The following contains spoilers for Batman #136, now on sale from DC Comics.

Batman and Catwoman have always had one of DC's most complicated romances. Although their feelings for one another have been clear for years, their views of the world and each other have invited conflict into their potential romance. Recently, their emotions for one another were challenged by the presence of Catwoman's new lover Valmont and her eventual fateful decision to kill him to save Batman's life.

The pair's confrontation in Batman #136 (by Chip Zdarsky, Belén Ortega, Tomey Morey, and Clayton Cowles) might have driven some serious complications into any potential reunion. Batman's deteriorating mental state and Selina Kyle's recent actions pushed them further apart, and might even lay the groundwork for a fight between them in the upcoming event "Showdown".

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Batman and Catwoman's Doomed Relationship

Batman and Catwoman argue over their different ethics.

Both Batman and Catwoman have been through a lot recently. The last time they spoke, Bruce professed his undying love for her, and she revealed her intention to remain in prison for Valmont's death. But upon his return to the core-DC Universe following a multiversal adventure, Batman discovers that Selina has already gone back on this vow and has broken out of jail. Making matters worse, his faith in her was also tainted by a variant of her he encountered in another universe, who betrayed him.

This becomes even more unfavorable for him when Selina reveals that the Penguin is still alive. It had been the assumed death of Cobblepot that unleashed Failsafe, pushed Batman to the brink and released the Batman of Zur-en-Arrh. The fact that she knew all this and kept it to herself leaves the Dark Knight shaken to his core. He tells her the truth, and while she feels bad about what happened, she refuses to take the blame for the actions of Failsafe and her variant. The argument ends with Selina walking away, calling out Bruce for his hurt feelings over her secrets when he has kept just as many from her.

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Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle's Upcoming Fight

Selina Kyle defends herself and calls out Batman.

It's a heartbreaking sequence. This confrontation feels bitter, especially from Catwoman's perspective. Batman barges into her life once more, and she immediately assumes that he's there to guilt trip her. By contrast, Bruce's unyielding faith in her seems to be broken, revealing just how deep his pain really is. It further separates the two and puts them at odds. Things are unlikely to get any easier for them, with Batman's mental state still very much in question and Catwoman working with villains such as Punchline.

"Showdown" already promises to be a compelling crossover, examining the fallout of Batman and Catwoman and having them finally come to blows over their differing views. But things look like they're going to get a lot worse before they get better. Catwoman's anger at Batman, even if righteous, will likely push her and her allies (including Jason Todd) to become more resentful toward the heroes. By contrast, Batman's fears of his weakness and the lingering threat posed by the Batman of Zur-en-Arrh still ringing in his head could lead him to make more cold and calculating decisions that only further isolate him from others. Batman and Catwoman's face-off could have serious repercussions for Gotham as a whole, but now it takes on a particularly emotional element that could only escalate things even further.