Issue Description

The fourth Silver Age appearance of Catwoman in this book-length story, "Catwoman Sets Her Claws for Batman!" Catwoman and Batgirl duel!

Catwoman patrols the streets of Gotham City, looking for criminal activity. At the Gotham Winery, Catwoman foils a trio of thieves, out to steal the payroll. Back out on the street, Catwoman encounters Batman and Robin. The Dynamic Duo are stunned to discover that Catwoman has captured the Parker Brothers, the very criminals they themselves were looking to catch. Robin is suspicious of Catwoman's reform. Batman, too, is dubious, pointing out that the Gotham Winery distills it's wine from catawba grapes. The following night, the Caped Crusaders bust up a theft ring at a silk factory. Suspecting trouble, a portion of the gang hid, laying in wait to ambush any lawmen who came along. Taken by surprise, Batman is momentarily overwhelmed. Robin's timely assistance returns the advantage to Batman.

The Dark Knight returns the favor when Robin, too, finds himself suddenly overwhelmed. Though they fight valiantly against the criminals' larger numbers, the Dynamic Duo soon find themselves up against a wall, staring down the barrels of a half dozen revolvers. Suddenly, Catwoman's cat-o-nine-tails snaps across the criminals' heads, detonating tiny explosives near their ears. With Catwoman's aid, the Caped Crusaders, finally, put the criminal gang down. Though Batman can see no "cat" themed angle in this robbery, Barbara Gordon makes the connection. A specific type of silk bandana, or handkerchief, is also know as a pulicat. Gordon intuits that Catwoman's next outing will occur at the Gotham Wax Museum, where the catafalque of a wealthy maharajah is on display. Gordon changes into her Batgirl costume, and journeys to the museum.

Sure enough, Catwoman is already there, in the midst of thwarting another gang of thieves. Batgirl throws herself at the crooks. Clumsily, Batgirl engages the crooks in combat. A fatal miscalculation in Batgirl's attack strategy leaves her stunned, and reeling on the floor. Only then does Catwoman intervene, quickly taking out the gang of crooks. Egged on by Catwoman, Batgirl shamefully admits to her shortcomings, in front of Batman, then silently walks away. In the days that follow, Catwoman takes Gotham City by storm. Her fame skyrockets, and legions of fans mob her wherever she goes. At night, Catwoman continues to bring in criminal gang after criminal gang. Feeling she's proved herself a more capable partner for Batman than Batgirl, Catwoman offers herself as Batman's partner... and wife. Quite comfortable with the status quo, Batman declines.

In the Batcave, Batman finally acknowledges what the whole of Gotham City already knows, Catwoman is in love with him. Fearing that matters will soon come to a head between them, Batman decides to take certain precautions before going on patrol. Batman, Robin, Batgirl and Catwoman all simultaneously converge on the Coin Chateau. A group of thieves is already inside, helping themselves to the Duke of Apulia's collection of rare silver ducats. Catwoman is surprised to see Batgirl back in action. Batgirl, though, has figured out that Catwoman used catoptrics in their last encounter. By swinging a bauble about, Catwoman distorted the light in the room enough to affect Batgirl's vision, and throw off her combat timing. Knowing that Batgirl is on to her, Catwoman suddenly turns, and clubs Batman into unconsciousness.

The thieves, really Catwoman's gang, quickly overwhelm Batgirl and Robin. Catwoman unmasks Batman, only to discover that Batman has painted his face, underneath his mask. Batgirl and Robin are revealed to have done the same. Removing their utility belts, Catwoman has the three crimefighters placed in a preprepared trap. Catwoman reveals that she only reformed in return for a wedding proposal from Batman. Catwoman issues Batman her final ultimatum, marry her or she will return to her life of crime. Batman rushes Catwoman, only to be repelled by a sonic barrier. Catwoman's cataphonic trap amplifies the prerecorded snarls of cats into an invisible cat's cradle of sound waves. The pain of contact is excruciating. Nonetheless, Batman refuses to marry Catwoman. The Feline Felon robs a high stakes poker game, taking full possession of the "kitty".

Catwoman returns to gloat, holding Batman responsible for her actions, by refusing to marry her. Suddenly, Batgirl leaps clear of the cataphonic trap. Before Catwoman can use her catoptrics against her, Batgirl beats Catwoman into submission. Batman and Robin step forward to take down Catwoman's gang. Batgirl reveals that she hypnotized Batman. Gently swinging her gloves against the sound barrier, Batgirl created a somnambulant tone that put Batman into a trance. With his pain receptors clouded under hypnosis, Batman was able to walk through the cataphonic field and turn it off. Catwoman also learns that all her efforts to make Batgirl look bad were pointless. Batgirl never had any romantic notions towards Batman, and thus was never the rival Catwoman believed her to be.

