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Katherine Kane
Kate Kane's debut in 52. Kane converses with Renee Montoya.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Original character: Detective Comics #233 (July 1956) Revised character: 52 #7 (July 2006, cameo) 52 #11 (July 2006, full-app.)
Created by	Original character: Edmond Hamilton, Sheldon Moldoff, Bob Kane Revised character: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, Ken Lashley
In-story information
Full name	Original character: Katherine Webb "Kathy" Kane Revised character: Katherine Rebecca "Kate" Kane
Team affiliations	Batman Family
Notable aliases	Batwoman
Abilities	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 Batwoman in comic books published by DC Comics. The first character, known as "Kathy" Kane, appeared in Detective Comics #233 (1956) and was created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff with writer Edmond Hamilton. She appeared sporadically until her brutal murder in 1979 and was subsequently removed from canon in 1986. Grant Morrison reintroduced the character into continuity in Batman #682 (2009) and established her as Batman's maternal aunt through marriage in Batman Incorporated #4 (2011).

The second character, known as "Kate" Kane, made her debut in 52 #7 (2006) and was created by Greg Rucka and Alex Ross. She headlined Detective Comics for ten critically acclaimed, Eisner Award-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 LGBT super-hero and the very first to wear the emblem of a super-hero icon. In Detective Comics #854 (2009) it is established that Kate Kane is the cousin of Bette Kane, Kathy Kane's niece. This would mean that Batman and the modern Batwoman are first cousins, although this has not yet been confirmed by DC Comics.

Publication history

Kathy Kane is primarily associated with the Silver Age of Comic Books. 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 Superman 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 Fredric Wertham that Batman and the original Robin, Dick Grayson, were homosexual. Kathy Kane and alter ego Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (July 1956). In the character's debut issue, Batwoman is introduced as a female rival to the crime-fighting prowess of Batman.

The limited series Infinite Crisis (2005), written as a sequel to the 1985 maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths, altered DC Comics continuity. Subsequently, all comic book titles published by DC Comics skip forward one year and a new maxi-series entitled 52 retroactively chronicles the 52 weeks which directly followed Infinite Crisis. When DC editors called for a redesign of Batwoman, comic book artist Alex Ross 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 Paul Dini 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. While a reviewer at Out asserts "Batwoman will be the highest profile gay superhero to ever grace the pages of DC Comics," according to the Associated Press, another online observer asked "ouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?" Although several GLBT organizations such as GLAAD 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. In the character's civilian identity as a socialite, Katherine Kane is acquainted with Bruce Wayne and is friends with a doctor named Mallory. She is presented as having porcelain white skin, several tattoos, and a clothing style defined as punk-psychobilly-goth in her civilian persona. The character is also Jewish, and celebrates Hanukkah 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 Bette "Flamebird" Kane. The younger Kate also has a stepmother named Catherine Kane, making Catherine the aunt of Bette. At the 2008 New York Comic Con, it was announced that Batwoman would be among the characters appearing in a new Justice League comic book written by James Robinson. Batwoman briefly took over as the lead character in Detective Comics, starting with #854. It was revealed at the 2009 New York Comic Con that she would be DC Comics' highest profile gay superhero.

Fictional character biography

In the original pre-Crisis 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 Silver Age of Comics, 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 Catwoman. In 1961, Batwoman was joined by her niece Betty Kane, the Bat-Girl. Kathy and Betty were romantically interested in Batman and Robin, respectively. Robin seemed to return Bat-Girl's affection, while Batman remained aloof.

The conclusion of the 1985 maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths altered DC Universe continuity, subsequently changing 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 Flamebird 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 Infinite Crisis. Note that Infinite Crisis restored some pre-Crisis elements to the modern continuity and that Grant Morrison has made efforts to treat Batman's entire publication history as his backstory. In Detective Comics #824, the Penguin 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, Alfred 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 Batman Inc. series. It is established that Kathy Kane was born Katherine Webb, and that she had been an aspiring independent film director prior to marrying a millionaire named Nathan Kane, the son of Roderick and Elizabeth Kane and brother of Martha (Kane) Wayne (mother of Bruce Wayne). 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 Nazi 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 El Gaucho 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.

