Catwoman comes out as bisexual

The new Catwoman #39 confirmed what many readers of DC Comics long suspected when the writer established Selina Kyle “as canon bisexual” when she kissed ally Eiko.

“She’s flirted around it – often quite literally – for years now; for me, this wasn’t a revelation so much as a confirmation,” writer Genevieve Valentine said in a blog post. “Certainly it’s no surprise to Selina that she has an attraction to a woman. Is this particular kiss a surprise? It’s definitely surprising; this is the very last thing you’re supposed to be getting into on the brink of war.”

Although we’ve gotten criticism in the past for writing about the sexuality of characters, there really is no denying that weaving the first bisexual superhero into the DC Comics universe can and likely will have cultural effects — especially as we see more and more of these characters in blockbuster films. Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone is applauding the development.

“Ugh how dare they make Catwoman bi,” one commented on Twitter. “Obviously trying to pull in the ‘interesting and varied representation’ audience.”

Others are simply worried about how it could change Catwoman’s love/hate relationship with Batman. However, although Genevieve said the arc isn’t a “throwaway” and will portray a full relationship, she added Batman will continue to play a romantic role in Selina’s life.

“Please be assured that Selina’s longstanding connection to Batman has not been forgotten,” she said. “That is not how bisexuality (or humanity) works.”