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Batwoman
Kate Kane as Batwoman on the cover of Detective Comics #854. Art by J. H. Williams III.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceHistorical:
Detective Comics #233 (July 1956)
Modern:
52 #7 (July 2006, cameo)
52 #11 (July 2006, full-app.)
Created byBob Kane, Sheldon Moldoff
In-story information
Alter egoKathy Kane
Katherine "Kate" Kane
Team affiliationsBatman Family
Justice League
AbilitiesTrained martial artist, access to high tech equipment.

Batwoman (originally referred to as the Bat-Woman) is a fictional character and female counterpart to the superhero Batman, created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff. This character appears in publications produced by DC Comics and related media. Batwoman made her first comic book appearance in Detective Comics #233 (1956). Originally named Kathy Kane, the character was introduced as a love interest for Batman to disprove allegations of homosexuality in response to the backlash from the book Seduction of the Innocent (1954).

Although Batwoman made a number of appearances during the late 1950s and early 1960s, declining sales of both Batman and Detective Comics led to the editorial retirement of the character. When Julius Schwartz became editor of the Batman related comic books in 1964, he removed non-essential characters including Batwoman, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite and Bat-Hound. Later, the 1985 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths retroactively established that Batwoman has never existed, though her alter ego Kathy Kane has continued to make appearances.

The modern incarnation of Batwoman, Kate Kane, first appears in week 7 of the maxi-series 52 (2006), operating in Gotham City during Batman's absence following the events of the seven issue miniseries Infinite Crisis (2005). The modern Batwoman is written as being of Jewish descent and as a lesbian in an effort by DC editorial staff to diversify its publications and better connect to modern day readership. Batwoman's sexual orientation has been both criticized and praised by the general public and the character has been described as the highest profile gay character to appear in stories produced by DC Comics.

Publication history

Kathy Kane (1956-1979)

Detective Comics #233 (July 1956) Batwoman's first appearance.

The original Batwoman is primarily associated with the Silver Age of comic books. In the aftermath of the attacks on comics in the early 1950s, the Batwoman was the first of several characters that would make up the 'Batman Family'. Since the family formula had proven very successful for the Superman franchise, editor Jack Schiff suggested to Kane that he create one for The Batman. A female was chosen first, to offset the charges made by Fredric Wertham that Batman and the original Robin, Dick Grayson, were gay.[1] Kathy Kane and alter ego Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (July 1956).[2] In the character's debut issue, Batwoman is introduced as a female rival to the crime fighting prowess of Batman.

There's only one Batman! That's been said many times and has been true for no other man has ever rivaled Batman as a champion of the law, nor matched his superb acrobatic skill, his scientific keenness, his mastery of disguise and detective skill! But now, in one suspenseful surprise after another, Batman finds he has a great rival in the mysterious and glamorous girl... The Batwoman![2]

She was a costumed crime-fighter like Batman, yet in many ways not an exact counterpart. For example, the contents of her utility purse were actually weapons disguised as stereotypical feminine products such as lipstick, cosmetic compacts, charm bracelets and hair nets.[1] Although letters from fans indicated Batwoman had become popular with readers,[3] editor Julius Schwartz considered the heroine, as well as other Batman-related characters, to be inappropriate for the new direction he took with the Batman universe. Following the revamp to Detective Comics in 1964, Batwoman was removed from the series. The 'new' Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, not only replaced Batwoman as Batman's female counterpart, she surpassed the original heroine in popularity. Batgirl also proved to be more appropriate for her time period and the realistic approach DC Comics began taking with its characters. Unlike Batwoman, Gordon's Batgirl used a utility belt and various gadgets similar to Batman's, in addition to being a skilled martial artist and possessing a doctorate in her civilian identity.[4] Despite requests from readers to revive Batwoman, DC's editorial staff initially declined to bring the character out of retirement, considering the fact that she was specifically created to be a love interest for Batman.

