Catwoman is one of those great characters who, despite not having the most widely recognized appearances in film or television, still manages to have some of the best stories in comics. If you’re getting into the world of Selina Kyle, here are our picks for the best Catwoman comics to get you started.
Best Catwoman comics as of 2025
Despite not receiving her own series until 1993, Catwoman first appeared in comics way back in 1940 in Batman #1 as a mysterious, swift burglar known as “The Cat.” It’s later revealed that this thief is a beautiful woman without a name, whose ethos would grow into a fantastic, powerful character who walks the line between good and evil. She’s athletic, sharp, a skilled combatant, incredibly intelligent, controlled, and the perfect foil to the chaotic energy of Harley Quinn. So, without going further into why Catwoman is one of the best characters in DC Comics, we’ll get you started with her most incredible stories.
Catwoman: Lonely City
Written by Cliff Chiang and published in 2022, Lonely City is one of the best Catwoman comics for its perfect mix of action and heart, with everything done by Chiang, from the writing to the inks and pencils. We love comic finds like this, where everything feels like one cohesive vision. There are, of course, plenty of outstanding creative collaborations in comics, but the solo act is always a treat.
Part of DC’s Black Label series, which, if you’re new to comics, is basically the mature, “director’s cut” corner of the DC universe. Lonely City sits alongside other standout titles like Harleen and Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, both of which are also worth checking out if you’re looking for more. As for the plot, this 4-issue series takes us to a future Gotham, now under heavy surveillance with Harvey Dent as mayor. Ten years earlier, a night known as Fool’s Night took down the Joker, Commissioner Gordon, Batman, and Nightwing, and ended with Catwoman behind bars. Now, Selina Kyle has reentered the world but has one last mission set off by a mysterious clue from Batman. Part heist, part eulogy to Gotham’s former glory, Lonely City is a fantastic read for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Batman: Date Nights/Late Rites
Batman Annual #2: Date Nights / Last Rites was published in 2017. Written by Tom King, with Lee Weeks handling both pencils and inks, Date Nights / Last Rites is one of the best Catwoman stories out there. And one of our favorite Batman stories, too. Think of this one less as a primary driver of continuity. Still, more of a standalone, special feature kind of comic, which gives us a look at Catwoman and Batman’s relationship. Plus, this is one of the few comics that gives us Batman’s romantic side.
The story unfolds in two halves; the first part takes us back to when Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle first admit what’s really between them. There’s only so long these two figures can play a game of cat and mouse with enough flirty, quippy maneuvers before something else takes over. Fast-forward to Last Rites, and the stakes go way, way up. Without giving too much away, it jumps ahead to a future where their relationship (plus so much more) hangs in the balance.
Catwoman: When in Rome
From the same creative team behind Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory — two of our all-time favorite Batman comics — comes this 6-issue limited series from DC Comics, published between 2004 and 2005. With writing by Jeph Loeb and art by Tim Sale, Catwoman: When in Rome whisks us away to, you can probably guess it, Rome. Selina Kyle is on the hunt for answers about her past and her possible connection to Gotham’s most infamous mob clan, the Carmine “The Roman” Falcone family. For those of you who are somewhat new to her history, Selina learns that the abusive man she thought was her father wasn’t actually related to her. The girl needs answers. And no mission — or vacation for that matter — would be complete without the Riddler who tags along.
Loeb and Sale drench the story in pure noir style, with shadowy alleyways and smoky nightclubs. And of course, there’s danger around every corner. Selina soon finds herself tangled up with mob bosses and assassins, all while uncovering old family secrets. There are some excellent psychological twists, too, with hallucinatory sequences brought on by Scarecrow’s fear toxin, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s in her head. A lot is going on, and it’s all very entertaining.
Trail of the Catwoman
Trail of the Catwoman is the start of Ed Brubaker’s Catwoman run, which also includes No Way Down and Under Pressure. Really, the full run should be required Catwoman reading for any longtime fan or newcomer alike. The series was published in 2002 and has long been viewed as one of the most important Catwoman story arcs.
Starting with “Trail of the Catwoman,” beautifully illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, the story begins with Selina Kyle faking her own death to escape the life of being Catwoman. However, old habits die hard, and it takes money to start over. So Selina Kyle orchestrates a heist — and things don’t go so well. But with every foil and obstacle life throws at you, you adapt and learn something about your identity, and this is a very entertaining, well-crafted tale of that classic story. This storyline isn’t just a crime caper, but a carefully crafted story that gives us Selina’s evolution into one of DC Comics’ most iconic antiheroes.
Her Sister’s Keeper
Written by Mindy Newell with illustrations by J.J. Birch, Her Sister’s Keeper is a storyline originally published in the 1989 Catwoman miniseries, finally giving Catwoman the much-deserved spotlight with her own title. Her ongoing series would still be four years away, but this was a perfect starting point. We couldn’t leave the list without an origin story, now could we?
In this gritty Gotham City arc, Selina Kyle is found injured and dying in an alleyway by a nun, who has a history of rescuing stray cats. After getting out of the hospital, the pimp who says he loves her only continues to exploit her (insert the biggest eyeroll you’ve ever seen here) and make her wear a catsuit for her next client. However, Selina soon makes use of a contact from a police officer who had visited her.
Under the instruction of a former boxing champion, Selina learns to fight and begins to take back her power. She also crosses paths with Bruce Wayne and witnesses this to-be crusader in action, taking notes as she does. Once a victim, we follow this new Selina Kyle as she rises from abuse and exploitation to forge her identity as Catwoman. And it’s just a pleasure to root for her. You go, girl.
How we chose the best Catwoman comics
As with this writer’s other lists, I approach the best Catwoman comics by considering a mix of writing, artwork, fan favorites, and overall approachability. There’s something on this list for everyone, and the hope is that new comic fans who’ve made it here will find it useful without feeling overwhelmed. But even if you’re a longtime fan, these reads are undeniably good and well worth revisiting time and time again.
