by the linster

Batwoman fills Batman’s boots

Or not.

One of the ongoing dilemmas in the DC Universe is that multiple timelines and dimensions mean multiple storylines that may or may not be consistent. Add to that the fact that superheroes, especially famous ones, return from the dead time and time again and you have infinite possibilities.

That’s why, at this weekend’s New York Comic Con, when a panel opened with “Who here thinks Batman is dead?” not a single hand went up. All DC will say is that Bruce Wayne is “elsewhere.” Which means somebody has to do the Caped Crusader’s job.

While Bat-fans debated who should take over Detective Comics, writer Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams III announced that this summer, DC’s flagship title will feature its first lesbian superhero: Batwoman.

Rucka said that he and Williams have been working on the title for almost two years.

Batwoman returned to the stable of superheroes — after 30 years — in 2006 DC’s 52. We learned that her identity is Kate Kane, a lesbian socialite, and that she has a past with Renee Montoya, a lesbian former police detective also featured in 52.

Despite the hype — and a nod to female writer Devin Grayson to develop a separate Batwoman series with the title character as a contemporary lesbian — the character ended up all but disappearing from 52. Grayson found out from a newspaper article that the development project was dead.

Since then, DC has sent mixed signals about the project. In fact, last year at WonderCon DC announced the Batwoman series and then denied it the next day. But the decision to put Batwoman at the helm of the publisher’s longest-running title indicates that the character’s sexual orientation wasn’t the reason for the delays.

The New York Comic Con program included a preview of Detective Comics #824:

Although we can’t tell a whole lot from the preview, I’m glad to see that at least she got some new boots to replace the high-heeled versions she wore in 52. I mean, she wouldn’t be much of a lesbian superhero if she didn’t wear comfortable shoes.

What do you think about Batwoman taking over Detective Comics? Is she a worthy successor to Batman or will she fly off into the sunset as she did in 52?

the linster's blog

Submitted by

the linster

on February 9, 2009 - 9:00am.

TAGS ::

wow

Submitted by

桜 (186 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:01am.

I'm fine. I mean what else can I ask for. Batwoman = Lez . yes, please. Thank you!

Awesome!

Submitted by

Alisha (288 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:31am.

I'm so going to get that comic!

Now all we need is a regular The Question series with the Question (aka Renee Montoya) and I'll be a happy lesbian comic geek!

http://www.drunkduck.com/Empathy/

I must say I am not an avid

Submitted by

Chazzz (12 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:47am.

I must say I am not an avid comic reader; I only read the Beano weekly until it skyrocketed in prices.
I may have to start reading comics for this!

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Whee

Submitted by

Ren (41 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:51am.

Ah, I saw this preview on Scans_daily, I love the art.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with the character, considering the hints that Oracle might become Batgirl again. Hrm.

I agree, they should definitely put Montoya in it as well.

FINALLY!!

Submitted by

gato (935 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:58am.

I have been waiting for this for a while now. My friends at DC have been telling me about it for well over a year and I have been anxciously awaiting it. They promised me she would not be a "lesbian for boys"... so fingers crossed. From what i can see..the artwork is stunning.. I am so glad! I only wish I could have gone to NYCC this year.

I actually have been collecting sketches for about a year now at the conventions I go to from my friends and colleagues. I love seeing everyones interpretations of this character. You can see them here in my Batwoman Bible gallery.

I hope to one day be able to work on this title. I have been shamlessly begging to do something. It is pathetic really..LOL

Can't wait to read it!

________________________________________

Voogle A Voogle Plea

Linkage

Submitted by

taintedidealist (7 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 12:14pm.

Thanks for the link, it was very interesting to see the different takes on her and I do agree with the 'needs more cute'. I was chuckling at that one.

Thanks for the link. Nice

Submitted by

shoveya (115 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 7:33pm.

Thanks for the link. Nice art works.

Picture of 'light is like water' author

Battle for the cowl

Submitted by

prufrock1019 (103 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 11:18am.

As much as I love Bruce Wayne and hate the whole "battle for the cowl" storyline, this is pretty awesome news. I can imagine some fun dialogue between her and Catwoman. ;)

NYCC was AMAZING, BTW. There's a lot of great stuff in store for us geeks in 2009!

------------------

Stewie: Listen, why don't you save yourself years of sexual ambiguity and get fitted for a pair of Doc Martens and a plaid flannel shirt?

Bout time...

Submitted by

ackat (62 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 11:54am.

I have been waiting for DC to do something useful with Batwoman since 52. This is very promising!

Na na na na na na Batwoman!

Submitted by

GreenBean2 (153 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 12:19pm.