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. Years later, Jake marries Catherine Hamilton Kane. Kate is attending the United States Military Academy, 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.

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 Batsuit 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 Penguin 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." In 52 #7 (2006) the new Batwoman is introduced. Kane is revealed to have been intimately involved with former Gotham City police detective Renee Montoya 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," Kane assists Montoya and her partner the Question in a mystery revolving around a warehouse owned by Kane's family. When Montoya and the Question are attacked sometime later by Whisper A'Daire's shapeshifting minions, Kane intervenes as Batwoman and rescues them.

In 52 #28 (2006), after Montoya learns that the "Book of Crime," a sacred text of Intergang, 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. Batwoman later appears in a story written by Greg Rucka for the DC Infinite Holiday Special (2006). As Batwoman continues the case, she is joined by Nightwing, who has recently returned to Gotham and becomes infatuated with her. On Christmas Eve, he gives her an 'official' Batarang. She also celebrates Hanukkah with Renee, and the two kiss shortly before Christmas. This story introduced some of Kane's background, including the fact that she is Jewish. In issue #48 of 52 (2007), when Intergang realizes that the image of Batwoman in the Crime Bible 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 Bruno Mannheim 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 Bat-Signal into her apartment and asks, "Are you ready?"

Relationship to Betty/Bette Kane

The original Bat-Girl first appeared in Batman #139 (April 1961) as Betty Kane, the niece of Kathy Kane, also known as Batwoman. After discovering her aunt's dual identity, Betty convinced Batwoman to train her as her sidekick. Batwoman and Bat-Girl were created to be romantic interests for Batman and Robin, respectively, as well as wannabe crime-fighting associates. Bat-Girl appeared seven times between 1961 and 1964, but then disappeared in 1964 (along with Batwoman, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Bat-Mite) when new Batman editor, Julius Schwartz, decided she and other characters were too silly. It has been suggested by scholars that the characters of Batwoman (in 1956) and Bat-Girl (in 1961) were introduced in part to refute allegations of homosexuality in Batman comics; specifically, the enduring claim that Batman and Robin were homosexuals.

In the post-Crisis DC Universe, the character known as Batwoman was erased from existence (although her alter ego, Kathy Kane, was revealed to have existed and was murdered by the League of Assassins). Batwoman's niece, Betty Kane, disappeared as well. Unlike her aunt, Betty's removal from history would not last long. For a brief time in the 1970s, Betty had joined the west coast version of the Teen Titans under her Bat-Girl moniker. Though "Bat-Girl" does not exist in the post-Crisis universe, her team did; therefore, a new version of the character was necessary. In Secret Origins Annual #3 (1989), the official post-Crisis history of Titans West was revealed. Instead of Betty Kane's Bat-Girl, fans were introduced to a similar character called Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Kane, also known as Flamebird. This was an in-joke, as the team of "Nightwing and Flamebird" had a history in the Silver Age continuity as a pair of supporting characters in the Superman books.

Following the events of Infinite Crisis, it is revealed that Bette is the cousin of current Batwoman, Kate Kane. In Detective Comics #856, Bette moves to Gotham City to enroll in Gotham University. She encounters her cousin at a party thrown for the Gotham City Police Department, and attempts to chat her up, only to be blown off. According to Kate's father, Bette looks up to her and likes spending time with her. In Detective Comics #862, Bette is seen hunched over on her bed, staring at her Flamebird costume and asking Kate how to "let go of the past." Bette is kidnapped by a crazed serial killer known as the Cutter, and awakens bound and gagged in his workshop. The Cutter plans on removing Bette's ears as part of a plan to create a perfect woman through the use of stolen body parts. Batwoman rescues Bette from the killer and accidentally reveals her identity. At the end of the story, Bette is seen in her Flamebird outfit, telling Kate that she wants to become her new partner. Kate eventually agrees to train Bette, and gives her a capeless grey military outfit and the codename Plebe. Later still, Bette acquires pyrotechnic technology and adopts codename Hawkfire. A Bat-Girl looking similar to Betty Kane is revealed to have existed in the past in Batman #682, and later reappears in Batman, Inc. #4 (Apr. 2011). As in pre-Crisis continuity, she is the younger protege of the first Batwoman, Kathy Kane (who reappears in post-Infinite Crisis continuity as the original Batwoman, but with a revamped origin). It has not yet been confirmed if Bette Kane used the Bat-Girl identity in her younger years prior to becoming Flamebird or if Bat-Girl is a completely separate character.

