Carrie Kelley

Female Robin turned Catgirl

First appearance: Graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, 1986

Though not considered a “canonical” part of DC Comics, Carrie Kelley made a memorable appearance as Robin in the 1986 graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns. Her first TV appearance took place in the memorable 10 October 1998 episode of The New Batman Adventures.

Fifteen years later, she reappared as Catgirl in Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Her outfit looks like something Cheetah might wear … but not quite.

Apparently, the inspiration for Carrie Kelley came from none other than Molly, the character Jill St. John played in the pilot episode of the 1966 Batman series. Less skilled as Robin than Dick Grayson, Jason Todd or Tim Drake, Carrie Kelley nonetheless manages to do something none of the male Robins do: See more intimate sides of Batman.

Carrie Keene Kelley, of course, would play the first female Robin. Her character was aged 14 at the time. In 2004, Spoiler played the Robin role before her character was killed off.

As Catgirl, Carrie Kelley appeared the same year as the revamped Feline Fatale. 2001 was indeed a revolutionary year in that respect.

Catwoman/Selina Kyle does appear in The Dark Knight Returns, though her appearance is less than flattering.