DC Comics explores Batman and Catwoman’s romance throughout the years in Batman/Catwoman Special #1. The issue centralizes itself on Selina Kyle and her experiences with Bruce Wayne, carefully weaving together elements of their shared childhood, trauma, and future together until death do they part.
The special from Tom King, John Paul Leon, Bernard Chang, Mitch Gerards, Dave Stewart and Clayton Cowles takes place across three notable eras in Selina Kyle’s lifetime—a young, adult, and elder version of the thief turned hero. The narrative puts Catwoman at the center stage as it follows her relationship with Bruce Wayne on Christmas throughout the years. Some events highlighted include the two getting married, having a daughter (Helena Wayne), and seeing Batman retire. the issue's artists pay special attention to depicting the couple realistically, especially in their discord regarding Bruce’s unending campaign as Batman and Selina’s difficulty controlling her criminal behavior. This special’s emphasis on Batman and Catwoman’s affair indicates that they deserve to endure because the incorporation of good and bad memories shows that they will always return to each other at the end of the day. Although many superhero relationships fail, Batman and Catwoman's shared history proves the stability of their bond is why they conquer everything that comes their way.
Before the two formally met, the issue opens with a young Selina drawing a picture of a cat and showing it to a portrait of Bruce Wayne. When Martha and Thomas Wayne die, Selina reads about it in the paper and offers her condolences to the painting of Bruce, saying, “you can talk to me if you want, if you’re lonely. I’ll be your friend.” Without even knowing him, Selina feels drawn to Bruce’s portrait so much she acts as if it is him, showing that her friendship with him began through their mutual trauma as orphaned children. Years later, Selina grows into her own as Catwoman, kissing Batman on a rooftop after stealing pearls, only to fight him on the next page. She struggles to understand their relationship when she wonders if Batman only cares about “another day, another fling with the dangerous woman.” Confused by the push and pull from enemies to lovers, Selina thinks that Batman is only with her because he enjoys the thrill of being romantically involved with someone on the opposite side of the fight.
Clarity is shed on the subject during another Christmas when Selina celebrates with Bruce and Alfred at the mansion. After spending the night, Selina and Alfred reflect on their favorite painting of the Wayne family when he remarks, “for all the pain this house has seen, it has seen more love,” suggesting that Selina invites warmth, compassion, and intimacy into Bruce’s life. This symbol that Selina represents is reinforced when she shares a tender moment with Bruce after his patrol, heavily pregnant and smiling as she cuddles with him. Despite a few bumps in the road (some might believe doom Batman and Catwoman's relationship), the two grow old together and support each other until their deaths, implying that their affair’s stability throughout time relies on who they are under the mask.
Batman/Catwoman Special #1 emphasizes how DC Comics believes Batman and Catwoman’s romance deserves to endure everything because, despite their bad habits and rough patches, they will always anchor one another. Even though Batman and Catwoman have been on opposite teams for a long time, they will always go to bat for each other.