DC Comics 2017
Written by Marguerite Bennett & James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Steve Epting
Coloured by Jeromy Cox
Lettered by Deron Bennett
We’ve seen her in Detective Comics but it’s time for Batwoman to fly solo once again. This Rebirth issue re-establishes Kate’s origin and in all honesty I don’t see that much of a change since she was introduced and that’s a great thing! I like that we get this timeline and her current age, of twenty-seven just an fyi, as it gives us the series of events that actually shaped her life.
The characterisation here is pretty stellar. I really seeing, once again, that moment in Brussels when her mother and sister were killed which was the catalyst for what was to follow. Kate following in her father’s footsteps that is. Then by not dwelling on any one thing but giving us a glimpse at what happened at each stage really does effectively give us that look at what she went through, sometimes literally next.
Sparring at West Point with a fellow cadet and spied on by the man who reported her for breaking the rules at the time, no gays in the military sent her on that downward spiral. The partying and carefree lost woman that she became once she lost her purpose is very well represented here. As is the fact that there are more people out there that are a part of her that we haven’t even yet begun to see and explore. It’s a nice setup for either a potential ally or foe in the coming stories.
Coming home finding Renee and then a chance encounter with Batman set her on her current path. It’s amazing how the Batman is able to inspire in some people that want to follow in his footsteps. To never be the victim again and to help those who would be a victim. With everything that she’s been through in her life it’s easy to see why Kate would want to emulate that after seeing him.
Love and I do mean LOVE Steve’s take on Kate the world she inhabits. His attention to detail and eye for storytelling through the page layouts utilising angles, perspective and backgrounds really make this something special. With Jeromy’s colouring the two really do make quite the impressive team and if this what we have to look forward to visually then this is a no-brainer slam-dunk! I really enjoyed the mood, tone and feel of the work they brought to this issue.
After seeing her three year training regimen and then leading up to the aftermath of the Monster Men story arc is they set the stage for the direction this series is going to take. With her sister and the whole Blood Bible stuff she’s already established she’s more in the horror dark fantasy realm and that this is where we see her series leaning towards going makes me excited. I mean the possibilities are endless here and with her being entrenched in the mainstream and on the fringes she’ll hold a unique place in the DCU.
This was a perfect recap/introduction to her new ongoing series. Both new fans and longtime readers and lovers of the character will devour this and excited for what’s next in Kate’s ongoing career.