Comics! Batwoman #4

Batwoman #4

J.H. Williams III: co-writer & artist
W. Haden Blackman: co-writer

The Comic
I didn't realize it until the end of the issue that all the ads were put in the back of the comic. Nice touch, because the story seemed to flow much, much better without those ads.

Just as Batman predicted in the beginning of the series, that sidekicks could be dangerous to have, we see the fall out from that prediction. As a way to prove how inexperienced Flamebird is, she gets taken down by one of the monster creatures in a matter of seconds. Then one of the shadow agents finds her and Flamebird asks for Kate Kane, the Batwoman, when she is told that she is close to death.

Then we get some Batwoman as a detective scenes where she is investigating more of the water woman and what her origin might be. The agents discuss that they believe they have unmasked Kate Kane as Batwoman and its going to help in bringing down Batman eventually.

Here is one thing that bugs me so much about the premise behind the agency and what they are doing: I can't take them seriously. At all. In just about every other Bat-book or book that a Bat-character appears in, it almost seems like common knowledge about who each character is under the mask. So why is it so difficult for this agency to find out who each character is under the mask?

Moving that aside, this comic doesn't seem like it will ever be accessible for new readers. You will need to read the previous issues to get what is going on. It is half the story's fault, and it is half the art's fault. While the art is gorgeous and great to look at, it just isn't going to be something that I would say new readers could jump into at any random issue.

So taking it at this approach, I'm liking it wonderfully for the art. The story is okay, it just needs to work out the kinks.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 10/10
Recommend: Old readers yes, new readers no.
Buy Next Issue: I am liking the art, I shall stay around.

Previous Issues
Three Issue Trial
Batwoman #3
Batwoman #2
Batwoman #1