Catwoman

A thief symbolizing cats, and Batman's complex love interest

A female anti-heroine who appears in the DC Comics universe as a thief and sometimes as Batman's love interest. Possesses exceptional martial arts skills and gymnastic abilities.

Quotes

  • I love freedom like a cat.
  • To Batman, I am both enemy and love interest.
  • The more I love cats, the stronger I get.
  • A thief, but never a murderer.
  • Cool exterior, but a passionate heart.

Trivia

  • Catwoman is one of Batman's few long-term love interests.
  • Her creators were influenced by movie star Jean Harlow.
  • Gained popularity as an anti-heroine since the 1990s.
  • Catwoman is canonically bisexual.
  • Frequently uses a bullwhip as a weapon.
  • Depicted with high physical abilities across many media.

Alternate names

Selina Kyle The Cat Irena Donovan Miss Cat

Tags

Catwoman Selina Kyle Batman Family Super Villain Anti-Heroine Gotham City Bisexual Cat Motif DC Comics Heroine

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Wears a black tight suit with a cat-inspired mask or goggles. Characterized by gymnast-like flexible movements.
Height
Approximately 170cm
Eye color
Green
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Tight black leather costume
  • Cat-shaped mask or goggles
  • High-speed and elegant action style
Iconic items
  • Bullwhip (sharp whip)
  • Retractable telescopic claws
  • Stick with steel hook

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Cunning
Detailed personality
An anti-heroine who wavers in ethics but holds strong beliefs and her own rules. Sexy and cool, blending deep affection with ruthlessness. Mutually attracted to Batman yet sometimes adversaries.
Keywords
  • Cunning
  • Passionate
  • Free-spirited
  • Complex love-hate
  • High physical ability
  • Strong independence
  • Bisexual
Motto
Walk your own path freely like a cat
Talents
  • Advanced gymnastics
  • Superior close-quarters combat ability
  • Exceptional thievery skills
  • Cat-like agility
  • Sociable and charming conversational skills
Skills
  • Bullwhip handling
  • Infiltration and escape techniques
  • Combat tactics
  • Stealth operations
  • Crisis response ability
Motivation
Seeks freedom and independence while balancing her feelings with Batman. Wavers between crime and atonement.
Habits
Kind to cats, occasionally makes cat-like gestures. A fluent sarcastic wit.
Favorite foods
Seafood, Black coffee, Chocolate
Favorite colors
Black, Dark green
Hobbies
Cat care, Restoring stolen goods
Favorite places
Gotham's rooftops, Secret hideouts
Disliked situations
Restraint, Police chases, Injustice
Disliked insects
Bees
Disliked weather
Rain

History

Backstory
Selina Kyle, an orphan in Gotham City, experienced abuse in an orphanage at a young age. She grew from a prostitute into a cat-loving thief. Struggling between her villainous side and desire for justice, she has encountered Batman many times, forging a complex relationship. Numerous backstories exist, depicted across many comics and live-action works.
Debut date
1940-06
Work title
Batman #1
Media type
Manga

First encounter with Batman

Significant event
First encounter with Batman
Description
From her 1940 debut, she meets Batman and begins building a complex relationship of enmity and alliance.

Year One resurgence

Significant event
Year One resurgence
Description
In 1986's Year One, she transforms anew from prostitute to Catwoman.

Appearance in The Dark Knight Rises

Significant event
Appearance in The Dark Knight Rises
Description
In the 2012 film, Anne Hathaway presents a new portrayal of Selina.

Iconic character in DCAU

Significant event
Iconic character in DCAU
Description
The Catwoman voiced by Adrienne Barbeau in the Batman Animated Series is highly popular.

Relationships

Holly Robinson

Best friend who has sometimes served as a proxy Catwoman.

Batman

Love interest

Decades-long complex relationship intertwined with love and hate

Poison Ivy

Ally

Cooperative and friendly relations

Batman Family

Batman Family: member

Outsiders

Outsiders: member

Justice League

Justice League: member

Gotham City Sirens

Gotham City Sirens: member

Media appearances

Batman #1

Manga / Supporting

June 1940

Batman Returns

Movie / Supporting

1992

Catwoman (2004)

Movie / Protagonist

2004

The Dark Knight Rises

Movie / Supporting

2012

THE BATMAN

Movie / Supporting

2022

Batman (Animated)

Anime / Supporting

1992-1999

The Lego Batman Movie

Anime / Supporting

2017

Batman: Arkham City

Game / Playable character

2011

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Game / Playable character

2013

Injustice 2

Game / Playable character

2017

Voice cast and creators

Yara Takashima

Voice actor
Yara Takashima
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman (Animated 1992-1999)

Adrienne Barbeau

Voice actor
Adrienne Barbeau
Language
English
Version or series
Batman: The Animated Series

Reiko Tajima

Voice actor
Reiko Tajima
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Returns (DVD version)

Shoko Fujita

Voice actor
Shoko Fujita
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Returns (TV Asahi version)

Takako Honda

Voice actor
Takako Honda
Language
Japanese
Version or series
The Batman

Michelle Pfeiffer

Voice actor
Michelle Pfeiffer
Language
English
Version or series
Batman Returns

Mie Sonozaki

Voice actor
Mie Sonozaki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
The Dark Knight Rises

Anne Hathaway

Voice actor
Anne Hathaway
Language
English
Version or series
The Dark Knight Rises

Aoi Fileès

Voice actor
Aoi Fileès
Language
Japanese
Version or series
THE BATMAN

Zoë Kravitz

Voice actor
Zoë Kravitz
Language
English
Version or series
THE BATMAN

Mitsuki Nakae

Voice actor
Mitsuki Nakae
Language
Japanese
Version or series
The Lego Batman Movie

Ai Kayukuma

Voice actor
Ai Kayukuma
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Ninja Batman

Grey DeLisle

Voice actor
Grey DeLisle
Language
English
Version or series
Injustice series

Bob Kane

Creator name
Bob Kane
Role
Original author

Bill Finger

Creator name
Bill Finger
Role
Original author

Related goods

Catwoman Figure

Item name
Catwoman Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Action Figure Set with Bullwhip

Item name
Action Figure Set with Bullwhip
Category
Figure
Availability
Limited

Catwoman Cosplay Costume

Item name
Catwoman Cosplay Costume
Category
Apparel
Availability
Regular

Catwoman Clutch Bag

Item name
Catwoman Clutch Bag
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

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