File:Batwoman I.jpg
Batwoman on Earth-2

...[Batwoman and Bat-Girl] were there because romance seemed to be needed in Batman [and Robin]'s life. But thanks to the big change and a foresighted editor, these hapless females are gone for good. In their place stands a girl who is a capable crime-fighter, a far cry from Batwoman who constantly had to be rescued from [sic] Batman.[3]

However, with the launch of the Batman Family comic book series in 1975, readers continued to request for Batwoman to appear in new stories. One reader states:

it is totally beyond me why you ignored Batwoman in your first two issues... I can understand your reluctance to go back to the days where everybody in Gotham had a Bat-identity, but you can't wipe out Batwoman that easily... I was counting on her making the scene in a new story, perhaps coming out of retirement to offer assistance to your Dynamite Duo [Batgirl and Robin].[3]

Batwoman was brought back in Batman Family #10 (1979) as "Batgirl's guest heroine" when she comes out of retirement to assist Batgirl in defeating Killer Moth and Cavalier.[5] However, Batwoman is later killed in Detective Comics #485 with editor Dennis O'Neil stating "we already had Batgirl, we didn't need Batwoman."[3] The issue marked the final appearance of the Earth-1 Kathy Kane though an Earth-2 version appeared in Brave and The Bold#182. This Kathy Kane retired from crime fighting when that world's Batman married Catwoman. She comes out of retirement to help a grown-up Robin and Earth-1 Batman battle Hugo Strange.

Kate Kane (2006-Present)

Kate Kane's debut in 52. Kane converses with Renee Montoya.

The limited series Infinite Crisis (2005) which was written as a sequel to the 1985 maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths altered DC Comics continuity. Subsequently, all comic book titles published by DC Comics skip forward one year and a new maxi-series entitled 52 retroactively chronicles the 52 weeks which directly followed Infinite Crisis.

When DC editors called for a redesign of Batwoman, comic book artist Alex Ross drew inspiration from the modified Batgirl costume he designed for Barbara Gordon, seven years prior to Kate Kane's debut in the limited comic book series 52. Ross and comic book author Paul Dini initially planned to revive the former Batgirl Barbara Gordon using an updated version of the character's original costume, with red accents in place of the traditional yellow. However, since Gordon serves as one of a very small number of disabled superheroes of DC Comics as Oracle, DC's editorial staff decided to revitalize the original Batwoman instead. In an interview with Newsarama, Ross states:

They had me change the mask and hair to make it a bit more Batwoman, rather than Batgirl...I pointed out to them that the mask makes her look like the Huntress a little overall—but there weren't many options. The original mask that I had in there when it was to be a Batgirl design was the complete head cover that we've seen, so they did need something different from that.[6]

Unlike the Silver Age Kathy Kane, who was romantically attracted to Batman, the new version of Kane is a lesbian.[7] Her sexual orientation was announced at the same time the character was revealed in the spring of 2006.[8] Stories appeared on television news outlets such as CNN,[9] general news magazines such as USA Today, and gay culture magazines such as Out.[8] The modern Katherine "Kate" Kane made her first comic book appearance in issue #7 of the maxi-series 52 (2006),[10] where Kane is revealed to have been romantically involved with Renee Montoya, a former Gotham City Police Detective (who later takes up the mantle of the Question after the original hero dies). When questioned about the editorial decision to make Batwoman a gay character in an interview with Wizard Entertainment, DC Comics Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Dan DiDio states:

It was from conversations we’ve had for expanding the DC Universe, for looking at levels of diversity. We wanted to have a cast that is much more reflective of today’s society and even today’s fanbase. One of the reasons we made her gay is that, again when you have the Batman Family—a series of characters that aren’t super-powered and inhabit the same circle and the same city—you really want to have a point of difference. It was really important to me to make sure every character felt unique.[11]

Batwoman's sexual orientation has gathered mixed reviews, ranging from acceptance to outrage.[12] While a reviewer at Out asserts "Batwoman will be the highest profile gay superhero to ever grace the pages of DC Comics,"[8] according to the Associated Press, another online observer asked "[w]ouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?"[13] Although several GLBT organizations such as GLAAD have praised DC Comics for attempting to diversify their characters, some have observed that Batwoman is not the first gay or lesbian character to appear in comic books, nor is she the only lesbian to be associated with the Batman series.[14] Though Batwoman is currently one of several LGBT characters appearing in stories published by DC Comics, the character is written as a closeted lesbian who makes a conscious effort to conceal her sexual orientation. Newer appearances, however, show her having dates with women in public. In the character's civilian identity as a socialite, Katherine Kane is acquainted with Bruce Wayne and is friends with a doctor named Mallory. She is presented as having porcelain white skin, several tattoos and a clothing style defined as punk-psychobilly-goth in her civilian persona.[15] The character is also Jewish, and celebrates Hanukkah with Renee Montoya during the events of 52. Her father is an ex-colonel and in Detective Comics #854, it is stated she is the cousin of Bette "Flamebird" Kane. The younger Kate also has a stepmother named Catherine Kane[16], making Catherine the aunt of Bette, although it is unconfirmed whether or not this is the New Earth version of the original Kathy Kane.

