check out the work of CatBat1940 on Instagram. Their reading guide was a great help in compiling this list.
Batman and Catwoman Comics in the Pre-Crisis era
Catwoman first appeared under the name “The Cat” in Batman #1, where she revealed herself to be an attractive foe for Batman. Although she doesn’t yet wear her catsuit, her femme fatale personality is apparent, as are the foundations of her complicated relationship with Batman. The Golden Age Catwoman will continue to cross paths with Batman (and Robin) regularly.
- Batman #1-3 are the first appearances of Catwoman, collected in DC Finest: Batman – The Case of the Chemical Syndicate or Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1.
- Batman #15 (“Your Face Is Your Fortune!”) sees Catwoman fall in love with Bruce Wayne and actually go straight, collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2
- Batman #42 (“Claws of the Catwoman!”) has Catwoman start a crime spree based on famous fictional cat stories. Collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5
- Batman #47 (“Fashions in Crime”), collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5
- Batman #62 (The Secret Life of the Catwoman!”) is the first time the name Selina Kyle is used. Collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7
- Batman #65 (“Catwoman—Empress of the Underworld!”), collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7
- Batman #69 (“The King of the Cats”), collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 8
- Detective Comics vol 1 #203 (“The Crimes of the Catwoman”), collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 9
- Batman vol 1 #84 (“The Sleeping Beauties of Gotham City”), collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 9
- Detective Comics vol 1 #211, collected in Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 10
It’s the 1950s! Catwoman disappeared for more than a decade after the publication of the book Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham. While DC Comics chose to move away from Catwoman in favor of Vicky Vale and the first Batwoman, the character was destined to make her return to her life of crime, thanks to the Batman TV series! You can check her return and a few appearances after, collected in Catwoman: Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale:
- Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #70-71 marks Catwoman’s return after 12 years of absence!
- Batman #197 (“Catwoman Sets Her Claws for Batman”)
- Batman #210 (“The Case of the Purr-loined Pearl”
If you like the Silver Age period, you can also check out the following encounters between Batman and Catwoman:
- Batman #256 (“Catwoman’s Circus Caper”).
- Batman #266 (“The Curious Case of the Catwoman’s Coincidences”), collected in Batman: Arkham – Catwoman.
- Batman #291 (“The Testimony of the Catwoman!”), collected in DC Finest: The Joker – The Last Ha Ha.
At this stage, Catwoman has regained her popularity, and her relationship with Batman was explored in several classic comics:
- Batman #313 sees Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle begin dating, as part of Len Wein’s run on Batman, collected in Tales of the Batman: Len Wein.
- Batman #323-324 (“Shadow of the Cat!”) is one of the most famous BatCat stories from this time.
- The Brave and the Bold vol 1 #197, also known as “The Autobiography of Bruce Wayne” by Alan Brennert and Joe Staton is the famous love tale of Batman and Catwoman for Earth-2 (a perfect read for Valentine’s Day!), collected in Bat and the Cat: 80 Years of Romance, among others.
- Batman #355 (“Never Scratch a Cat”) sees a jealous Catwoman go after Vicky Vale in an issue confronting the status of Batman and Catwoman’s relationship, collected in Batman: Arkham – Catwoman.
- Batman #392 (“A Night on the Town”) is a Date night for Batman and Catwoman, coming from Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake, collected in Bat and the Cat: 80 Years of Romance.
Post Crisis Batman and Catwoman
Following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the relationship between Batman and Catwoman was rebooted and redefined. As always, it is recommended to start with Batman: Year One, which sets the foundations, and Her Sister’s Keeper, a spin-off showing the beginning of their relationship.
From there, the story only grows, with writers such as Doug Moench, as well as the creative team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, exploring the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Catwoman will headline her first solo series, which features some great moments between her and Batman/Bruce Wayne. However, everything really came to a head for the two of them in Hush, one of Batman’s most celebrated stories and most famous among fans of the couple, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Jim Lee. This was followed by Paul Dini’s work, which continued to explore the relationship between Batman and Catwoman in several titles.
During those years, Catwoman became an ally of the Batfamily, and the romance between Bruce and Selina was reignited and flourished.
- Batman: Year One
Collects Batman #404-407. - Catwoman: Her Sister’s Keeper
Collects Catwoman #1-4. - Batman: Prey
Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15 and #137-141. Moench’s Batman! - Batman: The Long Halloween
Collects Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13. - Batman: Dark Victory
Collects Batman: Dark Victory #1-13.- Catwoman: When in Rome features only Selina, telling what the character was up to during her absence.
- Batman: Catwoman Defiant
Original Graphic Novel. - Catwoman of East End from Ed Brubaker starts around here!
- Detective Comics #759-762 (The Trail of The Catwoman) set up Catwoman’s second solo.
- There are several good moments between the two characters throughout the series (check out issues #1 and #19, which are often cited).
