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bengriffin's review
5.0
After discovering Volume 1 earlier this year I had to go back and see what I'd missed and I wasn't disappointed. As someone who doesn't usually care too much for superhero comics, Batwoman made me care. As a character she's fierce, smart, capable, flawed, relatable and way more interesting than Batman, not to mention a brilliant LGBT icon. There's a wonderful humanity running through the entire story with messy relationships both familial and romantic, and it really shines in the relationship between Kate and her father, with her coming out him being a particularly powerful moment. On top of all that you have the team of JH Williams and Dave Stewart producing the most mind-blowing art. The characters are beautifully designed to match their personalities and there's a brilliant trick of drawing Kate's life simply, but when she's Batwoman the colours and panelling become more fantastic, bold and kinetic. There's also the nice touch of drawing the flashbacks in a style akin to comics of the time they are set, which subtly helps with knowing where you are at any given moment. It's not often a comic impresses me this much, especially when working within the confines of an established universe, but it's beautiful both visually and emotionally from beginning to end. I loved it enough that I picked up volumes 2-4 immediately after finishing it, and have been recommending it to anyone who will listen ever since.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
I was hopeful for this, as this Batwoman's queer, and the art is stunning at first glance.
When I actually sat down to read it, panel to panel, I had a hard time following the plot, and the beautiful pages were sometimes not super great at leading me through the correct order to read the panels. Which I see as a storytelling failure in this medium.
I probably would have soldiered through, but for a looming due date.
Take all of my superhero-related reviews with a grain of salt. :)
Refraining from a star since I didn't finish it, and not out of objective faults of the book.
When I actually sat down to read it, panel to panel, I had a hard time following the plot, and the beautiful pages were sometimes not super great at leading me through the correct order to read the panels. Which I see as a storytelling failure in this medium.
I probably would have soldiered through, but for a looming due date.
Take all of my superhero-related reviews with a grain of salt. :)
Refraining from a star since I didn't finish it, and not out of objective faults of the book.
hallj05's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
obnorthrup's review
5.0
Beautiful, flowing art, paired with a tight story that mirrors the precision of the titular character herself. It's also nice to see some respectful diversity in comic book heroes.
starryworlds's review
5.0
I loved how they told the story with having a main story for the first 4 issues then having flashbacks in the last 3. I absolutely loved it- the story and characters are great and the art was *chef's kiss*. I can't wait to see what happens in Hydrology.
Although I think we may see Alice again - I'm not convinced she's dead.
Although I think we may see Alice again - I'm not convinced she's dead.
cgwinters1981's review
4.0
Great reintroduction to this character from 52. I highly recommend reading this series if you are interested in strong diversity representation and also an interesting strong female character. The story also takes twists and turns that will keep any comic book reader engaged and happy.
sersi's review against another edition
4.0
After a series of book disappointments, I picked up Batwoman: Elegy in the desperate hope that the endless series of internet types I’d seen praising it weren’t wrong. And spoiler alert: THEY WEREN’T.
While not quite rapturous enough to warrant a five star rating (although I’d give anything for the ability to give partial stars, since this was at least a 4.5 for me), I loved everything about this book. On a purely visual level, the art is gorgeous. The backgrounds and characters are sumptuous and the coloring manages to elevate everything to a level I normally associate with art books and covers, not interior art.
The writing is no slouch either. Despite really only knowing the DC-verse from video games and the various animated shows/movies, I had no problem getting into things. As a character, Kate is incredibly compelling, even before the revelation of her origin story. Her out of costume interactions with her Dad, former girlfriend, and theoretical new love interest were all engaging in a way I don’t often find the social activities of characters I haven’t fully bonded with. Further, the plotting, while moving a bit faster than I’d have liked (a common issue with comics), was crisp and reasonably unpredictable. On a whole, while I remain solidly on team Marvel, in terms of individual characters/titles, Batwoman is now one of my favorite comic book ladies.
While not quite rapturous enough to warrant a five star rating (although I’d give anything for the ability to give partial stars, since this was at least a 4.5 for me), I loved everything about this book. On a purely visual level, the art is gorgeous. The backgrounds and characters are sumptuous and the coloring manages to elevate everything to a level I normally associate with art books and covers, not interior art.
The writing is no slouch either. Despite really only knowing the DC-verse from video games and the various animated shows/movies, I had no problem getting into things. As a character, Kate is incredibly compelling, even before the revelation of her origin story. Her out of costume interactions with her Dad, former girlfriend, and theoretical new love interest were all engaging in a way I don’t often find the social activities of characters I haven’t fully bonded with. Further, the plotting, while moving a bit faster than I’d have liked (a common issue with comics), was crisp and reasonably unpredictable. On a whole, while I remain solidly on team Marvel, in terms of individual characters/titles, Batwoman is now one of my favorite comic book ladies.
justiceofkalr's review
4.0
First of all, the artwork is gorgeous in this. Williams does some amazing work if this and his work on Promethea are anything to go by. I think it's a large part of what makes this book so great. The story is pretty interesting. I picked it up after reading 52 and hearing all the praise for this new Batwoman. Definitely not disappointed. Batwoman is a strong and interesting character. I'd recommend it to those looking for good female superheroes.
nglofile's review
4.0
Compelling, layered, exciting storytelling enhanced with inventive visuals. The kinetic layouts, intentional color, and lettering choices are among the best deployed I've seen yet.
Rucka, Williams, and Stewart, you've earned yourselves another fan.
Rucka, Williams, and Stewart, you've earned yourselves another fan.