At the 2008 New York Comic Con, it was announced that Batwoman will be among the characters appearing in a new Justice League comic book written by James Robinson. Batwoman will take over as the lead character in Detective Comics with issue #854.[17] It was revealed at the 2009 New York Comic Con that she would be DC Comic's highest profile gay superhero.[18]

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

Earth-2

Main article: Earth-Two

In the original pre-Crisis continuity, Kathy Kane, a wealthy Gotham City heiress and former circus performer, decides to use her skills and resources to become a costumed crimefighter. This is partly out of altruism and partly to attract the romantic attentions of Batman. During the Silver Age of Comics Batwoman guest-starred occasionally in Batman stories published from 1956 to 1964. While Batman wished for Kane to retire from crimefighting due to the danger, she remained his ally, even when she temporarily became a new version of Catwoman. In 1961, Batwoman was joined by her niece Betty Kane, the Bat-Girl.[19] Kathy and Betty were romantically interested in Batman and Robin, respectively. Robin seemed to return Bat-Girl's affection, while Batman remained aloof. In 1964, DC dropped Batwoman, as well as Bat-Girl, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Bat-Mite from the Batman titles, which were undergoing a revamp under Editor Julius Schwartz that eliminated many of the sci-fi elements that were introduced in the 1950s. In stories published during the next few years, Batwoman makes several appearances in the Batman-Superman team-up book World's Finest. When she is middle-aged, she is regretful that Batman married Catwoman instead of her. She is surprised by a visit from the Earth-1 Batman in a story named "Interlude on Earth-2".

Earth-1

Main article: List of DC Multiverse worlds

In the late 1970s, an Earth-1 Batwoman[20] made guest appearances in the Batman Family comic book series, often fighting crime alongside Batgirl.[5] During her retirement, she becomes the owner of a circus, which she keeps until killed by the League of Assassins and the brainwashed Bronze Tiger.[21] It would seem that all Batwoman stories published before 1964 took place on Earth-Two, as 1964 is generally regarded as the year Earth-One Batman stories debuted; thus, the 'reappearance' of Batwoman in Batman Family would be for the Earth-One version, whose only prior stories were in World's Finest after 1964.[citation needed]

Post-Crisis

Kathy Kane

The conclusion of the 1985 maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths[22] altered DC Universe continuity, subsequently changing the character histories of Batwoman and Bat-Girl. In the new continuity, Kathy Kane did exist, though her persona as Batwoman had been erased. Bat-Girl never existed either, but a superheroine named Flamebird was introduced who had a somewhat similar costume and similar name, "Bette Kane".

Despite the erasure of both Kathy Kane as Batwoman and Betty Kane as Bat-Girl, there have been references to both in post-Crisis publications: In Alan Moore's Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman stares at a photograph that portrays Bat-Girl, Batwoman, Ace the Bat-hound, and Batmite- characters that did not exist in continuity at the time.[23] In Detective Comics #824, the Penguin refers to Kate Kane as the new Batwoman. Kathy as Batwoman can also be seen in issue #682 of Batman comics, where we get a brief look back throughout Batman's career, and see him and the original Batwoman kissing, with Robin showing his distrust of her and Betty. During the Beast Boy miniseries, Flamebird tries to post bail for Beast Boy, with money "borrowed from Aunt Kathy". In Batman #686 (Grant Morrison) Alfred mentions that Bruce Wayne was once romantically involved with Kathy Kane. Most recently, Detective Comics #854 featured a conservative Catherine Kane as Bette's aunt and Kate's stepmother.

Note that Infinite Crisis restored some elements of Earth-Two to the modern continuity and that Grant Morrison has made efforts to treat Batman's entire publication history as his backstory[24].

Kate Kane

Childhood

File:Batwoman52.jpg
Batwoman's modern age debut. Issue #11 of 52.

