Catwoman die-hards with a passion for the Gotham Siren’s costume history may think they’ve got her earliest outfits memorized—from her debut in a striking green dress and scarily realistic cat mask to her iconic Golden Age purple dress and matching mask. However, DC has just turned back the clock on Selina Kyle, unveiling what is now her true first costume. And yes, you’ll definitely say “aw” out loud when you see it.
...fans are given a rare opportunity to see the evolution of her style—from her carefree girlhood to the confident, iconic woman she becomes.
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman series has been a relentless ride of badassery, delivering one of the Dark Knight’s most hardcore reimaginings alongside a narrative steeped in dark themes and terrifying villains.
However, issue #3—which releases on December 18, 2024—takes a momentary break from the series’ signature grit, hitting fans with an unexpected burst of adorableness through a flashback to Bruce and Selina as children. While their heartwarming friendship takes center stage, there’s no denying that Selina steals the spotlight with the reveal of her very first Catwoman costume—or, more accurately, her Catgirl costume.
Catwoman’s 'First' Costume Revealed as a Purple Cat Hoodie (Ears & Tail Included)
Baby Selina Kyle Is Officially the Most Adorable Thing We’ve Ever Seen
Absolute Batman #3 opens with a heartwarming scene of Selina and Bruce running across the rooftops of Crime Alley, with Selina leading the way in a purple hoodie adorned with cat ears and a tail. While simple—an outfit any kid could pick up at a department store—there’s no denying that this hoodie is a clever nod to her future as Catwoman. This choice not only hints at her eventual feline-themed persona but also confirms that her love for cats started young, adding even more depth to her iconic moniker. Considering Selina and Bruce’s ages in this flashback, it’s safe to call this the feline anti-hero’s first costume, at least within the Absolute Universe.
While this outfit is a touching nod to the woman Selina will become, it’s impossible to overlook how utterly adorable her purple hoodie is, complete with its playful cat-inspired design. It also looks fantastically comfortable, so much so that some readers might find themselves tempted to search for their own cat-eared hoodies. This glimpse of Selina in something so sweet and innocent is a refreshing contrast to her adult Catwoman style, which leans heavily into the sleek and sexy. By showing her in this youthful, playful outfit, fans are given a rare opportunity to see the evolution of her style—from her carefree girlhood to the confident, iconic woman she becomes.
Selina Kyle was seen at the end of
Absolute Batman
#2 in her cat hoodie, but the tail wasn't visible.
Baby Selina Kyle’s ‘Catgirl’ Hoodie Pays Tribute to Catwoman’s Classic Costume
Selina Kyle First Appeared as "The Cat" in Batman #1 (1940) Wearing a Basic Green Dress
Beyond the cat ears and tail of young Selina’s hoodie, the outfit also appears to pay direct homage to her classic Golden Age costume through its purple coloring. While Selina underwent several costume changes following her debut as “The Cat” in Batman #1 (1940), her most iconic and consistent look from that era is often considered to be her green cape, purple dress, and matching cat mask ensemble. By choosing to give young Selina a purple hoodie, artist Nick Dragotta and colorist Frank Martin seem to be honoring the signature color scheme of Catwoman’s first enduring costume in the comics.
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