| Revision as of 05:37, 22 February 2013 editGabriel Yuji (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users51,278 edits added Category:Fictional characters with red hair using HotCat← Previous edit |
Latest revision as of 03:06, 2 November 2021 edit undoMB (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers341,678 edits ←Changed redirect target from Batwoman to Kate KaneTag: Redirect target changed |
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#REDIRECT ] |
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{{mergeinto|Batwoman|date=February 2013}} |
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|image= ] |
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|caption=Kate Kane as Batwoman on the cover of ''Detective Comics'' #854. Art by ]. |
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|comic_color=background:#8080ff |
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|character_name=Katherine Kane |
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|real_name= Katherine Webb "Kathy" Kane<br />Katherine Rebecca "Kate" Kane |
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|publisher=] |
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|debut='''Kathy Kane''':<br />'']'' #233 (July 1956)<br />'''Kate Kane''':<br />'']'' #7 (July 2006, cameo)<br />'']'' #11 (July 2006, full-app.) |
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|creators='''Kathy Kane''':<br />], ], ]<br />'''Kate Kane''':<br />], ], ], ], ], ] |
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|alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0 |
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| alliances = Batman Family |
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|aliases=], Kate Kane |
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|powers=Exceptional athlete and martial artist; highly skilled detective; has access to bat-themed weapons and equipment. |
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|}} |
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'''Katherine Kane''' is the name of two fictional characters that both appeared as ''']''' in comic books published by ]. |
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{{Redirect category shell| |
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The first character, known as '''Kathy Kane''', appeared in '']'' #233 (1956) and was created by ] and ] with writer ]. She appeared sporadically until her brutal murder in 1979 and was subsequently removed from canon in 1986. ] reintroduced the character into continuity in '']'' #682 (2009) and established her as ]'s maternal aunt through marriage in '']'' #4 (2011). |
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{{R comics from merge}} |
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{{R comics from alternative name}} |
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The second character, known as '''Kate Kane''', made her debut in '']'' #7 (2006) and was created by ] and ]. She headlined ''Detective Comics'' for ten critically acclaimed, ]-winning issues published from 2009 to 2010 before being spun off into her own ongoing ''Batwoman'' comic book in 2011. Kate has received mainstream media attention for being the most prominent ] super-hero and the very first to wear the emblem of a ] icon. In ''Detective Comics'' #854 (2009) it is established that Kate Kane is the cousin of ], Kathy Kane's niece. This would mean that Batman and the modern Batwoman are ], although this has not yet been confirmed by DC Comics. |
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{{R from duplicate article}} |
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{{R mentioned in hatnote}} |
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==Publication history== |
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{{R printworthy}} |
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===Kathy Kane (1956 - 1979)=== |
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{{R from fictional character|DC Comics}} |
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] |
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Kathy Kane is primarily associated with the ]. In the aftermath of the attacks on comics in the early 1950s, the Batwoman was the first of several characters that would make up the 'Batman Family'. Since the family formula had proven very successful for the ] franchise, editor Jack Schiff suggested to Batman creator, Bob Kane, that he create one for the Batman. A female was chosen first, to offset the charges made by ] that Batman and the original ], ], were homosexual.<ref name="Batman: The Complete History">{{cite book | last = Daniels | first = Les | authorlink = Les Daniels | coauthors = | title = Batman: The Complete History | publisher = ] | year = 2004 | location = | pages = | url = http://books.google.com/?id=73wknu2cVIkC | isbn = 0-8118-4232-0 }}</ref> Kathy Kane and alter ego Batwoman first appeared in '']'' #233 (July 1956).<ref name="Detective Comics #233">{{citation |last= Hamilton |first= Edmond |authorlink= Edmond Hamilton| coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#233 | title=The Batwoman |year= 1956 |publisher= ] | url= http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=21571}}</ref> In the character's debut issue, Batwoman is introduced as a female rival to the crime-fighting prowess of Batman. |
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<blockquote>There's only one Batman! That's been said many times and has been true for no other man has ever rivaled Batman as a champion of the law, nor matched his superb acrobatic skill, his scientific keenness, his mastery of disguise and detective skill! But now, in one suspenseful surprise after another, Batman finds he has a great rival in the mysterious and glamorous girl... The Batwoman!<ref name="Detective Comics #233" /></blockquote> |