Kate and Beth were identical twins and were very close to each other. On their twelfth birthday, Kate and Beth were taken by their mother to an expensive restaurant for chocolate and waffles, their favorite dish. On the way to the restaurant, a group of armed gunmen attacked the family and took them hostage, killing their bodyguard in the process. After learning of his family's kidnapping, Kate's father Jake lead a rescue mission to save his captured family, which ended with Kate's mother executed and Beth apparently killed after being caught in the crossfire between the kidnappers and soldiers.[25]

Young adulthood

Years later, Kate begins attending the United States Military Academy, where she receives excellent grades and ranks at the top of her class. However, when it is discovered that she is secretly in a lesbian relationship with another student, Kate's commanding officer informs her that she will suffer severe academic consequences if she does not deny the allegations. Telling the officer that she refuses to lie about who she is, Kate admits to being gay and leaves the school. She then moves back to Gotham City where she begins to attend college and live the high life with her stepmother's money. Feeling lost and depressed about being unable to fulfill her dream of serving her country, Kate begins drinking heavily and eventually is pulled over by a young Renee Montoya, who was just a traffic cop at this point. The two begin dating a short while later and eventually get into a fight when Kate berates Renee for hiding her homosexuality from her partner Harvey Bullock. While attempting to call Renee and apologize for her behavior, Kate is attacked by a mugger who wants her wallet and cellphone. Using her military training, Kate easily defeats the criminal just as Batman arrives and helps her off the ground. She is then shown watching in awe as Batman flees the scene.[26]

Debut as Batwoman

Inspired by her encounter with the caped crusader, Kate begins fighting crime using stolen military body armor and weaponry. After being confronted by Jake, Kate accepts his offer for assistance and begins an intense two years of training across the globe. Upon returning to Gotham, Kate discovers that her father has created a Batsuit for her, along with an arsenal of experimental weaponry and a bunker hidden in the Kane home. The first reference to the modern Batwoman is made by the Penguin in Detective Comics #824 who suggests Batman bring a date to the opening of his club, asking, "Why don't you bring that new Batwoman? I hear she's kind of hot."[27] In 52 #7 (2006) the new Batwoman is introduced.[10] Kane is revealed to have been intimately involved with former Gotham City police detective Renee Montoya and is heiress to one of the wealthiest families in Gotham, owning that which the Wayne family does not. In her third appearance in issue #11 of 52 entitled "Batwoman Begins,"[28] Kane assists Montoya and her partner the Question in a mystery revolving around a warehouse owned by Kane's family. When Montoya and the Question are attacked sometime later by Whisper A'Daire's shapeshifting minions, Kane intervenes as Batwoman and rescues them.[29]

52

In 52 #28 (2006),[30] after Montoya learns that the "Book of Crime," a sacred text of Intergang, contains a prophecy foretelling the brutal murder of the "twice named daughter of Kane," she and the Question return to Gotham, joining forces with Batwoman in issue #30 in order to avert Intergang's plans.[31] Batwoman later appears in a story written by Greg Rucka for the DC Infinite Holiday Special (2006).[32] As Batwoman continues the case, she is joined by Nightwing, who has recently returned to Gotham and becomes infatuated with her. On Christmas Eve, he gives her an 'official' Batarang. She also celebrates Hanukkah with Renee, and the two kiss shortly before Christmas. This story introduced some of Kane's background, including the fact that she is Jewish. In issue #48 of 52 (2007),[33] when Intergang realizes that the image of Batwoman in the Crime Bible and the cited "twice-named daughter of Cain" were one and the same, they ransack Kane's apartment, kidnapping her with the intention to sacrifice her. Montoya arrives too late to stop the ritual, finding Kate bound and gagged to an altar as prophet Bruno Mannheim plunges a knife through her heart. In the ensuing confrontation, the freed Batwoman pulls the knife out of her own chest to stab Mannheim, and then collapses in Renee's arms. She survives her wounds after Renee stops the bleeding in time, however, and as she recuperates in her Penthouse, Renee, disguised in her new alter ego as the Question, shines the batsignal into her apartment and asks, "Are you ready?"[33]

Countdown

Batwoman subsequently appears in Countdown #39 (2007),[34] after the Question confronts Trickster and Pied Piper, having trailed them from the Penguin's Iceburg Lounge nightclub. Batwoman also makes an appearance in the miniseries Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood (2007)[35] alongside the Question.

