#catbabs

I feel some of you may not know a lot of the ships or their dyanmics in this particular version, so I'm going to write out propaganda for each pairing as best I can (unbiased despite my own opinions!), just to give everyone a fair shot!

Hosted by @batman66pollwars! Check out the polls there!

ROUND ONE, BEGIN!

Barbara Gordon/Skip Parker

Skip Parker is the best surfer at the beach, and is said to have lots of female attention, yet still takes time to come and see Barbara and prioritises talking to her first.

It is Barbara's birthday during the episode, and she chooses to spend it by hanging out with him.

When another girl talks to Skip, Barbara gets jealous and wants to know who she is. Skip doesn't catch her jealousy, but assures that there is nothing romantic happening between them.

When Skip goes missing, Barbara gets worried.

After being saved by Batman and Robin, instead of wanting to retrieve his surfing knowledge back from the Joker, Skip prioritises trying to find Barbara to tell her he's okay.

VS

Ma Parker/Black Widow

Whilst these two do not interact in-series, they still have some good points going for them.

Country x city vibes.

"I'll blast those fools!" x "Oh, do calm down, doll, there's a much easier way to go about this."

Ma's southern-ness would be balanced out by how refined Black Widow is, and in this way, they'd compliment one another.

Black Widow would be able to show affection and care toward Ma's daughter, Legs, who stands rather neglected by her mother.

LINK TO POLL: Barbara Gordon/Skip Parker VS. Ma Parker/Black Widow

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The Riddler/Bruce Wayne

He's literally sat on his lap IN the image (and there's plenty more of those).

For some reason, the Riddler has his phone number.

The Riddler, about giving riddles to Batman: "Oh, but I must, I must! Outwitting Batman is my sole delight, my joy, my heaven on earth, my very... paradise!" - Batman (The Movie), 1966

Batman seems to think he knows the Riddler better than most, often correcting others on how he thinks the Riddler would go about schemes, often accompanied by a "if I know the Riddler..."

Batman considers Riddler's riddles an art form.

Batman respects the Riddler in his own way, often praising his intelligence and creativity ("If only the Riddler's inventive mind could be channeled for good... what a better world this would be." - 'The Ring of Wax', S1)

Before leaving him in a contraption, the Riddler tells Batman one last riddle: "Why is a woman in love like a welder?", answer being "because they both carry a torch", a phrase meaning to carry unrequited love for someone.

Batman grabs Riddler a lot.

Riddler, on Batman: "A diamondback rattlesnake is a handsome creature too, but dangerous and deadly." - The Ring of Wax, S1

The, ah, wheel scene (Give 'Em the Axe, S1), and ending of Legends of the Superheroes 1979.

VS

Lola Lasagne/Marsha, Queen of Diamonds

They do not interact in the series, but still have a number of points for them.

They are both friends of the Penguin, so could meet through him.

Both can be rather the jealous type, so at first may not be happy about his "other best friend", only to meet and realise they find one another quite attractive.

Rivals to lovers?

Lola is rather flamboyant with showing herself off, whilst Marsha takes a more laidback approach. They'd show off together and compliment each other's methods.

Lola was only rich and famous for a matter of days and still holds onto that status from her ex-husband, so being with Marsha would get her back into that comfortable lifestyle she so wanted.

Used to common practises x posh individual.

LINK TO POLL: The Riddler/Bruce Wayne VS. Lola Lasagna/Marsha, Queen of Diamonds

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Commissioner Gordon/Chief O'Hara

Always, always together. I think they spend more time doing absolutely nothing at the GCPD than they do at home with their wives.

Common 66 fandom joke that they date each other and their wives date each other.

Despite O'Hara being absolutely useless at his job, Gordon refuses to fire him.

They go on undercover missions together.

They comfort one another when things go awry. For example, when they think Batman has died, O'Hara gets distressed and says "hold me, Commissioner..."

Gordon gets tickets to the opera and brings Barbara and O'Hara with him.

When Gordon goes out to dinner with Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Aunt Harriet, he brings O'Hara with him.

Pathetic x slightly less pathetic.

O'Hara follows Gordon around like a lost dog.

VS

Louie the Lilac/Lotus

Lotus is one of the only people that Louie is immediately nice to without having any ulterior motives.

They both share the same love of flowers and have the same goals.

When she starts talking about technicalities, he pretends to know what she means in order to appear intelligent in front of her.

They work together better than most villain/henchgirl duos, and there's a different level of respect between them.

They act rather flirtatious toward one another in gestures and phrasing (mostly on Louie's part).

