CATWOMAN’s 85-Year History Through 13 CLASSIC COLLECTIBLES
CATWOMAN WEEK! — Welcome to CATWOMAN WEEK! One of the greatest characters in comics history debuted 85 years ago, in Batman #1, on April 24, 1940 — and we’re celebrating with a series of features saluting the Feline Fatale. Next week, it’ll be JOKER WEEK! For the complete index of CATWOMAN WEEK features, click here. — By CHRIS FRANKLIN Catwoman. The Princess of Plunder. The Feline Fatale. Since debuting in the first issue of his eponymous title on April 24, 1940, she’s been portrayed as Batman’s, foe, foil, love interest, partner, wife, and even the father of his child! Like a real-life cat, you never know if she’s going to want cuddle up to you — or scratch you. And she’s far more than just a supporting character in Batman’s universe. She’s an icon of femininity that’s always challenged both Batman and the place society wants to box her into, both in-universe, and in popular culture. Selina Kyle has had more than just nine lives, and her adventures in comics, TV series and films have inspired countless figural representations of her. Here are 13 examples from across the decades that show the ever-evolving, but never-less-than-fascinating form of comics’ greatest bad girl. — Batman Playset (Ideal, 1973). Catwoman missed out on being part of Ideal’s Comic Heroines/Super Queens line of 11.5” dolls based on female DC characters in 1967. DC legend Murphy Anderson provided the gorgeous box artwork for those incredibly rare and sought after figures. But Murphy got his crack at Catwoman with this flat cardboard figure of Selina that came with Ideal’s 1973 Batman Playset. Catwoman is in her traditional Golden Age purple dress here — although the colorist left out the green and the outfit itself is blue. — World’s Greatest Super Heroes/Pocket Super Heroes (Mego, 1974). Mego, however went with the “NOW” look for Catwoman in the comics when they they produced the Feline Fury’s first action figure. She was part of the “Super Gals” offshoot from their mega-popular 8” World’s Greatest Super Heroes line, the only villain, alongside heroines Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Batgirl. Catwoman had debuted in what’s sometimes called her “pirate look” with Batman #210 (March 1969) conceived by the writer of that story, Frank Robbins. She only made a handful comic-book appearances in this costume, going back to her classic dress a year...
Read more
