Bruce Wayne (Batman)/Selina Kyle (Catwoman)

[calliopes_pen]

Title: The Bat And The Cat
Author: faith_of_borg
E-mail: julia_hoffman2003@yahoo.com
Fandom: DC Comics
Pairing: Bruce Wayne/Selina Kyle (Batman/Catwoman)
Spoilers: Through Detective Comics #800 and Catwoman #32.
Notes: Thanks to canonistas for helping me to untangle the mess that is Selina’s history, and to kkglinka for the first image after the introduction. Thanks to __marcelo for beta reading.

"Who are you? Who's the man behind the Bat? Maybe you can help me find the woman behind the Cat." – Catwoman, from Batman Returns



Introduction

Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. This is a pairing that I really started to love after reading the Hush storyline. However their first meeting went (Depending on whether Pre- or Post-Crisis, or which trade paperback you decide to read.), it is obvious that it left an impression on both parties involved. There was chemistry. Even if it was denied for years because Batman felt that it would be wrong to be with someone on the opposite side of the law at the time, there was still that little spark. Over time, it would grow to something more.



Catwoman/Selina Kyle

Truthfully, there are so many origins for Catwoman that it can give you a headache to think of them all. However, the origin from the current line of Catwoman comics is the best to go with. Her mother committed suicide while Selina was very young. Most versions tend to agree that she was probably the age of 12 at the time. Shortly afterwards, her father became an alcoholic. Depending on what history you read, her father either died before she began her life on the streets, or immediately after. However, Selina’s Big Score finally ends the contradicting stories regarding whether or not she was ever a prostitute.

According to this version of events, Selina was a prostitute, and grew hardened by her life. She dated a member of the mafia by the name of James Stark for a short period of time as well. During this time period, Selina was also a thief. It took pulling off a major heist, and eventually becoming Catwoman, for her to love life again.

She continuously ran across the path of Batman over the years. He was mysterious, and this intrigued her. She loved the little game of “cat and mouse” they ended up playing after she stole something priceless. Other than that, she also felt that they could be a lot alike. Unfortunately for him, Batman could not see past the fact that she was a criminal.

Selina eventually reformed, and turned her life around. Gradually, she even became a trusted friend of Batman’s, as well. So trusted, in fact, that during the time when all of Batman’s enemies were turning up (During the Hush storyline) and conspiracies abounded she became one of the few to learn Batman’s true identity.

More recently, after a battle with a villain named Zeiss, Selina was thought by many to be dead. Including Batman. This made him realize that he did indeed have feelings for her, and they spent one day together—one without masks. In that issue (Catwoman #32), this conversation took place:

Bruce: I don’t have much time for fun, it’s true. I never have. But you always remind me it’s possible, Selina...you-- God, I really am pathetic at this, aren’t I?
Selina: Bruce? Are you okay? There are tears in your eyes…
Bruce: You’re just so beautiful...so alive. And I thought I’d lost you.

Batman/Bruce Wayne

Bruce Wayne was the son of Thomas and Martha Wayne. After his parents were brutally shot down before his very eyes, a young Bruce vowed vengeance. This single horrific moment shaped the person he would become. For years, he trained his mind and body relentlessly. All in preparation for the night when he could fight against evil. And, possibly, prevent another child from feeling the same loss that he did.

According to many versions of his origin, his first night—not in costume, just a disguise—included his meeting Catwoman for the first time. Although, it was as Selina Kyle. Bruce had attempted to come to the rescue of a young prostitute named Holly, which caused a brawl on the street. Holly eventually stabbed Bruce in the leg, prompting Selina (who thought he hurt her) to attack Bruce. The police arrived, breaking up the mayhem. Once he had eluded capture and was safely home, he actually had to contemplate whether or not he wanted to live. And that is the same moment when a giant bat crashed through the window. This instant led to Bruce Wayne’s inspiration to take on the mantle of the bat. His reasoning was that criminals “are a superstitious and cowardly lot.” They would fear that which they did not understand.

