Summary
There is little doubt thatDC and Max’s original showThe Penguinproved to be a hit among fans and most critics. After the explosive and game-changing events of the season one finale, and a group of stand-out performances, especially from lead Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot, the gritty and more grounded world of Matt Reeves’sThe Batmanhas cemented itself among the otherDC Comicsprojects over the last several years. Continuing into this world seems to be the smart move going forward with theDC Elseworldsline of projects, (that is, projects outside the James Gunn and Peter Safran led connected universe), and after the events of that finale, one way they should do that is by giving Catwoman her own show or limited series.
A series following the exploits of Selina Kyle, played inThe Batmanby the incredible Zoë Kravitz, would not only build upon the events ofThe PenguinandThe Batman, but would give the character a spotlight that she has rightfully deserved for so many years outside of comics and animated projects. The long and detailed history of how Selina Kyle came to be who she is, including her international exploits as an expert thief, are perfect sources to flesh out a fully developed show,which is why Catwoman deservesthe Penguin treatment.
Selina Kyle in the Comics
Selina Kyle’s history has changed many times over the years, and yet there are many aspects of her background that have remained constant. One of the first characters to appear in Batman comics (other than Robin or The Joker) was Catwoman, a femme fatale who pulled off elaborate jewel heists and had an electrically charged relationship with Batman early on in both their careers. Yet her story started much earlierthan her encounter with Batmanon the streets of Gotham.
A young girl who was orphaned at an early age andlived off and on the streets of Gotham, she eventually turned to a life of crime, learning many skills from many teachers in Gotham over her young life, from martial arts and other forms of combat to thieving skills and so much more. While always straddling the moral line between good and evil in the comics, she has often acted to defend the less fortunate or those who have been mistreated by the system that kept her an orphan for so many years, a quality that always made her and Batman bond together.
Catwoman has worked as both a villain and a hero over the years, joining villains like Poison Ivy, Harley Quinnand even once Lex Luthor, to gain something or escape imprisonment. She has also had a hand in making villains into heroes like her, as she did with Ivy and Harley. The experiences of her life also allowed her to join Batman’s family indirectly, often aiding him and his allies in their goals to end crime in Gotham. In more recent years, she has had a long engagement with Bruce Wayne/Batman, helped him retake Gotham after Bane and Thomas Wayne’s alternateFlashpointBatman took control, and led a war against Batman when their moral codes came into conflict. Yet at the heart of it all, her sense of justice and opening Batman’s eyes to a world that isn’t black and white has made her a staple in theDC Universe.
Selina Kyle in The Batman
Much of that same backstory and moral code comes into play for Zoë Kravitz and her take on the character. Working as both a waitress in Carmine Falcone’s club and a jewel thief, she uses her skills and jobs to help find a friend of hers who has gone missing. Later, it is determined that Selina Kyle is in fact the long-lostdaughter of Carmine Falcone, head of the Falcone Crime Family. After discovering this truth, along with the fact her father ended her friend’s life, Batman convinced her not to end her father’s life. After she helped Batman stop Riddler and his fanatics after they flooded Gotham, she left the city for parts unknown.
This is the point where her story needs to continue. Exploring both her own origins and her connections to the Falcones,including her lost sister Sofia FalconefromThe Penguin, would add much more depth to the characters' story. Seeing how Selina trained and gained the skills she needed to become the expert thief she is today would be fascinating, and showing her walking that fine line to discover how far she is willing to go to get justice would show both her heroism and the darkness she struggles with.
Selina Kyle is so much more than just Batman’s love interest, and her comic book history proves that. Her struggles with her family and the life she led on the streets, combined with her struggle to remain a thief and still help those struggling in this corrupt systemBatman is trying to expose in Gotham, would allow her character to shine properly. Getting to see her taking on injustices around the world before being called back to her home in Gotham to help the sister she discovered would make for a gripping and compelling new entry intoThe Batmanuniverse and set up her return forThe Batman 2when it debuts.
The Batman
Cast
Directed by the visionary Matt Reeves, Robert Pattinson plays a dark, gritty and tormented caped crusader, looking to save his home from the corruption that eats at it, and the criminals looking to destroy it. With a stellar cast of Andy Serkis, Zoe Kravitz, Collin Farrell and Jeffrey Wright, The Batman takes a new approach to Gotham’s protector, one not seen since the Nolan trilogy.
