Introduction
Catwoman and Nightwing are two iconic DC comic book characters who have had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship over the years. Catwoman is Selina Kyle, an expert thief and burglar who has a complicated moral code and complex motivations. Nightwing is Dick Grayson, the original Robin who grew up to become a hero in his own right after leaving Batman’s side. They come from very different backgrounds but have crossed paths many times as allies, enemies, and romantic interests. Their dynamic kiss in a recent comic book storyline sparked much discussion and debate amongst fans, leading to the question: why did Catwoman kiss Nightwing?
The Kiss Scene
The kiss between Catwoman and Nightwing occurred in issue #52 of the Nightwing comic series published by DC Comics. The scene takes place on a rooftop in Blüdhaven where Catwoman surprises Nightwing and plants a kiss on his lips. She had been secretly watching him fight criminals and was impressed by his skills. Nightwing is shocked by the sudden intimate gesture and pushes Catwoman away. As she retreats, Catwoman tells Nightwing that “she’s always liked the good guys” and that the kiss was her “thanks” for saving her from some thugs (source).
The controversial kiss was unexpected and seemingly came out of nowhere, since Catwoman has historically only had romantic connections with Batman. Fans were confused why she would suddenly kiss Nightwing out of the blue. The scene highlighted her attraction to Nightwing but ultimately served as an unwelcome complication in Nightwing’s life as he is forced to deal with the aftermath of the stolen kiss.
Romantic History
Batman and Catwoman have had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship for decades, with an enduring attraction and chemistry between them. According to CBR, their romance dates back to the 1940s when Catwoman was first introduced as a villain/anti-heroine character who Batman had feelings for despite their adversarial dynamic. Over the years, they’ve shared passionate kisses, flirtatious encounters, and have even briefly dated at times.
One of their most significant romantic milestones occurred in Tom King’s Batman run in the 2010s, when Bruce Wayne proposed to Selina Kyle and she accepted. As noted in DC’s blog, Bruce planned to marry Catwoman as part of a plan to reform her and get her to give up her criminal activities, but he also had genuine feelings for her. Their wedding plans were later called off, but they maintained an undeniable connection.
Nightwing’s Appeal
Nightwing is known for being an inspiring superhero with many admirable qualities. He is often depicted as brave, selfless and highly skilled, which likely contributes to his appeal for Catwoman. In particular, Nightwing’s heroic nature and sense of justice make him an intriguing romantic interest.
As the first Robin who grew up to become his own hero Nightwing, Dick Grayson possesses natural leadership abilities, intelligence and athleticism that serve Gotham City well. His heroic qualities have earned him respect and admiration from allies like Batman. Nightwing also has an approachable and charming personality that balances out his crimefighting skills.
Furthermore, Nightwing’s iconic blue and black costume highlights his agility and vigilante talents. As noted by https://www.universalsymbolofhappiness.com/tag/costume/, the opportunity to transcend gender barriers and harness Nightwing’s heroic qualities makes the costume a focal point for self-expression. The striking, memorable uniform likely adds to his intrigue.
In short, Nightwing’s honorable nature, crimefighting expertise and charismatic appeal make him an alluring romantic interest for Catwoman on both physical and emotional levels.
Catwoman’s Motivations
Catwoman’s motivations for kissing Nightwing were complex and driven by her complicated history with Batman. As explored in this ScreenRant article, Catwoman has often had a romantic entanglement with Batman. The kiss with Nightwing appears to have been an attempt to make Batman jealous and get his attention. As analyzed in this CBR piece, when Nightwing asks Catwoman not to mention their kiss to Batman, he realizes she was manipulating him as part of a ploy focused on Batman. While her motivations were not driven by genuine romantic interest in Nightwing, they do showcase the complex and strategically minded character of Catwoman, who leveraged her feminine charms to provoke a reaction from her sometimes love interest Batman.
Batman’s Reaction
Batman’s reaction to the kiss between Catwoman and Nightwing was one of shock and dismay. As one of Batman’s oldest rivals-turned-love interests, Catwoman has a long romantic history with the Dark Knight himself (Screenrant, 2022). Though their relationship has always been complicated, there have been hints of genuine affection and care between the two masked vigilantes.
