One of DC’s most popular couples is Catwoman and Batman, however, in Catwoman: Soulstealer The Graphic Novel, Selina is paired with Batwing, not Bruce Wayne. Surprisingly, the pairing is better than fans likely would have expected considering how long she and Bruce have been an item.
The relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne is one that has had numerous ups and downs. From a called-off wedding to break-ups and an alternate universe marriage, they’ve been through it all. The YA graphic novel Catwoman: Soulstealer changes things up significantly more than just advancing or regressing their relationship—it replaces it with a new relationship.
Based on the YA novel of the same name, Catwoman: Soulstealer (The Graphic Novel) has the creative team of Sarah J. Maas, Louise Simonson, and Samantha Dodge. This graphic novel gives Selina a new origin and a new romantic interest: Luke Fox. After being recruited by Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins as a child, Selina returns to Gotham under a new alias. She poses as a rich socialite and ends up living next to Luke. The two cross paths multiple times as Selina establishes herself as a major player in Gotham’s underworld and they eventually have romantic interest in one another.
While Batman and Catwoman are typically one of Gotham’s it couples, Bruce is nowhere to be found in this graphic novel. He is away on business and never interacts with Selina, staying completely removed from her life in this alternate universe story. This leaves all attention on the attraction between Luke and “Holly” (Catwoman’s alias in this story), which only grows exponentially at the end when Luke finally knows the kind of person Selina truly is. Through several fights, plots, and some romantic tension, the two find themselves gravitating more and more towards one another. They have intense backgrounds (him having PTSD from his time in the military and her being a trained assassin) and both enjoy a good puzzle. Luke Fox fits the role of rich crimefighter very well, usurping Bruce’s long-term role as Catwoman’s squeeze.
Selina has been paired with a few different romantic interests over the years, including the Penguin and the Riddler, but it isn’t often that she is paired off with one of Batman’s sidekicks. She is most frequently with Bruce, not paying much attention to any of the Robins or other Bat-Family members. This match with Luke is a bold move for this graphic novel, though it certainly isn’t one of the worst pairings that could occur. The two certainly have a lot of respect for each other and they keep each other on their toes, providing challenges they sorely need. While Catwoman and Batman aren’t likely to be kept apart for long in the main DC universe at any given time, Batwing certainly isn’t a terrible boyfriend for the thief to have in an alternate universe.
