Absolute Catwoman #1 (2026): Who Is She, First Appearance & New Series Guide
DC Absolute Universe · Character Deep Dive · June 2026
Absolute Catwoman #1 (2026): Who Is Selina Kyle, When Did She First Appear & What to Expect from the New DC Series
Written by Scott Snyder & Che Grayson · Art by Bengal · On Sale June 10, 2026 · 6-Issue Limited Series
Absolute Catwoman #1 goes on sale June 10, 2026 from DC Comics. Written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder with art by Bengal, this 6-issue limited series is the first solo Catwoman title in the DC Absolute Universe — and one of the most anticipated DC Comics releases of 2026. Whether you're asking "who is Absolute Catwoman?", "when did Catwoman first appear?", or "should I buy Absolute Catwoman #1?" — this is the complete guide. Cover A is currently on sale at $3.50 (below the $4.99 cover price) at Epic Panels Comics while supplies last.
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In This Article
- Who Is Catwoman? The Complete History of Selina Kyle in DC Comics
- The Best Catwoman Comic Books Ever — Essential Reading Guide
- Every Catwoman in Film & TV — From Julie Newmar to Zoë Kravitz
- What Is the DC Absolute Universe? The New Comics Line Explained
- Where Does Absolute Catwoman First Appear? Absolute Batman #13 (2025)
- Who Is Selina Kyle in the DC Absolute Universe? Her New Origin Explained
- Absolute Catwoman #1 Preview — Plot, Tone & Interior Art
- The Creative Team Behind Absolute Catwoman #1
- Buy Absolute Catwoman #1 — All Covers, Prices & Issue Details
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who Is Catwoman? The Complete History of Selina Kyle in DC Comics
From Batman #1 (1940) to the DC Absolute Universe
Few characters in all of comics have had a life as rich, complex, and endlessly reinvented as Selina Kyle — the woman behind the mask of Catwoman. She first appeared in Batman #1, published April 25, 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Before the leather suit, before the whip, before the cowl, Catwoman was a simple burglar known only as "The Cat" who disguised herself as an old woman to infiltrate a yacht.
The crafty jewel thief was a classical femme fatale in the mold of noir icons like Jean Harlow. It wouldn't be until 10 years of unnamed criminal escapades that she'd take on the name Selina Kyle — first revealed in Batman #62 (1950). Over the following eight decades, she has been villain, antiheroine, love interest, solo hero, and DC icon all at once.
"She's the ur-antiheroine of comics, the primordial cat burglar, and the morally ambiguous woman of the streets nonpareil. As she stole Bruce Wayne's heart in 1940's Batman #1, so too did she steal fans'."
In the late 1980s, writer Frank Miller reimagined Selina Kyle as the product of an abusive home who flees state custody to make her own way on Gotham's mean streets. That gritty, street-level origin became the definitive version for a generation — and it's the DNA that runs directly through the Absolute Catwoman we're getting in 2026.
2. The Best Catwoman Comic Books Ever — Essential Reading Guide
Eight decades of essential reading for new and longtime fans
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Batman #1 (1940) Catwoman's First Appearance She's called "The Cat," stealing an emerald necklace from a yacht. No name, no costume, no whip — but already impossible to ignore. Batman deliberately lets her escape. |
Batman: Year One (1987) Frank Miller's Definitive Origin Frank Miller reimagined Selina as a survivor from Gotham's East End. Raw, gritty, and deeply human. This version became the template for nearly every Catwoman story that followed. |
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Catwoman Vol. 3 (2002) Ed Brubaker's Street-Level Masterpiece Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke redefined Catwoman as Gotham's East End protector. Often cited as the best Catwoman run ever written — grounded, morally complex, and unforgettable. |
Absolute Batman #13 (2025) The Absolute Debut Having raised eyebrows and heart rates with her debut in Absolute Batman #13, Selina Kyle became a literal breakout star of the Absolute Universe. Her own series launched June 10, 2026. |
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3. Every Catwoman in Film & TV — From Julie Newmar to Zoë Kravitz
The complete on-screen history of Selina Kyle
| Actress | Production | Year | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie Newmar | Batman TV Series | 1966–1967 | The original iconic Catwoman — playful, cunning, charming |
| Eartha Kitt | Batman TV Series | 1967–1968 | Fierce, sophisticated, commanding — widely beloved decades later |
| Michelle Pfeiffer | Batman Returns | 1992 | Definitive Catwoman for many fans — dark, sensual, deeply tragic |
| Anne Hathaway | The Dark Knight Rises | 2012 | Sharp, morally complex, agile — brought genuine depth to the role |
| Zoë Kravitz | The Batman | 2022 | Raw, street-level, emotionally grounded — closest to the modern comics version |
4. What Is the DC Absolute Universe? The New Comics Line Explained
DC's boldest new imprint — perfect for new readers
The DC Absolute Universe is the most exciting thing to happen to DC Comics in years. Launched in 2024 under Scott Snyder, the line reimagines DC's most iconic heroes from the ground up — stripping away decades of continuity and rebuilding them as modern, emotionally grounded characters. Every series is standalone and new-reader friendly. Absolute Catwoman #1 is the perfect entry point.
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Absolute Batman Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta. A broke, working-class Bruce Wayne with no Alfred, no manor — just ingenuity and determination. |
Absolute Superman Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval. Kal-El reimagined in a harder, more uncertain world — still choosing hope. |
Absolute Wonder Woman Kelly Thompson & Hayden Sherman. Diana through a darker mythological lens — warrior, believer, outsider. |
5. Where Does Absolute Catwoman First Appear? Absolute Batman #13 (2025)
October 8, 2025 — the debut that launched a series
Absolute Batman #13 — Catwoman's first appearance |
Absolute Batman #14 — Catwoman in action |
Absolute Catwoman's first appearance is Absolute Batman #13, published October 8, 2025. The issue features Batman's final confrontation with Bane — and in the aftermath, Selina Kyle steps onto the stage in her all-black costume with a massive helmeted mask with two cat ears and Black Mask-inspired technology.
