Catman and Infinity Crisis

[SteveLRoberts5]

While at the SDCC, I picked up a copy of Detecitive Comics 311, the first appearance of Catman. Is the same Catman that appeared in the Infinity Crises series? I don't read today's comics; that's why I'd like to know.

[Jolly Roger-migration]

wikipedia:

 

 

 

Catman is a supervillain in the DC Comics Rogues Gallery. He is primarily a foe of Batman. He first appeared in Detective Comics #311. He may be a revamp of the Holyoke Publications superhero Cat-Man, which had fallen into the public domain by the time of the DC character's first appearance.

Contents

 

 

Origins

 

Catman was originally Tom Blake, a world-famous trapper of jungle cats who turned to crime because he had grown bored with hunting and had squandered most of his fortune. He became a burglar who committed his crimes in a catsuit made out of an ancient African cloth he believed gave him a cat's nine lives. His costume was modeled after Catwoman's disguise. (Catwoman was none too pleased to have her modus operandi copied, and initially helped Batman apprehend him. The two costumed criminals would have a competitive, love/hate relationship for many years afterward which included Selina Kyle (Catwoman) being wrongly implicated for Catman's crimes at least once.) As with many Batman villains in their first appearances, Catman was originally a gimmicked villain who stole items along a "cat" theme, such as cat statues, "cat's eyes" emeralds, etc. His weapon of choice was (of course) a cat-o-nine-tails.

 

During one story, Catman saves the life of Batwoman, and convinces her to become his partner, the new Catwoman. By the end of the story, she gives up the Catwoman role and returns to her Batwoman identity.

 

In the late 1980s, Catman was revived in the pages of Detective Comics, once again named Tom Blake and this time, working alongside Catwoman in battle against Batman. This alliance wouldn't last, however, as Catwoman became tired of Catman's abusive attitude towards women, and turned against her former partner.

 

Outcast

 

In 1993, Catman appeared in Batman: Shadow of the Bat as a member of a team called "the Misfits", led by Killer Moth. The Misfits were portrayed as third-rate villains trying to prove themselves, anticipating Brad Meltzer's treatment of the character in Green Arrow. Catman reappeared in a 1995 crossover between Shadow of the Bat and Catwoman. In this story the cloth Catman's costume was made from was retconned as belonging to a South Sea cat cult. Catwoman was hired by the cult to return the cloth, but gave them a fake.

 

Catman remained in limbo until 2003, when he resurfaced as a foe of Green Arrow. Written by Brad Meltzer, Catman was portrayed as a pathetic, overweight loser who was looked down upon by other villains and who is easily defeated by Green Arrow.

[Darrell F]

While at the SDCC, I picked up a copy of Detecitive Comics 311, the first appearance of Catman. Is the same Catman that appeared in the Infinity Crises series? I don't read today's comics; that's why I'd like to know.

 

Same guy as in Infinite Crisis but he is a lot better character now.

[rjpb]

The DC Silver age Catman's costume is too similar to the Holyoke character's to be a coincidence, obviously some one at DC recalled the earlier character, but would the character have fallen into public domain that quickly? The gap between the last GA appearance and Detective 311 is only about 16 years.

 

A somewhat related question. In Batman 69(1952), Selina Kyle's brother Karl makes an appearance as the King of Cats, also refered to as Cat King. Was this his only appearance?

[Sal]

cat-man also makes an apperance in Freedom Fighters 10 from '78

[Timulty]

Has anyone looked up to see if maybe DC bought the character from Holyoke? DC bought several publishers characters in the 60's and 70's.

[rjpb]

Has anyone looked up to see if maybe DC bought the character from Holyoke? DC bought several publishers characters in the 60's and 70's.

 

Wouldn't that preclude AC from using the character in new stories as they have done in recent years.

[otherworldcomics]

My understanding, and I'm not a DC historian by any stretch, from reading GA and IC this is suppose to be the original Catman. He was beat up by GA in the most recent series so he went to Africa to live with a pride of lions and give up all that "civilized" talk. When he was beaten by GA he was overweight and a slob. Apparently, he got healthy out on the savannah cause by IC he's buffed up. The only reason why he joined the Secret Six was because, after turning down the Secret Society, they killed off the pride of lions he had been living with. He's actually a well written character now.