from Batman The list of past mentors is extensive, featuring figures almost as iconic as the Dark Knight himself, including Ra's al Ghul, Ted “Wild Cat” Grant, Lady Shiva and more. However, with the debut of the Absolute Universe, DC introduced a major change to the lore, revealing that Batman's first mentor would be Catwoman unexpected but totally perfect twist.
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta Absolute Batman The series offers a bold reimagining of the Dark Knight, twisting some of his most iconic traditions in fascinating ways. A notable change redefines Bruce's relationship with his classic rogues gallery – Harvey “Two Faces”Dent, Selina “Catwoman” Kyle, Waylon “Killer Crocodile” Jones, Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot and Edward “The Riddler” Nygma.
In this universe, they are not the infamous supervillains fans know, but Bruce's childhood friends, all growing up together in Crime Alley. Absolute Batman #3 takes this twist even further, revealing that One of these childhood friends also served as Bruce's first mentor.
Selina 'Catwoman' Kyle was Batman's first mentor (teaching him Parkour on the roof)
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta Absolute Batman #3 Releases December 18, 2024
Absolute Batman #3 continues where the previous issue left off, introducing Selina through a flashback that shows her and Bruce as childrenshortly after his father's death. In this scene, Bruce chases Selina across the rooftops, with the young woman easily overtaking him, making him clearly nervous as he approaches a cable stretched between two buildings, with the intention of crossing it. Despite Bruce expressing his concerns, Selina continues, casually assuring him that the height is only two stories and that the worst that could happen is that he breaks his leg.
As Selina confidently crosses the cable, she encourages Bruce to follow her, telling him to “to maintain [his] eyes forward, cat style. When Bruce asks what she means, she explains that cats can see well, but only at short distances. That's why, she wants him to focus solely on the destination, ignoring the drop below or anything beyond the ledge he aims for. Bruce makes it most of the way, but starts to falter towards the end. Selina grabs his hand, pulls him to safety, and assures him he's okay, while insisting that for the rest of the night he must wear his “cat eyes”.
This scene reveals that Selina was the one who first taught Bruce how to navigate the city, making her his first mentor. While some may dismiss this as informal training due to his youth, it is undeniable that Bruce later incorporated Selina's rooftop parkour techniques into his vigilantism, with the 'cat's eye' method she taught him becoming an essential skill. to his Dark Knight persona. Since it was Selina who introduced him to these techniques, she undeniably deserves the title of his first mentor.
Which DC characters trained Batman in the Earth-Prime continuity?
C card stock variant of Gabriele Dell'Otto's cover for Absolute Batman #3 (2024)
When it comes to Batman's mentors in the Earth-Prime continuity, Catwoman is typically not included. Instead, names like Ra's al Ghul (the demonic head of the League of Assassins), Henri Ducard (a world-class hunter and detective), and Richard Dragon (a legendary martial artist) are most closely associated with the formation of the Dark Knight. Alongside them are Lady Shiva and David Cain, two of the DCU's deadliest assassins. Other notable mentors include Ted “Wild Cat” Grant, Detective Harvey Harris, and even Alfred Pennyworth. In the Earth-Prime continuity, these figures are the ones most remembered for influencing Bruce's development.
Catwoman's role in Batman's life expands across the universe
Card stock variant of Becky Cloonan's cover B for Absolute Batman #3 (2024)
Although Catwoman has claimed the title of Batman's first mentor in the Absolute Universe, this role is unexpected for the Gotham Siren despite her integral presence in Batman lore. Traditionally, Catwoman has been seen as Batman's love interest, a Gotham antihero, or even a villain – not a mentor. Therefore, The fact that she becomes Bruce's mentor, even in an unofficial capacity, marks a significant change in her character and adds an intriguing layer to his relationship with Batman in the Absolute Universe. It's also worth noting that Snyder's decision to revisit the past and highlight Selina's role suggests that fans could soon see Batman and Catwoman come together in the current narrative.
Absolute Batman #3 is available December 18, 2024, from DC Comics!