Batwoman 1 Thoughts

Writer: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
Artist: J.H. Williams III

Most gorgeous book of the 52, hands down. J.H. Williams' art is immersive, plunging you into two worlds over the course of this one issue. The world of Batwoman--a fast-paced realm where panels flow from one page to the next like still shots from an old movie projector, and then the world of Kate Kane (Batwoman's alter ego), which looks like the most traditional comic you've ever read. Illustrating the difference in how assured Kate is in her own life and how chaotic things become once she puts on the costume, it's rare to see this much thought put into page and panel design. It makes the wait from Batwoman's last appearance as the star of her own comic book worth it.

The opening issue's story is solid as well, setting up a new, terrifying villain in the city of Gotham--La Llorona, the Weeping Woman. A truly haunting villain based on an urban legend of a peasant girl who accidentally let her kids drown, then drowns herself, coming back as a vengeful spirit who now subjects other parents' children to the same fate. It walks the tightrope line for a Gotham villain of being mystical enough to be creepy, but not so mystical that you wonder why she exists in a town where all the heroes are human and things are supposed to be realistic.

Because Batwoman's first adventures took place in a previous comic, we essentially pick up on her life only a few weeks where we left off (though that was roughly two years ago in real time), so we also check in with all of Kate's supporting cast. Her father, once a stalwart companion with her work as Batwoman, is now a source of conflict in her life when a previous case revealed a hidden truth about their past. Her cousin Bette Kane, a former superhero and Teen Titan, now a sidekick to Batwoman's adventures. (Like Robin, but cuter and in a more practical costume.) And a love interest, Detective Sawyer, a member of the G.C.P.D., who judging from this issue would probably be quite unhappy if she found out her new girlfriend was a vigilante.

We even meet some surprising guest-stars from a rather obscure DC Comic of the 90's. It's in no way confusing to new readers as they don't delve into their old history, but it's a wonderful easter egg for DC history geeks like me. I'm very curious as what to exactly their appearance will mean in future issues.

Overall, this was a fun first issue that told a great opening chapter to Batwoman's new ongoing. Looking forward to the next few issues, even when they switch artists. (Amy Reeder is probably one of my favorite artists in comics right now.)