- For the episode named after the character, see Selina Kyle (Episode).
- "You're there, aren't you? Do you have any idea what you did... ...just leaving? You were all I had. And I know you wanted to protect me. But I didn't want to be protected. I wanted you. Say something."
- —Selina Kyle to Bruce Wayne expressing her feelings to Bruce after ten years[src]
Selina Kyle is a skilled street thief residing in Gotham City. Known under the alias of Catwoman, she is well known around the city through her connections in the criminal underworld and around the streets. She witnessed the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne after a pickpocket incident which led her into the alley as she watched Bruce Wayne have his parents murdered in front of him, sparking an interest in him.
After suffering from a near-death experience, she forms a partnership with Barbara Kean and Tabitha Galavan.
Although she usually prioritizes her own survival above all else, she increasingly fluctuates between her loyalty to the Sirens and her personal affection for Bruce until she is critically wounded by Jeremiah Valeska, leaving her with possibly permanent spinal damage. The damage left her distraught, carrying suicidal inclinations until Bruce finally convinced her former friend Ivy Pepper to provide a solution to heal her spinal injury. As a result, Selina hunts down Jeremiah for revenge, stabbing him multiple times until he is presumed "deceased", becoming known as the "killer of Jeremiah Valeska".
After Bane's attack on Gotham, she plays a part in defeating him and Nyssa al Ghul after she helps Bruce with destroying Wayne Enterprises to seperate Bane and the military from them. When Bruce leaves her a note to tell her that he's leaving Gotham, she searches for him before she realizes she was too late since he's already gone.
10 years later, Selina is still a thief, now under the alias of Catwoman, and holds a grudge against Bruce for leaving her for a whole decade.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Selina is a young orphaned street thief with a fascination with cats. When she was five, her mother abandoned her at St. Maria's orphanage, but Selina never believed she was dead. At some point in her life, Selina befriended Bridgit Pike and Ivy Pepper.
Witness to a murder[]
- "I've been watching you. You're a friend of the boy."
- —Selina Kyle to James Gordon[src]
Selina Kyle is running over rooftops in Gotham City before stopping to look down; she sees something and smiles before leaping off and then sliding down to the sidewalk. She walks up behind a woman carrying a paper sack of groceries, opens up a switchblade knife, and cuts open the sack. When the groceries spill out, Selina quietly steals a quart of milk that drops out and walks away. Then, she passes by a man and takes his wallet. When the man chases her, she climbs up a fire escape and the man gives up and goes to report it. She then comes down a fire escape near the Theatre District to give milk to a stray cat, running up the fire escape upon seeing the Wayne family entering the alley after they leave a movie theater. There she witnessed the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Later, she is observing the Waynes' funeral from above a mausoleum, taking off her hood in respect. She is then on the wall outside the Wayne mansion.[3]
Selina is under a railroad underpass, playing with a necklace. She, along with a group of homeless kids are approached by Patti and her partner, Doug. Patti introduces herself as a member of a Homeless Outreach Program organization headed by Mayor Aubrey James. Doug starts giving out food to the homeless children; however, Selina is cautious and refuses to take any. Upon seeing Patti drugging the teenagers, Selina discretely escapes, leaving the teenagers behind. The next morning, Selina observes Detective James Gordon from behind a fence, perched on a rooftop ledge. After the case had been supposedly "cracked", Selina along with other homeless children, are escorted from their shelters, into GCPD vehicles. Selina is in a line leading to a bus that will take her upstate to a Juvenile Detention Center. While talking to a female chaperon, she states that "there had been a mistake" and that she is incorrectly being sent to juvie. She demands to talk to James Gordon, but the chaperone tells her "you'll be allowed a phone call once up-state". The chaperon, who asks for her name, dismisses her onto the bus, listing her as 'Jane Doe'. Upon seeing Patti enter the bus, Selina bolts for the rear exit; she is held at gunpoint and is forced to sit back down. After the bus arrived to its undisclosed location, and the children were mustered into cargo containers, Selina hides inside the bus, narrowly avoiding Patti who was searching the bus for a missing child. She attacks one of the men working with Patti, scratching his eyes out to the point where the sockets appeared empty. After searching the entire premises, Patti finally manages to catch Selina. Patti holds Selina at gunpoint, Patti is then tackled by James Gordon.
Selina is in the GCPD Headquarters, where she is arguing with an officer about being sent upstate. The officer tells her that aside from having outstanding warrants, she is 13 years old with no legal guardian. Selina tells him that she has a mom somewhere even though the officer reads that her mom is deceased. She manages to get the officer to call Detective Gordon over and proposes a trade; she gives Gordon something he "really wants" and he gets her out of juvie. She tells him, "I saw who really killed the Waynes, saw him clear as day."[4]
A man from juvenile services brings Selina to GCPD and puts her in Gordon's custody; Gordon then takes Selina to the alleyway where the Waynes died. When she asks him why he cares who killed them, he says that he wants to see the killer brought to justice; she scoffs at this and he tells her that he made a promise to Bruce. She describes how the Waynes were killed and then tells him that she saw the killer's face because she can see in the dark. She also explains the pick-pocketing she performed leading up to her being in the alleyway. When she tells him that she chucked the wallet she stole into the sewer, he handcuffs her to a stairway while he goes down the sewer to investigate. Gordon is unaware that Selina had stolen Harvey Bullock's pen and she uses it to escape the handcuffs. Selina drops the handcuffs down the sewer, tells Gordon that she will need them, and runs away.[5]
While Gordon and Bullock are getting some food, Gordon sees Selina across the street pick-pocketing a man. Gordon yells at her, and the man she pickpockets tries to stop her, but Selina manages to get away before Gordon can catch her since a robbery at the store was happening at the same time.[6]
Interest in Bruce[]
- "Okay kiddo. You want to hang with me, that's cool, but my world, my rules. You do what I say."