Absolute Catwoman character design — © DC Comics
The fan response was immediate. At New York Comic Con 2025, just days after the issue released, DC announced her solo series to widespread excitement. Having raised eyebrows and heart rates with her debut, Selina Kyle had become a literal breakout star of DC's Absolute Universe.
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On Sale Now · CVR A Absolute Catwoman #1 — $3.50 $4.99 Buy Now → |
6. Who Is Selina Kyle in the DC Absolute Universe? Her New Origin Explained
Reimagined from the ground up
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Textless preview art by Bengal — © DC Comics
The Absolute Universe version of Selina Kyle grew up in Crime Alley alongside her friends Bruce, Ozzie, Harvey, Eddie, and Waylon — bouncing between foster homes, learning that the only person she could rely on was herself. One night after Bruce's father was murdered, Selina climbed through his window and led him across the rooftops of Gotham, telling him to be like a cat — only look at what was right in front of him, not what could happen if he fell.
"From the start, the team always envisioned a Selina who is 'this world's Batman' — armed with gadgets, suits, and her own vault of gear."
— Scott Snyder
Designer Nick Dragotta described her aesthetic as: "Imagine if Apple made weapons." This isn't a Catwoman in a leather suit with a whip. This is a fully-funded, high-tech, global operative — the apex predator of the Absolute Universe.
7. Absolute Catwoman #1 Preview — Plot, Tone & Interior Art
On sale June 10, 2026 — a first look inside
Absolute Catwoman #1 launches June 10, 2026. The series spins Selina out of Gotham into a dangerous international conspiracy. Co-writer Che Grayson's two key references: Ethan Hunt from Mission: Impossible for globe-trotting action — and Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for raw psychological intensity. That combination makes this one of the most intriguing DC launches in years.
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Interior preview pages — © DC Comics / Bengal
Interior battle scene — © DC Comics / Bengal
Official preview page — © DC Comics
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Seen enough? Grab your copy before stock runs out. Shop Absolute Catwoman #1 — $3.50 → |
8. The Creative Team Behind Absolute Catwoman #1
Scott Snyder, Che Grayson & Bengal
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Writer & Architect Scott Snyder The architect of the Absolute Universe and legendary writer of Batman: Court of Owls, Dark Nights: Metal, and American Vampire. He designed Absolute Selina from day one — she was always meant to be this universe's Batman. |
Writer Che Grayson Filmmaker, TED Speaker, and writer on Dark Spaces and Batman: Urban Legends. Snyder personally sought her out — "there was no choice but to bring her on, because her ideas are so awesome." |
Artist & Cover Bengal French artist known for Death or Glory at Image Comics. His kinetic, fashion-forward, neon-infused style makes every page feel like a high-end action film. His covers are already some of the most striking in comics. |
9. Buy Absolute Catwoman #1 — All Covers, Prices & Issue Details
In stock now at Epic Panels Comics — St. Louis, MO
CVR A · Bengal $3.50 |
CVR B · Nakayama $4.99 |
CVR C · K. Andrews $4.99 |
CVR D · Sozomaika $4.99 |
CVR E · Bengal Foil $5.99 |
CVR F · Logo Foil $7.99 |
| Get Your Copy — CVR A $3.50 → |
CVR B through CVR F available exclusively on our TikTok Live auctions · @EpicPanelsComics
| Publisher DC Comics | On Sale June 10, 2026 | Series 6-Issue Limited Series |
| Imprint DC Absolute Universe | CVR A Price $3.50 $4.99 | First Absolute Appearance Absolute Batman #13 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Absolute Catwoman
Everything fans are searching for
Is Absolute Catwoman #1 a good jumping-on point for new readers?
Yes — absolutely. The DC Absolute Universe is designed from the ground up for new readers. No prior DC knowledge required. Absolute Catwoman #1 is a complete, self-contained story with a fully reimagined Selina Kyle.
When did Catwoman first appear in comics?
Catwoman first appeared in Batman #1, published April 25, 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Known only as "The Cat" in her debut — her name Selina Kyle wasn't revealed until Batman #62 (1950). She has over 80 years of history.
What is the difference between Absolute Catwoman and regular Catwoman?
The Absolute Universe Catwoman is a complete reimagining. This Selina grew up in foster care alongside Bruce Wayne, built her own life from nothing, and became the world's greatest thief through her own ingenuity. She's described as "this world's Batman" — fully-funded, high-tech, and global.
Do I need to read Absolute Batman before Absolute Catwoman #1?
It helps but is not required. Selina first appeared in Absolute Batman #13 (October 2025). Reading Absolute Batman will enrich your understanding of her relationship with Bruce — but Absolute Catwoman #1 is fully accessible as a standalone entry point.
How many issues is Absolute Catwoman?
Absolute Catwoman is a 6-issue limited series, launching June 10, 2026. Written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder with art by Bengal — one complete globe-spanning story across all six issues.
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Why Buy From Epic Panels Comics?
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🚀 Fast Shipping from St. Louis, MO Orders ship Monday. Most customers receive books within 3 days. 🎯 CVR A On Sale — $3.50 Cover A by Bengal on sale below cover price. Limited stock available. |
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On Sale Now · Cover A · Limited Stock
Absolute Catwoman #1
Scott Snyder & Che Grayson · Art by Bengal
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