LINK TO POLL: Commissioner Gordon/Chief O'Hara VS. Louie the Lilac/Lotus

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Shame/Calamity Jan

Calamity Jan is Shame's fiance.

They care about each other a lot and are often very touchy with one another.

They often try to kiss, only to be interrupted by Jan's mother, who Shame doesn't like for said reason.

Whilst Shame was in jail, Jan says she missed him, and comes to visit him before he gets out, where they flirt and give each other a little peck kiss through the wire.

They both share the same ideals and enjoy working together.

One of the nicest examples of a canon relationship as there is no hate or nasty issues between them, with very mutual care.

VS

The Riddler/Molly

The Riddler's first henchgirl of the series and the one he is implied to have cared about most.

Molly is a member of the Molehill Mob, a pre-established gang that took up work from the Riddler, lead by a man called Harry, who treats Molly as his moll but is rather rude to her on several occasions. Contrastingly, the Riddler shows her a lot of respect.

When fleeing the scene, Harry prioritises himself by goign down the manhole first, but Riddler instead chooses to wait back and help Molly down before him.

They flirt on screen and have a genuine tension between them, almost kissing at one point.

The Riddler, about Molly in her disguise: "Fantastic, pretty lady."

Riddler often uses small nicknames for Molly, such as "my pretty".

The only time Riddler snaps at Molly is because of her own safety - he knows the car is about to be shot by the batbeam, and he wants her to put her helmet on.

When Molly doesn't return back to the hideout, the Riddler gets worried and takes to anxiously pacing around the room, and gets uncharacteristically annoyed with Robin, when he presses him on his crime, because in the back of his mind, his thoughts are still on worrying about her.

Using colour theory, we can theorise that due to Riddler's outfit in the final scene, Molly is still on his mind even after she doesn't return (combined with the elephant mask, this is strengthened).

LINK TO POLL: Shame/Calamity Jan VS. The Riddler/Molly

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Catwoman/Barbara Gordon

Based on Eartha Kitt's Catwoman, so Catwoman is a much stronger character and shows it, considering herself the best, so when Batgirl beats her in a competition, she takes action.

Often kidnaps Batgirl or ties her up somewhere to keep her out of the way.

Enemies to lovers OR enemies to friends to lovers potential?

They have a certain tension between them when they talk. Catwoman is not used to another woman almost "outdoing" her in this game, and she wants something done about it. Batgirl, strong herself, is not having any of it.

Deep down, in a way, I believe they've a certain respect for one another, but, only just really meeting, are still figuring it out.

VS

Zelda the Great/Barbara Gordon

The two don't interact in-series, but still have a number of points to them!

Since Zelda reforms at the end of her episode, it's more likely that she would be able to form a relationship with Barbara herself rather than Batgirl, but given she's on their side now, anything could go!

Barbara would likely carry a great respect for Zelda for choosing to do the right thing, and knows what it is like to feel oppressed, so would sympathise with the situation that pushed Zelda into crime (she was forced to turn to crime in order to pay back Eivol Ekdal every year to keep her act alive).

Zelda would find it inspiring to see a crimefightress, and be pleased to see more strong women in praised positions in society.

They're both sensible with elements of fun to them, so would get along well.

Zelda tends to be rather excitable, so would probably end up dragging Barbara to shows and similar (not that she'd mind!).

LINK TO POLL: Catwoman/Barbara Gordon VS. Zelda the Great/Barbara Gordon

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Princess Primrose/Barbara Gordon

Princess Primrose is an old college friend of Barbara, and they're both very excited to see each other again.

Primrose's real name is Thelma Jones, but after joining the Flower Children (hippies), she changes what she prefers to go by. Barbara is a bit surprised but respects her decision, and changes the way she addresses her to what she prefers immediately, and even carries the same respect for her friend's new name in conversations that Primrose isn't even present in.

Barbara gets worried for Primrose when Louie turns up, and tries to keep her safe.

When Louie hypnotises Primrose, Barbara immediately appeals to her father, who is busy and can't focus on what she's asking of him. Desperate to make sure Primrose is safe, Barbara uses the batphone to call Batman for help, knowing that she's not really supposed to use that line.

VS

The Joker/Bruce Wayne

In an AU, could sort of give the vibes of playing pretend to entertain their kid.

In one episode, Joker squirts paint onto Batman's costume, and tells him he's wearing "an original Joker", and that it's even signed.

In Joker's first appearance, the two face off, prior to which they call each other a name each, both of which prefixed by "my".

Can tend to get in close proximity.

For a plan in which Joker wants to steal the utility belt, he throws himself on top of Batman during a fight.

