I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (2024)

Is it happily ever after for Batman and Catwoman? This week, Batman/Catwoman #12 hit stores, wrapping up Tom King and Clay Mann’s time-leaping DC Black Label thriller. After dealing with the Joker and Phantasm, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle decide to finally tie the knot. In a bit of meta awareness, their choice of venue was a Batman-themed chapel (think Elvis weddings in Vegas) with an officiant dressed as the Adam West version of the Caped Crusader. It’s a fun way to kick off happily ever after, but can Bruce and Selina ever truly have that?

I’ve written a lot about Batman and Catwoman’s relationship over the years, so this comic series was of particular interest to me. Back in March, I wrote about the forces keeping Bruce and Selina apart and questioned if they could ever make it work long-term. Batman/Catwoman took this exploration deeper, showing their relationship in the past, present and future. The future moments can be seen as a spiritual sequel to 2017’s King-penned Batman Annual #2, which showed us a tomorrow where Bruce and Selina had grown old together.

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (1)

After Bruce passes away (as seen in the annual), Selina takes care of some unfinished business with the Joker—business that she couldn’t take care of while Bruce was alive. Throughout Batman/Catwoman, we learn that the Joker has been one of the biggest obstacles in their relationship, largely due to Selina’s overall relationship with Gotham’s underworld.

Selina occupies an interesting place in the city’s order of heroes and villains. She’s not quite a full-blown super-villain, but she isn’t a superhero either. She falls somewhere in between, which has caused some complications with her relationship with Batman.

As Catwoman, Selina has socialized with the Joker on many occasions across multiple versions of continuity. They sit next to each other like old friends during a gangland meeting in Batman #201 and they both attend a mock trial to find the Dark Knight’s killer in Batman #291. Conversely, the Clown Prince and Catwoman antagonize each other when they first cross paths in 1940’s Batman #2 and they’ve tried to kill one another on multiple occasions, including in 2018’s Batman #49. It’s funny, but as challenging as her romance with Batman is, Catwoman’s relationship with the Joker may be even more complicated.

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (2)

Selina’s odd friendship—if you can call it that—with the Joker plagues her relationship with Batman throughout Batman/Catwoman. As the Joker’s body count grows, Bruce pressures Selina to reveal the Clown Prince’s whereabouts. She’s unwilling to do this, believing that it crosses a boundary in their relationship. On the other side of that coin, the Joker asks his old acquaintance Selina to reveal Batman’s secret identity, something she also refuses to do.

We don’t have to dig too deep to figure out why Selina won’t tell Joker who Batman actually is. That answer is obvious—she’s in love with Batman and is fully aware of what the Joker would do with that information. But Selina’s refusal to give up the Joker isn’t as straightforward. Things are brought to a boiling point in Batman/Catwoman #8.

“Every day people are dying,” Batman pleads. “I’ve seen the bodies. Tomorrow there will be more. They’ll be in the streets. You can stop it. You! And you choose not to?!”

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (3)

At first Selina seems unmoved. “I can’t have anything. All of me has to be yours,” she retorts. But it’s clear that on some level, Batman’s words have been weighing on her. Later, while she’s socializing with the Joker, Catwoman asks him if her inaction makes her responsible for his murders. You know you’re emotionally torn apart when you’re looking to the Joker of all people for advice.

Judging from their conversation, it seems that Selina is protecting Joker as a way to hold on to her independence. In order to be in a relationship with Batman, Catwoman must rein in some of her criminal activity. Like many people unsure about commitment, it appears that Selina is afraid of losing herself in the process. Her maintained relationship with the Joker seems to be less about the Clown Prince and more about Selina trying to have something separate from Batman. She’s trying to hold on to a piece of her old life.

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (4)

Eventually the Joker’s twisted nature proves too much for Selina, and in Batman/Catwoman #10, we discover how their friendship ends. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Joker stops being an obstacle in Batman and Catwoman’s relationship. After emotionally destroying Andrea Beaumont, Selina argues that it’s time to kill the Joker once and for all.

But she didn’t. Not until Bruce Wayne has died. What does this say about Selina and the state of her marriage to Batman? Was she struggling to remain on Batman’s side of what’s right and wrong the entire time? Batman/Catwoman #12 also reveals that Andrea had faked her death, something Selina kept a secret from Bruce for their entire marriage. It’s interesting that the present-day storyline ends with Bruce and Selina’s wedding, while the future storyline begins after Bruce has already died. In other words, we never get to see the marriage itself (unless you read the annual), so we don’t know what it was like. Was it a healthy partnership?

I’m not qualified to give relationship advice, especially for two people as complicated as Batman and Catwoman. However, there are a few ways to look at this. We can look at it cynically and say that Selina was never truly honest, keeping Andrea’s secret from Bruce until the day he died. She also killed the Joker once Bruce was no longer around to stop her, proving that she had never truly changed. That’s one way to look at their marriage, but I don’t think it’s the correct one.

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (5)

While married couples share their lives, it’s important for each partner to have their own space. During the early days of their relationship, Selina incorrectly viewed Bruce’s questions about the Joker as an invasion on her space. Catwoman was ready to be with Batman, but she needed to have a part of her life that just belonged to her. Keeping Andrea’s secret was a way to scratch that itch. Maybe it’s what allowed their marriage to be successful. Yes, it was a secret she kept from Bruce, but it had no bearing on their relationship.