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She was a costumed crime-fighter like Batman, yet in many ways not an exact counterpart. For example, the contents of her utility purse were actually weapons disguised as stereotypical feminine products such as lipstick, cosmetic compacts, charm bracelets, and hair nets.<ref name="Batman: The Complete History">{{cite book | last = Daniels | first = Les | authorlink = Les Daniels | coauthors = | title = Batman: The Complete History | publisher = Chronicle Books | year = 2004 | location = | pages = | url = http://books.google.com/?id=73wknu2cVIkC | isbn = 0-8118-4232-0 }}</ref> Batwoman appeared regularly in the pages of ''Batman'' and ''Detective Comics'' through the early 1960s. Although letters from fans indicated Batwoman had become popular with readers,<ref name="Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman">{{cite web | url=http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Batwoman/BatwomanHistory.htm | title=Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman | first = Fred | last = Grandinetti | publisher= ] | accessdate=2007-09-19 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070710222202/http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Batwoman/BatwomanHistory.htm | archivedate=2007-07-10 }}</ref> editor Julius Schwartz considered the heroine, as well as other Batman-related characters, to be inappropriate for the new direction he planned to take the Batman universe. Following the revamp to ''Detective Comics'' in 1964, Batwoman was removed from the series. The 'new' ], ], not only replaced Batwoman as Batman's female counterpart, she surpassed the original heroine in popularity. Batgirl also proved to be more appropriate for her time period and the realistic approach DC Comics began taking with its characters. Unlike Batwoman, Gordon's Batgirl used a utility belt and various gadgets similar to Batman's, in addition to being a skilled martial artist and possessing a ] in her civilian identity.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Arant | first1 = Wendi | authorlink = | first2 = Candace | last2 = Benefiel | title = The Image and Role of the Librarian | publisher = ] | year = 2002 | location = | pages = 77–78 | url = http://books.google.com/?id=RXsa43PYarQC | isbn = 0-7890-2099-8}}</ref> Despite requests from readers to revive Batwoman, DC's editorial staff initially declined to bring the character out of retirement, considering the fact that she was specifically created to be a love interest for Batman. |
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<blockquote>...Batwoman and Bat-Girl were there because romance seemed to be needed in Batman 's life. But thanks to the big change and a foresighted editor, these hapless females are gone for good. In their place stands a girl who is a capable crime-fighter, a far cry from Batwoman who constantly had to be rescued from Batman.<ref name="Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman"/></blockquote> |
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However, with the launch of the '']'' comic book series in 1975, readers continued to request for Batwoman to appear in new stories. One reader states: |
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<blockquote>it is totally beyond me why you ignored Batwoman in your first two issues... I can understand your reluctance to go back to the days where everybody in Gotham had a Bat-identity, but you can't wipe out Batwoman that easily... I was counting on her making the scene in a new story, perhaps coming out of retirement to offer assistance to your Dynamite Duo .<ref name="Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman"/></blockquote> |
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Batwoman was brought back in ''Batman Family'' #10 (1979) as "Batgirl's guest heroine" when she comes out of retirement to assist Batgirl in defeating ] and ].<ref name="Batman Family #10">{{citation |last= Rozakis |first= Bob |authorlink= Bob Rozakis| coauthors = | work = Batman Family ''#10 |year= 1977 |publisher= DC Comics | url= http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=45539 }}</ref> However, in ''Detective Comics'' #485 (August–September 1979), Batwoman is killed by the ] (assisted by the ]).<ref name="Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman"/> Editor ] later stated in an interview, "we already had Batgirl, we didn't need Batwoman."<ref name="Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman"/> The issue marked the final appearance of the Earth-1 Kathy Kane. An Earth-2 version appeared in ''Brave and The Bold'' #182 (January 1982). This Kathy Kane retired from crime-fighting when that world's ] married ]. She comes out of retirement to help a grown-up Robin and Earth-1 Batman battle ]. The Kathy Kane version of Batwoman was restored to modern continuity by writer ] in flashback sequences in various issues of his run on the Batman-related titles, most explicitly in '']'' #4 (2011). This issue reveals the origin of the original Batwoman in current ] continuity. |
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===Kate Kane (2006 - Present)=== |
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]''. Kane converses with ].]] |
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The limited series '']'' (2005), written as a sequel to the 1985 maxi-series '']'', altered DC Comics continuity. Subsequently, all comic book titles published by DC Comics skip forward ] and a new maxi-series entitled '']'' retroactively chronicles the 52 weeks which directly followed ''Infinite Crisis''. When DC editors called for a redesign of Batwoman, comic book artist ] drew inspiration from the modified Batgirl costume he designed for Barbara Gordon, seven years prior to Kate Kane's debut in the limited comic book series ''52''. Ross and comic book author ] initially planned to revive the former Batgirl Barbara Gordon using an updated version of the character's original costume, with red accents in place of the traditional yellow. However, since Gordon serves as one of a very small number of disabled superheroes of DC Comics as ], DC's editorial staff decided to revitalize the original Batwoman instead. In an interview with ], Ross states: |
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{{cquote|They had me change the mask and hair to make it a bit more Batwoman, rather than Batgirl...I pointed out to them that the mask makes her look like the ] a little overall—but there weren't many options. The original mask that I had in there when it was to be a Batgirl design was the complete head cover that we've seen, so they did need something different from that.<ref name="newsarama ross">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dave |url=http://classic.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/Batwoman/BatwomanRoss.html |title=Alex Ross: Giving Batwoman Her Look |publisher=] |date=June 1, 2006 |accessdate=2007-09-12 }} {{dead link| date=June 2010 | bot=DASHBot}}</ref>}} |
