It seems that Catwoman isn't just one of the greatest loves Batman has ever known. Batman: Noel reveals that Selina Kyle's presence in Bruce Wayne's life actively makes him a better hero in a heartwarming way.
For nearly as long as Batman has been protecting Gotham, he's had Catwoman skulking around the city's dark passages, forcing him to give her chase. For years, the two were on opposite sides of the law, a hero and a thief. And yet, there was an undeniable attraction between the two. Between the thrill of the chase and their costumed personas, Batman and Catwoman struck up a classic back-and-forth that lasted for years, all the way up to their near-marriage. While the two are taking some time apart from one another, it's undeniable that the two have a bond that always leads them back into each other's lives.
And that's a good thing because it looks like Selina may be what Bruce needs in order to keep him from going too far into the darkness. In Batman: Noel by Lee Bermejo, Batman is trying to draw out the Joker on Christmas Eve. However, his efforts for the night are interrupted after spotting Catwoman committing a robbery. She playfully teases Batman and encourages him to chase her, but Batman is in no mood for her games. Selina reminds Bruce that there was a time when the two would play the game before Batman began his darker crusades. Bruce insults Selina, causing her to strike at Bruce, which finally makes him begin the chase she was looking for. As the two scurry across rooftops, memories begin flooding Bruce's mind, reminding him of the fun he used to have when he first began his work as Batman.
Catwoman Is Batman's Link To His Past
While he’s suffered from the actions of his other villains, Batman and Catwoman have forged a relationship that stirs up fond memories for the hero. She reminds him of his earliest days as the Caped Crusader, back when things were simpler, and he enjoyed his job to a greater degree. As time has gone on, Batman’s job has gotten harder and the darkness of Gotham has taken its toll, making him much more grim and brutal. But Selina can remind Bruce of the days he had fun and help him remember what he loved about being Batman.
Bruce has been at his work as Batman for quite a long time and as Gotham gains more villains and the work becomes more dire, it’s no doubt hard for him to remember why he does it. Catwoman, however, represents better times, particularly a more colorful period of his life where the bad guys weren’t as evil, and he enjoyed the games he used to play. When Selina is around Bruce, he can recall those times much more easily, and it makes him want to be more like his youthful self, a Batman who smiled and enjoyed playing the game. Whenever Catwoman is around, Batman can’t help but want to recapture the fun of those days gone by.