"Yes ma'am." - —Selina to Bruce on her rules on the streets.[src]
During the night, Selina sneaks into the room at Wayne Manor where Bruce Wayne is sleeping. She is interested in Bruce's collection of newspaper clippings about his parents' murder and stops to watch Bruce briefly while he sleeps. She quietly slips out the window when she hears Alfred Pennyworth coming toward the room.[7]
Selina tries to steal a bunch of expensive clothes and jewelry from a store called Collette while using the tunnels, but is found by two police officers as she's coming out of the sidewalk. When she sees them, she smiles and says,"A girl's gotta shop." Later at GCPD, Alvarez tells Gordon that they picked up a B&E suspect that claims to know Gordon. When Alvarez tells him that it's a girl and that she wanted to know if Gordon had been down any sewers lately, Gordon realizes it's Selina. Later Gordon visits and finds her sitting on bench smiling, and waiting for him.[8]
Selina was with Gordon at his place when he found a note by Barbara Kean. Selina read it. Gordon said that he will drop her off in Wayne Manor. Upon arriving at Wayne Manor, she notices a Chinese vase which her and Bruce use to break the ice after he enters the room. Bruce and Selina were getting to know each other. However, she didn't feel like talking about her mother and told him she's not an orphan and walks away bumping into Alfred without saying a word. However, Selina and Bruce started to bond when they played a game (throwing doughnuts at each other).[9]
Bruce and Selina were hunted by professional assassins, and Alfred demonstrated that he is not the average butler. Selina finally told Bruce that the assassins were after her, not him after he became deeply confused as to why someone would want to kill him. Cat is friends, of a sort, with Ivy Pepper, who was now an orphan. Selina kissed Bruce just before Alfred came into the room, much to the butler's amusement. Alfred even acknowledged that life without her around Wayne Manor could prove sadly flat.[10]
Selina finds a sick Ivy Pepper and brings her to Gordon's apartment where she nurses her back to health. Selina makes a dish that is vegan when Ivy Pepper gets a call from Barbara Kean who was checking in on Gordon after leaving her.[11]
After being given a message that Bruce wanted to see her by Ivy, Selina arrives at Wayne Manor and he gives her a snow globe. She is then offered a place to stay in exchange for helping Bruce find his parent's killer. However, she then breaks the snow globe and tells him that she lied and didn't see the killer's face.[12]
Selina is discovered staying at Barbara's penthouse by Gordon, and she tells him that she didn't actually see the Waynes' killer, and had lied. She then flees.[13]
Selina and Ivy are discovered by Barbara, and after overcoming her own surprise, Barbara eventually sits with the two in the living room. Selina and Ivy later judge the outfits Barbara modeled for them to win Jim back.[14]
Selina is advised by Barbara on how to use her beauty as a weapon against men.[15]
Selina visits Bruce and Alfred at the hospital. Selina tells Bruce that she found him because Ivy Pepper, who visits the hospital regularly to steal food from the residents, had spotted him. Selina was then told of Reggie's deception and his suspicions that he had been sent to spy on them as a few of his files were missing. Selina advises Bruce not to go after Payne, though to no avail.[16]
Bruce runs into Selina Kyle where she helps him to find Reginald Payne. She intimidates Reginald into telling Bruce who sent him to infiltrate Wayne Manor where they learned that he was sent by Sid Bunderslaw. Although Bruce was reluctant to get his revenge on Reginald when he was getting his alcohol out of the window, Selina pushes him out the window to his death to keep him from telling Sid Bunderslaw that Bruce is onto him.[17]
After the police have found Reginald's body, Bruce and Selina had a brief argument about what happened which ended where they must get close to Sid Bunderslaw. Back at Jim Gordon's apartment, Barbara finds boxes that have been delivered to Selina Kyle for the Wayne Enterprise ball. Upon seeing the shoes associated with the outfit, Selina asks if she has to wear them. Upon arriving at Jim Gordon's apartment, Bruce meets Barbara as Selina emerges in her dress commenting how the shoes were hurting her feet. At the ball, Bruce manages to get close to Sid Bunderslaw to meet him where Selina secretly steals one of his keys. When Gordon comes by his apartment to find Barbara, Selina tells Gordon that Barbara isn't here and learns the description of the man who took her being the description of Jason Skolimski.[18]
Entering the Criminal Underworld[]
- "I-I didn't expect to see you here."
"Well, you want to steal stuff, it helps to go where the rich people are." - —Bruce and Selina reuniting.[src]
Selina would find herself deeper into a life of crime, after becoming impressed with the sight of Fish Mooney's return to Gotham. Fish takes a liking to Selina; gives her a make-over, a new outfit, and makes her an assistant. Believing it to be "the coolest gig in the world", Selina would help Fish by holding Gordon, Falcone, Bullock, and Penguin hostage in a warehouse to offer to Maroni. Things go sour when Fish kills Maroni and starts a shootout with his gang. Gordon briefly escapes with the others only to be taken again by Selina and a group of thugs at gunpoint. After bringing them back, Fish and her crew are apparently killed by the Penguin. Selina disappears from the fight.[19]
Following Fish Mooney's apparent demise, Selina is shown to be working for Oswald Cobblepot. During a meeting with Gordon, Cobblepot commented that having Selina around is like having a pet cat. Gordon even asked if Selina was being good. She states that she's getting there.[20]
Selina later sneaked into the Gotham City Charity Ball where she runs into Bruce. When Jerome Valeska and Barbara Kean hold the event hostage as part of Theo Galavan's plot, Bruce and Selina evade their hired help until Bruce surrenders himself to keep the people from getting killed. With help from Selina, Gordon got into the event the same way that she came in.[21]
Selina later appears near Anders Preparatory Academy upon climbing a nearby wall. Alfred catches her near the wall and slaps her for what she did to Reggie. He tells her to keep her distance from Bruce. Selina then takes her leave before Bruce comes out of the school. Selina is later seen sitting on the sidewalk near some street kids thinking about what Alfred said.[22]
Butch Gilzean visited Selina Kyle at where she is living in order for her to take him to some arsonists that would help Oswald Cobblepot. Selina takes Butch to the Pike Brothers. Following the Pike Brothers' heist on a building owned by Wayne Enterprises, Selina visits Bridgit Pike where she is making a fireproof outfit to evade getting burned. While Bridgit as Firefly was fighting Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock, Selina watched from the fire escape. When more police officers showed up as Luke Garrett is accidentally burned, Selina helps Firefly to escape.[23]
While at her place of residence, Selina concocts a plan to get Bridgit out of town before the police can get her. They rob a place that was selling prostitutes to pimps and steal their money. Before Selina can put the next phase of getting Bridgit out of town into action, the van carrying Joe Pike and Cale Pike arrived where Bridgit is abducted by them. Selina returns to her place of residence and gets some guns to go after them. Before she could, Jim Gordon arrived after Harvey Bullock got her location out of Ivy Pepper. Gordon learns from Selina what Bridgit had gone through and that the Pike Brothers have her. Selina advises Gordon not to get her killed. Following Bridgit killing her brothers as Firefly, Selina meets her near the pigeon coop where Bridgit is upgrading her flamethrower. Bridgit tells Selina that she going to use her new talents on the bullies and the perverts as Selina advises Bridgit not to get killed. Later that night, Selina was at Leslie Thompkins's place when Gordon comes in and tells her that Bridgit got burned and that there is a chance that she may not survive. Selina was devastated at the fact that Bridgit got burned on Jim Gordon's watch and states that she shouldn't have trusted him. Before leaving, Selina tells Gordon that they will not interact again. Selina is later seen mourning about what happened to Bridgit by the pigeon coop, feeling more alone than ever. What Gordon and Selina don't know is that Bridgit's still-alive body was taken to an underground Indian Hill facility that is owned by Wayne Enterprises.[24]
Looking out for Bruce[]
- "I told her I've never met anyone like her. I told her I trusted her with my life. And that... I felt tied to her in a way that I... couldn't explain, but wouldn't change. Ever. The best liars always tell the truth."
