Catwoman Key Issues: All Essential Comics to Collect

Catwoman is one of the most iconic female characters in comic book history. Anti-heroine par excellence, Selina Kyle has navigated between good and evil for more than 80 years, maintaining a complex romantic relationship with Batman that has fascinated readers generation after generation. Its popularity in cinema (Michelle Pfeiffer in 1992, Halle Berry in 2004, Anne Hathaway in 2012, Zoë Kravitz in 2022) has considerably boosted the market for its key issues.

This guide lists all the key Catwoman issues essential for collectors, from her first appearance in Batman #1 (1940) to the acclaimed modern series. With prices ranging from a few dozen dollars to several millions, Catwoman offers collecting opportunities for all budgets and all levels of expertise.

Batman #1 (1940) — The very first Catwoman

Catwoman's first appearance is in Batman #1, published in the spring of 1940. In that story, she appears as "The Cat" — a stylish jewel thief with no costume or defined civilian identity. This issue is shared with the first appearance of the Joker, making this publication one of the most important in comic book history.

Valuation (shared value with first Joker appearance)

• CGC 9.4 (NM): $2,200,000 (Heritage Auctions record, 2021)
• CGC 7.0 (FN/VF): approximately $500,000
• CGC 5.0 (VG/FN): approximately $200,000
• CGC 3.0 (GD/VG): $80,000 – $100,000
• CGC 1.0 (FR): $25,000 – $35,000

It is important to note that the value of Batman #1 is largely driven by the first appearance of the Joker as much as that of Catwoman. Nevertheless, it is the founding number of any serious Catwoman collection.

The evolution of the costume — Key issues visuals

The visual evolution of Catwoman through the decades generates its own key issues for collectors interested in the character's design history:

Major transformations

• Batman #1 (1940)— Civilian appearance, no costume. Simply "The Cat".
• Batman #3 (1940)— First cat mask (green half-mask). $8,000 – $40,000 depending on rank.
• Batman #62 (1950)— First purple costume complete with cat ear mask. The “classic” look: $3,000 – $15,000 depending on the grade.
• Batman #197 (1967)— New emerald green costume inspired by the TV series (Julie Newmar). $500 – $2,000 in medium grades.
• Batman #355 (1983)— Return of the gray/purple suit, start of the modern look. $30 – $80 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #1 (1993, Jim Balent)— The definitive skintight purple suit of the 90s. $50 – 150 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #1 (2002, Darwyn Cooke)— The black suit with glasses, iconic modern look. $80 – $200 in CGC 9.8.

Her Sister's Keeper (1989) — The Definitive Origin

Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper, a 4-issue miniseries by Mindy Newell and J.J. Birch (1989), is the first full origin of Selina Kyle as an independent character. This dark story explores her past as a prostitute, her relationship with her sister Maggie, and her transformation into Catwoman.

• Catwoman #1-4 (1989, miniseries)— Complete set: $40 – $100 in NM.
• Catwoman #1 (1989)— First solo Catwoman issue in history: $20 – $50 in CGC 9.8.

This mini-series was subsequently supplemented by Ed Brubaker's run which takes up and develops the same themes. It is essential reading to understand the modern version of the character.

Catwoman Vol. 2 (1993-2001) — The Jim Balent era

The first ongoing series of Catwoman (94 issues) was drawn for the first 77 issues by Jim Balent. If the "cheesecake" style divides fans today, this series remains a pillar of the Catwoman collection and contains several key issues:

• Catwoman #1 (1993)— Gold embossed cover, launch of the series. $50 – $150 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #0 (1994)— “Zero Hour” issue, original revised. $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #32 (1996)—Beginning of the “Catwoman: Year One” arc. $10 – $25 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #50 (1997)— Anniversary issue, special edition. $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #94 (2001)— Last issue of the series. $10 – $20 in CGC 9.8.

The complete run of 94 issues is between $200 – $400 in VF+ condition depending on the sellers. It's a satisfying collectible project and still very affordable compared to the mainline Batman runs.

Catwoman Vol. 3 (2002-2008) — The Brubaker/Cooke masterpiece

The 2002 relaunch by Ed Brubaker (screenplay) and Darwyn Cooke (initial art) is unanimously considered the best Catwoman run in history. Cooke redesigned the character with a practical black suit and night vision goggles — a look that became the standard for all subsequent incarnations.

Key from the Brubaker run

• Catwoman #1 (2002)— Darwyn Cooke cover, new iconic look. $80 – $200 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #12 (2002)— End of Cooke's first arc, considered perfect. $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #25 (2004)— Selina vs. Black Mask, “War Games” arc. $10 – $20 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #50 (2006)— Selina discovers that she is pregnant (daughter Helena). $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #82 (2008)— Last issue of the series. $10 – $20 in CGC 9.8.

The Brubaker/Cooke run is considered the Catwoman equivalent of "The Dark Knight Returns" for Batman: a definitive work that redefined the character for a generation. Cooke's artful debut issues have been on a steady rise since the artist's tragic death in 2016.

Catwoman in the modern era (2011–present)

• Catwoman #1 (2011, New 52)— Controversial relaunch by Judd Winick (intimate Batman/Catwoman scene). $20 – $50 in CGC 9.8.
• Batman #1 (2016, Tom King)— Beginning of Tom King's Batman/Catwoman relationship. $30 – $60 in CGC 9.8.
• Batman #50 (2018)— The failed Batman/Catwoman marriage. $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.
• Catwoman #1 (2018, Joëlle Jones)— New launch with gorgeous art. $20 – $40 in CGC 9.8.
• Batman/Catwoman #1 (2020, Tom King/Clay Mann)— Maxi-series exploring their relationship through three eras. $15 – $30 in CGC 9.8.

The impact of the film The Batman (2022) with Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle has generated a renewed interest in all Catwoman key issues, particularly the first appearances and the Brubaker run from which the film is partially inspired in the treatment of the character.