Portrait of a heroine, Catwoman

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Catwoman is one of the most attractive and mysterious characters. First seen in Batman comics in 1940 as cat, she has been around until today with breaks. Catwoman was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Kane is said to be inspired by his second cousin marriage, Ruth Steel and 1930s film star Jean Harlow.

Catwoman wasn't intended to be evil or killer. She is in a grey area, an exception in Batman's black and white world. Also catwoman's relation with batman is a love and hate relation. Bob Kane says that cat is antithesis of bat.

Catwoman's real identity is Selena Kyle. There are different versions about origin of catwoman. The common point of these versions is her tendency to theft on her way to become a super heroine.

In one version Selena is introduced as an independent woman and at the same time a prostitude, trying to break away from her abusive and criminal pimp. Because of an event that happens to her sister she fears of her sisters life and begins to study self defence and martial arts. She steals in a robin hood style for joy. Later she gets a catwoman suit and becomes catwoman.

Another version stresses on her family. She has an alcoholic father who abuses her. Her mother commits suicide, later her father dies. She runs away to streets, stealing for a living. Through this life when she sees batman in action, decides to be a costumed hero like Batman.

Catwoman's first tv appearence was by 1960s batman TV serial. She took place in that serial among with batman, robin and batgirl. Her portrait was rather bad opposite to so called grey area she was intended to be, at the serial. Catwoman was played by Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kit.

1992 movie Batman Returns was a milestone for catwomans popularity. Michelle Pfeiffer's performance playing catwoman is unforgettable. In that movie a lonely secretary woman who notices his boss' crimeful plans is thrown out from window by him. She doesn't die and a special relation between cats and her emerges. She gets nine lives that cats supposed to have. After making her that famous catwoman costume she becomes catwoman. In convenience with traditional catwoman, in the movie catwoman and batman have love and hate relationship.

After the success of the character in the movie Batman Returns, catwoman had her own comic book. In these series once again catwoman is shown as an international thief. She moves to Newyork and becomes ceo of Randalf Industries, a mafia influenced company through blackmail. She wants to use this position to become New York mayor. But Trickster inadvertently connects her to her criminal alter ego. Then she returns to Gotham City and adventures we are used to, including batman starts.

In 2004, Catwoman movie in which Halle Berry played the catwoman was released. The movie's story was very different from classic catwoman theme. It didn't include Gotham City or characters in comics. Patience Phillips becomes catwoman after a near death experience. She gains her powers from an Egyptian cat god. This movie is generally regarded as failure, Halle Berry was nominated as worst actress by her performance.

Catwoman's costumes were always of interest. In fact she didn't have a costume when first appeared in 1940. Later she used just a mask that looks like a real cat rather than a more stylised face mask seen in her later incarnations. First full costume of her was a catsuit with attached boots either a domino or glasses mask. In 1960's Catwoman's suit was green in convenience with those years' trend. In 1990s she usually wore a skintight purple cat suit before switching to a black PVC catsuit that recalls Michelle Pfeiffer's costume in Batman Returns. In recent years she alternated between two.

Catwomans prime weapon is a whip. She knows to use whip as a weapon very well. She has a bullwhip and cat'o nine tails. She also has a cat themed car, cat-illac. Catwoman uses plastic ties to restrain her enemies.

Catwoman has nine lives like cats are said to have. She has a good affinity for cats. They recognise her as a friend. Cats also accept her immediately. She can move as fast as a cat and travels on tops of roofs. She is an expert combatant, can deal with more than one people easily. Stealth is an other area of her profession: She is also a seduction expert regard to using men for her will.