- —Bruce talking about his feelings for Silver that he actually meant for Selina.[src]
Selina later visited Bruce and ended up meeting Silver St. Cloud. Once Bruce was out of the room, Silver told Selina that she is Bruce's girl and calls Selina "gutter trash." Selina later leaves after an argument with Bruce Wayne where she claims that Silver can't be trusted.[25]
Selina later visited Bruce before he can make another visit to Silver at the Star Hotel. She tells Bruce that she has some proof that Silver is bad news.[26]
At Anders Preparatory Academy, Selina lingers in the trees as part of a plan to get the information of the man who shot Thomas and Martha Wayne out of Silver St. Cloud. It was later revealed that Selina enlisted an underworld contact named The Knife and his henchmen to "abduct" Bruce and Silver in order to get the name out. Once that was done, Selina thanked Tom for her work. Selina was satisfied that she got even with Silver while Bruce ends his friendship with Silver. Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce allows Selina to take one of his cars in order to get back into town.[27]
Selina later assisted Gordon, Bullock, Pennyworth, and Oswald Cobblepot's gang in rescuing Bruce Wayne from Theo Galavan and the Order of St. Dumas. Her part of the mission had her infiltrating the garage and taking out the guard there. Selina then opened the garage door, letting the others in. During the confrontation, Selina managed to defeat some monks. Working with Pennyworth, Selina got Bruce out of Galavan's tower.[28]
Selina helps Oswald escape when he is chased down by the mysterious Victor Fries. They go to meet Gordon and Bullock, but they arrest Oswald due to him being a fugitive (although they take away and turn him loose).[29]
Four weeks later, Selina Kyle secretly witnesses Butch Gilzean starting a partnership with Tabitha Galavan from the ventilation.[30]
Bruce Wayne enlisted Selina Kyle to obtain him a gun which he plans to use when he tracks down Patrick "Matches" Malone.[31] Selina does that and gives the gun to Bruce when they meet in an alley. Following him sparing Malone, which ended in Matches' suicide, Bruce left a note for Alfred stating that he's going to be bunking with Selina for awhile. Bruce was seen meeting up with Selina.[32] Selina took Bruce into the basement where Butch's nephew Sonny Gilzean operated where he had hired Ivy Pepper to grow his "magic mushrooms." When Sonny and his men catch Selina and Bruce trying to rob him, Selina was held back as Sonny beats up Bruce. After Bruce turned the tide against Sonny with Selina's help, both of them managed to get away. Back at Selina's hideout, she stitched up Bruce's injuries. Upon seeing on the news that Jim Gordon had been arrested for the murder of Carl Pinkney and has been sentenced to 40 years at Blackgate Penitentiary, Bruce and Selina had a surprised reaction to this.[33]
Bruce and Selina later stole money from a criminal with the sleeve on Selina's coat getting ripped in the process. After getting away from the criminal, Bruce distributed the stolen money from the rooftops. Later on, Bruce was able to sew up Selina's coat by the time Selina needs it o get outside. They are then surprised when a wounded James Gordon appears and collapses on Selina's couch. Both of them had to contact Alfred to help Gordon recuperate. Upon Gordon informing Alfred and Bruce of his plan to catch the person who framed him, Selina was sent to the Gotham City Police Department where she gives Harvey Bullock and Nathaniel Barnes about where Gordon was last sighted. Later that night after finishing her shower, Selina is told by Bruce that his time of learning street survival is done and thanks Selina for her help. Selina tells Bruce to have good life. Back at her lair, Selina is seen throwing the coat that Bruce fixed up for her on the ground.[34]
Bruce later finds Selina feeding the birds of Bridgit Pike where she voices her knowledge of the recent news. Although Selina didn't care about Hugo Strange's experiments that revived Victor Fries and Theo Galavan, Bruce voices his knowledge on what Strange was doing with Bridgit. Selina persuades Bruce to let him help her get into Arkham Asylum as she knows a way in. While crawling through the ventilations, Selina runs into Edward Nygma who warns Selina not to go into the basement of Arkham Asylum. In exchange for showing him the way out of Arkham Asylum, Nygma tells Selina that he will show her the elevator and asks if she can pick a lock. Selina provides a diversion by picking the lock of Nygma's cell where the guards find that Nygma has escaped. While the alarm is sounded, Selina makes her way to where the secret elevator to the Indian Hill facility is and picks the lock to access it. Upon entering the Indian Hill facility, Selina evades it's personnel and overhears Strange's conversation with Ethel Peabody that Azrael has gone rogue. Selina finally finds the room where Bridgit Pike is in and finds that she is sporting a new outfit. As Pike doesn't remember Selina and claims that she is Firefly, she assumes that Selina is there to test her abilities. Firefly then goes on the attack as Strange and Peabody watch.[35]
As Firefly goes on the attack, Selina dodges her attacks and gets a small burn on her left leg as she manages to knock Firefly out. Selina then uses Firefly's flamethrower in order to break out of her room. When Firefly regains consciousness, Selina tries to get Firefly to remember her past life. While Firefly remembers how her brother died when they were set ablaze, she states that Selina will burn brighter. As Firefly cannot be harmed by fire, Selina takes advantage of Hugo Strange's claim to Firefly being the Goddess of Fire by claiming that gods need servants. Both of them then work to get out of Firefly's room.[36]
When Victor Fries is ordered to do away with the operatives controlled by Fish Mooney and to do away with Selina Kyle first, Selina dodges Victor's attacks as Firefly comes to her defense. As Victor Fries and Firefly duel, Selina frees Bruce Wayne, Jim Gordon, and Lucius Fox. After Hugo Strange was arrested, Selina was present when Gordon plans to reunite with Leslie Thompkins. Selina suggested he get Leslie some chocolates. After Gordon leaves, Selina was present when Bruce informed Alfred about a "secret council" that was behind Wayne Enterprises and the Indian Hill facility.[37]
Back in Fish Mooney's gang[]
Selina Kyle visits Butch Gilzean at The Sirens to see how he is doing as she tells him to scram. Oswald Cobblepot tells Butch that Selina stole his wallet. Selina and Ivy are seen giving the money from Butch's wallet to a street kid which is noticed by the Bruce Wayne look-a-like. Selina is shown to be back in an allegiance with Fish Mooney when they and some association raid Gray Pharma to obtains some medicine. Selina later encounters Valerie Vale where she tells her of a tip on where to find Fish Mooney. Bruce later visits Selina and mentioned how he had to research them in a safe place.
