Judd Winick's Catwoman Revamp: No Relationship with Batman

Judd Winick's Catwoman Revamp: No Relationship with Batman: "

Last week comic fans were surprised when they saw the reveal of DC's upcoming Batgirl ongoing series. While the lovely Adam Hughes cover depicting a fiery redhead reaching out to her audience is certainly a beautiful image; it's also a very controversial one amongst the readership. When the reveal that the redhead is none other than Barbara Gordon, the current Oracle, fans had no problem holding back all kinds of emotions about the future of many of their favorite characters.
With the revamp and introduction of 52 new DC titles scheduled for release this fall, it's not just Barbara Gordon who'll be undergoing some serious changes; another very popular DC heroine that will also be seeing a facelift (albeit not literally) is Catwoman; something writer Judd Winick made clear in a recent interview.

The best way I can describe it is that it's going to be a lot of dark fun. Again, it's pretty damn violent! I won't lie to you...But she's a very, very particular character, which we are allowed to go many places with...'She's someone who is very aware of her sexuality, and we're letting her stay aware of it! [Laughs] On top of that is the fact that's she's not actually a superhero, nor is she a bad guy. She's a thief. She steals things...She's addicted to danger. She's also quite brilliant...There's a little bit of [an] 'Ocean's 11' bent to this. She is not unlike a detective who has to do a bit of research, a bit of recon, she's got to find out where she's going and how and what tools she needs to have so she can get in and steal the thing she needs to steal.

I must confess, seeing Judd Winnick refer to Selina as 'quite brilliant' does make my heart aflutter- although it does bring up questions about what the changes that Winnick will instill for Selina Kyle will be. Ever since Jeph Loeb's run on Batman with HUSH, Catwoman has appeared as less and less of a threat to Batman and more of an ally. In fact, the pair teamed up in HUSH and went so far as to solidify their romantic commitment to one another (if you can call it that). Following Hush and Zatanna's mind wipe trick in Infinite Crisis, Catwoman has grown relatively docile. Later, Selina teamed up with Dick Grayson in Battle for the Cowl and more recently with Poison Ivy to babysit Harley Quinn in Gotham City Sirens.
Over the course of the last several years, Catwoman has done a lot less stealing and become less and less of an anti-hero- and I would almost blame her romantic feelings toward Batman or that. Why is it that she lost her sense of self? Did she have to lose herself in order to be in love with Bruce Wayne? Is it really in character for Catwoman to be in love with Batman? Lately, the Catwoman that fans have grown familiar with is nothing like the Catwoman Judd Winick will be writing come the fall.

...If you are a thief the dumbest thing you can do is be involved with Batman in any way shape or form, and there she is. I think Batman and Catwoman make for a very interesting pairing, let's say.

So basically, no Batman and Catwoman relationship; but what about all the sexual tension that made Batman/Catwoman stories such a joy to read? Sure, I don't think these two characters should be together because when they have been, Selina always manages to lose her identity and self awareness- but to ensure they aren't involved in 'any way shape or form' is a bit much, no?
If Judd Winick is taking Selina Kyle back to her roots as a self assured, self aware thief who is both well aware of her own sexuality and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants- sign me up. That's a Catwoman book I have been waiting for. I'm more than happy to see Catwoman the anti-hero make her return to comics, what about you? What do you think of the new direction Winick will take Catwoman? Do you think removing her relationship from Batman is a good idea?
Source CBR
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