- If you read only one issue, be it Catwoman #32 (“Only Takes a Night”)
- Batman: Hush
Collects Batman #608-619. - Solo #1 (“Date Knight”)
Collected in Bat and the Cat: 80 Years of Romance. - Heart of Hush
Collects Detective Comics #846-850. - Gotham City Sirens #17-19
Collected in Gotham City Sirens Book 2 - Batman Streets of Gotham: The House of Hush
Collects Batman: Streets of Gotham #12-21. - Batman Inc #1-2 (2010)
Collected in Batman Incorporated - Batman / Catwoman: Follow the Money #1
One-shot from Howard Chaykin.
The Bat and The Cat during New 52
The DC Universe was rebooted in 2011 with the New 52 Initiative. A Darker and grittier era that revised their character’s history once more with Catwoman, again, unaware of Batman’s secret identity. The relationship was depicted in a more explicit way than usual, while lacking in every other aspect. the ethical conflict existing between the two characters was present and had an impact on their relationship.
This is not a popular period among the Batman/Catwoman fans, and especially rough for readers of the Cat as her solo book was considered one of the weakest published in this era – except for Genevieve Valentine’s short run (#35-46) considered the best of Selina Kyle during those years.
With that said, there’s still a few well-received issues. Here’s a selection (thanks to CatBat1940’s work for this!):
- Batman and Robin #22
Collected in Batman and Robin Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian.
Beware that, while good, this issue deals with a tragedy for Bruce and takes place in a specific context. - Legends of the Dark Knight (2013) #80-82
Collected in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Vol. 5 - Batman: Black and White #4
For the story “Long Day,” collected in Batman: Black & White Compendium - Catwoman Vol. 6: Keeper of the Castle
Collects issues #35-40 and Catwoman Annual #2.
Batman and Catwoman by Tom King (Rebirth Era)
The romantic saga of Batman and Catwoman played a central role in Tom King’s run. During this period, Bruce confessed his love, proposed to her, and the two of them teamed up as a crime-fighting duo for a short while. However, everything came crashing down in the now infamous Batman #50. In the aftermath of this issue, Catwoman would go on to headline her new solo title, while still making some appearances in King’s Batman.
- Batman by Tom King Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Batman: Rebirth #1; Batman #1-24; Nightwing #5-6; Detective Comics #941-942; The Flash #21-22; Batman Annual #1; Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1.- Catwoman became a regular in Batman around issue #9. You can then focus on Batman #14-15, #24 and #44.
- Batman: Preludes to the Wedding is set before Batman #50.
- The honeymoon’s over for Bruce Wayne, although Catwoman still makes some appearances and plays a role in the last big arc:
- Batman Vol. 12: City of Bane Part 1
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #75-79 - Batman Vol. 13: City of Bane Part 2
Collects Batman (vol. 3) #80-85, Batman Annual (vol. 3) #4
- Batman Vol. 12: City of Bane Part 1
Tom King’s vision for Batman and Catwoman did not come to fruition within the main continuity. However, the writer had the opportunity to finish the story and offer the ending he wanted for the couple in a Black Label miniseries. Although it is non-canon, it can be read as a continuation of his work.
- Batman / Catwoman
Collects Batman/Catwoman #1-12, plus the Batman/Catwoman Special, along with Batman Annual #2, Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and Detective Comics #1027.
Batman and Catwoman in Dawn of DC
Since the end of Tom King’s run, Batman and Catwoman’s relationship has taken a step back. Worse, the pair went to war when they found themselves on opposite sides of a conflict. Thanksfully, we can easily forget this happened as they have reconciled since then and even gone together on a mission during Absolute Power…
- Batman / Catwoman: The Gotham War
Collects Batman (2016) #137-138, Catwoman (2018) #57-58, Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Battle Lines #1, Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Scorched Earth #1, And Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Red Hood #1-2. - Batman (vol. 3) #151-152
Tie-ins to Absolute Power that see Bruce and Selina on a mission together. Collected in Batman Vol. 4: Dark Prisons
BatCat Elseworlds Tales
As seen in the Batman / Catwoman miniseries, not all romantic stories take place in the main continuity. The relationship between Batman and Catwoman has also been well depicted in this Elseworlds story and other non-canon tales.
- Gotham by Gaslight, the animated movie is a loose adaptation of the comic of the same name featuring several celebrated BatCat moments.
- Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale is a young adult graphic novel featuring Selina and Bruce as teenagers (2019)
- Tales of the Multiverse: Batman – Vampire is a trilogy of books featuring Batman as a Vampire. Selina plays a major character in the second story, Bloodstorm.
- Injustice is a DC Comics Alternate Universe Where Superman Goes Bad. Batman and Catwoman’s relationship features prominently in the tie-in comics.
- Batman: One Bad Day – Catwoman #1 is a self-contained Selina story about greed and control, with some good moments with Batman!