DC’s Absolute Batman series offers a dynamic new take on the Dark Knight. One of the more notable changes involves Selina Kyle, who is a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne in the Absolute Universe. However, DC has confirmed that she adopted the Catwoman identity in the new reality and revealed her costume.
The new costume was revealed in a solicitation for Absolute Batman #13 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta. The issue will apparently center around the final battle between Bruce Wayne and Bane. As a joking afterthought, the summary adds that “Absolute Catwoman debuts in this pivotal issue!” However, while she may not be the focus of the story, Selina takes center stage on the issue’s main cover.
Absolute Batman showed Selena Kyle, but not Catwoman
The cover of Absolute Batman #13 marks the first appearance of Absolute Catwoman. However, Selina Kyle has appeared several times in the series so far. Her first appearance came in a childhood photo of Bruce Wayne and his friends. Selena is easily identified by her cat-ears headband and as the only girl in their gang.
Selina was apparently a bad influence on the young Bruce. A flashback in Absolute Batman #3 showed her helping him sneak out of the house and into a movie theater without paying. As a teenager, Bruce was subsequently shown to have become a juvenile delinquent. Moreover, he staged several burglaries with Selina after their relationship became romantic.
Nothing has been revealed of where Selina is in the present day beyond her traveling a lot because of her work. It was implied, however, that her work was less than legal. A more worrying point is that her new costume features a spherical mask similar to the ones worn by various people in the employ of Joker.
Absolute Batman #13 arrives in comic shops everywhere on October 8, 2025.
