DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...isexual-778030
I guess DC has decided stooping to Marvel's level helps sells comics. I am not a fan of changes like this after decades of characterization. Yes, I realize we will probably get some fantastic pin-up art out of this development. I wonder if this sticks with other writers.
After 75 years, Selina Kyle is finally coming out of the closet.
In the latest issue of the DC Comics' Catwoman comic book series — No. 39, released this week — Kyle kisses another woman, ending decades of fan rumors and speculation by stating canonically that the character is, in fact, bisexual.
Writer Genevieve Valentine, who took over the series in October, wrote on her blog that establishing Selina Kyle as “canon bisexual” was an “indispensable” beat she always had intended to hit in the series.
“She’s flirted around it — often quite literally — for years now,” wrote Valentine. “For me, this wasn’t a revelation so much as a confirmation.”
In the latest issue of the DC Comics' Catwoman comic book series — No. 39, released this week — Kyle kisses another woman, ending decades of fan rumors and speculation by stating canonically that the character is, in fact, bisexual.
Writer Genevieve Valentine, who took over the series in October, wrote on her blog that establishing Selina Kyle as “canon bisexual” was an “indispensable” beat she always had intended to hit in the series.
“She’s flirted around it — often quite literally — for years now,” wrote Valentine. “For me, this wasn’t a revelation so much as a confirmation.”
I guess DC has decided stooping to Marvel's level helps sells comics. I am not a fan of changes like this after decades of characterization. Yes, I realize we will probably get some fantastic pin-up art out of this development. I wonder if this sticks with other writers.
#2
Senior Member
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
Was there not suggestion/hinting/flirting with this with Selina's close relationships to other woman, especially Harley and Ivy?
Overall, it really won't matter or shake things up. If Selina wants to classify herself as bisexual, she could go on to date/hook up with men for the rest of her life after whatever this current situation with a woman is, and consider herself "bisexual" if she wants to. Sexuality can be on a gradient and is fluid for some people.
Maybe it'll get dropped in the future, maybe it will be a lasting fixture. My take is that I don't care. I'd rather Selina's relationships, whether with men or women, make sense for the story and be well written. And overall this particular development seems to be a minor drop in the bucket in terms of trying to give comics more diversity.
Overall, it really won't matter or shake things up. If Selina wants to classify herself as bisexual, she could go on to date/hook up with men for the rest of her life after whatever this current situation with a woman is, and consider herself "bisexual" if she wants to. Sexuality can be on a gradient and is fluid for some people.
Maybe it'll get dropped in the future, maybe it will be a lasting fixture. My take is that I don't care. I'd rather Selina's relationships, whether with men or women, make sense for the story and be well written. And overall this particular development seems to be a minor drop in the bucket in terms of trying to give comics more diversity.
#3
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
Anything that will make their dying brand of comics more relevant. Or maybe this isn't an editorial dictate in order to make headlines and the writer is just adding something that seems like the character's natural progression. I think in this case it may be the latter.
It's not a big deal to me since Catwoman has seemed for a while like someone who would explore their sexuality. It's not even the same Catwoman from the 40s, 60s or even early 80s. Whereas once she was an airline stewardess who moonlighted as a jewel thief, Frank Miller changed her background to being a prostitute/dominatrix. I grew up with the Miller version but I don't think it was a good idea to retcon Selina into being a prostitute and a victim of an abusive pimp.
Now if they changed Wonder Woman to being lesbian or bisexual, I think that would be a bad idea because it seems like it would either be pandering to her gay fan base, or perpetuating a stereotype that people are gay because of environment (tough woman raised in an all-female society must be gay).
I think I remember it being hinted that Harley and Ivy had something going on and that Harley invited Catwoman in on the action but that Catwoman declined. It was either in Harley's first series or in Gotham City Sirens.
It's not a big deal to me since Catwoman has seemed for a while like someone who would explore their sexuality. It's not even the same Catwoman from the 40s, 60s or even early 80s. Whereas once she was an airline stewardess who moonlighted as a jewel thief, Frank Miller changed her background to being a prostitute/dominatrix. I grew up with the Miller version but I don't think it was a good idea to retcon Selina into being a prostitute and a victim of an abusive pimp.