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Unlike the ] Kathy Kane, who was romantically attracted to Batman, the new version of Kane is a ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Bryan |url=http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2028464&page=1 |title=Holy Lipstick Lesbian! Meet the New Batwoman | work = ] |date=1 June 2006 |accessdate=10 January 2008 }}</ref> Her sexual orientation was announced at the same time the character was revealed in the spring of 2006.<ref name="out">{{cite web |last=Sherrin |first=Michael |url=http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=18499 |title=Batwoman Comes Out! |publisher='']'' |year=2006 |accessdate=2007-09-12 }}</ref> Stories appeared on television news outlets such as ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Moos |first=Jeanne |authorlink=Jeanne Moos |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/moos/2006/06/01/moos.gay.batwoman.affl |title=Batwoman comes out of the cave |publisher=CNN |date=May 31, 2006 | accessdate=2007-09-12}}{{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> general news magazines such as '']'', and ] magazines such as '']''.<ref name="out" /> The modern Katherine "Kate" Kane made her first comic book appearance in issue #7 of the maxi-series '']'' (2006),<ref name="52 #7">{{citation | last = Johns | first = Geoff | authorlink = Geoff Johns | coauthors = Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid | work = 52 ''#7 | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = | isbn = }}</ref> where Kane is revealed to have been romantically involved with ], a former Gotham City Police detective (who later takes up the mantle of the ] after the original hero dies). When questioned about the editorial decision to make Batwoman a gay character in an interview with '']'', DC Comics Senior Vice President and Executive Editor ] stated: |
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{{cquote|It was from conversations we’ve had for expanding the DC Universe, for looking at levels of diversity. We wanted to have a cast that is much more reflective of today’s society and even today’s fanbase. One of the reasons we made her gay is that, again when you have the Batman Family—a series of characters that aren’t super-powered and inhabit the same circle and the same city—you really want to have a point of difference. It was really important to me to make sure every character felt unique.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morse |first=Ben |url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000326617.cfm |title=Dan DiDio Talks Batwoman |publisher=] |date=May 31, 2006 |accessdate=2007-10-18 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080121160605/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000326617.cfm |archivedate = 2008-01-21}}</ref>}} |
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Batwoman's sexual orientation has gathered mixed reviews, ranging from acceptance to outrage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah462.shtml |title=Batwoman Comes Out as a Lesbian |publisher=] |date=May 31, 2006 |accessdate=2007-10-18 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060615184223/http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah462.shtml |archivedate = 2006-06-15}}</ref> While a reviewer at ''Out'' asserts "Batwoman will be the highest profile gay superhero to ever grace the pages of DC Comics,"<ref name="out"/> according to the ], another online observer asked "ouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?"<ref>{{cite web | last=McShane |first=Larry |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/31/ap/entertainment/mainD8HV19NO0.shtml |title=Batwoman Is Back As a Lesbian |publisher=] |year=2006 | accessdate = 2008-01-12 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080523141949/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/31/ap/entertainment/mainD8HV19NO0.shtml |archivedate = May 23, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Although several GLBT organizations such as ] have praised DC Comics for attempting to diversify their characters, some have observed that Batwoman is not the first gay or lesbian character to appear in comic books, nor is she the only lesbian to be associated with the Batman series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Helberg |first=Michele |url=http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/Print/2006/7/batwoman.html | title = Batwoman's Lesbian Identity is No Secret to Comic Book Fans |publisher=] |date=July 24, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-01-12}}</ref> In the character's civilian identity as a socialite, Katherine Kane is acquainted with ] and is friends with a doctor named Mallory. She is presented as having porcelain white skin, several ]s, and a clothing style defined as ''punk-psychobilly-goth'' in her civilian persona.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yv74a8XkxJI/Sd-wncHoisI/AAAAAAAABh4/k2Fsadvdmz4/s1600-h/batwoman+designs.jpg |title=batwoman+designs.jpg (image) |publisher=3.bp.blogspot.com |date= |accessdate=2010-12-29}}</ref> The character is also ], and celebrates ] with Renee Montoya during the events of ''52''. Her father is an ex-colonel and in ''Detective Comics'' #854, it is stated she is the cousin of ]. The younger Kate also has a stepmother named Catherine Kane,<ref name="Detective Comics #855">''Detective Comics'' #855</ref> making Catherine the aunt of Bette. At the 2008 ], it was announced that Batwoman would be among the characters appearing in a new ] comic book written by ]. Batwoman briefly took over as the lead character in '']'', starting with #854.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14269.html |title=Batwoman takes over 'Detective' |publisher=ICv2 |date=February 9, 2009 |accessdate=2009-02-10 }}</ref> It was revealed at the 2009 New York Comic Con that she would be DC Comics' highest profile gay superhero.<ref>{{cite web |first=Alison |last=Flood |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/feb/11/lesbian-batwoman-dc-comics |title=DC readies lesbian Batwoman for take-off |work=] |date= 11 February 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2009 }}</ref> |
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==Fictional character biography== |
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===Kathy Kane=== |
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====Pre-Crisis==== |
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In the original pre-] continuity, '''Kathy Kane''', a wealthy Gotham City heiress and former circus performer, decides to use her skills and resources to become a costumed crime-fighter. This is partly out of altruism and partly to attract the romantic attentions of Batman. During the ], Batwoman guest-starred occasionally in Batman stories published from 1956 to 1964. While Batman wished for Kane to retire from crime-fighting due to the danger, she remained his ally, even when she temporarily became a new version of ]. In 1961, Batwoman was joined by her niece ], the ].<ref>{{citation |last= Finger |first= Bill |authorlink= Bill Finger| coauthors = |work = Batman ''#139'' |year= 1961 |publisher= DC Comics | url= http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=21570}}</ref> Kathy and Betty were romantically interested in Batman and ], respectively. Robin seemed to return Bat-Girl's affection, while Batman remained aloof. |
