Catwoman: Origin story

In my first entry I wrote about Catwoman's "birth", her first ever apperance in the comics (Batman #1,1940). This time I will delve deeper into Selina Kyle's origins, which wasn't established until 1950, then later retconned in 1983.

In 1950 Selina Kyle/Catwoman was revived in the Batcave, after being hit by rubble from saving Batman in one of their many chaces (she was working for Mister X at this point). She claims to have suffered from amnesia after surviving a plane crash, while she was working as an air stewardess. This is also when Batman learns her real name. Selina then tells a story about how her father used to own a pet store and teaching her about cats. Since this was the strongest association she had to her past, she developed the Catwoman persona.

Batman #62 (December 1950) - Selina Kyle/Catwoman´s revival

However... In 1983 Selina reveals that the amnesia was a lie. It was her way out of a life of crime, and a new start. She used to be married to a wealthy man who beat her. When they got divorced, her ex-husband tried to ruin her as best as he could. He was very materialistic, so Selina's revenge was to break into his home and steal all his possessions. This is when she became "The Cat" (her alias back in 1940). When she met Batman and got to know him she lied about her amnesia so she could stop being, now, Catwoman and open up for love and children.

Catwoman has had several different origins since (being revised to fit the eras she's written in). In 1987's "Batman: Year One" Selina started out as a dominatrix and prostitute for a pimp name Stan, while also sheltering and helping a child prostitute named Holly Robinson. She later leaves prostitution and gets into burglary to earn money for the two. Targeting rich and powerful men of Gotham in particular. An alternative story was made in 1989 were the child prostitute was instead her sister Maggie.

Batman: Year One, 1987 - The start of Catwoman's modern era.

Selina is most often referred to as an orphan, living on the street or/and orphanage from a young age. Her martial skills is said to be taught by the Armless Master of Gotham City as an extension to her role as a dominatrix, to easily trick men into giving her information for future crimes.

It's easy to see that the look of 1987's Selina is the beginning of the Catwoman we are familiar with today. Her short pixie cut, shiny black leather outfits and strong minded attitude. Her stories are getting deeper, darker and more intimidating from here. She has now become her "own character" with strong enough story lines to have her own comics.

... from here on we´ll dive deeper into her heritage and parents, as that's also a story that's been revised throughout the years.

Sources:

Comic: Batman #1 (1940)
Comic: Batman #62 (December 1950)
Comic: The Brave and the Bold #197 (April 1983)
Comic: Batman: Year One (1987)

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