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Issue 107 – Catwoman
- Intro
- Email us voice recordings of your thoughts on Batman & what he means to you for upcoming episode – capesonthecouch@gmail.com
- Background (2:50)
- Catwoman, Selina Kyle, created by Bill Finger & Bob Kane in Batman #1 (Spring 1940)
- Originally known as “the Cat”, she was a jewel thief who disguised herself as an old woman, until she was captured by Batman – she would go on to be a recurring nemesis for several years until the Comics Code prevented her from being written as evil
- Resurfaced as a major player in 1987 – Batman: Year One revamped her origin as a prostitute, working with a young girl Holly Robinson – they encounter Batman one night and after Holly stabs him, Selina fights him but gets knocked out – they decide to start burgling the rich, and Selina gets rescued by Bruce after robbing Carmine Falcone
- 1989 solo series expands upon this – she was a dominatrix whose sister Maggie was a nun – her pimp Stan attacks Maggie to get to her, and Selina kills him in revenge
- Starts operating as an anti-heroine, while still robbing the wealthy – begins an on-off relationship with Batman, and they learn each other’s identities
- Is reformed for a period – later revealed due to a mindwipe from Zatanna
- Became a mother during Infinite Crisis – Slam Bradley Jr. is the father, and she leaves the Catwoman identity for a while while Holly takes over – later gives the child, Helena, up for adoption and returns to being Catwoman
- Takes on a sidekick for a short while – Catgirl is the daughter of Carmine Falcone
- New 52 – her origin story resembles Batman Returns, and she joins the Justice League for a time
- Rebirth – Catwoman is blamed for the death of 237 children after an orphanage explodes – Batman believes she’s innocent, and helps clear her of the charges – he then proposes to Selina – they battle Talia al Ghul
- Selina leaves Bruce on their wedding day, as she believes making Bruce happy would “kill” Batman, and Gotham needs Batman more than she needs Bruce
- Issues (11:31)
- Why does Selina have such a hard time reforming? Does she even want to reform?
- Why does she steal? (20:38) – thrill of the chase
- Has a habit of taking in orphans (26:13) – takes one to see one to know one
- Only tried to reform because Zatanna brainwashed her (27:41) – her consent was violated; similar to ECT in real people
- Why does she love Bruce? (33:20)
- Break (38:02)
- Plugs for Cage’s Kiss, Ocho Duro Parlay Hour, and Gail Simone
- Treatment (39:45)
- In-universe – “Benevolent white-hat Riddler” – set up heists for her that help reveal things about herself she wouldn’t otherwise access
- Out of universe – (42:52)
- Skit (Guest Kate from IWB as Selina) (48:05)
- Ending (55:54)
- Recommended reading: Catwoman series from 2001 by Ed Brubaker
- Next episodes: Phillip Kennedy Johnson interview, Levana Blackburn, Superman: Red Son
- Review read: Fab! This was awesome. These two definitely know what they are talking about and provide a unique view on their topics.
- Plugs for social
References:
- “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” from Hamilton – Doc (27:18)
- “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul – Doc (33:20)
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