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In 1964, DC dropped Batwoman, as well as Bat-Girl, ], and ] from the ''Batman'' titles, which were undergoing a revamp under editor Julius Schwartz that eliminated many of the ] elements that were introduced in the 1950s. However, Batwoman continues to make appearances in stories published during the next few years in the Batman-] team-up book '']''. The pre-Crisis Earth-Two Batwoman's last major appearance is in ''Brave and the Bold'' #182 in a story titled ''Interlude on Earth-2''. In this story, which features pre-Crisis Earth-One Batman accidentally arriving on Earth-Two to battle the Earth-Two ] alongside the adult Earth-Two Dick Grayson (Robin), Batwoman is portrayed as middle-aged and still in love with the now-deceased Commissioner Bruce Wayne of Earth-Two. |
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Earth-Two ceases to exist following the events of the 1985 '']'' series; however, at the conclusion of the ] series in 2007, a new ] is created. |
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In the late 1970s, an Earth-One Batwoman<ref>'']'' #182, "Interlude on Earth-2"</ref> made guest appearances in the '']'' and '']'' comic book series, often fighting crime alongside ], who had become the new ].<ref name="Batman Family #10"/> During her retirement, she becomes the owner of a ], which she keeps until killed by the ] and the brainwashed ].<ref>{{citation |last= O'Neil |first= Dennis |authorlink= Dennis O'Neil| coauthors = |work = Detective Comics ''#485'' |year= 1979 |publisher= DC Comics | url= http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=53850}}</ref> |
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====Post-Crisis==== |
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The conclusion of the 1985 maxi-series '']''<ref>{{cite book |last= Wolfman| first= Marv| authorlink= Marv Wolfman| title= Crisis on Infinite Earths |year= 1985|publisher= DC Comics |isbn= 1-56389-750-4}}</ref> altered DC Universe ], subsequently ] the character histories of Batwoman and Bat-Girl. In the new continuity, Kathy Kane did exist, though her persona as Batwoman had been erased. Bat-Girl never existed either, but a superheroine named ] was introduced who had a somewhat similar costume and similar name, "Bette Kane". |
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Despite the erasure of both Kathy Kane as Batwoman and Betty Kane as Bat-Girl, there were references to both heroines in post-''Crisis'' publications. In ]'s '']'', Batman stares at a photograph that portrays Bat-Girl, Batwoman, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Bat-Mite—characters that did not exist in continuity at the time.<ref>{{cite book |last= Moore |first= Alan |authorlink= Alan Moore |title= Batman: The Killing Joke |year= 1988 |publisher= DC Comics|isbn= 978-0-930289-45-4}}</ref> In ''Planet Krypton'' #1, which was part of '']'' storyline, a ] ghost of Batwoman haunts the Planet Krypton restaurant. Batman briefly recognizes her as "Kathy", but then quickly denies knowing her. |
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Kathy, sans her Batwoman identity, was also referenced in a few post-''Crisis'' publications. According to ''The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to The Characters of the DC Universe'' (2004), Kathy was described as a wealthy former circus stuntwoman that had inherited her father's fortune and later became acquainted with Bruce Wayne as a Gotham socialite. She eventually became a crime fighting ally to Batman, although she never used the Batwoman name. The encyclopedia entry explains that she eventually purchased a circus and was murdered by a member of the League of Assassins; however, Bronze Tiger was not her killer. Her murder was again recalled in ''Suicide Squad'' #38. During the '']'' miniseries, Flamebird tried to post bail for Beast Boy with money "borrowed from Aunt Kathy." Flamebird further mentioned that "Aunty Kathy's in Gotham" in ''Teen Titans'' #39. |
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====Post-Infinite Crisis==== |
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Kathy Kane's history is rewritten and her role as the original Batwoman is reinstated follow the continuity-altering events of '']''. Note that ''Infinite Crisis'' restored some pre-Crisis elements to the modern continuity and that ] has made efforts to treat Batman's entire publication history as his backstory.<ref>Morrison Interview with IGN http://au.comics.ign.com/articles/876/876418p1.html</ref> In ''Detective Comics'' #824, the ] refers to Kate Kane as the ''new'' Batwoman (which is the first post-''Infinite Crisis'' implication that there was an earlier Batwoman). Kathy, as Batwoman, appears in a flashback story in ''Batman'' #682 (which provides a brief look back throughout Batman's career and features a scene of Batman and the original Batwoman kissing, with Robin showing his distrust of her and Bat-Girl). In this story, Kathy is referred to as "Katy" Kane. In ''Batman'' #686, ] mentions that Bruce Wayne was once romantically involved with Kathy. |
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A heavily modified origin for Kathy Kane is later provided in Grant Morrison's 2011 '']'' series. It is established that Kathy Kane was born '''Katherine Webb''', and that she had been an aspiring ] director prior to marrying a millionaire named Nathan Kane, the son of Roderick and Elizabeth Kane and brother of ] (mother of ]). The two were madly in love with one another, and it was Nathan who ended up buying Kathy her circus as a birthday present. After Nathan's untimely death, Kathy was approached by a young man known only as Agent-33, who recruited her into a covert spy organization called Spyral. As part of her first and only assignment, Kathy was tasked with tracking down Batman and discovering his true identity. Donning a female variation of Batman's costume in order to gain his attention, Kathy embarked on a career as a costumed crime-fighter, all the while attempting to get close to Batman. Though her plan succeeded, the two eventually fell in love with one another, despite Kathy legally being Wayne's aunt due to her marriage with Nathan Kane, though past this they are not related in any other way and share no similar DNA, and as a result Kathy refused to reveal his identity to her superiors at Spyral. Eventually, Kathy was confronted by the head of Spyral, a ] supervillain named Dr. Dedalus. Dedalus claimed to be Kathy's real father, and threatened to expose Kathy to Batman unless she continued her mission. Heartbroken, Kathy broke off her relationship with Bruce in order to save him from Dedalus' plan. In the present, Batman and the South American vigilante ] are told by the villainess Scorpiana that El Gaucho was responsible for Kathy's murder, as he had originally been Agent-33 prior to becoming a superhero. Batman tells Gaucho that Scorpiana must be lying since Kathy had been killed by the League of Assassins, but Gaucho claims that there is some truth in her accusations, and that Batman wouldn't understand.<ref name="Batman Inc. #4 March 2011">''Batman Inc.'' #4 (March 2011)</ref> |