Now if they changed Wonder Woman to being lesbian or bisexual, I think that would be a bad idea because it seems like it would either be pandering to her gay fan base, or perpetuating a stereotype that people are gay because of environment (tough woman raised in an all-female society must be gay).
I think I remember it being hinted that Harley and Ivy had something going on and that Harley invited Catwoman in on the action but that Catwoman declined. It was either in Harley's first series or in Gotham City Sirens.
#4
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
Wait... since when does DC even have "canon"? Does this story come before or after their upcoming continuity reboot following Convergence?
Retcon in 3... 2...
Retcon in 3... 2...
Last edited by Undeadcow; 02-27-15 at 08:03 AM.
#5
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Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
So Catwoman is basically every woman who has had like three drinks?
I'm shocked that a woman who dresses up as a black leather cat and has a semi abusive relationship with a millionaire who beats people up while wearing his own weirdo gear might dip into the lady pool.
I'm shocked that a woman who dresses up as a black leather cat and has a semi abusive relationship with a millionaire who beats people up while wearing his own weirdo gear might dip into the lady pool.
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
...and the takeaway from this is that DC objects to Batwoman marrying her female partner, but it's okay for Catwoman to swing both ways because it titillates the boys without being threatening to their fragile masculinity.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
Yeah, a bigger deal would be if a major male hero (on Catwoman's popularity level) were bi, but given the demographics I don't think that's happening in DC anytime soon.
#8
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
Anything that will make their dying brand of comics more relevant. Or maybe this isn't an editorial dictate in order to make headlines and the writer is just adding something that seems like the character's natural progression. I think in this case it may be the latter.
It's not a big deal to me since Catwoman has seemed for a while like someone who would explore their sexuality. It's not even the same Catwoman from the 40s, 60s or even early 80s. Whereas once she was an airline stewardess who moonlighted as a jewel thief, Frank Miller changed her background to being a prostitute/dominatrix. I grew up with the Miller version but I don't think it was a good idea to retcon Selina into being a prostitute and a victim of an abusive pimp.
Now if they changed Wonder Woman to being lesbian or bisexual, I think that would be a bad idea because it seems like it would either be pandering to her gay fan base, or perpetuating a stereotype that people are gay because of environment (tough woman raised in an all-female society must be gay).
I think I remember it being hinted that Harley and Ivy had something going on and that Harley invited Catwoman in on the action but that Catwoman declined. It was either in Harley's first series or in Gotham City Sirens.
It's not a big deal to me since Catwoman has seemed for a while like someone who would explore their sexuality. It's not even the same Catwoman from the 40s, 60s or even early 80s. Whereas once she was an airline stewardess who moonlighted as a jewel thief, Frank Miller changed her background to being a prostitute/dominatrix. I grew up with the Miller version but I don't think it was a good idea to retcon Selina into being a prostitute and a victim of an abusive pimp.
Now if they changed Wonder Woman to being lesbian or bisexual, I think that would be a bad idea because it seems like it would either be pandering to her gay fan base, or perpetuating a stereotype that people are gay because of environment (tough woman raised in an all-female society must be gay).
I think I remember it being hinted that Harley and Ivy had something going on and that Harley invited Catwoman in on the action but that Catwoman declined. It was either in Harley's first series or in Gotham City Sirens.
Last edited by Nick Danger; 02-28-15 at 05:33 AM.
#11
DVD Talk Hero
#12
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
I don't think that Batwoman getting married threatens male readers' masculinity. I think two reasons were possibly at play: 1) being they may not have want to get into the political controversy of gay marriage. Corporations try to stay away from controversy when it threatens their brand or profit margins, and/or 2) they don't want to marry and "age" a character. They rebooted the universe just so Superman wouldn't be married anymore. Marvel made a deal with the Devil in order for Spider-man not to be married anymore.
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: DC Comics announces that Catwoman is bisexual
I didn't know that Marvel un-married Peter Parker and Mary Jane. Oh well, I kind of liked the McFarlane era where Peter was doing well in grad school and married to a super-hot model. Dorky teenage boy grows up into a successful man. The black suit was ugly, but mistakes were unmade.