Does Selina Kyle Know Bruce Wayne Is Batman?

The long-standing relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, has been a central theme in DC Comics for decades. Selina, known as Catwoman, has changed roles from villain to anti-hero and even to hero over the years, but the revelation of Bruce's identity as Batman is a unique and intriguing aspect of their complex relationship.

Overview of the Relationship

First introduced as Catwoman in the Golden Age of comic books, Selina Kyle has been one of the longest running villains in Batman's rogues gallery. Her character development has seen her transition from a criminal to a hero, often ending as a moral anti-hero but always striving for a more noble path.

Golden Age and Silver Age: A Historical Context

In the Golden Age (Earth-2), Selina and Bruce's relationship was more straightforward. She eventually married him and became a genuine hero. Conversely, in the Silver Age (Earth-1), Selina nearly never knew Bruce's true identity, with her memory frequently being erased through magical or scientific means. By the time they became a couple again in the future, she decided to break up with him.

The Modern Age: The Mindwipes Scandal

The Modern Age (New Earth) saw a more grounded version of their relationship, but still with elements of magic and futuristic science. Selina first learned of Bruce's secret identity during a Mindwipes Scandal when Zatanna performed a series of mind-altering seizures on the Secret Society of Super-Villains, including Selina. As a result, Selina embraced heroism and shared her secret identity with Bruce as part of the Bat Family.

Flashbacks to the Mindwipes Scandal

The events of the Mindwipes Scandal are detailed in several key comic issues:

JLA 115-119: Written by Geoff Johns and Allan Heinberg, and drawn by Chris Batista. Catwoman 50-51: Written by Will Pfeifer and drawn by Pete Woods. Gotham City Sirens 17-19: Written by Peter Calloway and drawn by Andres Guinaldo and Jeremy Haun.

These stories provide a comprehensive view of the scandal and reveal how Selina's change of heart was a result of the mindwipes.

The Aftermath and Hush

After this period of heroism, Selina's knowledge of Bruce's identity was lost when her mind was scrambled by the Joker. This resulted in the restoration of her villainous nature. It wasn't until the event of Identity Crisis that Batman realized the mindwipes had occurred and suspected that this might be the reason for Selina's previous change of heart. Zatanna later confirmed Selina's memory wipe to Batman, providing a definitive explanation for her character's sudden shift.

Conclusion

Selina Kyle has known Bruce Wayne's secret identity multiple times throughout the history of DC Comics. Her journey from villain to hero and back again is a testament to the complexity of her relationship with Batman. The Mindwipes Scandal is a pivotal moment that has shaped the characters in profound ways, making it a key event in their ongoing saga.