Absolute Batman Fans Debate Absolute Catwoman’s Controversial Color Choices
DC just dropped a new ‘Absolute Catwoman’ into its Absolute Universe, and the internet is, as usual, losing its collective mind. This fresh take on Selina Kyle isn’t just a simple redesign; it’s a full-blown reimagining that’s already got fans drawing battle lines over her costume, her race, and her fundamentally altered backstory with Batman. So, let’s claw into the catty chaos and see what all the feline fuss is about.
Absolute Catwoman Pounces on the Scene
This isn’t your mother’s Catwoman. The Absolute Universe is DC’s sandbox for shaking up the dusty corners of the Batman mythos, and they’re not pulling any punches. We’re talking about a Bruce Wayne without his family fortune (Whaa?) and a Gotham where his future frenemies are now childhood companions. At the center of it all is the new Absolute Catwoman, who is intrinsically linked to Bruce’s origin story.
A Controversial New Look for an Icon
Let’s get right to it: the design for Absolute Catwoman. When the variant covers for Absolute Batman #13 dropped, featuring Stanley “Artgerm” Lau’s stunning artwork, the debate sparked into ignition. One cover shows a sleek, modern Selina with a tactical vibe and long, flowing hair – a departure from the classic pixie cut or short bob many fans associate with the character. Legendary Catwoman portrayer Julie Newmar had long hair.
Another, more debated, cover features a plunging neckline that immediately sent social media into a frenzy about the character’s sexualization. Is it a bold, racy, and confident new direction – or a tired, overdone, gratuitous trope? The jury is still out, but everyone has an opinion.
Coloring Outside the Lines
This isn’t just about a costume, though. The real firestorm erupted over Selina Kyle‘s race. In present-day scenes, she appears as a young woman of color. However, in flashbacks to her childhood with Bruce, her skin tone is noticeably lighter. This discrepancy sent fans into a tailspin, with accusations of inconsistent art and color-washing flying left and right.
Artist Artgerm even mentioned he had to adjust his coloring based on DC’s official guidelines for Absolute Catwoman. Writer Scott Snyder tried to clear the air, explaining the difference was due to contrasting color palettes between past and present color hue settings, not some massive artistic oversight. But let’s be real, in the world of comics, perception is reality, and the visual whiplash has left a mark.
More Than a Thief, A Foundational Figure
The changes to Absolute Catwoman go far deeper than her appearance. This continuity dares to place Selina right beside Bruce during his most traumatic moment: the immediate aftermath of his parents’ murder.
She’s no longer just some cat burglar he meets on the rooftops of Gotham; she’s a foundational piece of his past. The early designs reflect this, showing a young Selina in a cat-eared hoodie, already displaying her mischievous, “borrowing” tendencies by swiping one of Bruce’s medals.
Cat-Confidante or Batman’s Betrayer?
It’s a bold narrative swing. By making her a witness to his pain, DC is forging a bond between them that’s more profound than their usual cat-and-bat games. This Selina Kyle is positioned to be either Bruce’s most trusted confidante or his most devastating betrayer. DC has been cagey about her present-day whereabouts, only revealing that she’s been traveling the world.
Her inevitable return to Gotham is set up to be an earth-shattering event for this new Batman. DC is swinging for the fences with the Absolute Universe, and they don’t seem to care who gets caught up in the melee.
This Absolute Catwoman is a lightning rod, deliberately designed to challenge expectations and spark conversation. Whether this new take will become the definitive version for a new generation or just another controversial footnote in her 80-year history remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: everyone is watching to see what this cat drags in.
