Catwoman is one of DC's most popular characters and an important figure in the Batman universe. She first appeared in the comics in 1940's Batman #1 as The Cat and has since become one of Batman's most well-known and long-standing love interests, as well as both his occasional ally and foe.
Selina Kyle is a complicated character who has demonstrated that she is capable of being careless and compassionate. Although she debuted as an antagonistic cat burglar, she has been a sidekick to Batman throughout her comic book history, working with the Dark Knight as well as against him. Here are the five worst things Selina has done — and the five best.
10 Worst: Leaving Batman At The Altar
Batman and Catwoman have a complicated relationship. In Batman #50, Selina and Bruce decide to tie the knot at last, only for Catwoman to get cold feet. Selina leaves Bruce at the altar and ends their epic romance.
Selina had honorable intentions when she left Bruce. She leaves her lover a letter saying that if he was married then he would be happy and Bruce cannot be Batman if he's happy. Regardless, it is a heartbreaking moment for the Caped Crusader.
9 Best: Looking After Holly Robinson
Catwoman can be cold at times but she has shown throughout her comic book history that she does have a heart. She has a strong relationship with Holly Robinson, who has been her best friend, sidekick and temporary replacement for the Catwoman mantle.
Catwoman's origin was altered by Frank Miller in 1987's Batman: Year One. Selina looks after Holly Robinson and invites the young runaway to live with her, keeping her safe and off the streets of Gotham.
8 Worst: Tricking The Riddler Into Injecting Himself With Scarecrow's Fear Toxin
In Catwoman: When In Rome, Selina Kyle proves that she is not someone to be betrayed. After traveling to Rome to steal a ring from the Vatican, Catwoman learns that the Riddler has been double-crossing her and poisoning her with Scarecrow's fear toxin. The famed cat burglar does not take this betrayal lightly and immediately sets out for revenge.
She manipulates the Riddler into injecting himself with the fear toxin. The villain then becomes consumed by his obsession with Batman and his real identity.
7 Best: Protecting Gotham
Catwoman is a complex character. Sometimes she plays the role of a villainous cat burglar, but Selina has also proven herself as a capable hero, and has helped Batman keep the streets of Gotham safe from criminals.
In Catwoman #1, published in 2002, Catwoman patrols the streets of Gotham with Batman, keeping her city safe. She hasn't completely abandoned her roots, however, and still steals for excitement.
6 Worst: Killing Black Mask
This is another example of Catwoman doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. In Catwoman Vol 3 #16, a deranged Black Mask targets Selina's sister, forcing her to eat her husband's eyeball in a sickening display of cruelty. Selina avenges her sister by kicking the villain off a balcony to his death.
Black Mask is revealed to have survived the fall and returns to wreak vengeance on Catwoman. Selina, however, wastes no time or mercy on the villain and shoots him in the head. Although she was undoubtedly provoked, this remains one of Selina's most violent acts in her comic book history.
5 Best: Saving Batman
Catwoman teams up with the Caped Crusader in Batman: The Brave And The Bold #197, and takes on Scarecrow in one of her first displays of heroism in comic book history. Scarecrow injects them both with his fear toxin which causes Bruce to break down. Selina saves him, reaching out to him during his darkest moments.
Catwoman helps Batman defeat Scarecrow, and the two realize that they are in love. It is one of the earliest and best storylines in DC comics to explore the complex relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne, as well as an interesting examination of Catwoman's morality.
4 Worst: Killing People Pre-Crisis
Catwoman was a different character when she first debuted in the comics. She played a much more antagonistic role and didn't shy away from killing people to get what she wanted. In one display of vicious ruthlessness, Catwoman leaves a leopard in an Ambassador's car to maul the man the death.
Catwoman's origins have since been rewritten, and Selina is now a more sympathetic character who occasionally plays the role of sidekick to the Dark Knight. However, like many other comic book characters, her true origins pre-Crisis are much darker and portray her character as a true villain.
3 Best: Siding With Batman During Injustice
The Injustice series saw the DC heroes more divided than ever as the Justice League broke apart and fought one another. After the Joker tricks Superman into killing a pregnant Lois Lane, the Man Of Steel snaps and finally kills Batman's arch-nemesis. Superman grows increasingly darker as his morals become clouded, and he soon takes over the world in his disillusioned attempts to make Earth safe.
Batman is the leading character who opposes Superman, and Catwoman is in his corner for the entire fight. Although she eventually defects to Superman's team, she does so to convince the Man Of Steel to let Bruce live, something which he cannot forgive.
2 Worst: Stealing From Countless People
Catwoman is a thief and she enjoys it. Selina excels in her profession and is one of the best and most successful cat burglars in the world. Although she has dabbled in heroism, Catwoman hasn't fully let go of her stealing ways and despite the good things she has done, she has stolen from countless innocent people.
Selina's combat skills, weaponry, and shrewd cunning make her a capable cat burglar and a credible enemy. Although she has demonstrated a softer, more compassionate side, Selina still enjoys the thrill of a successful burglary too much to turn her back on her roots.
1 Best: Seeing The Good In Poison Ivy And Harley Quinn
Catwoman teamed up with fellow Gotham villainesses Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn during Gotham City Sirens. Although they banded together for selfish purposes, Selina inspired Harley and Ivy to better themselves. She saw the good in both of them, and the series concludes with Harley and Ivy sparing Selina's life as the Sirens go their separate ways.
Despite their histories, Selina recognized that there is still something good within Harley and Ivy, and the three formed a strong and solid friendship. Many fans are hoping that the Sirens will be adapted onto the big screen as part of the DCEU.