Who Says a Woman Can't Wear the Pants?

 

Catwoman is a more complex character than Vicki Vale on many levels. For starters Catwoman has a more intimate relationship with Batman than she did. Catwoman is also more of a danger to Batman if treated the wrong way or given too much freedom. Even stating that she can do evil things when given too much freedom is sort of an understatement. Catwoman can be equally powerful as Batman because she has no fear and with the weaknesses she does possess she knows exactly when to use them. This can be seen in the first fighting scene Batman and Catwoman share together, when Batman takes his first powerful hit at her she plays weak and says, "How could you? I am a woman!" After feeling guilty and sorry for her he begins to apologize until she flips the script and nearly kills him before the tables are turned again. This shows how powerful Catwoman is compared to Vale. It also shows how dangerous she was when it came to Batman as well. Batman was essentially weak for her. He was split between deciding if he was attracted to her or wanted to stop her from committing any other crime to the city. Catwoman in a way was Batman’s kryptonite.

When it came to Selena Kyle who had a relationship with Bruce Wayne she was more of the person in control. When the two get into deep conversation Bruce is pretty much puzzled by what it is that makes Selena who she is. He has trouble answers simple questions and gets tongue tied. So in both relationships Catwoman/Selena has the upper hand over Bruce/Batman.

Catwoman and Vicki Vale differ because they reside on two different levels of society. Vicki Vale was a woman who was well respected and listened to, she was a prestige photographer. Catwoman, Selena, was an oppressed secretary for a panel of rich and powerful men who undermined her intelligence. When in fact she was smarter than majority of them, she figured out what Shreck was doing while they all sat in confusion. The motives of Selena and Vicki were far from similar as well. Vicki wanted to help the city of Gotham by exposing who Batman was, while Selena wanted to destroy Batman and the male dominance of Gotham city. Saying that Catwoman was a well achieved femme fatale goes without saying. It is clearly obvious. Catwoman uses the stereotype that women are weak, her seductive personality and intelligence to get her way. All her evil means justify the ends of her trying to get rid of the corrupt society. In other words, Well done Mr. Burton.