Batwoman is my favourite character. Hers was the first superhero comic book I read and loved. She was the first superhero whose adventures I followed across titles, and the “Elegy” story arc was what convinced me that superhero stories could be just as well written as any other type of fantasy. Basically, I think she’s awesome and until very recently Batwoman was the only title that consistently ranked in my top five. This post may be a wee bit bias, is what I’m trying to say. Regardless, if you’re not familiar with Batwoman and/or if you wanted to know more, here are some basic things about her. (Beware, there may be spoilers for older works, such as 52 and Detective Comics).
The Confusing Bit:
Sometimes, two or three or even more people can fill the role of one superhero (see Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and others without colours in their names). The same is true with Batwoman.
Once upon a time, in 1956, a costumed crime fighter named Batwoman appeared. Meant to dispel the popular “Batman and Robin are gay” criticisms, Batwoman was created to be a match for Batman. Her civilian identity was Kathy Kane, and she was revealed to be a wealthy socialite who also had a background as a circus performer. She stuck around for a number of years, and was removed from the series in the early sixties. Kathy Kane was killed off in 1979 and largely disappeared from comics until Grant Morrison’s recent Batman, Incorporated. run. Kathy Kane used to look like this:
And like this in Batman, Incorporated:
She’s not the subject of this particular post. Instead it’s her successor, Kate Kane. This Batwoman looks like this:
And as Kate Kane, like this:
Fast Facts:
Full Name: Katherine Rebecca Kane (Kate Kane)
Species: Human
Home: Gotham City
Abilities: No superpowers (unless you consider “coming from money” a superpower), but she is exceptionally skilled at martial arts, detective work, and can manufacture/obtain bat-inventory (see the “coming from money” superpower)
Debut: Kate Kane was introduced in her civilian identity in issue #7 of the weekly series 52 (released June 21, 2006), and was first seen as Batwoman in issue #9 of the same series (released July 6, 2006)
Other Facts: Batwoman is one of DC’s highest profile lesbian characters, and one of her most powerful moments comes when she is faced with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Kate is of Jewish descent which is also touched on (though much less so).
Major Arcs:
52 (2006)
writers: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, and Keith Giffen.
artists: Joe Bennett, Chris Batista, Eddy Barrows, Todd Nauck, Keith Giffen, Ruy Jose, Jack Jadson, Darick Robertson, Ken Lashley, Phil Jimenez, Dan Jurgens, Justiniano, Mike McKone, Jamal Igle, and Dale Eaglesham
As mentioned, Kate and Batwoman make their first appearances in this weekly series. We learn that she and Renee Montoya used to date, and there are still a variety of feelings between them (anger, regret, love). Renee, the Question, and Batwoman team up to defeat the much scarier than their name implies Intergang. Issue #48 in particular shows off some pretty awesome badass moves. 52 isn’t exactly required reading, but honestly, that scene in #48 is just too great not to recommend.
Elegy, as published in issues #854-860 of Detective Comics (2009-2010)
writer: Greg Rucka
penciller: J.H. Williams III
Batwoman encounters an insane villain who calls herself Alice (after Alice in Wonderland), who claims to be unaffiliated with the Mad Hatter, and is the head of the Religion of Crime (a secret organization allied with Intergang). The reader learns more about Kate’s background, including her tragic past, and her way of dealing with her removal from the military. It’s a great introduction to the character (no need to have read 52 first, as all the important details are reiterated), and honestly, has some of the most beautiful artwork seen in comics.
Hydrology, To Drown the World, World’s Finest, and This Blood is Thick, as published in issues #0-24 of Batwoman (2011-2013)
writers: J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman
art: J.H. Williams III, Amy Reeder, Trevor McCarthy
Hydrology (issues #0 – 5) — Batwoman investigates missing children while at the same time deals with her cousin’s vigilante/sidekick ambitions, her issues with her father, and figuring out why the DEO (a government agency) is suddenly very interested in getting her to work for them.
To Drown the World (issues #6 – 11) — The story from Hydrology is continued, from the perspective of Kate, her partner Detective Maggie Sawyer, Agent Cameron Chance, Kate’s father Colonel Jacob Kane, and villainous Maro.
World’s Finest (issues #12 – 17) – Batwoman teams up with Wonder Woman in an effort to defeat the Big Bad and rescue the missing children.
This Blood is Thick (issues #18 – 24) – Batwoman finds herself caught between the DEO and Batman. I should note that this arc starts off exceptionally strong, but there is a cliffhanger at the end that does not get resolved the way the creative team had intended (in fact, DC never actually published the conclusion to that cliffhanger as it was written by Williams and Blackman). Despite this, the lead up to that cliffhanger is compelling and worth a read.
After issue 24, the original creative team was replaced with writer Marc Andreyko and artist Jeremy Haun for the remainder of the series (which ended recently with issue #40). This new creative team took Batwoman in a different direction, and while there are those who enjoyed it, if you’re short on time or money, those issues aren’t as key as, say Elegy. They were very in line with DC’s “superheroes can’t be happy” mandate, and the series did still manage to end on a somewhat hopeful note, so there is some appeal there.
Catch Her Next:
Well, sadly, nowhere just yet. Her ongoing title recently ended, and there are no announcements for her to have another solo title (yet??). Still, there is a bright side. Beginning in July, “DC Comics Bombshells” will be released as a digital first title, written by Marguerite Bennett with art by Marguerite Sauvage. The series is set in an alternate timeline during World War II. It will initially feature 1940s bombshell versions of Batwoman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman, and will eventually include all DC’s heroines. So at least you can follow the adventures of an alternate-reality version of Batwoman, written and drawn by amazing talent.