Yup I'm extremely happy with this news, especially after the last time we saw her she fell for the anti-life equation. So does this mean that Batwoman won Battle for the Cowl more or less?

I'm glad either way because it seemed like DC were going to go with the obvious and have Nightwing or possibly Damien take over. I wanted it to be Kane ....or Catwoman! :D

I hope Renee cameos alot.

:O

Submitted by

Imo (65 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 12:41pm.

*gasms*

I think I might start having to buy comics again!

I second that!

Submitted by

bentley (23 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 4:15pm.

Oh please... don't make me beg to keep Kate a lesbian! And don't make me buy comics that piss me off in the end or leave me hanging (52)!

Nice suit!

Submitted by

Megan Rose Gedris (105 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 12:58pm.

I love her costume. DC and Marvel have a tendancy to dress their female heroes like prostitues (Black Cannary, I'm looking right at you!), and while Batwoman's suit is tight, it covers all of her. She's hot, but she's not there to be pretty, she's there to kick some ass.

And I agree with the hooray for sensible boots. Ain't no one kicking ass in stilettoes.

its bad ass.

Submitted by

zakelina (35 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 4:41pm.

its bad ass.

Puzzled by a picture choice....

Submitted by

scorpio54 (158 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 1:11pm.

Out of curiosity, why was the Countdown promo teaser used in this article rather than the Battle for the Cowl promo teaser, which is relevant to the article and actually features Batwoman?

DC superheroes

Submitted by

the linster (1026 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 5:17pm.

At that point, I was talking about superheroes dying and returning, so I chose a picture with many DC superheroes. I liked Superman front and center since he is the best known character who "returned from the dead." The Battle of the Cowl promo teaser wouldn't have worked there.

Marvel bisexual

Submitted by

scorpio54 (158 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 6:17pm.

Incidentally, I was checking various comics sites to see the images released at the NY con and came across a Marvel cover for what looks to be their 'Legion of Monsters' (Man-Thing, Morbius, Werewolf by Night) also featuring an unidentified female character. From her headgear, I think this could be their bisexual witch, Jennifer Kale. Any word on this?

Thanks

Submitted by

the linster (1026 posts)

on February 10, 2009 - 12:15am.

I'll check it out - thanks!

Cool.

Submitted by

Emily (49 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 4:49pm.

Cool. I'm so glad that Buffy Season 8 recently got me into comics. Just in time for Batwoman. Although I've never really been a fan of Batman (I do get flack for that, but he just never really did it for me), I think Batwoman will be a very different story. I love female superheroes in general, but a gay female superhero? That's even better!

Batwoman

Submitted by

jennifer from p... (1434 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 6:28pm.

I'm mildly excited, but I've had too much coffee today, so the rapid heartbeat could be a symptom and not an effect. And I don't trust DC to not screw this up. Ever since Willow picked Tara over Oz we've been getting a bunch of very tremulous toe dips into the lesbian pool, that then quickly withdraw and hole up in their parents' basement with an assortment of Star Wars action figures set up in Simpson's dioramas. Meaning, I just won't believe that this Batwoman thing is going to materialize until it actually does and then I can't deny it any longer.

I'm way more of a Marvel but

Submitted by

Jacko (18 posts)

on February 9, 2009 - 10:20pm.

I'm way more of a Marvel but I will have to give this story a better look.

Boots

Submitted by

irgendeine Userin (2 posts)

on February 10, 2009 - 1:35am.

Batwoman got her Boots already in the Crime-Bible-Mini. I don't know anybody - except Tina Turner - who could fight in High Heels.

Yeah, that is great information. Can't wait to get the comic-books.

And I hope Greg Rucka will do a better run on that than on Final Crisis: Revelation with Renee Montoya in it.

Awesome

Submitted by

F.Y.E. (654 posts)

on February 10, 2009 - 11:58pm.

I'm already a fan of some of Greg's work comic related and his Queen and Country Novels.

Batwoman's Ex-Girlfriend

Submitted by

scorpio54 (158 posts)

on March 28, 2009 - 6:24am.

First character sketches of Renee montoya aka the Question, who will have her own back up series when her ex takes over the lead in DETECTIVE COMICS #824:

http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/03/27/the-cully-hamner-question/

design of the boots

Submitted by

hanahbr (3 posts)

on September 9, 2009 - 4:51pm.

The basic design of the boots are modeled on Tactical boots, but they are made from lightweight rubbers and are much more flexible to allow for full extension when kicking. The boots feature a unique "slingshot" ankle reinforcement design that acts as both armor and as reinforcement for the ankle joint when kicking or landing from high distances. The bottom is a flexible split sole design and is textured for a variety of surfaces.

clarks shoes

Welcome to AfterEllen.com!

by the linster

Batwoman fills Batman’s boots