Batman/Catwoman Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give a timeline of major storylines featuring the Batman and Catwoman (Reading Order) together throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of their appearances, but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

With the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe’s continuity was reset. This essentially wiped out Batman and Catwoman’s (Reading Order) history together. They still retain a romantic relationship. However, this relationship is not as deep as before and does not reference any of their past activities together. Plus, it is made clear that Catwoman no longer knows Batman’s secret identity.

In this era, Batman and Catwoman’s relationship is a subject in several different comics. This starts in the Catwoman series, which immediately reveals the current state of their relationship. The relationship evolves a bit over the course of this series and through an issue of Batman and Robin. Then, Batman and Catwoman go on to have a small team-up in the Trinity War (Reading Order) event, which leads to a more significant team-up in the Forever Evil (Reading Order) event. After this, the Gothtopia (Reading Order) event highlights their romantic relationship. Finally, issues of Batman Eternal and Catwoman close the era by showing multiple examples of both characters working with each other.

Catwoman issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Justice League of America issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Justice League Dark issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Notes

1. These issues have either Batman or Catwoman helping the other out with some problem. They don't expand much on their relationship but do offer more chances for readers to see them interact with each other and get a feel for their current dynamic. In this way, readers can choose to skip them or read them.
2. Batman doesn't actually appear in this issue. Instead, the issue focuses on a confrontation between Catwoman and the Joker (Reading Order). This confrontation has Catwoman explain her current relationship with Batman in a way that is not explained elsewhere. This conversation is also referenced later on, in Catwoman #18.
3. This issue only features a very brief Batman/Catwoman moment. It has Catwoman remember something Batman previously said to her about their relationship. This moment is brief but offers some insight fans may find interesting.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era introduces some significant continuity changes for Batman and Catwoman's (Reading Order) relationship. The New 52 stories about their early history are completely retconned in favor of their pre-New 52 history. While many aspects of their pre-New 52 history are referenced in this era, their first meetings from Batman #1 and Batman: Year One become extremely relevant in this era and are referenced even more than anything else.

In this era, Batman and Catwoman's relationship is a key part of the entire Batman series. Their first joint appearances start a narrative that stretches throughout this era. The entire Batman by Tom King (Reading Order) features comics that slowly build on this narrative, with nearly all of the Batman story arcs playing at least some role in this. All of this storytelling reaches its climax at the conclusion of this era, in the Batman: The Wedding (Reading Order) event.

B:PttW = Batman: Prelude to the Wedding
Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. The majority of The War of Jokes and Riddles story arc is a flashback that is presented as a story that Batman is telling Catwoman (Reading Order). In some of these issues, Catwoman only plays a small role or does not appear at all. However, we've included all of the main issues from this story arc because they help explain why Batman is telling this story.
2. Out of these issues, the real versions of Batman and Catwoman only appear briefly in Batman #47. However, these issues form a story that Booster Gold (Reading Order) tells both of them. This story has an impact on their thoughts about each other, which has an impact later on in this era.

Universe

The Universe era is essentially an extension of the Rebirth era, as it maintains the same continuity. As such, Batman and Catwoman's (Reading Order) story picks up immediately where it left off in the Batman: The Wedding (Reading Order) event.

In this era, the relationship between Batman and Catwoman is initially explored separately. Catwoman #1 and Batman #53 focus on their individual reactions to what happened in The Wedding. Then, a series of hallucinations and flashbacks in "Knightmares" arc from the Batman series provides a deep dive into their relationship. All of this eventually leads to both character's prominent roles in the City of Bane event.

After the City of Bane, Batman and Catwoman share the spotlight in two stories from the Batman series. This shows them on the road to The Joker War (Reading Order) and then in The Joker War itself. Finally, Batman #101 provides a clear explanation of where their relationship is currently and what they plan to do in the future.

Catwoman issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. These issues are primarily about Catwoman (Reading Order). However, Batman appears through visions in a way that emphasize Catwoman's feelings for him.
2. This issue only highlights Batman and Catwoman's relationship through flashbacks. However, these flashbacks provide an in-depth look at Bane's (Reading Order) manipulation of their relationship. It also provides a quick overview of Tom King's run on Batman (Reading Order) before going into this run's final arc.
3. Catwoman only has a very small role in these issues. However, they show her overall involvement in The Joker War (Reading Order) event.
4. Only the "Perfect Matches" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order.