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| {{Superherobox| | |||
| |image= ] | |||
| |caption=Kate Kane's debut in '']''. Kane converses with ]. | |||
| |comic_color=background:#8080ff | |||
| |character_name=Katherine Kane | |||
| |real_name= Katherine Webb "Kathy" Kane<br />Katherine Rebecca "Kate" Kane | |||
| |publisher=] | |||
| |debut='''Kathy Kane''':<br />'']'' #233 (July 1956)<br />'''Kate Kane''':<br />'']'' #7 (July 2006, cameo)<br />'']'' #11 (July 2006, full-app.) | |||
| |creators='''Kathy Kane''':<br />], ], ]<br />'''Kate Kane''':<br />], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| |alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0 | |||
| | alliances = Batman Family | |||
| |aliases=], Kate Kane | |||
| |powers=Exceptional athlete and martial artist; highly skilled detective; has access to bat-themed weapons and equipment. | |||
| |}} | |||
| '''Katherine Kane''' is the name of two fictional characters that both appeared as ''']''' in comic books published by ]. 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). | |||
| 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. | |||
| ==Publication history== | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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> | |||
| ==Fictional character biography== | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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". | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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> | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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> | |||
| 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> | |||
| 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"/> | |||
| ==Powers, abilities, and equipment== | |||
| 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"/> | |||
| ==Other versions== | |||
| 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> | |||
| ==In other media== | |||
| 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> | |||
| ==References== | |||
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