The Batman, showcasing her first meeting with Batman during his second year as the Caped Crusader, rewinds the clock on their romance. The relationship between Batman and Catwoman has been of interest to fans since the '40s, and every medium offers a different way for it to grow and change, giving their love story infinite possibilities.
The Bat and The Cat have enjoyed many years of romantic tension, and fans have celebrated their intense love in a series of memes that perfectly capture its dynamic. Whether they're fighting each other on the streets of Gotham or sharing a romantic interlude at Wayne Manor, they remain one of DC's most iconic couples.
Batman & Catwoman's Relationship Has A Sense Of Humor
Despite their off-again on-again nature, Batman and Catwoman are a favorite superhero couple of many fans, particularly because of the banter the two share. Because they're often on opposite sides of the law, there's a tension between them that can be as flirtatious as it is dangerous.
Batman and Catwoman both get in a few good one-liners when they have rooftop rendezvous, and love nothing more than to wind each other up. Their antagonism only seems to fan the flames of ion, just like this meme depicting Batman annoying Catwoman with a laser pointer.
Catwoman Can Be Fickle With Her Affections
Batman knows he shouldn't be in love with a criminal, but his thoughts often turn to Catwoman even when he should be focused on fighting crime. Her independent spirit, fighting abilities, beauty, and intelligence are enough to make even the reclusive Dark Knight find ways to be with her.
Just when Batman gets close and lets his guard down, Selina hurts him, whether it's allying with his sworn enemies, going back on her word, or even sabotaging their wedding. Like her feline namesake, her love can be as fickle as his can be slow to bloom.
Catwoman Has A Thing About Strays
When Batman goes to Catwoman's apartment in The Batman, it's not exactly the secret hideout he expected. With cats prowling around and milk in the fridge, it's a far cry from his headquarters. He comments about the number of cats she has and gets a firm retort; "I have a thing about strays." There have been some amazing onscreen performances of Catwoman, but Zoë Kravitz manages to bring another layer of depth to her persona in the ad-libbed line.
While Catwoman might not have been what Batman expected, as this meme suggests, knowing her is a necessary step in the direction of him reing humanity. After all, as an orphan, he's a "stray" himself and benefits from the same comion and affection as her cats.
Batman & Catwoman Share A Lot Of Similarities
Batman chooses not to kill anyone because he feels if he does, he's no better than the villains that he brings to justice, but he's always been — as The Joker believes — "one bad day away" from becoming what he most detests. As Batman is a vigilante so Catwoman is an anti-hero of sorts, and the pair are more alike than not.
They both have chosen animals to represent their inner selves, both know what it's like to have a secret identity, and have both been painted as villains by the citizens of Gotham. Seeing so much of themselves in one another, and understanding each other's loneliness, is what helped them fall in love in the first place (though Selina is decidedly more comfortable in who she is).
Batman & Catwoman Have Their Own Lives
One of the things that draw Batman to Catwoman (and vice versa) is that she understands what it's like to have to conceal parts of herself from others. They lead very separate and independent lives, but when they come together, they can share a mutual bond of trust and acceptance.
Being able to be their true selves around each other is important, but there are times when they keep secrets from one another. Catwoman doesn't tell Batman who she's collaborating with in his Rogue's Gallery, and he doesn't always tell her about his personal demons.
Batman And Catwoman's Relationship Is Often A Secret
Due to Catwoman's reputation in some comics as a thief and Batman's reputation as a hero, it only makes sense that the two kept their meet-ups a secret. Eventually, those closest to them found out about their romantic interludes, but often there were certain things only comic books fans knew about their relationship while everyone else In-Universe was in the dark.
This meme pokes fun at how secretive they had to be throughout their relationship, with a special appearance from Superman, whose super hearing could detect the rustle of a sheet all the way in Metropolis.
Batman Is Constantly Telling Catwoman How To Behave
Batman and Catwoman's relationship has ups and downs like everyone's, but Batman's occupation as Gotham's protector means that from time to time he reprimands Catwoman's behavior. Even if she steals from corrupt politicians or bureaucrats for altruistic purposes, he still views her deeds as illegal.
In the Batman/Catwoman maxi-series from writer Tom King, a sort of love triangle emerged between Batman, Catwoman, and The Joker, making this meme (which features Joker as a plate of fish in front of Catwoman) particularly humorous, as well as the innuendos it suggests.
Batman Looks Up To Catwoman (And Vice Versa)
Even though they come from two different worlds, Batman and Catwoman often find a lot to ire about each other in of commitment, fortitude, and work ethic. They might be fighting on the wrong side sometimes, but even as enemies they can't help but respect each other's methods.
This meme, which questions why Batman is larger than Catwoman given that bats are so much smaller than real cats, captures how the dynamic can shift in their relationship. With their mutual respect and iration for one another, Batman and Catwoman are relationship goals, proving that even opposites can find something to like in another person.
Not Everyone Likes How Batman & Catwoman's Relationship Appears In Comics
Not everyone likes a writer or artist's interpretation of their favorite superhero couple in comics, and Tom King's Batman/Catwoman series is an example of how divisive a run can be when fans have such clearly defined versions of character relationships.
To some fans, he completely changed the dynamic in Batman and Catwoman's relationship, making the characters shadows of their former selves. Even The Joker mentions this to Catwoman in a rooftop conversation; "You know darling, this isn't really you." If The Joker thinks something's wrong, then it really must be.
Batman & Catwoman's Relationship Gets Manipulated
Season 3 of the hilarious HBO animated series Harley Quinn got in trouble for depicting Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle in a romantic position that DC Comics found compromising. Fans were surprised that Wayne wasn't an equal opportunity lover and felt it didn't indicate the level of respectful reciprocity the pair were known for.
This meme examines the fiasco with innuendo that shows Catwoman surprised herself at the implication. That a superhero wouldn't do something pleasurable for someone else, let alone his partner, seems to break with the very ethos of Batman. Batman wouldn't be selfish.
