Heretical Jargon

Writers: J.H. Willaims III & W. Haden Blackman
Artist: J.H. Willaims III
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Todd Klein
Editors: Rickey Purdin, Harvey Richards, & Michael Marts

Batman Created By Bob Kane

Thank you DC for putting all of those ads no one cares about at the back of the book instead of intermingled on every other page.  Maybe I got an oddball issue, but having all the ads at the end certainly made my reading experience that much more enjoyable.  Although, it did feel like the book was a lot shorter than normal, even though it wasn’t.  But still, thanks!

The Batwoman title is definitely a step in the right direction, giving readers something new and fresh to enjoy.  It’s not the stealthiest costume a superhero could wear, but it certainly allows for gorgeous artwork to compliment every page.  My review of Batman & Robin declared it to be the best Bat-book right after Detective comics.  I’m now recalling that statement to officially declare Batwoman the second best Bat-book after Detective…but Batwoman is super close to being #1.

I can only assume that the opening sex scene, juxtaposed with Flamebird duking it out with the hooked thug, is a sensual moment shared between Kate Kane and Detective Maggie.  It’s the only moment I can think of since this title started where Kate’s bright red hair is flushed out by the grey and white noir sensation…up until that moment where Kate climaxes.  It’s a sexy, yet disturbing moment of love, sensuality, and violence.  You want to turn away form the awesome finality it all, yet the tension grabs you and forces you to want more.  Angst is the driving force behind this story, and it couldn’t be better.

The way Willaims uses everything on each page to create individual panels is fantastic; every splash page is worthy of taking the time gaze at it, as well as the entire book.  The more painted panles and pages are a significant and creative change to the “not so painted” panels.  Without a doubt, Willaims wins the best artist of the year award!

I was all about Nightwing and Flamebird taking over Action Comics during the terribly boring “World of New Krypton” series.  I was glad to see Flamebird returning to the comics after the reboot in Batwoman #1.  So, needless to say, it shook my world to see the large hook driven through her body.  I’m so glad they aren’t killing her off…but what does this mean for Flamebird’s future?  Will SHE become the next wheel chaired wise-woman, replacing Barbara Gordon, or is a full recovery in her future?  Needles to say, this will be a definite driving point in what will happen next after the mystery of the weeping woman is resolved.

Mysticism is at the cornerstone of the title, making Batwoman more mysterious that Batman.  Kate Kane is such a normal person (with a lot of baggage) yet her lifestyle is still such a mystery.  Much of what we know of her is shrouded in the unknown. I honestly believe Batwoman will become THE MOST interesting hero in the DC Universe before reaching issue #12.

There’s so much to look forward to and the potential is just building up with every issue.  It seems everyone Kate Kane knows is working against her alter-ego, which could turn into a very bad situation if Kate’s secret identity is discovered. This just might be one of the stickiest situations a superhero has ever been in.  She has nothing gain, and everything to loose.  Fingers crossed that Flamebird doesn’t die off, otherwise she might not have any friends.

10 out of 10 stars

Written By: J.H. Williams III with Haden Blackman
Art By: J.H. Williams III
Colors By: Dave Stewart
Letters By: Todd Klein
Cover By: J.H. Williams

It’s A Woman’s World…
Gail Simone certainly did comics a favor with her reign of a feminist take of the genre; she created storylines that empowered women not through sex, but through the sheer power of a woman’s will.  The DC reboot is in good hands now with writers emulating that Simone standard.  Batwoman is on the verge of being just as powerful and meaningful as Wonder Woman was.

The weeping woman is continually kidnapping children in both their homes and religious establishments, with Batwoman on her trail.  I remember even before the reboot, plans were put in place to bring Batwoman back to life, with little teasers being sent out in each issue asking us who this “weeping woman” is.  Now almost a year has gone by and I’m still unsure of what’s going on, but I’m still drawn into this character and her role within the Bat-verse.  Who is she and why is she kidnapping children?  I’m dying to know!!!

The current run on Birds of Prey is doing a fine job with bringing women into a strong position in comics again, but Batwoman, surprisingly has them all beat.  Of course we have the red-haired protagonist herself, but in addition to that is Bette Kane, Cameron Chase, and Detective Sawyer, all of whom show a respectable amount of power and womanly integrity.  But the best part is…only one of this quartet of women is an actual superhero; Sawyer is a detective, Bette Kane is now a normal human being, and Chase takes down criminals as her job.  Clearly the role and power of women is being jettisoned into a new, unequaled, and undiscovered quadrant of the universe.

Paint With All The Colors Of Haden’s Mind…
One thing we have to recognize is that, while this title is exceptionally well written, its focus is on the artistic…an “artsy-fartsy” book if you will.  Haden’s work here resembles so much of the work he did on Promethea with writer, Alan Moore.  The entire issue is flowing with a mystic aura that is both terrifying and gorgeous at the same time.  And while I’m not sure how Batwoman hides in the shadows with that beautiful bright red hair of hers, the way Haden makes the red and black coloring work within the context of the story is phenomenal.

Dave Stewart does an interesting job with the colors as well; one moment I’m looking at your typical comic book coloring job, and then, all of the sudden, find myself gazing upon a much more PAINTED and ABSTRACT look.  If I didn’t have the credits to prove me wrong, I’d swear this book had two separate colorists working on it.  This is telling of a good artist…when he or she is able to get outside of themselves and CHANGE their style when necessary.

Every page seems to be different from the next, holding onto different color schemes on each one its 20 pages.  It goes from bright and exciting colors, to faded and dull color schemes, all of which are appropriate for the mood Williams wants to set for specific scenes.  All of this combined with the mysterious and spooky storyline has me wondering if this title will become one of my favorites in DC’s new line of titles….

10 out of 10 Stars

The only thing I’m wondering about now is….What happened to Amy Reeder?