Final Crisis

Batwoman is seen again on the final page of Final Crisis #3, one month after the Anti-Life Equation was released, as a new Female Fury along with Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Giganta. Her costume bears resemblance to the dead Fury Mad Harriet, albeit with a BDSM ball-gag strapped over her mouth. She is also seen in Final Crisis: Revelations #4 attacking the Question after having just been infected with the Anti-Life Equation.

Detective Comics

Main article: Batwoman: Detective Comics

Following the events of Final Crisis and Battle for the Cowl, in which Bruce Wayne has supposedly died and is replaced by Dick Grayson, Kate becomes the lead of Detective Comics from issue 854 onwards. She's seen investigating the arrival of a new leader of the Religion of Crime to Gotham. She briefly meets Batman (it is intentionally left ambiguous whether or not it is Dick Grayson or Bruce Wayne)[36] to discuss her findings. Kate demonstrates greater knowledge of the Religion of Crime, and even corrects Batman by saying there's 13 and not 12 covens of the religion in Gotham. Batman concedes the case to her, and comments on the length of her hair (though panels on the same page reveal the long red wig hides her actual hair, styled short).[37]

Aspects of her personal life are also revealed, including her relationship with her ex-colonel father; serving as Batwoman's ally, whom she addresses as "sir." The strain of her late night vigilante activity has also taken a toll on her romantic relationships. Her lateness and night time absences are interpreted by her girlfriend as an on the side liaison with another woman. She breaks the relationship off as she believes Kate is not ready to commit to an exclusive relationship. A past traumatic incident is also alluded to which she claims still haunts her. As she vaguely describes the experience, her face is shown superimposed on the page over a restrained girl with a bag over her head. She later tracks down the new leader of the Religion of Crime: an elaborately costumed woman named Alice.[37] Over the course of the conflict that ensues, Batwoman observes that Alice only speaks in quotations from Lewis Carroll; believing herself to be Alice Liddell. Alice denies a connection to the Mad Hatter.[38]

While attending a party thrown for the Gotham Police Department, Kate meets and flirts with detective Maggie Sawyer, and runs into her cousin Bette Kane (better known as the Teen Titans member Flamebird). Kate is apparently unaware of her cousin's vigilante activities, and inadvertently hurts her feelings when she cuts her off in the middle of a conversation to answer her cell phone. While dancing with Maggie, Kate discovers that Alice has kidnapped her father and plans to destroy Gotham by spreading a deadly airborne chemical from a hijacked airplane, thus succeeding where Mannheim failed.[39] Batwoman boards the plane and defeats Alice's subordinates, eventually stopping the plot and rescuing her father in the process. However, Alice is accidentally thrown from the plane, only to be caught by Batwoman. Alice then shocks her by saying that Batwoman has "Our father's eyes," apparently revealing that she is in fact Kate's sister Beth (who was believed to have been killed years ago). With Batwoman stunned by the revelation, Alice stabs her in the wrist with a knife. Batwoman is forced to release her grip, sending Alice to her apparent demise in the river below.[40]

In the aftermath of this discovery, Kate locks herself in her crime lab and tries to come to terms with what just happened, while the police struggle in vain to find any sign of Alice's corpse. These scenes are depicted amongst numerous flashback sequences that comprise most of the issue. Throughout them, back story is provided from her childhood that depicts Kate, her twin sister Beth, and their mother being kidnapped. While Kate's father is able to rescue her, it appears as though both her sister and mother have been killed by the time he arrives.[41]

Justice League

When the Justice League of America splits up following Bruce Wayne's death and a disastrous confrontation with the Shadow Cabinet, Green Lantern Hal Jordan leads a group of superheroes to Gotham in order to track down the supervillain known as Prometheus. Kate is shown stalking the heroes from the rooftops after they encounter Clayface.[42]

Batwoman later contacts both Leagues at the JLA Watchtower, informing them she encountered and engaged supervillain Delores Winters, who mysteriously collapsed and died right as she was about to be taken into custody. The heroes request that Kate bring the body up to them, but she declines, telling them that she is much too busy due to a rash of criminal uprisings going on in Gotham. Firestorm is then sent to retrieve the corpse from Kate and bring it to the team, who discover that Dolores was forced into fighting by means of a mind control device.[43]

