1966: Revival after 12 years
Catwoman had stopped appearing in the comics in 1954. That year, the Comic Book Code was implemented, out of concern that comics were a bad influence. Batman and Robin were reduced to fighting monsters and other “harmless” creatures.
Catwoman first appearance was on the 17-18 March 1966 episodes of Batman. Her first appearance in the comics would have to wait until November of that year.
The wait was worth it!
In Lois Lane #70 (November 1966), shown at right, Catwoman uses magic to turn Superman into a cat! This Silver Age comic also has an unusual bonus. President Lyndon B. Johnson makes a guest appearance!
Needless to say, Lois outwits the Feline Fatale. This is one fun tale!
Catwoman wears a purple Catsuit here, with a cape. The cape is a throwback to her Golden Age days, but the suit is a precursor to the Jim Balent outfit of 1993-2001.
Catwoman would soon sport a green outfit, and ears to match those of the Julie Newmar outfit. When The Batman/Superman Hour aired in 1968, this outfit was used. This animated series reflected the comic book version of Batman, rather than the live-action 1966-1968 ABC series. Hence, it was more serious.
This page is affectionately dedicated to Ms. Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane in The Adventures of Superman.
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1967: UK comic anthology
Catwoman shown on cover of story book annual.
Comics were not an American monopoly. Far from it. Audiences in Britain began watching Batman some time in 1966, and immediately took to the series. The series even influenced The Beatles, because the song “Taxman” was inspired by the TV show theme.
The Batman Story Book Annual, published in 1967, featured many of the villains from the US TV series. Not only was The Joker, The Riddler and The Penguin accounted for, but so was Egghead.
And Catwoman!
Notice, though, that she is wearing a green cowl, and that her facial features seem to resemble Joan Collins. The green colour scheme seems to reflect the costume that DC Comics used in their print editions. The green costume also was shown in the 1968-1970 Batman cartoon that aired on Saturday mornings on CBS.
These glossy hardcover books began as hardbound collections of a year’s supply of both adults and children’s’ magazines during the 1800s. Now containing all-new material, these glossy hardbacked books remain popular items in many children’s Christmas stockings. These annuals were roughly A4-sized books which appeared in British shops around September in order to be ideal presents for the coming Christmas.
This page is affectionately dedicated to our esteemed Catfans in the UK, Eire and in the entire British Commonwealth!
1969: Catwoman in the silver age comics
Selina Kyle sports “Tara King” go-go look in comics
Catwoman/Selina Kyle underwent a radical change in appearance in early 1969, at the edge of the Silver Age, and dawn of the Bronze Age. She shed her green outfit for a go-go outfit, boots and radically-bobbed hair.
This new look debuted in the story “The Case of the Purr-loined Pearl,” in Batman #210, March 1969. The story was so typical of Silver Age Batman comics. Catwoman drives a “kitty car” and has cat-themed devices to work with. Thankfully, the cat-themed gadgets and “kitty car” were the only things they did for Silver Age Catwoman, luckily we were spared diet news and tips from her at the end of the books.
However, the Batman comic faced changes ahead. Starting with the December 1969 issue, the stories became more serious. That issue realistically marked the end of the Silver Age Batman comic, and the beginning of the Bronze Age Batman (1970-1979).
Catwoman could continue to use this look all the way into May 1974 (Batman #256, “Catwoman’s Circus Caper”). This “go-go” look formed the basis for the Mego dolls that were first introduced around 1972. These dolls remain popular, and can be worth much money.