UPDATE:When I wrote this originally, I forgot to mention a few things. I enjoy Catwoman as a character. She’s strong, willful and doesn’t take shit from anyone. She and Batman’s love story is one of the few in comics that doesn’t feel contrived. I object to how Winick tells it in this incarnation. /UPDATE

I’ve been with you so far, DC. The relaunch has done some good things, some things I don’t like, and some things I just don’t get. Today, well, it pissed me off.

This is a dirty, dirty book, and you’re going to enjoy it.

Judd Winick said that at San Diego a while back, when the relaunch was new and shiny. This caused a minor internet uproar when people rightfully pointed out that no title with a dude as the star was being billed as dirty or sexy.

So, here’s a brief synopsis followed by some analysis.

TRIGGER WARNING: EXPLOITATION, RAPE

SPOILERS FOLLOW

Catwoman’s house blows up, but she escapes while only wearing half her costume. Guillem March likes to draw bras. Seriously. They are everywhere. Mostly on Catwoman and the “sorority of prostitutes” (yes, I’m quoting the comic book) that are a big feature of the first issue. Catwoman’s bra appears on seven pages of the book, and gratuitous ass/crotch shots fill another four pages. When I say gratuitous, I’m not counting ones that are actually relevant to the story. So, half of the book is basically soft-core porn. Not that I’m against soft core porn, but it’s getting in the way here.

Anyway, back to the story. Selina needs money for a new house, so she meets her fence (a pleasantly plump woman, I must say. She had meat on her bones.) to discuss a job. Enter the Russian mob. She spies on them (witnessing the aforementioned sorority of prostitutes) and discovers that there is a painting she can steal and get money. Also, some mysterious figure from her past shows up. We get a flashback of Selina witnessing someone’s murder.

She tracks this guy to the bathroom, vamps it up to get close to him, then beats the shit out of the guy, almost as if she can’t control herself. Then escapes back to an abandoned penthouse. Where she rapes Batman.

You read that right.

Here is a transcript (emphasis mine). All dialogue is Catwoman:

Page 18 Panel 1: I don’t think he knows who I am. Although he is the master detective. So, maybe. Panel 2: But I sure as hell don’t know who Batman is. Panel 3: And I don’t need to know. Page 19 Panel 1: This isn’t the first time. Usually it’s because I want him. Tonight I think it’s because I need him. Panel 2: Every time…he protests. Then…gives in. Panel 3:And he seems…angry. Panel 4: But that doesn’t slow either of us down. Still…it doesn’t take long… Page 20 Panel 1: …and most of the costumes stay on.

Yes, Selina, he looks angry. He told you he didn’t want to have sex with you. But you did it anyway. That’s called rape.

The fun of this book is getting back to what Selina Kyle’s always been about.

This suggests to me that Mr. Winick thinks that Selina Kyle has always been a sexual predator. AND THAT THIS IS SOMEHOW FUN.

Some of you are now busy saying “Dude, guys can’t get raped by chicks.” You are wrong. It can and does happen. It’s happened to at least one person that I know. Some statistics, courtesy of National Center for Victims of Crime, an advocacy group:

• About 3% of American men – a total of 2.78 million men – have experienced a rape at some point in their lifetime (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006).
• In 2003, one in every ten rape victims was male. While there are no reliable annual surveys of sexual assaults on children, the Justice Department has estimated that one of six victims are under age 12 (National Crime Victimization Study, 2003).
• 71% of male victims were first raped before their 18th birthday; 16.6% were 18-24 years old, and 12.3% were 25 or older (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006).
• Males are the least likely to report a sexual assault, though it is estimated that they make up 10% of all victims (RAINN, 2006).
• 22% of male inmates have been raped at least once during their incarceration; roughly 420,000 prisoners each year (Human Rights Watch, 2001).

Some of you are saying “Dude, he must have wanted it. Catwoman is hawt!” Except that “every time…he protests.” That’s just a fancy way of saying “Every time, he doesn’t want to.” No means no. It does not mean yes. Say it with me: NO. MEANS. NO.

Look, I have no vested interest in who Catwoman has sex with. She likes to have sex in costume, that’s fine. I object to her forcing others to have sex. I don’t care if it’s Batman or anyone else. No on deserves to have that happen to them. Rape is one of the most heinous crimes I can think of. It’s a crime of power – I have the power to do whatever I want to you.

Take a look at the few events I described in the issue. Her house blows up. She has nowhere to go. She sees someone who scares her and attacks him, putting herself at risk. She has no power. Then, Batman shows up. She has power over him. She uses it.

Some of you probably think I’m overreacting. I don’t think so. Let’s say that this scene played out with different characters. Let’s imagine for a second that it was Green Arrow and Black Canary.

Now imagine if it was Green Arrow who was explaining his actions.

Page 19 Panel 1: This isn’t the first time. Usually it’s because I want her. Tonight I think it’s because I need her. Panel 2: Every time…she protests. Then…gives in. Panel 3:And she seems…angry. Panel 4: But that doesn’t slow either of us down. Still…it doesn’t take long…

Read that again and tell me it isn’t at least date rape. Tell me it isn’t someone justifying their actions. If these events had happened between Ollie and Dinah, with Ollie initiating, this never would have made it past editorial. The writer might not even have a job anymore.

I don’t know if DC can fix this. I’m not sure if I trust them anymore. I hope that this is a tempest in a teapot, that Batman will clarify that he actually did want to fuck Catwoman’s brains out. (I actually hope he says “Man, Catwoman, I really wanted to fuck your brains out. That was awesome.”) I doubt it.

Rape is rape. I’m writing DC to let them know how I feel about this. Not because I’m a guy, but because I’m human. I’ll say it again, no one deserves to be raped.