Warning! Contains preview pages of Batman/Catwoman Special #1!
A new twist has been added to the relationship of Batman and Catwoman as a new preview shows their love story may have began earlier than any fan thought in DC Comics. Pages from the upcoming Batman/Catwoman Special #1 show just how Selina Kyle became aware of the scion of Gotham and how she developed tender feelings for the boy that would grow up to be the Dark Knight.
As a romantic pair, Catwoman and Batman have spent decades flirting, experiencing brief romantic trysts and breaking one another's heart. During Tom King's run on the Batman title, he explored their relationship further by having Bruce take a serious look of his life, and come to the realization he wants to spend his days with Selina Kyle. Though their much hyped-up wedding didn't pan out, King continues to examine the relationship of the Bat and the Cat in a non-canon sequel series under DC's Black Label banner.
A preview for Batman/Catwoman Special #1 by Tom King, John Paul Leon, Bernard Chang, Mitch Gerards, Dave Stewart and Clayton Cowles shows a young Selina Kyle growing up in The Wayne Home For Orphaned Children. She shows her trademark independence by wandering around the home only to stumble upon a family portrait of the shelter's benefactors. The lonely Selina spends the next several Christmases with the picture, having taken a shine to the image of Bruce, conversing and bonding with her imagined friend. She discovers the tragedy of the Wayne shooting and grieves for Bruce, wishing she could be there for the boy that's been there for her.
While Selina demonstrates a great emotional intelligence, the revelation that she developed a one-sided relationship with Bruce before either of them assumed an alternate persona puts their shared history in a new light. Batman and Catwoman discovered each other's secret identities in the post-Crisis DC Universe during Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee and Scott Williams' "Hush" storyline. Batman revealing his identity to Catwoman was a huge step for Bruce, demonstrating the trust he felt with Selina.
This new twist on Selina's past, however, adds to why Selina would trust him back. As Catwoman, Selina was content having fun, engaging in cat-and-mouse games with someone who shared a flair for the dramatic. However, discovering that the man beneath the mask is the real life version of the boy she spent so much time with bridges that fun with an emotional connection she developed in her youth. The conversations she shared with the Wayne family portrait helped her feel a little less lonely, so when that same person expressed how much he trusted her, it's no wonder Selina fell for Bruce. The relationship between Batman and Catwoman may have its ups and downs, but they'll always be childhood sweethearts. At least, as far as Selina's concerned.