Batman (1940)

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

The entire run of Batman still stands upon large controversies over who actually came up with some of the characters. Bob Kane supposedly came up with the idea for the hero, but it has been suggested that he only came up with a "Bird-man" and Bill Finger suggested he be a "Bat-man". Both creators however, share credit for this character. As for the Joker, the first concept sketch was drawn by Jerry Robinson, but Kane disputed that his input was "minimal" suggesting he and Bill came up with the idea. Kane also finagled many legal aspects of Batman related print and media. Every movie and comic reads "Batman created by Bob Kane" when it should read "Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger". However It is not disputed that Robinson and Finger came up with the character, Robin after "Robinhood" . Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff co-created numerous bat-creations including Alfred Pennyworth, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Batwoman, Batgirl as well as Bat-Mite and Ace the Bat Hound just to name a few. Bill Finger also co-created Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman.

Ad for Batman #1

One of DC's longest running books showcasing the adventures of the Dark Knight, Batman. Through out the years, a majority of Batman's marquee story lines have happened within the pages of this book including, but not limited to the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd, and Bane breaking Batman's back, leading to Jean-Paul Valley to assume the role of Batman for a period of time in the 90s.

In 2006, super-star writer Grant Morrison took over the book. Morrison wrote stories that introduced readers to Bruce's son Damian Wayne as well as putting Bruce through a series of near fatal trials against The Black Glove and Doctor Hurt, leading up to the epic 2008 story lines of Batman RIP and Final Crisis where Bruce Wayne had apparently died at the hands of the evil god Darkseid.

After Bruce's "death," and the Battle for the Cowl, Dick Grayson, the first Robin, took up the mantle of Batman, continuing to protect Gotham exactly as his mentor had. He even took in Damian as his own Robin. With the exception of two issues set prior to the events of Final Crisis, Dick Grayson has been the star of the book since issue #687.

When the super hero community learned that Bruce Wayne had never actually died, and was sent back in time by Darkseid, Dick Grayson eventually knew that his time as Batman would soon end. But with Bruce's return, and formation of Batman Incorporated, Bruce deemed Dick Grayson the Batman of Gotham City, as he traveled the world, searching for more recruits for his new organization.

Charles Paris has drawn the most issues of Batman thus far at 128. Denny O'Neil is a long time writer and editor at DC with 211 issues. He also contributed the location of Arkham Asylum as well as the characters Man-Bat, Ra's al Ghul and Talia al Ghul.

In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched their entire line in an event known as "The New 52" which would see the premiere of fifty-two new titles, thus the long-running Batman series ended with #713 during Tony S. Daniel's run on the title. In the new line, however, Tony Daniel will continue writing in the "Batman universe" but under the character's other main title, Detective Comics. The new Batman series will be written instead by Scott Snyder (who was writing Detective Comics pre-relaunch).

For Post Flashpoint volume 2, refer to Batman.

Trade Volumes that collect Batman issues:

Classic and Archived Batman:

Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years (#1, 49, 181, 497)The Joker: A Celebration of 75 Years (#1, 5, 25, 32, 85, 163, 251, 427)The Batman Chronicles Volume 1 (Batman #1, Detective Comics #27-37)The Batman Chronicles Volume 2 (Batman #2-3, Detective Comics #39-45, New York World's Fair Comic #2)The Batman Chronicles Volume 3 (Batman #4-5, Detective Comics #46-50, World's Finest #1)The Batman Chronicles Volume 4 (Batman #6-7, Detective Comics #51-56, World's Finest #2-3)The Batman Chronicles Volume 5 (Batman #8-9, Detective Comics #57-61, World's Finest #4)Batman: Arkham - The Riddler (#171, 179, 292, 317 & 362)

see also Batman Archives, Batman: The Dark Knight Archives, Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives etc...

For late 60`s - 70`s comics...

