FIVE FEMALE CHARACTERS ASSOCIATED WITH BATMAN WHO WERE BASED ON REAL-LIFE PEOPLE

At the end of 2023, I published an article listing six characters associated with the Green Lantern Corps who were based on real-life actors (click here to check that out). So, to continue the motion, I thought that it would be a jolly good idea to do the same thing once again, but this time by listing five female characters associated with Batman who were based on real-life people. Here 👇, have a look at this 👀.

Name: Selina Kyle / Alias: Catwoman / Created by: Bob Kane and Bill Finger / First appearance: Batman #1 (Volume 1) / Cover date: March 1940

Who's this character based on? Two famous actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Jean Harlow and Hedy Lamarr, as well as the cousin of Batman's co-creator, Bob Kane, named Ruth Steele. Jean was known for starring in a number of notable films, including 'Dinner at Eight' (1933) and 'Libeled Lady' (1936), whereas Hedy was known for starring in films like 'Tortilla Flat' (1942) and 'Samson and Delilah' (1949). Ruth, however, wanted to become an actress but was never successful (click here to watch an interview with Ruth).

Name: Vicki Vale / Alias: Not applicable / Created by: Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Lew Schwartz / First appearance: Batman #49 (Volume 1) / Cover date: October 1948

Who's this character based on? Allegedly, the American actress, model, and singer, Marilyn Monroe, who's best remembered for starring in two classic comedies directed by Billy Wilder, 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955) and 'Some Like It Hot' (1959), along with her tragic demise. According to one of Vicki's co-creators, Bob Kane, he first met Marilyn early in her career and drew sketches of her that inspired him to create Ms. Vale.

Name: Pamela Lillian Isley / Alias: Poison Ivy / Created by: Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, and Sheldon Moldoff / First appearance: Batman #181 (Volume 1) / Cover date: June 1966

Who's this character based on? The American model, Bettie Page, who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her distinct looks, consisting of her long jet-black hair, her sparkling blue eyes, and her trademark bangs. The creation of Poison Ivy was also inspired by a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 'Rappaccini's Daughter', which is about a young woman who tends a garden of poisonous plants and becomes toxic herself.

Name: Leslie Thompkins / Alias: Not applicable / Created by: Dennis O'Neil and Dick Giordano / First appearance: Detective Comics #457 (Volume 1) / Cover date: March 1976

Who's this character based on? The American journalist and social activist, Dorothy Day, who's probably best known for being a political radical, despite being a devoted Catholic. She was born in New York City on the 8th of November, 1897, and she died of a heart attack on the 29th of November, 1980 (Dorothy was 83 years old).

Name: Harleen Quinzel / Alias: Harley Quinn / Created by: Paul Dini and Bruce Timm / First appearance: Batman: Harley Quinn #1 / Cover date: October 1999

Who's this character based on? The American actress, screenwriter, television presenter, and comedian, Arleen Sorkin, who was the first person to voice the character of Harley Quinn for the popular TV show, 'Batman: The Animated Series'. In an interview he gave to the press, one of Harley's co-creators, Paul Dini, stated that he was partly inspired to create Ms. Quinzel after seeing Arleen play a jester during a dream sequence in the American soap opera, 'Days of Our Lives'.

So, there you have it, folks, five female characters associated with Batman who were based on real-life people. Out of curiosity, have you come across any of these facts before? Or is all of this new to you? Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.