A.K.A.: the Cat
First Appearance: Batman I#1 (Spring 1940)
Abilities: thief
Weapons: whips, guns
Quotes: "You and I- a king and queen of crime!"
Worst Act: Stealing anything feline related is generally frowned upon
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson (letters)
Catwoman has been many things; out and out villain, anti-hero, and sometimes even a hero, yet she always goes back to stealing.
Even in the Golden Age there was clearly something intended, as at the end of her first appearance the Cat escaped (possibly with Batman's help). The idea of a villain flirting with a hero wasn't new at this point (see the Dragon Lady or the Princess Aura), but I personally felt it humanized Batman a bit.
She has been a steady in the series and the DC Universe overall since 1940. She even officially reformed in the 1950's (while saying she was a former air hostess who got amnesia) before changing her spots again. The 1966 TV series did a heck of a lot to cement the idea of a flirty yet dangerous thief (Julie Newmar in a skin tight bodysuit didn't hurt either). Lee Merriweather and Eartha Kitt chipped in too.
The 70's say her more or less where she was, not wholly evil yet not good. It would be the 80's and Frank Miller who would define her for the next ten years. Batman: Year One showed a Selina Kyle who was very much the opposite of Bruce Wayne, yet no less dangerous. The 90's would see her getting her own 94 issues series where she was more anti-hero than a pure villain.
She has been around as long as the Joker and had even more faces. The dance across the rooftops will continue for another generation.
We don't talk about the Halle Berry movie.
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