Showcase Presents: Batman

Modern Batman (Post-Crisis)

Batman Arkham: Two-Face (#234, 346, 410 & 411)Tales of the Batman: Len Wein (#307-310, #312-319, #321-324, #326-327)Batman: Second Chances (#402, 403 & 408-416)Batman: Year One (Batman #404-407)Batman: The Many Deaths of Batman (Batman #433-435)Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast (#417-420)Batman: A Death in the Family (Batman #426-429)Robin: The Teen Wonder (Batman #428 and 442, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #100, Nightwing #101, Batman #428 and 442, Robin #126 and 132, and Teen Titans #29)Robin: A Hero Reborn (Batman #455-457 and Robin #1-5)Robin: Reborn (#455-457)Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Broken Bat (Batman #491-497, Detective Comics #659-663)Batman: Knightfall Part 2: Who Rules the Night (Batman #498-500, Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase '93 #7-8, Shadow of the Bat #16-18)Batman: Knightfall Part 3: Knightsend (Batman #509-510)Batman By Doug Moench & Kelley Jones Volume 1 (#515-525, 527-532 and 535-536)Tales of the Batman: J.H. Williams III (#526, 550 and 667-669)Batman: Road To No Man's Land (#555-559)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 1 ( Batman #563-564, No Man's Land #1, Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731, Legends of the Dark Knight #116)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 2 (Batman #565, Shadow of the Bat #85-87, Detective Comics #732-733, Legends of the Dark Knight #117, #119, Batman Chronicles #16)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 3 (Batman #566-569, Shadow of the Bat #88, Detective Comics #734-735, Legends of the Dark Knight #120-121)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 4 (Batman #571-572, Shadow of the Bat #92-93, Detective Comics #736, # 738-739, Legends of the Dark Knight #125, Batman Chronicles #18)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 5 (Batman #573-574, Shadow of the Bat #94, Detective Comics #740-741, Legends of the Dark Knight #126, No Man's Land #0)Batman by Ed Brubaker (#582-586 & 591-594)Batman: False Faces (Batman #588-590, Detective Comics #787, Wonder Woman #160-161, Tale from Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins)Batman: Bruce Wayne-Murderer? (Batman #599-600, Batman: The 10 Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #766-767, Batgirl #24, Nightwing #65-66, Batman: Gotham Knights #25-26, Birds of Prey #39-40, Robin #98-99)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 1 (Batman #601, #603; Batman: Gotham Knights #27-28; Batgirl #27, #29; Birds of Prey #41, #43; Nightwing #68-69)Batman: Bruce Wayne - Fugitive (#603-607)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 2 (Batman #605, Detective Comics #768-772, Batman: Gotham Knights #31)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 3 (Batman #606-607, Detective Comics #773-775, Batgirl #33)Batman: Hush (Batman #608-619)Batman vs. Superman: The Greatest Battles (#612)Batman: Broken City (Batman #620-625)Batman Noir: Eduardo Risso (Batman #620-625)Batman: As the Crow Flies (Batman #626-630)Batman: War Games Volume 1 (Batman #631, Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #797, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182, Nightwing #96, Batman: Gotham Knights #56, Robin #129, Batgirl #55, Catwoman #34)Batman: War Games Book One (New Edition) (#631)Batman: War Games Volume 2 (Batman #632, Detective Comics #798, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #183, Nightwing #97, Batman: Gotham Knights #57, Robin , Batgirl #56, Catwoman #35)Batman: War Games Volume 3 (Batman #633, Detective Comics #799, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #184, Nightwing #98, Batgirl #57, Catwoman #36, Robin #131, Batman: Gotham Knights #58)Batman: Under the Hood Volume 1 (Batman #635-641)Batman: War Crimes (Batman #643-644, Detective Comics #809-810, Batman Allies Secret Files and Origins, Batman Villains Secret Files and Origins)Batman: Under the Hood Volume 2 (Batman #645-650, Batman Annual #25)Batman: Face the Face (Batman #651-654, Detective Comics #817-820)Batman: Batman and Son (Batman #655-658, #663-666)Batman Unwrapped by Andy Kubert (Batman #655-68, 664-666, 686 and 700)DC Comics Presents: Robin War 100-Page Spectacular (#657)Damian: Son of Batman Deluxe Edition (#666)Batman: The Black Glove (Batman #667-669, 672-675)Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul (Batman #670-671, Batman Annual #26, Detective Comics #838-839, Robin #168-169, Robin Annual #7, Nightwing #138-139)Batman: Batman R.I.P. (Batman #676-683)Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader (Batman #686, Detective Comics #853, Secret Origins #36, Secret Origins Special #1, Batman: Black and White #2)Batman: Long Shadows (Batman #687-691)Batman: Life After Death (Batman #692-699)Batman: Time and the Batman (Batman #700-703)Batman: Eye of the Beholder (Batman #704-707, Batman #710-712)Batman: Gotham Shall Be Judged (Batman #708-709, Red Robin #22, Gotham City Sirens #22, Azrael #14-18)

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