Batman dealt with many enemies throughout the years, but it was Bane who really hurt both his back and his ego. After damaging his ego by releasing all the Arkham Asylum inmates at once, and wearing him down, Bane finally confronted him. During this confrontation, Batman’s back was broken. In the aftermath of this, his first major defeat, he made the choice to give the name of Batman to another person. Jean Paul Valley. It would prove, however, that Catwoman was one of the few to immediately recognize that it was not the real Batman beneath the cowl, in this scene. Time would eventually prove that Jean Paul Valley was not the right man for the job, as he eventually went insane and had to be taken down by Bruce himself.

Catwoman’s true feelings for Bruce become clear in this passage from Catwoman #32:
Selina: Let’s just forget it all, okay? Let’s forget all the problems we’ve had, all the reasons we can’t be together... Let’s take off the masks and just be Bruce and Selina for one night...and let’s go out on the town and pretend to be normal for once, just like everyone else.

And they do. For once, just once, Bruce and Selina act like a normal, sane couple and go to dinner, and the movies.

Comics: Pre-Crisis
Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths was home to many possibilities in many different realities. Each possibility was in play on a different Earth. For example, on one of these Earths Batman and Catwoman married, and had a child named Helena Wayne. She would one day become Huntress. Keep in mind, however, that it is not the same Huntress from the Batman comics of today. The Batman of that world eventually died of cancer, and from what I have read it would appear that Catwoman was murdered.

Also, shortly before Crisis, there was an issue of a Batman comic where Batman and Catwoman decided to go for a date while in Costume. At every turn, they would have to fight a different crime during their date. Here are a few scenes.

Their relationship in what is more than likely the regular Batman’s timeline (or Earth-1) was getting very intimate when Crisis occurred, and reset the timeline.

Other Media

This pairing has shown up whether through subtext or text, in movies, cartoons, and a series or two. The Catwoman of the 60’s TV series is more than likely ones first exposure to the pairing whilst growing up. The character of Catwoman first appears in the episode The Purr-fect Crime. Many played the character, and many showed a spark that existed between Bruce and Selina. Among the trio who played her in the series are the following actresses: Julie Newmar, (Who seems to be the one that most people remember from the series, and was the only one I knew of from watching old episodes.) Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether. While the character of Catwoman in the 60’s series does have some feelings for Batman, these feelings are mainly played for camp.

The 90’s saw the birth of both an animated series for Batman, and the movie Batman Returns. Catwoman’s first appearance in the animated series was in the episode entitled The Cat And The Claw. In all of her appearances, the subtext was quite apparent.

In a similar vein is Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. While Catwoman does not appear at all in this movie, there is a special snippet contained on the DVD entitled Chase Me. It is approximately 5 minutes long, and there is never a word said by any of the characters. Their actions are set to music. However, it is definitely worth a watch to see how Batman outwits Catwoman. (And for the scene where Harvey Bullock gets taken out by an ocean of milk as he leaves the doughnut shop. Priceless!)

In 1992, Batman Returns hit the theaters, with Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. This movie shows the viewer the progression of Selina Kyle from mousy, timid secretary, to seductive, confident cat thief. The movie is great, and shows the parallels between the multiple personalities of Batman and Catwoman. So far, it is the only adaptation of Selina Kyle in a movie that seems to really capture her personality. While some feel little love for this movie, it is much better than the movies which were made after this one. And basically the only movie to depict the correct version of Catwoman: Selina Kyle.

My Interest In The Pairing (Or Where Did This Obsession Come From?!)

Selina/Bruce. I only just started to fall for this pairing after reading Hush. (One of the first storylines I ever read, once I got back into the Batverse.)

Personally, I think they are perfect for each other. On Selina's side, she is a confident woman who is not a damsel in distress that Batman has to save all the time. And she is loyal, as evidenced by the fact that she did not betray his secret once she found out he was really Bruce Wayne. She is also the type of person who will not put up with his act of pushing people away when things get tough. She will get in his face, and make him face reality. And force him to act like a human being.

