Catwoman: Villain or Hero?

I’ve always been fascinated with the character of Catwoman from the DC Comics. Maybe it’s because I had an obsession with Batman when I was younger and loved watching all the movies, cartoons, and seeing her in the comics. As a side note, it might have been Robin that I had a thing for too (have you seen Batman Forever with Chris O’ Donnell?? Yum!).

We loved Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas. We also love our make-up artist friend, @classycozmetics, and her prowess here.

Much of the portrayal of Catwoman has been the woman in leather with a bullwhip, a seductress who does the wrong things for the right reasons (most of the time). I think the main reason many people are drawn to her is because she is strong and seems to have confidence in who she is. She doesn’t play by the rules, but when it’s really important, she *usually* makes the right choice. Now, I’m not saying that every actress that has played her is my favorite or every portrayal of this DC hero/villain is spot on, but I think there is something to be said for some of the recent versions of Catwoman. The latest ones I’m referring to are the release of the book, Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas, Anne Hathaway’s performance in The Dark Knight Rises and the young Catwoman in the 2014 television series Gotham (Camren Bicondova).

If you haven’t read Sarah J. Maas’ Catwoman: Soulstealer, you need to read it! It, along with the other DC Icon’s novels, Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu, Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, and the Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena.

Our new heroes: Matt de la Peña, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, and Sarah J. Maas, authors of the new DC Icons series of YA books on our favorite superheroes!

So, back to Catwoman, what do you think? Is she villain or is she hero? According to IGN’s list of the “Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time”, Catwoman is listed as number 11. She is also ranked 51st on Wizard magazine’s “100 Greatest Villains of All Time” list. On the other hand, she made it on IGN’s “Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time”, ranking at number 20. So . . . if the comic book guru’s can’t decide, what about the general public? Honestly, I think it depends on the version of Catwoman you are referring to. But in the three recent versions I mentioned above, I believe that Catwoman falls more on the good side, than the bad side. Does she break the law? For sure. What superhero hasn’t? Ok, there might be a few.

I believe the differences between villain and hero are all about heart. Each of has a little devil and angel on our shoulders. No one does right all the time and then there’s that gray area where I think Catwoman falls. I really think her heart is in the right place, but maybe her background has made her untrusting so if she feels threatened in any way, she falls a little on the dark side. In most of the comics, though, even when she is fighting with Batman, she would never let him die and often protects him.

That being said, I think Selena Kyle, aka Catwoman, of the 1990s and beyond has moved from being a villian to becoming an antihero. She is someone who is willing to break the rules while supporting the downtrodden and underdogs of society. She might not have all the qualities that you would see in the typical hero, and she might steal a few necklaces along the way, but somewhere inside, she wants to help the innocent.

This Catwoman card was created by @gabriella.bujdoso. Litjoy now has trading cards of some of our favorite superheroes and bookish friends.

If you love Catwoman as much as me, or superheroes in general, check out our DC Icons shop. I am in LOVE with their Catwoman Crate (the plate is to-die-for!).  

Books=Love

XoXo,

Robin

About the Author: Robin M. King the author of three young adult novels (Remembrandt Series), devourer of books, and lover of brownie batter and cheesy superhero shows.