Bruce advises Selina that the group in question might know about them and that she should be careful. Upon being visited by Ivy, Selina visits Ivy telling her to stay at the pigeon coop. Selina was with Fish Mooney when Ethel Peabody was in her possession and witnesses Marv drain Ethel's youth. After Ivy was caught by Nancy who wanted to tell Selina about the Bruce Wayne-resembling character, Fish Mooney has Marv use his abilities on her as Selina works to intervene. Upon Ivy being grabbed by Marv, Selina is stopped by one of Fish Mooney's minions as Ivy falls into the drain pipe. Selina then weeped over what just happened.[38]
Looking for Ivy[]
- "There's something between us. You have to see that."
"Rule one: Don't ever tell me what I have to do." - —Bruce and Selina strengthening their connection.[src]
After hiding his look-a-like Subject 514A, Bruce is visited by Selina who informs Bruce about what happened to Ivy. Their conversation is overheard by the look-a-like. Bruce was unable to help Selina as he was not ready to reveal the truth about his look-a-like. Selina takes her leave from Wayne Manor. Selina is later visited by Gordon who needs her help finding Alice Tetch. Selina tells Gordon that she only saw her with Fish Mooney once. After directing Gordon to the Narrows' Bar, Selina mentions that Ivy Pepper's missing. Gordon states that he will keep an eye out for her. Later that night, Selina is visited by the Subject 514A who offers to take her on a ride and have some dinner. While Selina is suspicious about this offer, she goes with him as she needs to eat anyway.[39]
The next day, Selina walked down the street with Subject 514A as they approach a bar. As Selina incites a bar fight, she goes into the office and starts to pocket the money when the boss and his minion Squirrel come in. As Selina is about to have her fingers cut off, Subject 514A comes in and beats up the two men. Selina is then cut loose by Subject 514A. After getting away, Selina discovers that Subject 514A is wounded. Upon noticing the scars on him, Selina sees that he is not Bruce. Selina stitches up Subject 514A who states that he has no knowledge of why he was made to look like him and claims that Bruce might have an interest in Selina after watching them from the halls. After being told by Selina about what happened to Firefly and Ivy, Subject 514A then kisses Selina.[40]
At Mayor Oswald Cobblepot's party at The Sirens, Bruce notices Selina at the party. Selina encounters a full-grown Ivy who doesn't want to reveal her identity yet while encouraging her to steal some more wallets. Bruce encounters Selina where she is suspicious about the red-haired woman and he states that he is not Subject 514A. Meeting Selina on the roof on Gordon's advice, Bruce tells her that Bruce had hired Gordon to look for Ivy and that he likes her as more than a friend. Upon asking how many girls he dated, Bruce tells Selina that he dated none as he claims that there is something between us. Both of them share a kiss before departing the roof.[41]
Selina shows up late to Bruce's date at Wayne Manor where Bruce revealed that he had made dinner for her. Bruce states that Selina needs to be honest with him. Selina states that it is weird for her as Bruce says it's weird for him too.[42]
At her squat, Selina was feeding her cats when Ivy appears and reveals herself. Bruce was later called in as Selina told him that she should've suspected that Marv did that to her. Ivy apologizes for not telling Selina that she is alive. Selina is told by Ivy that she has a way to get people to give her what she want. Ivy then comes clean stating that she had stolen from a rich man. Bruce breaks up the conversation stating that he hears something. The three of them start making a run from their attackers led by Luka Volk. Selina, Bruce, and Ivy go on the run as Ivy claims that claimed it. Selina, Bruce, and Ivy head to the man's house and finds him dead. The three of them find a hidden key in the necklace. Bruce suggests to Selina and Ivy that they retreat to his house. When Ivy states that she doesn't want to come between Selina and her boyfriend, Selina states that she is not his girlfriend.[43]
After Ivy Pepper is abducted by the Whisper Gang, Selina accompanies Bruce and Alfred to the sewers to negotiate her release. During the negotiations, Luka stated that Selina reminded him of his sister.[44]
Reuniting with her mother[]
Selina helps Bruce and Alfred infiltrate a building where an item protected and feared by the Court of Owls is held. Bruce had to hold the tightrope while Selina walked to the safe. After Selina gets an owl statue out of the safe using the key, both of them were ambushed by Talon enough to set off the alarm. As Alfred fights Talon, Bruce and Selina help to subdue Talon enough for him to get stabbed by his own knife. Afterwards, they are approached by a woman that Selina recognizes as her mother Maria Kyle. The three of them are advised by Maria that they should take their leave from the building immediately.[45]
Selina and Maria had a bit of an argument on why her mother left her at the age of five. She stated that she had to leave Selina at the orphanage in order to get away from bad people. Later on, Selina was visited by Bruce who gave her a box that Maria gave him. As Selina goes through the box, Maria appears to reconcile with her. Later on at a hotel, Selina comes in during Maria's meeting with Cole Clemons where Maria plans to get him the money he needs. After Cole leaves, Selina suggests that Bruce can help them with that.[46]
After Maria got the money from Bruce Wayne, Selina came across another discussion between Maria and Cole. After lashing out against Cole for what was heard, Selina tells her mother and Cole to never return to Gotham City. Selina later confronts Bruce for his involvement. After Bruce counters Selina's kicks, Selina takes her leave.[47]
Avoiding Bruce[]
Subject 514A sends a letter to Bruce Wayne where it claimed that Selina wanted to see her. Bruce heads out and finds her under attack from Sunny Gilzean. Selina states that she had no knowledge of the letter where she was trying to get some money out of Sunny. She takes her leave as Bruce fends off Sunny and his men.[48]
