Batman's Original Love Interest Returns, Reminding Fans Catwoman Isn't His Fate

Summary Catwoman wasn't Batman's first significant love interest in comics. That honor goes to another woman.

Madison offers a fresh romance dynamic with Batman, considering she isn't a criminal or supervillain.

Madison's return in The Bat-Man: First Knight mini-series provides a break from the oversaturated BatCat content.

WARNING: Potential Spoilers for The Bat-Man: First Knight #2! Catwoman and Talia al Ghul may be Batman’s most well-known and fan-favorite romances. However, these two villainesses were by far the Dark Knight’s first love interests, and with the return of Bruce’s FIRST love to comics, it’s more clear than ever that there are other romances beyond Selina Kyle and Talia al Ghul for the Dark Knight.

Some fans might find relief in DC's decision to take a break from the BatCat romance and fully support Madison as Bruce’s primary love interest.

The three-part mini-series, The Bat-Man: First Knight by Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins, and Mike Spicer, immerses fans into Batman’s origins through a Black Label retelling of the Dark Knight’s first adventures in comics. Alongside these early exploits comes the reintroduction of Batman’s original love interest, Julie Madison.

While Madison has already made an appearance in issue #1 of the series, issue #2 sets the stage for Bruce’s and Julie’s budding romance. This unfolds when Bruce asks Julie out on a date following her assistance with an injury, which, unbeknownst to her, he sustained while on duty as Batman.

Sorry, Catwoman! But Julie Madison Was Batman’s ORIGINAL Love Interest in Comics

Julie Madison, created by Gardner Fox, Bob Kane, and Sheldon Moldoff, debuted in Detective Comics #31 (September 1939). She is best known as Batman's first significant romantic interest, often depicted as an actress or socialite. In The Bat-Man: First Knight, Julie is an actress who initially meets Bruce when she shows up uninvited to the Manor, demanding to know why his company pulled funding from her movie. This encounter sparks a series of interactions between them, culminating in issue #2 with the arrangement of a forthcoming romantic date.

With only one issue left before its conclusion, the reintroduction of Julie Madison all but assures that Selina Kyle won’t be making an appearance in this comic. This development may disappoint BatCat fans or those hoping to see Catwoman in this 1930s detective noir-esque narrative. Catwoman's presence would have been particularly exciting, given the opportunity to showcase one of her earliest costumes: the iconic purple suit, perfectly complementing Batman’s purple gloves. However, on the flip side, some fans might find relief in DC's decision to take a break from the BatCat romance and fully support Madison as Bruce’s primary love interest.

Dear Batman, There Are Other Fish in the Sea Than Just Selina Kyle and Talia al Ghul

Madison’s return to comics, even if confined to this three-part mini-series, offers a potentially welcome change for many fans who feel there has been an over-saturation of Batman/Catwoman content lately. Others may also appreciate the break from BatCat material without DC creators automatically resorting to Bruce’s second most popular romance with Talia al Ghul. Julie Madison also introduces a different romantic dynamic for Bruce, as she is unaware of his identity as Batman and is a civilian rather than a supervillain or criminal. Hence, it will be intriguing to see how Batman and Madison’s relationship develops in the next issue.

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The Bat-Man: First Knight #2 is available now from DC Comics!

The Bat-Man: First Knight #2 (2024) Writer: Dan Jurgens

Artist: Mike Perkins

Colorist: Mike Spicer

Letterer: Simon Bowland

Cover Artist: Mike Perkins

Batman D.C.'s original son, Superman is a Kryptonian superhero who becomes the defender of Earth after crashlanding their following the destruction of his home world. Raised by two human parents on earth, Kal-El was given the name Clark Kent, which he uses as his alias to hide his identity. Superman has various abilities, including; heat vision, ice breath, super-strength, super speed, and near impervious skin. Superman is frequently seen as the leader of most of D.C.'s superhero teams, including the Justice League.