When Bruce is around her, he seems to act more human, and less like, as someone on my Friends List once called him, a "Scary Bat God." Just look at his reaction to finding out she isn’t dead in Catwoman #32. That’s more of Bruce there than The Bat. He allows people in, and is nicer. During the Hush storyline, I believe Selina is part of what kept Bruce sane. She was almost the only one he could trust (Other than Nightwing and Robin) during that insanity.

The only things keeping them apart, are their own stubborn wills, and Bruce’s tendency to push people close to him out of his life whenever things get bad in his life.

Other than those aspects, they have wonderful chemistry together. It is entirely possible that Catwoman gave up stealing things (as far as I know.) for him, but I doubt it. She is her own person, so she may have simply started to grow up and realize she didn't need to do that anymore. Especially after everything that she has been through-- from Scarecrow’s poisoning of her, through the recent War Games incident in Gotham—these past few years.

All in all, Selina/Bruce (or Bat/Cat) is one of my absolute favorite pairings in the DC Universe.

Recommended Trade Paperbacks And Comics

Batman: Hush Volumes 1 and 2: During this storyline Batman really starts to date Catwoman. He also finally trusts her enough to tell her that he is Bruce Wayne. I highly recommend it.

Catwoman: Nine Lives Of A Feline Fatale: It collects many appearances through the years, including one issue of a comic where Batman and Catwoman went on a date—which was interrupted by criminal activity at every turn. It also includes the first comic appearance of Catwoman earlier in the trade paperback. (You can also see how dramatically her costumes have changed all through the years.)

Selina’s Big Score: A great trade for those who want to get into the story of the more recent version of Catwoman. She has become someone who protects the East End. As mentioned earlier, this trade explains her past wonderfully.

Batman: The Long Halloween: Bruce and Selina date throughout this trade paperback. Neither knows who the other really is. At one point, Catwoman saves Bruce when he is being controlled by Poison Ivy. Other than the relationship aspect, I highly recommend this. It is an intriguing mystery.

Batman: Year One: It shows the beginnings of Bruce’s fight against crime, his history in flashbacks, and a very different Selina than many have seen before.

Batman: Terror: Another version of Batman and Catwoman meeting for the first time. This time around, Catwoman helps Batman fight Scarecrow and Hugo Strange.

Websites

Fanfic Related
Chris Dee’s Cat Tales. This is one of the best written Batman/Catwoman stories that you will probably find out there. It is an ongoing series which is (at last count) 41 parts. It’s long, but hysterical.

Time Will Tell Series. This is an ongoing series written by DC Luder. It starts out with very sadly with Bruce being brain damaged by a bullet. It follows what he goes through to recover, and how everyone copes. Followed by the rest of the series, it is a wonderful read.

No More Masks Tonight. Written by Kyoko Kasshu Minamino. A short story, that shows one way Batman and Catwoman could end up together.

Beginning To Feline Like Christmas. Written by Reichenbach, this is a very interesting and well-written story that is set at Christmas time. Batman and Catwoman decide to start dating.

Children of the Night Series. Written by Nos4a2, this is a great series. It's a very long series, so make sure you have the time to read it. 40 chapters, plus an epilogue.

Darkest Knight. Written by Nayvera, this story is currently unfinished. However, it is based on the idea of what would happen if Nightwing was killed, and his identity exposed. Selina stands by Batman throughout the ordeal. There are a lot of surprises.

General

Women of Gotham. You can find a short summary of some of what Catwoman has been up to on this site, as well as a few reviews of some Catwoman related comics.

Cat Illustrated’s Catwoman Page. A good page for learning about Catwoman throughout the media.

Interview With Ed Brubaker. It explains how the history of Catwoman had been rewritten so many times. It also explains how some continuity problems were fixed for the most recent Catwoman series.

Golden Age Batman Chronology. This is a good timeline for Pre-Crisis Bruce/Selina.

Feline Fatale: The Bat And The Cat. A wonderful timeline of Batman/Catwoman Pre- and Post-Crisis.

Catwoman Homepage. This page has a lot of great information about everything related to Catwoman. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been updated since 2000.

Batman/Catwoman Related Groups

batfic
cat_scratches
dcfic_index
Catwoman’s Hideout.