Seeing Catwoman kiss his trusted protégé Nightwing instead was likely hurtful and confusing for Batman. After all their years of flirtation and team-ups, he may have hoped Catwoman’s interests laid primarily with him. The kiss served as a stark reminder that Catwoman cannot be tamed or tied down to one man. As an independent woman unbound by traditional rules, Catwoman follows her own desires regardless of Batman’s feelings on the matter.
While certainly caught off guard, longtime fans suggest Batman’s primary reaction was one of concern for Nightwing’s well-being (Screenrant, 2022). Batman knows firsthand how unpredictable and dangerous getting involved with Catwoman can be. Though shocked in the moment, he likely worried Nightwing would end up heartbroken from Catwoman’s capricious advances.
Nightwing’s Response
Nightwing was taken aback when Catwoman suddenly kissed him. As a principled hero, Nightwing has always rejected Catwoman’s advances and tried to steer her towards more ethical behavior. He was caught completely off guard by the kiss and remained frozen in surprise for a few moments before abruptly pulling away.
Although the kiss stirred some feelings in Nightwing due to their history together, ultimately he could not reciprocate given Catwoman’s criminal activities. Nightwing expressed firm disapproval of the kiss, stating “This can’t happen again” to Catwoman.
Nightwing’s strong moral compass prevented him from giving into the temptation of the kiss or pursuing any kind of improper relationship with Catwoman. While the kiss may have resurfaced old memories and feelings between them, Nightwing maintained his ethical boundaries and made it clear he could not cross that line with someone on the wrong side of the law.
Lasting Effects
The kiss between Nightwing and Catwoman was shocking and controversial for readers when it occurred in Nightwing #52 (Bloom, 2022). Many fans saw it as a strange romantic pairing given their age difference and histories with Batman. While the kiss was essentially a tactic by Catwoman to escape capture, it did have lasting effects on their dynamic.
In the aftermath of the kiss scene, Nightwing was left feeling conflicted and wary around Catwoman (Reddit, 2022). Though there was some flirtation between them, he maintained a certain distance. For her part, Catwoman did not seriously pursue Nightwing romantically following their kiss. She remained more focused on her complex relationship with Batman.
Going forward, Nightwing and Catwoman have had limited interactions. The kiss has not led to an ongoing romantic entanglement between them. However, it does represent an unusual moment in their histories that long-time fans still discuss and debate (Bloom, 2022). While shocking when it occurred, the kiss scene did not dramatically alter the characters’ trajectories in the long run.
Bloom, J. (2022, September 3). Nightwing & Catwoman’s Kiss Is a Mistake DC Wants Fans To Forget. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/nightwing-catwoman-kiss-mistake-dc-fans-forget/
Reddit. (2022, September). So Catwoman and Nightwing is weird. https://www.reddit.com/r/Nightwing/comments/pj970q/so_catwoman_and_nightwing_is_weird/
Fan Theories
The controversial kiss between Catwoman and Nightwing sparked intense debate and speculation among fans. Many have proposed their own theories to explain this surprising romantic encounter. According to one popular Reddit thread (source), some believe it was an attempt by Catwoman to make Batman jealous. Their on-again, off-again relationship has often involved mind games, so kissing his former sidekick could provoke a reaction from the Dark Knight. Others think Catwoman was genuinely attracted to Nightwing and hoped to pursue a real relationship. As Batman’s first Robin, Nightwing shares similar values but with a more easygoing personality that could appeal to Catwoman’s complex character.
Some fans on fanfiction sites like AO3 have written stories where the kiss leads to a full-fledged love affair between Catwoman and Nightwing (source). These fanfictions imagine the fallout of their romance on Batman and the rest of the Bat-family. More cynical fans believe the writers used the kiss as a cheap stunt to generate shock value and buzz. Ultimately, most agree the kiss was not in character for Catwoman or Nightwing and prefer to forget it ever happened.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the controversial kiss between Catwoman and Nightwing was a significant moment that highlighted the complex romantic dynamics between these two characters and Batman. While some fans saw it as an odd pairing, the kiss served to create drama and complicate Nightwing and Batman’s relationship. Ultimately, it demonstrated Catwoman’s morally ambiguous nature and her complicated feelings toward the Dark Knight. Though a questionable creative choice, the kiss sparked debate and conversation among fans about these beloved characters and their tangled histories. Despite criticism, it remains an iconic romantic moment in DC Comics lore that reminds readers relationships and motivations are multilayered in Gotham City.