Jim Lee Catwoman Variant Art Teases a Dark Future for the BatCat Romance

Summary

Jim Lee's variant cover hints at a tragic end for Batman and Catwoman's romance.
If Jim Lee’s art is indicative, it suggests that Batman may be the catalyst for Catwoman’s downfall.
This art prompts questions about the future of BatCat romance and possible irreversible changes to both characters.

Catwoman are renowned for their tumultuous on-again, off-again romance, but it appears that the iconic couple may be facing a more permanent end if Jim Lee’s cover art is any indication. This potential conclusion to the famed duo's relationship is notably darker than a mere "breakup" and may even signify the demise of Selina Kyle at the hands of Bruce Wayne himself.

Jim Lee has once again left fans in awe with his unmatched talent, showcasing a simply stunning variant cover that delves into the BatCat romance. However, rather than presenting a heartwarming or steamy depiction of Catwoman and Batman, this artwork is imbued with dark undertones and heartbreak, hinting at a tragically ominous fate for the iconic duo.

CATWOMAN #64 (2024)

Release Date:	April 16, 2024
Writers:	Tini Howard
Artists:	Carmine Di Giandomenico
Cover Artist:	David Nakayama
Variant Covers:	Jim Lee, InHyuk Lee, Derrick Chew, Lesley Li, and Tirso Cons
"Nine Lives" enters its sixth chapter! Selina has carried out almost every lethal heist on the face of the earth, so now it's time to head to space! In a universe full of interplanetary heroes and villains, secrets get left behind in strange places, and one in particular has caught the Catwoman's eye. As she approaches a familiar, yet abandoned station, she might want to watch her back—for she's not the only one walking among the stars!

Jim Lee’s variant cover graces the pages of Tini Howard and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Catwoman #64, which delves into the sixth chapter of Selina Kyle’s Nine Lives storyline. This highly anticipated issue is set to hit shelves on April 16, 2024.

Jim Lee BatCat Art Hints Bruce Wayne Will Be Selina Kyle’s Downfall

Jim Lee Catwoman #64 variant cover featuring monster Batman and ed out Selina Kyle.

Jim Lee’s variant cover depicts Batman and Catwoman locked in an ill-fated embrace. This iteration of Bruce assumes a monstrous Batman form, characterized by piercing red eyes, elongated claws, and a nostalgic Batsuit adorned with the iconic yellow bat emblem. With a snarl etched on his face and one clawed hand poised to strike, he cradles Selina’s lifeless body in his other arm. This rendition of Catwoman also adopts a retro aesthetic, boasting long, wavy hair reminiscent of her appearance in the 1950s.

Despite the vivid scene this art paints, it also prompts numerous questions about the future of the BatCat romance. Most notably, what transpired between Bruce and Selina to lead to this? If Jim Lee’s art is indicative, it suggests that Batman may be the catalyst for Catwoman’s downfall. However, it remains uncertain whether this art should be interpreted in a literal sense, such as a monstrous Batman physically harming Selina, or in a more metaphorical sense, like Batman dismantling Catwoman figuratively. Regardless, this imagery portrays a beautifully rendered yet distressing future for the beloved romance between Catwoman and Batman.

The End of DC's Iconic BatCat Romance Will Forever Change Batman

Catwoman claws Batman's back in DC comics

If the Batman and Catwoman romance were to end as permanently as the variant cover suggests, it would signify significant changes for each character individually. For instance, if Bruce were to be the one to end Selina's life, it would undoubtedly mark the demise of the Catwoman character. However, once Bruce emerged from his monstrous state and confronted his actions with a clear mind, realizing he had taken the life of his once almost-wife, it would undoubtedly shatter him irreparably. Of course, this is all speculative at this point; Jim Lee’s Batman and Catwoman art could simply just be awe-inspiring artistry.