1. Michelle Pfeiffer
Appeared in: Batman Returns
“I am Catwoman. Hear me roar!”
Those are the words that Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman introduced herself with in Batman Returns, and “roar” is exactly what she did.
Tim Burton’s 1992 film thrived on its twisted nature as it portrayed all of the human aspects of these heroes and villains as twisted and broken characters, resulting in their costumed alter-egos becoming the sane side of their personalities. And that was very much the case with Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle.
As the original Selina, she was mousy, sheepish and grew increasingly irrelevant in a board room full of patronizing men, so after the character’s rebirth as Catwoman, she decided to take that power back in the most fearsome of ways.
Like previous Catwomen, she was sexy but she knew how to use her own sex appeal to her advantage as, unlike 2004’s Catwoman, the film never fell victim to the “male gaze” trope and, instead portrayed her sensuality as one of her many empowering attributes – alongside her depth-of-character, fighting ability and outstanding skill with a whip.
Pfeiffer was fierce, formidable and downright terrifying at times and, even though the character was caught in a war between Michael Keaton’s beloved Batman and Danny DeVito’s show-stealing Penguin, she never failed to command our attention every time she walked, climbed or backflipped her way into the room.
Pfieiffer did for Catwoman what Newmar had done three decades prior, defining the role for an entire generation and, in the process, producing a performance so perfect that it has never been equaled… and it probably never will.
Without a doubt, Catwoman at her absolute finest.
Which portrayal of Catwoman has been your favorite? Did you watch any of these titles on Batman Day?