Shortly before their wedding, Selina gives Bruce her take on their love affair: “This is who we are, you and me. Without costumes and gadgets and whips. After all they’ve done to us, this is what’s left. Bat and Cat. Two wounded animals. Who, in the midst of the hurt, managed to crawl to each other.”

Batman might be the World’s Greatest Detective, but it seems like Selina is the one who’s finally cracked the code. Their romance may be unconventional, but that’s the very thing we love about it.


Batman/Catwoman #12 by Tom King, Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey is now available in print and as a digital comic book.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DCComics.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column,"Gotham Gazette."Follow him on Twitter at@TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.

I Now Pronounce You Bat and Cat | DC (2024)

FAQs

What does Cat Woman call Batman? ›

2 They Love Using Nicknames For Each Other

Selina's original alter-ego, "Cat," has remained Bruce's term of endearment for her. Likewise, she usually calls him "Bat," long after she knows his secret identity.

Did Catwoman say yes to Batman? ›

After four months, Batman #32 (written by Tom King and illustrated by Mikel Janin) finally revealed Catwoman's answer to Batman's proposal: she said yes.

Is Catwoman a villain or hero? ›

She was originally characterized as a supervillain and adversary of Batman, but has been featured in an eponymous series since the 1990s that portrays her as an antiheroine, often with a utilitarian moral philosophy.

What is Batman and Catwoman's ship name? ›

BatCat is the het ship between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle from the DC Comics and Gotham fandoms.

Is Catwoman married to Batman? ›

In the comic book continuity, Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) has had romantic relationships with both Vicki Vale and Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman), but he has not married either of them.

What is Joker's real name? ›

Martha reveals that she forced Psycho-Pirate, a villain with extensive knowledge of the entire DC Universe, to tell her the name of the Joker in the main DC Universe. It is then revealed that the Joker's real name is "Jack Oswald White."

Does Batman have a child with Catwoman? ›

Helena was born in 1957 to Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle Wayne, and grew up enjoying the benefits of being in a wealthy household. As a youth, she enjoyed a thorough education, as well as being trained by her parents, Batman and Catwoman, to become a super-athlete.

Why Batman doesn t marry? ›

Selina Kyle left Bruce as the “altar" in Batman #50. She was convinced he would not truly be happy in a marriage. Originally Answered: Why won't Batman settle down and get married like Clark Kent (Superman)? No one can.

Did Batman kiss Catwoman? ›

By 1940's Batman #3, the Cat was now calling herself Catwoman and clashed with the Batman once more. After being betrayed by a group of criminals she was working with, Batman saved Catwoman's life. Before the Caped Crusader could arrest her, Catwoman thanked him with a kiss—their very first.

Who can beat Catwoman? ›

1 Would Beat Her: Black Widow

Considering her background, Black Widow is a far more brutal and experienced fighter than Catwoman, which would easily give her an advantage in combat. As a member of the Avengers, Black Widow has definitely earned her place, despite not actually having any powers of her own.

Who is Catwoman biggest enemy? ›

Black Mask is her archenemy, after he started going after her friends and family and torturing her sister. She ended up shooting him in the face, killing him by blowing his jaw off, and in Blackest Night his zombie went after her.

What race is Catwoman? ›

Nothing specific in Catwoman's history precludes her from being a black woman. So for over 50 years,Selina Kyle has occasionally and casually shown up as African American, proving colorblind casting is nothing for fanboys to be up in arms about.

Who is Catwoman's BF? ›

Catwoman, is the best known love interest of Batman. She first appeared in Batman #1 in the spring of 1940. Catwoman have romance with Batman.

Does Batman love Selina? ›

But while Batman has had his fair share of love interests over the decades, none can truly compete with Selina Kyle. Batman's original rivalry with Catwoman has evolved into a true love story between the Cat and the Bat. They're even a married couple now.

What is Catwoman's fear? ›

What was Catwoman's biggest fear? - Quora. She's been exposed to fear toxin in comics. Catwoman is afraid of being a “damsel in distress” being unable to defend herself, of depending on Batman to save her. These images are from Catwoman (1993) #60.

Why does Catwoman call Batman vengeance? ›

As a vigilante, he uses vengeance as a name for taking justice into his own hands (while the police are mainly controlled by John Turturro's Carmine Falcone). The fact that not only the Batman, but everyone around him calls him "vengeance" goes to show how much this concept spreads and inspires others in the movie.

What is Catwoman superhero name? ›

Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, is a character portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton's 1992 superhero film Batman Returns.

What is Catwoman Dark Knight name? ›

Selina Kyle, also known as The Cat, is a world-class cat burglar and mistress of disguise. Cunning, devious, and cynical, she targeted Gotham's wealthiest in her schemes. However, Selina was secretly in search of a fresh start in life. She was portrayed by Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises.

Why does Catwoman love Batman? ›

Both Batman and Catwoman see each other as important enough that they want to persuade the other of their non-traditional worldviews, even doing battle when they can't agree on how to deal with evil. However, even when they clashed, she knew she could always rely on Bruce to have her back.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 5345

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.