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The ''Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes'' one-shot introduces St. Hadrian's Finishing School For Girls, an English academy where female assassins are trained. The members of the school's elite class are shown wearing variations of Kathy's Batwoman costume, with the original masks replaced by skulls. |
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===Kate Kane=== |
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====Origins and Early Career==== |
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In ''52'' #7, '''Kate Kane''' is introduced (although she is referred to as Kathy on several occasions). No ''Origins'' titles have been presented for Kate Kane; her fictional backstory is presented in ''Detective Comics'' through the use of exposition and flashbacks. In their early childhood, '''Katherine Rebecca "Kate" Kane''' and her sister Elizabeth "Beth" Kane were identical twins and were very close to each other. On their twelfth birthday, Kate and Beth were taken by their mother, Gabrielle "Gabi" Kane, to an expensive restaurant for chocolate and waffles, their favorite dish. On the way to the restaurant, a group of gunmen attacked the family and took them hostage, killing their bodyguard in the process. After learning of her family's kidnapping, Kate's father Colonel Jacob "Jake" Kane led a rescue mission to save his captured family, which ended with Kate's mother executed and Beth apparently killed after being caught in the crossfire between the kidnappers and soldiers.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #858</ref> Years later, Jake marries Catherine Hamilton Kane. Kate is attending the ], where she receives excellent grades and ranks at the top of her class. However, when it is alleged that she is in a lesbian relationship with another student, Kate's commanding officer asks her to disavow the allegation. Telling the officer that she refuses to lie and violate the code of the Academy, Kate admits to being gay and is forced to leave the school. When she confronts her father with the news, he supports her and affirms that she upheld her honour and integrity. She then moves back to Gotham City where she attends college and pursues a wild social lifestyle. Kate is eventually pulled over for speeding by a young Renee Montoya, who was just a traffic cop at this point. The two date for several months and break up following a fight where Kate berates Renee for keeping her sexuality hidden from her colleagues and family; after Renee expresses concern about Kate's lack of direction, when it's revealed she's not been attending college. While attempting to call Renee and apologize for her behavior, Kate is attacked by a mugger who wants her wallet and cell phone. Using her military training, Kate easily defeats the criminal just as Batman arrives and helps her off the ground. She is then shown fixated by the Bat Signal as Batman flees the scene.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #859</ref> |
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Inspired by her encounter with the caped crusader, Kate begins fighting crime using stolen military body armor and weaponry. After being confronted by Jake, Kate accepts his offer for assistance and begins an intense two years of training across the globe. Upon returning to Gotham, Kate discovers that her father has created a ] for her, along with an arsenal of experimental weaponry and a bunker hidden in the Kane home. The first reference to the modern Batwoman is made by the ] in ''Detective Comics'' #824 who suggests Batman bring a date to the opening of his club, asking, "Why don't you bring that new Batwoman? I hear she's kind of hot."<ref>{{citation | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Detective Comics ''#824'' | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006}}</ref> In ''52'' #7 (2006) the new Batwoman is introduced.<ref name="52 #7"/> Kane is revealed to have been intimately involved with former Gotham City police detective ] and is heiress to one of the wealthiest families in Gotham, owning that which the Wayne family does not. In her third appearance in issue #11 of ''52'' entitled "Batwoman Begins,"<ref name="52 #11">{{citation | last = Johns | first = Geoff | authorlink = Geoff Johns | coauthors = Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid | work = 52 ''#11 | title= Batwoman Begins | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=52314 | isbn = }}</ref> Kane assists Montoya and her partner the ] in a mystery revolving around a warehouse owned by Kane's family. When Montoya and the Question are attacked sometime later by ]'s shapeshifting minions, Kane intervenes as Batwoman and rescues them.<ref name="dc-ency">{{Cite book | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Batwoman | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page = 45 | publisher = ] | place = London | year = 2008 | isbn = 0-7566-4119-5}}</ref> |
