‘Princess of plunder’ appeared in first ‘Batman’ comic book

Wed., July 21, 2004

Mark Voger Asbury Park (N.J.) Press

Catwoman, the feline character nicknamed the “princess of plunder,” has come a long way since her debut in the comic book “Batman” No. 1 in 1940.

At first, she was known simply as “the Cat” — a devious brunette jewel thief in a green dress. By the final panel of the story, it was obvious she had cast her spell on Batman.

“Lovely girl! What eyes! … Maybe I’ll bump into her again some time,” swooned the costumed hero as sidekick Robin regarded him warily.

Here is a timeline that CATalogs many of the CATastrophic happenings in the CATaclysmic career of the cunning CATwoman:

1940

• The first villainess in comic books, the character premieres as “the Cat,” a jewel thief in civvies, in “Batman” No. 1.

• The character is called “Catwoman” for the first time in “Batman” No. 2.

• Catwoman first appears in costume in “Batman” No. 3.

1947

• Catwoman’s first cover appearance is in “Detective Comics” No. 122.

1966

• Catwoman is played by Julie Newmar on the ABC television action comedy “Batman” starring Adam West as Batman.

• Catwoman is played by former Miss America Lee Meriwether in the “Batman” feature film.

• Catwoman’s first appearance during the so-called “Silver Age” of comics (1956-1970) is in “Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane” No. 70.

• Catwoman appears on the Topps Co.’s “Batman” trading cards.

1967

• Eartha Kitt takes over the Catwoman role purrr-fectly on the “Batman” TV series.

1981

• The first solo Catwoman story appears in “Batman” No. 332.

1989

• A four-part comic-book series titled “Catwoman” is unveiled.

1992

• Michelle Pfeiffer plays Catwoman in director Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns,” starring Michael Keaton as Batman.

• Catwoman appears occasionally on TV’s “Batman: The Animated Series,” voiced by Adrienne Barbeau.

1993

• Fifty-three years after her first appearance, Catwoman finally stars in her own comic book with “Catwoman” No. 1. (The series would last 94 issues through 2001.)

2002

• A second, revamped “Catwoman” comic book series premieres.

2004

• The feature film “Catwoman” starring Halle Berry is set for release Friday.