Later, Batwoman is kidnapped by cultists and taken to London in order for her to once again be sacrificed. She is sealed within a coffin and taken underground to the last remaining Lazarus Pit in order for the ritual to begin. She is saved by the timely intervention of Dick Grayson and British superheroes Knight and Squire. After learning that Grayson plans on placing Bruce Wayne's corpse into the pit in order to revive him, Kate strongly protests, but he simply ignores her.[44] True to Kate's warnings, Bruce (in reality an insane clone created by Darkseid) emerges from the Pit and attacks the heroes. As the battle takes place, the cultists who kidnapped Kate detonate explosives surrounding the Pit, causing a massive cave-in. Grayson discovers Kate, buried alive and with extensive injury to her spine and legs, and tries to help her.[45]

Skills, resources, and abilities

As Batwoman, Kane lacks any superpowers, and instead relies on her martial artistry and Batman-inspired equipment when fighting crime. Although the original Kathy Kane did not display any martial art skill during the Silver Age of comic books, the Modern Age Kane is depicted as a skilled martial artist and detective.[28] Both incarnations of the character are written as the heiress of a family whose fortune is comparable to the wealth of Bruce Wayne. Subsequently, Kane possesses the finances to produce an arsenal of equipment similar to Batman's. While the Silver Age Batwoman used weaponry disguised as feminine items like lipstick and a compact, the Modern Age Batwoman's arsenal includes a baton-like device which can extend from the center in length that has Bat-shaped attachments at each end, Batarangs and a Batman-inspired grappling hook.[28] Kate's equipment is given to her by her father, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and is usually adapted models from military equipment. Her gloves are specially designed to climb and their bracer points are throwing weapons. Many of the gadgets that Kate uses are similar to the more realistic weaponry Batman is shown using in the film Batman Begins and its sequel, The Dark Knight. The most obvious examples are Kate's bladed gauntlets and her glider-cape.

Other versions

Main article: Elseworlds

Elseworlds is an imprint of DC Comics which places the company's iconic characters in alternate timelines and events outside of mainstream continuity. Various incarnations of Batwoman have appeared in Elseworld titles, including Mark Waid and Alex Ross's Kingdom Come, its sequel The Kingdom, Alan Davis's JLA: The Nail and the sequel JLA: Another Nail, and Mike Barr's Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty.[46][47][48] Alternate depictions of the character also appear in the Teen Titans storyline "Titans Tomorrow" and Superman/Batman #24 (November 2005).[49][50]

In other media

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

File:Animatedbatwoman.png
Batwoman from Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

Batwoman appeared in the direct to video animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. In this storyline, which conforms to the continuity of the DC Animated Universe, Batwoman is a new vigilante operating in Gotham City who is willing to use lethal force to achieve her goals. She targets the illegal operations of the Penguin, and crime bosses Rupert Thorne and Carlton Duquesne. Viewed as a threat, Batman investigates the Batwoman in an attempt to uncover her identity and bring her, as well as her targets, to justice.[51] In his investigation, Batman suspects three different women to be Batwoman: Gotham Police Detective Sonia Alcana, Dr. Roxanne 'Rocky' Ballantine, and Kathleen 'Kathy' Duquesne (a ref. to earleir Batwoman, Kathy Kane).

It's eventually revealed that all three women have been posing as Batwoman with grudges against the crime bosses; Detective Alcana wants vengeance against Rupert Thorne, who left her parents in financial ruins after sending his men to her family's bodega and set the place to burn. Dr. Ballentine uses her shared identity to investigate the Penguin, who framed her fiancée years ago which led him into prison, in order to find evidences that would get his sentence commuted. Duquesne wants her father's criminal career to end because it led her mother being killed. Alcana met Dr. Ballentine when they were in college, and Duquesne in art classes. Alcana acts as a leader of the trio, while Dr. Ballentine uses her skills as an engineer and access to WayneTech to design arsenal for themselves, and Duquesne finances their activities.

Batman's alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, also develops a romantic attraction with Duquesne while investigates Batwoman's identity.

While Batwoman's disguised voice was done by actress Kyra Sedgwick, Alcana's was by Elisa Gabrielli, Ballentine's was Kelly Ripa, and Duquesne's was Kimberly Brooks [52]

DC Universe Online

Batwoman is also set to appear in the upcoming MMORPG DC Universe Online.

