J.H. Williams III: co-writer/artist
W. Haden Blackman: co-writer
The Solicitation
• See how Kate Kane shed her life of excess and disgrace to become the costumed vigilante known as Batwoman! • Has she truly put her demons to rest?
Preview
Why I Bought It
Because this one is interesting, for a couple of reasons. First, this book already had a Zero issue about a month before the relaunch. The second is that Williams is coming back to the book for art duties. Let's see what we got.
What I Liked
It was surprising to see yet another origin story for Batwoman, but still walking away a little bit enjoying it. But honestly, this should have been issue #1. The writing reveals a lot more about the character and tells her story so much clearer than I think it ever has before. The one thing this book is lacking is a lot of Batwoman in the costume, which I found to be great, but probably would have been shunned by DC at the time of the relaunch.
The art was very consistent from page to page. That's not saying that the art has been terrible before, but Williams has a way of changing art styles to match the perspective of the story. It is something that I missed form Batwoman and am glad to see it back. There are only a couple times when the art does a change for perspective, in the beginning, middle, and bookmarking the end. The placement in the middle does it just enough to show you were a change in character came for Batwoman.
What I Didn't Like
This was just another one of the Zero issues that I wish we had ages ago. Don't get me wrong, the first issue was pretty good, but this one knocks it more out of the park.
This issue shows me that the writers have a clear sense of direction with where to take this character. A few issues ago I dropped this book because it was lacking in both art and story. If I was confident that it could stay at this level then I would keep with it, but knowing that Williams is going to be heading over to draw the new Sandman book with Neil Gaiman, I just don't feel confident that another artist could come around and make the story work just like he did. Williams works best when he is scripting for himself to draw, not for others.
Panel to Remember
Pick any panel when young Kate is kicking the shit out of the boy who just skinned her sister's knee. It was awesome to see.
Quotable
"I came back as Kate Kane." - An important line and distinction from Batman. She isn't all about the mask, she is all about herself.
Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 10/10
Buy Next Issue: Nah, but I might pick it up in a trade later on.
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