Subject 514A visits Selina at her squat where he reveals himself to her. While stating to Selina that the Court of Owls have a dangerous plan where he tells her to get out of town, he also states that he had Bruce Wayne removed from Gotham City and advises her not to tell Alfred. When Selina plans to and starts to ask him what he is going to do about it, Subject 514A reluctantly pushes her out the window where she is motionless. A lot of cats start swarming over her body.[49]
While at The Sirens looking for Selina, Ivy asks Tabitha if she's seen her because Selina has been hanging around the bar. Tabitha, getting annoyed by Ivy, tells her she heard Selina "fell" out of a window and is in pretty bad shape. She rushes to Gotham General to see Selina, and gets caught by a doctor. She asks what happened to her, and denied that she fell out of the window. She shows how close they are by saying that she will do whatever she has to to heal her. After her third visit, Selina gets out of bed, saying she has to go kill someone.[50]
After breaking into Wayne Manor, and setting the alarm, she hides from Subject 514A when he comes to investigate. Selina jumps him and says she's there to do one thing. Kicking him over a table, she insults Subject 514A calling him a freak, and a cheap knock off. Then she cuts a deep scar upwards his side, but is then beat to the floor. Near stabbing him on the desk, Alfred pulls back Selina, who is hit unconscious after trying to warn him that it's not Bruce. Alfred is then knocked unconscious. He is seen later treating the wound on Selina's head. After Selina refuses to help look for Bruce, Alfred rants about Selina not being over the fact that her mother was a con artist and tells her to run off and never return to Wayne Manor.[51]
Seen sitting with Ivy and Penguin, Selina is eager to see her friend Bridget Pike and is asked if she can find her. After Ed and Butch bang down the door, Selina climbs a fire escape, unable to bring Ivy with her, as she doesn't want to leave Penguin. Seen running across the rooftop, she is punched and knocked out by Tabitha, who calls her Kitty Cat. Being interrogated by Barbara, Butch, Tabitha and Ed, Selina denies working with Penguin, saying Ivy wanted to see her. She then agrees to set up a trap for Penguin by saying she found her friend and wants to meet, after being offered cash to get out of town, and nothing happening to Ivy.[52]
While sitting in the hospital after stabbing Alfred, Bruce is encountered by Selina. She asks Bruce what happened and if he's going to be okay. Bruce, feeling bad for what he did, snaps at her, saying she doesn't believe in anything but herself. She states it's surviving and unlike him, she knows who she is. She then makes her leave, but is stopped by the question of why she's even there, when she doesn't give a damn about Alfred or Bruce. He then says he knows her better than that. Angry and hurt at Bruce's words, she looks back to him and states that she thought that he did. Selina finally leaves, telling him to have a nice life, with Bruce looking in confused. In her own way, it's clear she does care about Alfred, because she said she heard what happened and asked if he's going to be okay. After Tabitha kills Barbara, she goes back to The Sirens, where Selina quietly enter the bar. She asks for Barbara, but Tabitha answers by saying she's not coming back. Selina says she's tired of just surviving, that she wants more, to move up. Tabitha asks if she's hungry, but Selina takes a liking to her whip. To Tabitha's amazement, Selina successfully breakers a glass bottle on her first try. The pair are then later seen leaving together.[53]
Alliance with Tabitha and Barbara[]
Selina is walking down an alleyway, where five thugs are waiting. They taunt her saying she's all by herself. They surround her, and draw their weapons. Selina says to just let her go. The thugs say, not a chance. She says, don't say I didn't warn you. She whips a guys legs and dodges attacks. She beats four of them to the ground. The fifth on is taken out by Tabitha, who advises her not to turn her back on a guy unless she's sure he's down. They then leave the alley and go for pizza. They go to Tabitha's apartment to eat, and are approached by Victor Zsasz, who's been tracking them down. Tabitha asks if there's a reason he's there. He says that they don't have a license to fight street thugs. He leaves. Tabitha demands they get a new place but Selina suggests they join Penguin for work. Tabitha refuses, and they pack their things. Selina is seen by Bruce mingling at the opening of Penguin's club as she is approached by Zsasz. He asks if they are in, and Tabitha says they are. Tabitha's and Selina's bond grows, as Selina points out that Tabitha was worried about her, which is why she approached them. This is observed by Alfred and Bruce as well. Bruce goes to the roof to confront Selina, who asks what he wants. He says he knew she'd come up here, but she reminds him he knows nothing about her. He wanted to apologize for what he said at the hospital. He joins Selina on the roof's edge. He judges her on choosing Tabitha Galavan as a mentor, but Selina doesn't care. They are interrupted by Alfred, who walks Bruce away due to a situation involving Penguin apprehending Merton's group downstairs. Selina remains balancing on the edge of the roof.[54]
Selina and Tabitha enter a building after receiving a card saying that an opportunity awaits them and they are reconnected with Barbara, who asks them if they want to supply weaponry to the criminals of Gotham to get back on top in the crime world. Barbara states she will not go forward without both of them. Tabitha refuses, and Barbara ask Selina to talk her into it. She does, at their apartment. Selina wants to join Barbara with Tabitha to be taken seriously. Ivy says she wants in, but Tabitha kicks her out, even though Selina believes her. Tabitha says she'll join Barbara, but wants something in return and that being her hand. Butch lost his from Penguin, and she lost hers from Nygma so she wants to return the favour and chop off Barbara's hand to show that she can be trusted. This does not happen, and Tabitha says she'll trust her for now. Selina walks away, as she is in shock of Tabitha's actions and is upset with how she was going to chop off Barbara's hand.[55]