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In ''52'' #28 (2006),<ref>{{citation | last = Johns | first = Geoff | authorlink = Geoff Johns | coauthors = Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid | work = 52 ''#28 | title= Beyond the Black Stump | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=71026 | isbn = }}</ref> after Montoya learns that the "Book of Crime," a sacred text of ], contains a prophecy foretelling the brutal murder of the "twice named daughter of Kane," she and the Question return to Gotham, joining forces with Batwoman in issue #30 in order to avert Intergang's plans.<ref>{{citation | last = Johns | first = Geoff | coauthors = Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid | work = 52 ''#30 | work= Dark Knight Down | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=73210 | isbn = }}</ref> Batwoman later appears in a story written by ] for the ''DC Infinite Holiday Special'' (2006).<ref>{{cite book | last = Rucka | first = Greg | authorlink = Greg Rucka | coauthors = | title = DCU: Infinite Holiday Special | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=92429 | isbn = }}</ref> As Batwoman continues the case, she is joined by ], who has recently returned to Gotham and becomes infatuated with her. On Christmas Eve, he gives her an 'official' ]. She also celebrates ] with Renee, and the two kiss shortly before ]. This story introduced some of Kane's background, including the fact that she is ]ish. In issue #48 of ''52'' (2007),<ref name="52 #28">{{citation| last = Johns | first = Geoff | coauthors = Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid | work = 52'' #28 | title= Asked and Answered | publisher = DC Comics | year = 2006 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=89675 | isbn = }}</ref> when Intergang realizes that the image of Batwoman in the ] and the cited "twice-named daughter of Cain" were one and the same, they ransack Kane's apartment, kidnapping her with the intention to sacrifice her. Montoya arrives too late to stop the ritual, finding Kate bound and gagged to an altar as prophet ] plunges a knife through her heart. In the ensuing confrontation, the freed Batwoman pulls the knife out of her own chest to stab Mannheim, and then collapses in Renee's arms. She survives her wounds after Renee stops the bleeding in time, however, and as she recuperates in her penthouse, Renee, disguised in her new alter ego as the Question, shines the ] into her apartment and asks, "Are you ready?"<ref name="52 #28"/> |
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====2007–2009: ''Countdown'', ''Final Crisis''==== |
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Batwoman subsequently appears in the fifty-two issue weekly series '']'', intended to act as a prelude to DC's summer crossover event the following year. Batwoman appears in ''Countdown'' #39 (2007),<ref>{{citation |last= Dini |first= Paul |authorlink= Paul Dini| coauthors = Sean McKeever | work = Countdown ''#39 |year= 2007 |publisher= DC Comics}}</ref> after the Question confronts ] and ], having trailed them from the Penguin's Iceburg Lounge nightclub. Batwoman also makes an appearance in the miniseries ''Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood'' (2007)<ref>{{citation |last= Rucka |first= Greg |authorlink= Greg Rucka| coauthors = | work = Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood ''#3 |year= 2007 |publisher= DC Comics | url= http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=115695}}</ref> alongside the Question. Batwoman is seen again on the final page of ]'s '']'' #3 (2008), one month after the ] was released, as a new ] along with ], ], and ]. Her costume bears resemblance to the dead Fury ]. She is also seen in '']'' #3 attacking the Question after having just been infected with the Anti-Life Equation. |
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====2009–2010: ''Detective Comics'' lead feature==== |
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Following the events of Final Crisis and '']'', in which Bruce Wayne has supposedly died and is replaced by Dick Grayson, Kate becomes the lead of ''Detective Comics'' from issue 854 to 863. In the first story, entitled "]", Batwoman's seen investigating the arrival of a new leader of the Religion of Crime to Gotham. She briefly meets Batman (it is intentionally left ambiguous whether or not it is Dick Grayson or Bruce Wayne)<ref name="Word Balloon: The Greg Rucka Debrief">{{cite web | last = Siuntres | first = John | title = Word Balloon: The Greg Rucka Debrief | publisher = ] |year=2009 | url = http://www.newsarama.com/comics/060924-WB-Rucka.html | accessdate = 2007-06-24}}</ref> to discuss her findings. Kate demonstrates greater knowledge of the Religion of Crime, and even corrects Batman by saying there's 13 and not 12 covens of the religion in Gotham. Batman concedes the case to her, and comments on the length of her hair (though panels on the same page reveal the long red wig hides her actual hair, styled short).<ref name="DC854">{{citation | last = Rucka | first = Greg | coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#854 | work = Elegy Part One: Agiato | publisher = DC Comics | date = August 2009 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=172863 | isbn = }}</ref> |
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Aspects of her personal life are also revealed, including her relationship with her ex-colonel father; serving as Batwoman's ally, whom she addresses as "sir." The strain of her late night vigilante activity has also taken a toll on her romantic relationships. Her lateness and night time absences are interpreted by her girlfriend as an on the side liaison with another woman. She breaks the relationship off as she believes Kate is not ready to commit to an exclusive relationship. A past traumatic incident is also alluded to which she claims still haunts her. As she vaguely describes the experience, her face is shown superimposed on the page over a restrained girl with a bag over her head. She later tracks down the new leader of the Religion of Crime: an elaborately costumed woman named Alice.<ref name="DC854" /> Over the course of the conflict that ensues, Batwoman observes that Alice only speaks in quotations from ], believing herself to be ]. Alice denies a connection to the ].<ref name="DC855">{{citation | last = Rucka | first = Greg | coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#855 | title= Elegy Part Two: Misterioso | publisher = DC Comics | date = September 2009 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=175748 | isbn = }}</ref> |
