New Batwoman Title - Batwoman in Detective Comics

[turtlex]

New Batwoman is Gay - DC Comics Confirms Rumors.

Batman Storyline Spoiler

The flame-haired lesbian crime-fighter is taking over from Bruce Wayne, who suffered an untimely demise in a recent issue of Detective Comics' longest-running series.

For over 60 years, Wayne has fronted the iconic Batman publication. His apparent passing has paved the way for

Batwoman - who is described as a "lesbian socialite by night and a crime-fighter by later in the night" -

Batman Spoiler

to take over the reigns for at least 12 issues in a run that begins this June.

Writer Greg Rucka told the Comic Book Resources website that the introduction of a lesbian character into the DC roster was "long overdue". "We have been waiting to unlock her," he said. "Yes, she's a lesbian. She's also a redhead. It is an element of her character. It is not her character".

He went on to dismiss fears of a possible backlash from fans. "If people are going to have problems with it, that's their issue", Rucka said. "That's certainly not mine."

Batwoman - whose alter-ego is Katherine "Kate" Kane - was introduced into the DC character stable in 1956 as a love interest for the Dark Knight. Her appearance helped stifle persisting rumours about Batman's own sexuality.

She was first 'outed' by her creators in 2006 as a former lover of Gotham City police detective Renee Montoya. She has made cameo appearances in the comic series, but her elevation to alpha superhero has been celebrated by gay rights groups.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation praised DC for their efforts to diversify their characters.

Batman Spoiler

Writers have refused to confirm whether Batman may be reincarnated in a future issue, saying simply that he is "elsewhere".

[Sam]

I love the way they said, "yeah and she also has red hair, so what about it?"

Batman wil be back, just like Superman came back and like Steve Rogers/Captain America will be back.

[Emily]

I think this is fantastic. From a comic book reader's point of view, I'm excited to be able to read about that aspect of a superhero's life, and as a human being I'm excited for the LGBT community, things like this are awesome.

[turtlex]

I've been hearing rumors about this for what seems like a year now. I hope they do a good job - most importantly, I hope they have good storylines. Gay or not, a comic has to be well written and have a good plot. We have to care about the character, not just their characteristics.

[The Cosmic Geek]

I remember when they first introduced this Batwoman character. It was pretty big news since she is a lesbian. Some people were upset, some weren't. Me, I didn't mind, my sister is a lesbian so I thought it was pretty cool.

If anyone is interested in an excellent comic dealing with slice of life stories, check out Strangers in Paradise. Terry Moore writes some of the most convincing characters ever, one of which is a lesbian.

[turtlex]

Oh, I love Strangers In Paradise. It's a great series. I also love Maggie and Hopey, from Love and Rockets.

And wow, I can only dream that the writing and the art on the new Batwoman is as good as either of those titles.

[The Cosmic Geek]

A fellow Strangers fan? Cool. I love Moore's art. He captured the perfect facial expressions with his characters, something you really don't see enough in comics. Love his pencils and love how that book is inked, looks so beautiful.

[turtlex]

Update, from what I can tell - Batwoman will not have her own title, but will be taking over/appearing in Detective Comics for a "at least" a 12 issue arc, starting with #854 ( I believe this is the June ).

[flaggwalkstheline]

shes not going to be his replacement permanently, the storyline Battle for the cowl will clear it up more, and anyway

Spoiler:

the omega beams smoked bruces corpse but sent him spiralling through the multiverse, at the end of final crisis he was living in a cave in prehistoric times

[turtlex]

Righto!

Also, I suspect, if the 12 issues due well... spin-off title.

[flaggwalkstheline]

I for one am in the camp of sickos who hope batman gets recruited to be

Spoiler:

a black lantern

[turtlex]

This issue just hit the stands.

[Patrick]

Now that I know of its existence, I'll pick up a copy when I fetch my Locke & Key that also came out this week.

I hope the character and the storylines live up to everyone's expectations and sell well.

Thanks, Pam.

[turtlex]

The issue is actually DETECTIVE COMICS # 854.

Info :
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III and Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
Variant Cover by JG Jones

"Elegy" part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you've never seen anything like this!

32pg. / Color / $3.99 US
On Sale June 24, 2009

[turtlex]

Okay, I hate to go jumping the gun on this but I picked up 854 today and actually enjoyed it... go figure. The art/color is very vibrant and I like it alot. The writing is pretty good and honestly, I'm sucked into the story already and am looking forward to the next issue.

That's more than I can say for several of the Marvel Noir titles.

It's got some angst, and I love that in my comics.

[turtlex]

Cool preview page from 854 :

Featuring Kate Kane and her father.



ETA: The first frame, she's showing her father a scar on her chest where she was stabbed in the heart and the voice bubble that belongs there is something along the lines of "I never forget what happened" or "how could I forget what happened" .. you get the idea. She's not flashing her father, in other words.

[Patrick]

I bought it. I read it. I liked it.

[turtlex]

Thanks, Patrick. I wasn't sure if it was just me.

[Brainslinger]

I haven't read it, but this guy gave it a thumbs up in his article. (It's pretty long, but the bat-stuff is near the start.) It seems the new Batman and Robin comics are getting positive reviews too.

[turtlex]

Wow, you know, I'm a Marvel-Girl usually, but honestly - I am truly enjoying this new title... DC comes through.

And thanks for the link !!

[turtlex]

Wow. Looks like 854 is a SELLOUT and they're going for a 2nd printing.

Here's the new cover :

[Patrick]

What is the release date, Pam?

Cool cover, by the way.

[turtlex]

Patrick - I'm not sure. They just announced it... like on Tuesday early. I got the info from JH Williams III's website.

I would guess, by the end of the month. I'm going to check with my comic guy on Friday to see if they are ordering or not.

And - hey, mister - make sure you board and bag that first printing you have now !!!

From J3's blog : I thought I’d add a little commentary to this. This cover design was literally at the last minute. We got the notice from DC Monday afternoon about going back to press and they wanted a new cover FAST! Like the very next morning fast. So the best solution was to come up with a simple design and add The Question as an additional point of interest. Since I had almost no time to get an image to Dave for him to have time to toy with it, we had to go with a wash and marker sketch look that Dave would colorize different parts of the drawing. I did the sketch art, scanned it, placed it into the blue circle and red lighting bolt design, then finished it up by adding the colored text. This then went off to Dave, and after discussing things with him a bit the next morning, it was done. The entire process was accomplished in roughly 6 hrs total. I’m happy with it even though I had no time to really do a tighter drawing. The looseness in combination with the simple graphic palette approach, working in tandem with the logo font style, looks classic and modern at the same time. A rush job, but a nice stylish one I think.

[turtlex]

Well, if everything works out okay - I am now the very proud owner of an original piece of comic art!!!



Page 10 of issue 854 !!!

[jhanic]

Congratulations, Pam!

John