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lazlostrange's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
dantastic's review
4.0
Batwoman by Greg Rucka and JH Williams collects the Batwoman stories from Detective Comics #854-863.
Up until now, my only exposure to Batwoman was in 52 when she went up against the Church of Crime and got stabbed through the heart. I don't know what made me pick this up but I'm glad I did.
In this volume, the story of Kate Kane becoming Batwoman is revealed, along with a battle with the new leader of the Religion of Crime and a serial mutilator known as The Cutter.
The origin of Batwoman is an intriguing one, getting ejected from West Point for being gay and meandering through life until a chance encounter with Batman sent her down the superhero path. There are other aspects to her origin that I don't want to spoil.
I like Batwoman for the same reason I liked Bronze Age Huntress: The stories feel like Batman stories without 80 years of baggage. They're gritty tales with a lot of action and Kate often takes a beating and/or stabbing in the course of sorting things out.
JH Williams and Jock do a fantastic job on art, though I have to admit I like the flat colors in JH William's flashback scenes more than I do the computer colored pages of the current tale.
Batwoman by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III is a good read and a great intro into Batwoman. Four out of five stars.
Up until now, my only exposure to Batwoman was in 52 when she went up against the Church of Crime and got stabbed through the heart. I don't know what made me pick this up but I'm glad I did.
In this volume, the story of Kate Kane becoming Batwoman is revealed, along with a battle with the new leader of the Religion of Crime and a serial mutilator known as The Cutter.
The origin of Batwoman is an intriguing one, getting ejected from West Point for being gay and meandering through life until a chance encounter with Batman sent her down the superhero path. There are other aspects to her origin that I don't want to spoil.
I like Batwoman for the same reason I liked Bronze Age Huntress: The stories feel like Batman stories without 80 years of baggage. They're gritty tales with a lot of action and Kate often takes a beating and/or stabbing in the course of sorting things out.
JH Williams and Jock do a fantastic job on art, though I have to admit I like the flat colors in JH William's flashback scenes more than I do the computer colored pages of the current tale.
Batwoman by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III is a good read and a great intro into Batwoman. Four out of five stars.
dahlreads's review
5.0
Picked this up to familiarize myself with Batwoman, and a lot of people recommended starting here. They were not wrong! You get a well-crafted origin story with Kate’s desire to serve, complicated family relationships AND Batman cameos.
Now that I’ve read this, I’m even more excited to see what they do with her in the Arrowverse crossover this year.
Also: “The Cutter” story at the end is practically made for murderinos.
Now that I’ve read this, I’m even more excited to see what they do with her in the Arrowverse crossover this year.
Also: “The Cutter” story at the end is practically made for murderinos.
laurajones's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ribbonbeam's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
michhellongrace's review
4.0
This was my first foray into the world of Batwoman but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it and cant wait to read more about her. Highly recommend this if you are looking for a good starting point for Batwoman.
almostred's review
5.0
Stunning, badass, exciting and gay as fuck: this is exactly how I like my comics. Plus, butch Maggie Sawyer: be still my beating heart!
mahobilly2002's review
4.0
Absolutely amazing illustrations and colors. The artist’s style changes depending on what is happening, in a very cool way. Solid story as well.
sherpawhale's review
4.0
it's been 6 years coming and change, but I finally read this. it's been awhile since I was reading all the new 52 I could get my hands on and afford to pay for trying to figure out comics, but Batwoman was one that I always wanted to read her back story on, especially since Greg Rucka was and Still Remains one of my favorite comic authors.
Really good back story here. I need to catch up on the current Batwoman run, but her back story here, so clearly defined by getting kicked out of the military for Don't Ask, Don't Tell, makes me curious how they'll continue to define her going forward. Kate Kane was clearly stamped by being a soldier who could no longer serve, to being so tied to her family stamp (not a fan of the shit they pulled in Detective Comics vol. 1 Rebirth).
Anyway, I'm not a big fan of the magics stuff in the book, with Alice and the Underdark, but it certainly wasn't helped by JHWIII's layouts. The man is good at art, but the layouts here were so messy that I found myself setting the book down instead of trying to figure out how the order was supposed to go. It all improved when it got to Jock's section. I love his art: good, clean lines, crisp panels, bold figures.
The last story here was my favorite, too. Something so fun about a clear detective story with outlandish vigilantes and villains. I'll take that any day over werewolves.
anyway, goodreads seems to be broken and this book isn't showing up in my challenge, so i deleted this and posted it again.
Really good back story here. I need to catch up on the current Batwoman run, but her back story here, so clearly defined by getting kicked out of the military for Don't Ask, Don't Tell, makes me curious how they'll continue to define her going forward. Kate Kane was clearly stamped by being a soldier who could no longer serve, to being so tied to her family stamp (not a fan of the shit they pulled in Detective Comics vol. 1 Rebirth).
Anyway, I'm not a big fan of the magics stuff in the book, with Alice and the Underdark, but it certainly wasn't helped by JHWIII's layouts. The man is good at art, but the layouts here were so messy that I found myself setting the book down instead of trying to figure out how the order was supposed to go. It all improved when it got to Jock's section. I love his art: good, clean lines, crisp panels, bold figures.
The last story here was my favorite, too. Something so fun about a clear detective story with outlandish vigilantes and villains. I'll take that any day over werewolves.
anyway, goodreads seems to be broken and this book isn't showing up in my challenge, so i deleted this and posted it again.