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While attending a party thrown for the Gotham Police Department, Kate meets and flirts with detective ], and runs into her cousin ] (better known as the ] member Flamebird). Kate is apparently unaware of her cousin's vigilante activities, and inadvertently hurts her feelings when she cuts her off in the middle of a conversation to answer her cell phone. While dancing with Maggie, Kate discovers that Alice has kidnapped her father and plans to destroy Gotham by spreading a deadly airborne chemical from a hijacked airplane, thus succeeding where Mannheim failed.<ref name="DC856">{{citation | last = Rucka | first = Greg | coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#856 | title = Elegy Part Three: Affetuoso | publisher = DC Comics | date = October 2009 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=177690 | isbn = }}</ref> Batwoman boards the plane and defeats Alice's subordinates, eventually stopping the plot and rescuing her father in the process. However, Alice is accidentally thrown from the plane, only to be caught by Batwoman. Alice then shocks her by saying that Batwoman has "Our father's eyes," apparently revealing that she is in fact Kate's sister Beth (who was believed to have been killed years ago). With Batwoman stunned by the revelation, Alice stabs her in the wrist with a knife. Batwoman is forced to release her grip, sending Alice to her apparent demise in the river below.<ref name="DC857">{{citation | last = Rucka | first = Greg | coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#857 | title = Elegy Part Four: Rubato! | publisher = DC Comics | date = November 2009 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=179965 | isbn = }}</ref> |
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In the aftermath of this discovery, Kate locks herself in her crime lab and tries to come to terms with what just happened, while the police struggle in vain to find any sign of Alice's corpse. These scenes are depicted amongst numerous flashback sequences that comprise most of the issue. Throughout them, back story is provided from her childhood that depicts Kate, her twin sister Beth, and their mother being kidnapped. While Kate's father is able to rescue her, it appears as though both her sister and mother have been killed by the time he arrives.<ref name="DC858">{{citation | last = Rucka | first = Greg | coauthors = | work = Detective Comics ''#858 | title = Go 1 | publisher = DC Comics | date = December 2009 | location = | pages = | url = http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=183947 | isbn = }}</ref> |
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Batwoman appears in the miniseries ''Cry for Justice'', a set-up for a new ongoing ''Justice League'' title. When the ] splits up following Bruce Wayne's death and a disastrous confrontation with the ], Green Lantern ] leads a group of superheroes to Gotham in order to track down the supervillain known as ]. Kate is shown stalking the heroes from the rooftops after they encounter ].<ref>''Justice League: Cry For Justice'' #4</ref> Batwoman later contacts both Leagues at the ], informing them she encountered and engaged supervillain ], who mysteriously collapsed and died right as she was about to be taken into custody. The heroes request that Kate bring the body up to them, but she declines, telling them that she is much too busy due to a rash of criminal uprisings going on in Gotham. ] is then sent to retrieve the corpse from Kate and bring it to the team, who discover that Dolores was forced into fighting by means of a mind control device.<ref>''Justice League: Cry For Justice'' #5</ref> In a text piece included in '']'' #6, writer ] revealed that Batwoman was initially intended to be part of his new Justice League line-up, but this plan fell apart after ''Cry For Justice'' was shortened into a miniseries rather than an ongoing title.<ref>''Justice League: Cry For Justice'' #6</ref> This explains why Batwoman is present on the cover of the first issue, and why she was initially said to be a member of the team when the book was first announced.<ref>http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pScx8BN4h3s/Sdz03LNLSaI/AAAAAAAADV0/3ES0GY6tdO8/s320/wizard+202+1.jpg</ref> |
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Later, Kate appears as part of '']: Blackest Knight''. Batwoman is kidnapped by cultists and taken to London in order for her to once again be sacrificed. She is sealed within a coffin and taken underground to the last remaining ] in order for the ritual to begin. She is saved by the timely intervention of Dick Grayson and British superheroes ] and ]. After learning that Grayson plans on placing Bruce Wayne's corpse into the pit in order to revive him, Kate strongly protests, but he simply ignores her.<ref>''Batman and Robin'' #7 (January 2010)</ref> True to Kate's warnings, Bruce (in reality an insane clone created by ]) emerges from the Pit and attacks the heroes. As the battle takes place, the cultists who kidnapped Kate detonate explosives surrounding the Pit, causing a massive cave-in. Grayson discovers Kate, buried alive and with extensive injury to her spine and legs, and tries to help her.<ref>''Batman and Robin'' #8 (February 2010)</ref> Kate is healed after being placed inside the Pit, and she returns to Gotham with the others. Before leaving to return to her home, Grayson flirts with Kate by telling her that he has a thing for red-haired crime-fighters (a reference to his previous love interests, ] and ]), apparently unaware of Kate's sexuality.<ref>''Batman and Robin'' #9</ref> |
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Batwoman also begins hunting down a crazed serial killer known as the Cutter, who has been abducting young women and cutting off parts of their face in order to create the perfect woman. He eventually kidnaps Bette, but Kate tracks the killer to his lair and attacks him. During the fight, Batwoman reveals her identity to Bette when she mentions her tennis career, and in the aftermath Bette is seen in her Flamebird outfit, saying that she wants to be Kate's new partner.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #861–863</ref> |
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====2010-present: self-titled series==== |
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{{Infobox comic book title |
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|2ndary_box=y |
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|2ndbox=y |
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|title=Batwoman |
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|image = Batwoman_01_2011.jpg |
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|caption = Promotional art for ''Batwoman'' #1 (September 2011).<br>Art by ]. |
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|schedule=Monthly. |
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|ongoing=y |
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|publisher=] |
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|startmo=September |
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|startyr=2011 |
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|endmo=<!-- Present --> |
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|endyr=Present |
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|date= |