Bruce is looking out at Penguin's boat and picks up a thief heading towards a truck. Going in for a closer look, he sees the thief open a box. Bruce gets caught and fights the thugs and the thief takes this opportunity to escape. It is then revealed the thief is Selina Kyle, and she is upset she couldn't get what she was after. She is then seen with Barbara at work with her gun shop. She asks Selina where her crate is, and Selina says she ran into some trouble. Barbara said that Selina is not ready and she can redeem herself by mopping the floors. Selina says she can do it herself, and leaves. Entering Wayne Manor, she is caught by Bruce, who asks him why he's sitting in the dark by himself. He said he was expecting someone else and asks what she's doing there. She heard about the auction and came for the knife, expecting Bruce to hand it over because they're friends. She warns him to hand it to her because Barbara's client is a dangerous person. She says it can't meant anything to him. He judges her for being Barbara's errand girl. Selina gets frustrated as not being seen equally, and corrects him as her partner. Bruce tells her she can't can't have it and that she should leave, to which she does over the balcony.[56]
Selina is seen “shutting up shop” with Barbara and Tabitha because Ra's al Ghul is gone. Tabitha and Selina are both irritated and Selina tries to reason with her by spying on the people who come in, so they can get jobs. But Barbara refuses and walks off. Selina reveals she has a backup plan, and know where a gang hides there stash of money. Tabitha says she’s not going to rip off one of the biggest biker gangs named the Street Demonz and tells her to find another job. Selina sighs and walks away. She is next seen sneaking into the Street Demonz' club and climbs up a shelf to get over them. She then ups a cars hood to let the siren go off to distract them, while she steals the money. Tabitha then answers a call from Selina who explains that she’s trapped and can’t go anywhere without being seen. Tabitha calls her an idiot and agrees to come and get her. Before leaving to get Selina, Tabitha informs Barbara that Selina wants a purpose, a home and someone who cares for her. She creates a diversion so she can sneak in and get Selina. The pair then evade capture as Barbara comes to their aid and kills the Street Demonz members present. They are then recruited and join at the hips as the trio leave together for another shipment.[57]
Selina is seen talking with Barbara and Tabitha to Penguin about their theft on Gotham’s Biker gang. She laughs at how penguin reacts when he hears Nygma is making fun of him, but quickly stops as a gang member gets stabbed for laughing as well. The trio then get assigned to go and see Ed’s show for themselves and bring him back to Penguin. Selina wants something in return for bringing Nygma in, but walks off with a smirk as Penguin overreacts the exchange. Selina insights the girls into what the building is used for as they approach it. Once inside the three split up, but Selina remains on the jobs goal, and she goes and confronts Nygma alone. She punches him in the head and knocks him out. Barbara is surprised Selina got Ed, and the two take him and go and find Tabitha. They find her with Grundy and the five are interrupted by Lee, who says Selina found trouble hanging with the other girls. Grundy rages to kill the trio, but Selina says to settle it in the ring, as it saves her from getting killed. Selina worries for Tabitha's fight against Butch, but she has no need, as Grundy remembers Tabitha, just as she knocks him out. Selina and Barbara grab Nygma and eventually get Tabitha but they can’t leave due to Firefly's entry. She threatens to kill them; including Selina; but she acts like they’re not friends. But the group are saved by Lee who shoots Bridget in the back. Barbara then shoots Cherry and announces they don’t work for Penguin. The trio then take their leave.[58]
Selina is involved in the restraining of Sofia Falcone alongside the other Siren members. They try to use her as leverage, but even though they don't believe her that she wants to take over, Sofia gives reasons to support her statement. Barbara arranges a meeting with Penguin, and they leave the gun shop as Selina sees Victor Zsasz approaching with a rocket launcher. They flee out the back. Their business is blown up. They take back Sofia and meet with Penguin under a train bridge. Sofia gives Martin back to Penguin, who tells him to go wait in the car. He then fakes his death by blowing up the car supposedly containing him in it. The Sirens and Sofia are then pinned down and forced to retreat. When safe, Sofia says that they need to strike back whilst he is vulnerable. Selina says she’s lost and Barbara says they're going their own way. But Sofia threatens them, saying they have no other place to turn to and they need her to win the war.[59]
After the Sirens tortured Arthur Penn where he had no knowledge where Cobblepot is, Selina accompanied Barbara, Tabitha, and Sofia to the Falcone Manor where they are confronted by Carmine Falcone who was called up by Cobblepot. While Carmine scolded Sofia for her actions, Cobblepot had Victor Zsasz and his men take the Sirens away. While the Sirens were tied up, those who Cobblepot enlisted to guard them get into a shoot-out with the police giving the Sirens a distraction that they needed to get free.[60]
Selina is first seen on a TV commercial advertising the new Sirens club. She is the new seen in the actual place, and ordering Bruce to reel in his brat pack. The two are then interrupted by a brawl, stopped by Tabitha. She tells this mysterious woman to leave. As she does, she waves at Selina. By putting the fact that's the woman seems to know her and she has red hair together, Selina concludes that the woman is Ivy. So she follows her and breaks in to her apartment, but is infected with Ivy's toxin. But she's then cured. Ivy said that Selina has always helped her, and offers a place by her side to rule Gotham.[61]
Starting their new alliance, Selina and Ivy "rob" Roland Charles' house, by Selina’s beliefs. But Ivy is there to kill Roland working on a project called Project M. She then kills the man, and makes his mesmerized family watch. Selina, disgusted by this, later leaves Ivy. She returns to the Sirens club only to be chased onto the rooftop by Jim Gordon, who wants intel as who the red-haired lady was. She tells him it's Ivy Pepper who has changed since the last time they saw her. Selina is then taken to be locked up as she admits she was only at the house to rob it. But she is attacked alongside Gordon by GCPD officers under Ivy's control. Gordon and Selina managed to get away from them. She is then quickly seen in Bruce's visions at a party.[62]
