Michelle Monday

Catwoman debuted in Batman #1, which went on sale April 25, 1940. That means our favorite feline fatale turns 85 this week. Amazingly, she still doesn’t look a day over 30 because, kids, comics!

I love almost every incarnation of Selina Kyle as Catwoman, from comics to screen, over those 85 years. Today is Michelle Monday though, so this post is all about my number one Catwoman—Michelle Pfeiffer’s incendiary performance in 1992’s Batman Returns. In many ways wildly different from the comic book character, Michelle’s Selina Kyle undergoes a supernatural resurrection (thanks to feral cats), from lonely and lowly secretary to ferocious costumed avenger, complete with nine lives and a sexy, fetishistic fashion sense.

Speaking of that skintight black latex costume, it was so absurdly snug that Michelle could barely breathe while wearing it, which makes her graceful, cat-like movements all the more impressive. She was practically passing out from oxygen deprivation while effortlessly snapping the heads off mannequins with her whip.

This suffering for her art, while vacuum-sealed into that body-hugging costume, adds an extra layer of kink to our appreciation of Michelle’s performance. The entire film is kinky as hell, with Michelle ‘s erotically charged Catbabe leading the way.

So, here’s to 85 years of the comic book world’s sexiest character, and to 33 years since Michelle’s sexy screen version.