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|issues= |
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|Superhero=y |
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|main_char_team= |
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|writers=]<br>]<br>W. Haden Blackman |
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|artists=]<br>]<br>] |
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|pencillers= |
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|letterers= |
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|creative_team_month= |
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|creators= |
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|subcat=Batman |
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|altcat= |
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|sort= Batwoman (comic book) |
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}} |
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}} |
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DC announced that Batwoman will star in a series with art by ] who will also co-write the series with writer W. Haden Blackman and artist ] for later art duties.<ref>, '']'', 14 April 2010.</ref><ref>, ''Newsarama'', 14 April 2010.</ref> The series' introductory "zero issue" was released on November 24, 2010. The launch of ''Batwoman'' #1 was originally scheduled for February 2011, then delayed until spring; in early March it was announced that ''Batwoman'' #1 will be released sometime in Fall 2011.<ref>, '']'', March 10, 2011</ref><ref>, ''Comics Alliance'', June 6, 2011</ref> |
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Batwoman appears as a member of an all-female team of heroes created by ] to repel a faux-alien invasion of ] masterminded by ]. After the battle is over, Kate asks Wonder Woman if she'd like to accompany Kate and the other heroines to a bar in order to celebrate, but Wonder Woman politely turns them down in order to attend the college graduation ceremony of her old friend, Vanessa Kapatelis.<ref>''Wonder Woman'' #600</ref> |
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In ''Batman Inc.'' Batwoman later appears while tracking down a gangster named Johnny Valentine, who is wanted for his connection to the murders of three marines. She tracks him to a local circus, the same one once owned by her predecessor, Kathy Kane. While chasing Valentine through a haunted house, Batwoman is attacked by a ghost of Kathy. Batwoman struggles with and eventually defeats the "ghost", who is revealed to be nothing more than a blonde-haired female assassin clad in a wig and a replica of Kathy's costume. Kate realizes that she recognizes the assassin, and asks her father to run a facial-recognition scan. While Kate restrains her attacker, her father reveals that Valentine is connected to a supervillain operating out of South America, and tells Kate that she needs to get down there to find out what is going on.<ref name="Batman Inc. #4 March 2011"/> |
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{{-}} |
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==Powers, abilities, and equipment== |
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As Batwoman, Kane lacks any ], and instead relies on her ] and Batman-inspired equipment when fighting crime. Although the original Kathy Kane did not display any martial art skill during the Silver Age, the Modern Age Kane is depicted as a skilled martial artist and detective.<ref name="52 #11"/> In addition to this, Kane possesses the finances to produce an arsenal of equipment similar to Batman's. Kathy also used weaponry disguised as feminine items like lipstick and a compact. Kane's arsenal includes a baton-like device which can extend from the center in length that has Bat-shaped attachments at each end, Batarangs, and a Batman-inspired grappling hook.<ref name="52 #11" /> Kate's equipment is given to her by her father, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and is usually adapted models from military equipment. Her gloves are specially designed to climb and their bracer points are throwing weapons. The most obvious examples are Kate's bladed gauntlets<ref>''Detective Comics'' #857</ref> and her glider-cape.<ref name="Detective Comics #855"/> |
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==Other versions== |
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In ] and ]'s '']'' limited series, a Batwoman character is portrayed as a Batman admirer from ]'s Fourth World. Her costume mixed Kirby-esque elements with those of the original costume. The character rode a giant bat-winged dog named Ace.<ref>{{cite book |last= Waid| first= Mark| authorlink= Mark Waid| title= Kingdom Come (DC Comics Hardcover) |year= 1998|publisher= DC Comics |isbn= 978-1-56389-317-9}}</ref> Batwoman is later referenced in ''Planet Krypton'', an issue within the '']'' miniseries. This series introduces the concept of ], in which characters who had been removed from continuity still exist in alternate timelines. A Planet Krypton theme restaurant (modeled after ]) finds itself "haunted" by silent "Hypertime ghosts" of characters who are no longer part of DC continuity. Batman comes face to face with Batwoman and says, "Kathy?" Later, Batman says there is no possible way he could know her. This series is connected to the same continuity as ''Kingdom Come''. |
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In the '']'' universe, Kate Kane was a member of ], an elite unit of soldiers led by ]. Kate and most of her teammates were ultimately killed during a botched attack on a ] training camp.<ref>''Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance'' #2 (July 2011)</ref> |
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==In other media== |
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===Video games=== |
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* Batwoman (Kate Kane) appears in '']'' video game, voiced by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/DC_Universe_Online__Tales_from_the_Beta_Test_Part_1 |title=DC Universe Online: Tales from the Beta Test Part 1 |publisher=Ifanboy.com |date=2010-11-29 |accessdate=2010-12-29}}</ref> |
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== Collected editions == |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Title !! Material collected !! Date Published !! Notes |
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|'']'' || ''Detective Comics'' #854-860, 192 pages, DC Comics, deluxe hardcover || July 2010 || ISBN 1-4012-2692-2 |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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