LINK TO POLL: Princess Primrose/Barbara Gordon VS. The Joker/Bruce Wayne

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Catwoman/The Joker

(Kitt's Catwoman) The only two villains to get along with each other with NO disputes.

They both respect each other a lot, and even have a plan pre-made in order to get Joker back into crime after leaving prison, making it look as though Catwoman kidnapped him.

At her hideout, Catwoman made sure to incoporate clownish items to make him feel more at home, and even hired a goon to wear the outfit Joker usually gives to his henchman, so they had some men each.

The laugh and joke together, have the same ideals, and get along very, very well.

Catwoman prefers to command the situation, and Joker has no issue wiht that, treating her rather gentlemanly, with an element of his light-hearted banter.

They act rather flirty toward each other in actions and the way they say things, Catwoman often flicking her eyes down to look at Joker's mouth.

Visibly shown to get along better than most of the other rogues.

VS

Dick Grayson/Susie

They are both on the student council together and seem to have somewhat of a friendship among them.

When trying to convince the others that taking free money from the Joker's trick machines isn't right, Dick appeals first to Susie to back him up.

At the beginning of the episode, it is implied Dick has a crush on Susie with the way he looks at her almost in awe as she practises her cheerleading.

Dick is hurt when he finds out Susie has been led astray by the Joker, and Batman does his best to comfort him, treating the situation as though Dick felt romantically toward Susie.

As an undercover mission to gather more information, Dick pretends to be a bad boy to impress Susie, and they atcively flirt with one another, him referring to her as "Sue-baby".

When Joker tries to poison Susie and she collapses, a goon later tells the Joker that as Susie was being loaded onto the ambulance, "the boy wonder was crying his eyes out".

After the Joker's scheme is concluded and Susie is saved, she stays at Wayne Manor for a while until she can head to the Wayne Foundation's school for Deliquent Girls. Apparently Dick was "very kind" to her, and he even comforts her when she gets upset about her situation.

To thank him, she ends up pecking him on the cheek before she needs to leave.

Dick walks her out to the car.

LINK TO POLL: Catwoman/The Joker VS. Dick Grayson/Susie

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The Riddler/The Penguin

They argue. A lot. Sort of vibes to me of like, the don't date but they also have married couple energy. As in Penguin getting home drunk and Riddler's just there with his hands on his hips and wearing an apron, "and WHAT time do you call THIS?!"

Riddler acts a little flirtatiously toward him in the scene pictured above, until Penguin shuts him down.

I wouldn't say enemies or rivals, I'm not quite sure how I'd describe them so I'lll have to go with, uh, "arguing associaties" to lovers, if that's even a trope that'd... exist. ...It does now!

They know each other is intelligent, and they respect that in their own way, even if they clash on ideals.

VS

Princess Sandra/Her Assistant

If they lived in today's age, her assistant (I will call her Florence), would be a big Chappell Roan music enjoyer, purely because of Sandra.

It has the vibes of Sandra talking to men and Florence, not confident enough to say how she feels, just watching rather dejectedly.

They seem to have a storng care for one another outside of purely "business". When Florence faints, Sandra rushes to her side to aid her.

They often smile at each other and do their best to be around the other.

Peak "Good Luck, Babe".

LINK TO POLL: The Riddler/The Penguin VS. Princess Sandra/Her Assistant

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The Joker/The Penguin

Old married couple vibes.

They bicker a lot, but make up right afterward.

They've a fun dynamic together, in which they both encourage each other's villainy, whilst still clashing in the stupidest of ways, such as fashion sense.

Penguin would keep Joker up at night with his WEHK WEHK snoring.

They call each other "Jokey" and "Pengy", but when a goon tries to call him Pengy, Penguin snaps and says "that's 'Mr Penguin', to you!"

Joker consistently tries to break Penguin out of prison, and gets excited when he shows up.

They are very touchy with one another and often touch/grab each other in most scenes.

One interaction they have:

Penguin: Your a man after my own heart! Joker: (getsuring to his heart) Black? Penguin: Black as pitch! (both laugh)

VS

Siren/Barbara Gordon

The image pair above is them looking at one another as Siren tries her hypnotising note. It turns out the note does not work on women, so Barbara was just looking at her in awe, lol

As the only one to ever resist her spell, Siren would be rather thrown off by her, making her a fairly equally-matched adversary.

Enemies to lovers vibes.

They've a little bit of a tension btween them, especially with Barbara being less sure of herself at this stage, since when they meet it's only her second time crimefighting.

LINK TO POLL: The Joker/The Penguin VS. Siren/Barbara Gordon

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