Powers, abilities, and equipment

As Batwoman, Kane lacks any superpowers, and instead relies on her martial artistry 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. 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. 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 and her glider-cape.

Other versions

In the Flashpoint universe, Kate Kane was a member of Team 7, an elite unit of soldiers led by Grifter. Kate and most of her teammates were ultimately killed during a botched attack on a Jihadist training camp.

In other media

Batwoman (Kate Kane) appears in DC Universe Online video game, voiced by Christina J. Moore.

References

1. Daniels, Les (2004). Batman: The Complete History. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-4232-0. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
2. Hamilton, Edmond (1956), "The Batwoman", Detective Comics #233, DC Comics {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
3. "Batwoman Comes Out as a Lesbian". Access Hollywood. May 31, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
4. Sherrin, Michael (2006). "Batwoman Comes Out!". Out. Retrieved 2007-09-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
5. McShane, Larry (2006). "Batwoman Is Back As a Lesbian". CBS. Archived from the original on May 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
6. Helberg, Michele (July 24, 2006). "Batwoman's Lesbian Identity is No Secret to Comic Book Fans". AfterEllen. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
7. "batwoman+designs.jpg (image)". 3.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
8. ^ Detective Comics #855
9. "Batwoman takes over 'Detective'". ICv2. February 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
10. Flood, Alison (11 February 2009). "DC readies lesbian Batwoman for take-off". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
11. Finger, Bill (1961), Batman #139, DC Comics http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=21570 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
12. Wolfman, Marv (1985). Crisis on Infinite Earths. DC Comics. ISBN 1-56389-750-4.
13. Morrison Interview with IGN http://au.comics.ign.com/articles/876/876418p1.html
14. Batman Inc. #4 (March 2011)
15. Detective Comics #858
16. Detective Comics #859
17. Detective Comics #824, DC Comics, 2006 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
18. Johns, Geoff (2006), 52 #7, DC Comics {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
19. ^ Johns, Geoff (2006), "Batwoman Begins", 52 #11, DC Comics {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
20. Wallace, Dan (2008). "Batwoman". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 45. ISBN 0-7566-4119-5.
21. Johns, Geoff (2006), "Beyond the Black Stump", 52 #28, DC Comics {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
22. Johns, Geoff (2006), Dark Knight Down, DC Comics http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=73210 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
23. Rucka, Greg (2006). DCU: Infinite Holiday Special. DC Comics. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
24. ^ Johns, Geoff (2006), "Asked and Answered", 52 #28, DC Comics {{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
25. York, Christopher (2000). "All in the Family: Homophobia and Batman Comics in the 1950s". The International Journal of Comic Art. 2 (2): 100–110.
26. Detective Comics #863
27. Batwoman #1
28. Detective Comics #857
29. Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2 (July 2011)
30. "DC Universe Online: Tales from the Beta Test Part 1". Ifanboy.com. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2010-12-29.

• Characters created by Sheldon Moldoff
• Characters created by Mark Waid
• Characters created by Grant Morrison
• Characters created by Geoff Johns
• Characters created by Keith Giffen
• Characters created by Greg Rucka
• Comics characters introduced in 1956
• Comics characters introduced in 2006
• Characters created by Bob Kane
• DC Comics martial artists
• DC Comics superheroes
• Fictional businesspeople
• Fictional detectives
• Fictional American Jews
• Fictional lesbians
• Fictional socialites
• Fictional vigilantes
• LGBT superheroes
• Jewish superheroes
• Fictional characters with red hair