Bibliography

Collected editions

The character's major appearances have been collected into individual volumes:

  • Batwoman: Elegy (collects Detective Comics #854-860, 192 pages, DC Comics, deluxe hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2692-2)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Daniels, Les (2004). Batman: The Complete History. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0811842320. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Batman: The Complete History" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Hamilton, Edmond (1956). Detective Comics #233 "The Batwoman". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Detective Comics #233" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Fred Grandinetti. "Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2007-09-19.
  4. ^ Arant, Wendi (2002). The Image and Role of the Librarian. Haworth Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN 0789020998. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Rozakis, Bob (1977). Batman Family #10. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Johnson, Dave (June 1, 2006). "Alex Ross: Giving Batwoman Her Look". Newsarama. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  7. ^ Robinson, Bryan (June 1, 2006). "Holy Lipstick Lesbian! Meet the New Batwoman". ABC News. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  8. ^ a b c Sherrin, Michael (2006). "Batwoman Comes Out!". Out. Retrieved 2007-09-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Moos, Jeanne (May 31, 2006). "Batwoman comes out of the cave". CNN. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  10. ^ a b Johns, Geoff (2006). 52 #7. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Morse, Ben (May 31, 2006). "Dan DiDio Talks Batwoman". Wizard Universe. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  12. ^ "Batwoman Comes Out as a Lesbian". Access Hollywood. May 31, 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  13. ^ McShane, Larry (2006). "Batwoman Is Back As a Lesbian". CBS. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  14. ^ Helberg, Michele (July 24, 2006). "Batwoman's Lesbian Identity is No Secret to Comic Book Fans". AfterEllen. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  15. ^ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yv74a8XkxJI/Sd-wncHoisI/AAAAAAAABh4/k2Fsadvdmz4/s1600-h/batwoman+designs.jpg
  16. ^ Detective Comics #855
  17. ^ "Batwoman takes over 'Detective'". ICv2. February 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  18. ^ Flood, Alison (February 11, 2009). "DC readies lesbian Batwoman for take-off". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  19. ^ Finger, Bill (1961). Batman #139. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ The Brave and The Bold #182, "Interlude on Earth-2"
  21. ^ O'Neil, Dennis (1979). Detective Comics #485. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Wolfman, Marv (1985). Crisis on Infinite Earths. DC Comics. ISBN 1-56389-750-4.
  23. ^ Moore, Alan (1988). Batman: The Killing Joke. DC Comics. ISBN 978-0930289454.
  24. ^ Morrison Interview with IGN http://au.comics.ign.com/articles/876/876418p1.html
  25. ^ Detective Comics #858
  26. ^ Detective Comics #859
  27. ^ Detective Comics #824. DC Comics. 2006. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ a b c Johns, Geoff (2006). 52 #11 "Batwoman Begins". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "52 #11" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  29. ^ Wallace, Dan (2008), "Batwoman", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 45, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5
  30. ^ Johns, Geoff (2006). 52 #28 "Beyond the Black Stump". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Johns, Geoff (2006). 52 #30 "Dark Knight Down". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Rucka, Greg (2006). DCU: Infinite Holiday Special. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ a b Johns, Geoff (2006). 52 #28 "Asked and Answered". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Dini, Paul (2007). Countdown #39. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Rucka, Greg (2007). Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood #3. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  36. ^ Siuntres, John (2009). "Word Balloon: The Greg Rucka Debrief". Newsarama. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
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  38. ^ Rucka, Greg (September 2009). Detective Comics #855 "Elegy Part Two: Misterioso". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ Rucka, Greg (October 2009). Detective Comics #856 "Elegy Part Three: Affetuoso". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ Rucka, Greg (November 2009). Detective Comics #857 "Elegy Part Four: Rubato!". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  41. ^ Rucka, Greg (December 2009). Detective Comics #858 "Go 1". DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ Justice League: Cry For Justice #4
  43. ^ Justice League: Cry For Justice #5
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  46. ^ Waid, Mark (1998). Kingdom Come (DC Comics Hardcover). DC Comics. ISBN 978-1563893179.
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  49. ^ Johns, Geoff (2005). Teen Titans Vol. 3: Beast Boys and Girls. DC Comics. ISBN 978-1401204594.
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  52. ^ Burnett, Alan (2003). "Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-01-09. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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