When Bruce shows up at the Sirens to speak to Selina, she is unable to help him with advice on how to make amends with Alfred. After Ivy's plot with Project M failed, Selina confronts Ivy where they get into a fight which ends with Selina destroying the last sample of Project M. Selina then gets away.[63]
Selina arrives in Bruce's kitchen where she mentions her guilt of what Ivy did to Roland Charles. She needs Bruce's help to get an item she took from the Charles residence back from a fence named Floyd. While Bruce helps to pay for the item, Floyd is unable to give it to him. This leads to Bruce and Selina beating them in a brawl as Bruce leaves his money on them. Afterwards, Selina persuades Bruce into returning the item to the Charles family for her.[64]
After news of Jerome escaping from Arkham is heard, Bruce enlists Selina into sneaking into the Gotham City Police Department to get the files on Jerome Valeska. While Bruce distracts Vanessa Harper, Selina sneaks into Gordon's office to get the file. When Bruce confronts Jerome at Zachary Trumble's diner, Selina shows up to help. She tries to shoot Jerome only for Bruce to throw himself onto her.[65]
Selina Kyle pops up at Bruce Wayne's birthday party much to the surprise of Bruce and Alfred. She is present when Gordon, Bullock, and Fox show up to inform Bruce about Jerome Valeska's ransom demands involving Bruce and Jeremiah Valeska. Alfred objects to Bruce surrendering which Selina agrees with him on. She and Alfred are present when Gordon and Fox discuss their plans to thwart Jerome's plot with Bruce.[66]
Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne are called in by Tabitha Galavan where members of the League of Assassins use Bruce's blood to restore Ra's al Ghul to life. Following Ra's al Ghul's revival, Selina assists Bruce, Barbara, Tabitha, and Alfred into obtaining the embalming knife. After Barbara double-crosses Bruce and Alfred so that she would use the embalming knife on Ra's al Ghul, Selina didn't want involvement in Barbara's fight with Ra's al Ghul and states that she is sitting this one out. Knowing that Barbara will be killed, Selina goes to Bruce and tells him what Barbara plans to do. Both of them witness Barbara's duel with Ra's al Ghul which ends with Ra's al Ghul breaking the embalming knife and Barbara giving up the energies that Ra's al Ghul gave her. Back at Wayne Manor, Selina was present when Ra's al Ghul appeared and revealed his vision that keeps him alive again where Bruce will rise in the upcoming chaos that will come to Gotham City....if it doesn't consume him first.[67]
Upon learning the address to where Alfred is being held by Jeremiah's men, Bruce enlists Selina to help rescue him. While Bruce goes down the path where he sees footage of what appears to be Alfred going insane, Selina arrives in the control room where she fights two of Jeremiah's men and defeats them. Following a brief fight with Scarecrow, Selina deactivates the fear gas and frees Alfred who shoots the imposter loyal to Jeremiah as Selina snaps Bruce out of the fear gas. Later on as Alfred makes dinner, Bruce and Selina share a kiss as Bruce thanks Selina for her help. Jeremiah suddenly appears to their surprise as he shoots Selina in the waist. As Bruce is shocked at Selina getting shot, Alfred appears and beats up Jeremiah.
Selina is rushed to the hospital as the doctors on the hospital's skeleton crew work to save her. The operation to keep her alive is a success. When Gotham City was being evacuated by boat upon it being declared no man's land, a doctor informs Bruce Wayne about Selina's spinal injury. Bruce has Alfred go with Selina to make sure that she gets better.[69]
No Man's Land[]
Ten Years Later[]
Selina is first mentioned by Dr. Lee Gordon, as having grown quite popular and comments on what Bruce will think of her when he returns.
Selina's first physical appearance after ten years is during a heist at Gotham Museum of Antiquities. She reveals the laser security system by using a smoke grenade and begins stealthily navigating through it until she reaches the Russifer Diamond in the center of the room and begins cutting the glass with her diamond tipped cat claws. As she is about to steal it, she senses someone is watching her from the shadows, but when she turns around, the figure is gone.
Selina crashes the Wayne Gala and confronts Alfred about Bruce spying on her. Alfred comments that on Selina's beauty and claims that Bruce will be disappointed that he missed her. She later assists Barbara in apprehending Edward Nygma after stopping him from attacking the mayor.
While overlooking Gotham, Selina senses Bruce is behind her. She demands to know if he realizes how much he hurt her and that, while he left to protect her, Selina didn't want to be protected she just wanted Bruce. After a moment of silence Selina begs him to say something. Bruce finally responds that he is sorry for what he did, but there was no other way. After telling Selina that he will never leave Gotham again he disappears into the night. Before disappearing, Bruce tells Selina to return the diamond she stole and Selina retorts "like hell I will".
Personality[]
- "Well, Selina can be a little guarded."
"Yes, I know." - —Barbara Kean and Bruce Wayne[src]
Selina grew up on the streets of Gotham and survived by herself, going by less then favorable means, such as stealing or even killing if necessary to protect her interests. At times she appears aloof and self-serving, hardened because of her deeply troubled life. Selina is often guarded but has shown a degree of loyalty and compassion that she seldom reveals because of her chosen gruff exterior. Despite her difficult upbringing and criminal lifestyle, she does have some semblance of a conscience.
Even so, Selina has shown a tendency to "change sides," including more morally questionable ones, that may suit her benefit more such as aligning Fish Mooney and Sal Maroni's gang. Nonetheless, she will not betray her close friends as the main reason she decided to not help Gordon escape was because she did not know him well enough to risk "the best job" she ever got, showing a degree of pragmatism on her part. Another occasion of such behavior was when she killed Reginald Payne as he would only kill her and Bruce later on.
Despite her loner ways, Selina has a considerable amount of friends and a degree of popularity amongst the criminal underworld, including some crime bosses like Fish and Oswald Cobblepot. Butch Gilzean also claims that her face "opens doors" with criminals. She has shown empathy to fellow outcasts such as giving shelter and food to an orphaned Ivy Pepper which is a stark contrast towards her usual self-focused ways. She cared deeply about her friend, Bridgit Pike, being one of the few people she hugged or showed any form of compassion towards, by advising her to leave her abusive brothers and Gotham. Selina was prepared to kill to save Bridgit and became so distraught over her "death" that she cried, a very rare thing for someone as emotionally controlled as Selina is. So far the only person she has shown any romantic feelings for is Bruce Wayne, even if she did trick beforehand. Selina also has a degree of possessiveness over him as she attempted to warn Silver St. Cloud to leave him alone.
Using her craftiness and resourcefulness, Selina is able to get by and out-think older, more experienced and bigger criminals, even Jim Gordon. She also has the advantage of being smaller and agile than most criminals on account of her young age, which makes her an excellent thief.
Physical appearance[]
Selina is slightly small for her age, which proves useful on more than one occasion. She has pale skin, short curly chestnut hair, and green eyes. While she tends to look a bit grungy, multiple characters including Barbara Kean have noted that if she paid more attention to her physical appearance, Selina could be quite pretty. Kean refers to her as a "true beauty" while Edward Nygma and Silver St. Cloud have referred to her as "street trash".
Ten years later Selina has grown into the "True Beauty" that Barbara Kean predicted. Selina now sports a slender, graceful figure with an athletic build. Her curly chestnut hair has now grown considerably longer and is usually worn down or tied back in a loose knot giving the appearance of a mane. While attending the Wayne Gala, Selina donned a golden, knee-length dress and perfect makeup. Several characters, including Alfred, have noted that Selina has grown into a beautiful young woman.
Selina's default outfit consists of a leather biker jacket, ripped jeans, knee-high boots, fingerless biker gloves, and a dark gray hoodie with steampunk-style goggles pushed up in her hair or mounted on top of the hood. Her outfit is primarily black, presumably for stealth reasons.
As Catwoman, Selina dons an all black outfit and a specialized hood mask to conceal her identity. This outfit is form-fitting and durable to allow Selina to perform impressive acrobatic feats with stealth. She also dons a special pair of Cat gloves with sharp claws that can be used to cut through glass quietly.
Abilities[]
- "Whatever Ivyʼs root did to me. I've never felt better."
- —Selina to Bruce
- Peak of human physical condition: After Bruce took the advice of a nurse to seek out "the witch" as he asks where to find her. The witch turns out to be Ivy, who reluctantly gives Bruce a strange boil to cure Selina. Once the boil was administered, Selina regains the ability to walk, as well as new quasi-feline powers exceeding in top physical condition.
- Honed senses: Selina has excellent senses, in "Rogues' Gallery", she is shown to have a good sense of smell.
- Free running/Acrobatics/Stealth: Selina is able to jump from rooftop to rooftop. She was also able to sneak into Wayne Manor, the only person who sensed her presence was Bruce Wayne.
- Expert thief: Due to years of scraping a living on the streets of Gotham City, Selina has developed the art of thieving, that allows her to steal from most places and most people, although she has, on occasion, been caught by the police.
- Expert hand-to-hand combatant/Martial artist: Selina is shown to have good fighting skills. This is shown multiple times when taking down men half her size with coordinated moves. Her martial art skills have increased due to further training from Tabitha Galavan able to take on five men in combat. Selina also has shown great skill when fighting Ecco, eventually overwhelming her. She was even able to fight against a mind-controlled Bruce Wayne.
- Skilled knife wielder: Selina is shown to wield a switchblade in certain situations.
- Skilled Whip wielder: Selina uses a bullwhip after being taken under Tabitha’s wing.
- Expert manipulator: Selina has proven herself to be capable of deception and manipulation as seen when she lies to Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne about seeing the identity of Bruce's parent's killer.
- Disguise: Selina is also seen as using disguises as another form of deception. This is seen when she pretends to be a fan of Ed Nygma's Penguin impersonation as well as when she tries to infiltrate the Church of Jeremiah.
Equipment[]
- Switchblade: Selina carries a switchblade knife on her person.
- Clawed Gloves: After being cured of her paralysis, Selina began to wear gloves with metal claws on the fingertips.
- Bullwhip: Selina began to use a bullwhip after being mentored by Tabitha.
- Guns/Firearms: Selina has carried firearms on occasions. She used Jerome’s own revolver to try and kill him. She later tried to kill Ecco with her own revolver. Selina used a shotgun when she joined Fish Mooney's gang and when Jim Gordon paid her a visit.
Gallery[]
Main Article: Selina Kyle/Gallery
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- Selina hates magicians.[70]
- The season 5 storyline in which Selina is temporarily rendered paraplegic by Jeremiah Valeska, could have been inspired by a very similar plot point in The Killing Joke, where Barbara Gordon is paralyzed in the same way by the Joker (via a gunshot to the spine).
Behind the scenes[]
- Bob Kane and Bill Finger created the character, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel, as well as actresses Jean Harlow and Hedy Lamarr. She first appears in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) in which she is known as the Cat. In her later appearances, she takes on the alias of Catwoman. Historically a super-villain, the character has been one of Batman's most enduring love interests, as she is known for having a complex love-hate relationship with him. In certain versions of Batman's mythos, Selina becomes Bruce Wayne's wife and the mother of his child. Since the 1990s, Catwoman has been depicted more as an anti-heroine cat burglar rather than a traditional villain.
- In "Selina Kyle", Selina insists on being called "Cat". This a reference to the fact that when she was first introduced, she was called the Cat instead of Catwoman.[4]
- In "Heroes Rise: The Primal Riddle", Selina is pushed out of a window in a similar way that Michelle Pfeiffer's version of the character was pushed out the window by Max Shreck as seen in Batman Returns.
- It was ultimately Bicondova's decision to be recast in the series finale, feeling that was best for the character. She felt that an older actress should play Selina's adult self and referred to Simmons as the "perfect" successor. Bicondova shared her notes on the character with Simmons, and the two spent hours discussing Selina's unseen character development in the ten years between "They Did What?" and "The Beginning...".[71]