The NEW 52: Batwoman #1

Batwoman #1 is written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman with art and cover by J.H. Williams III.  Batwoman #1 was supposed to be released quite a while ago, but due to production timing and DC’s announcement of the NEW 52 Batwoman was postponed quite a few times before finally make DC’s NEW 52 lineup.  Batwoman has been featured in multiple Batman serials including Batman, Inc. and Detective Comics; now she will be headlining her own run simply titled, Batwoman.

Here is teaser for the first of the series courtesy of the DC Comics website:

At last! Batwoman's new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman!

In "Hydrology," part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City's underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her?

Personal Thoughts: In January of 2011 a zeroth issue of Batwoman was released explaining a bit of back-story on the character, which included narration by the famous Dark Knight and vigilante, Batman.  The zeroth issue does an excellent job setting up for Batwoman #1 and because the same writer and artist composed the precursor issue the transition between the two comics is nigh seamless.  I would highly recommend reading the zeroth issue before reading Batwoman #1 in order to fully appreciate the new release.

My gut reaction of Batwoman #0 and #1 was fantastic.  I absolutely loved the artwork.  The splashes of color, especially the vibrancy of the red used throughout the issue really stood out making certain scenes highly emotional and poignant.  Personally, I preferred the zeroth issue plot better than the first issue of Batwoman, but regardless the writing was well done and worth the read on both accounts.

Batman’s narration of the zeroth issue as well as his ultimate sleuthing abilities sets the tone for the issue and really brings Batman back to his detective roots.  Issue #1 ends with another encounter from the Caped Crusader leaving a great cliffhanger to start out the following issue.  Overall, the art of the series is most-definitely the lure.  Several panels in Batwoman #1 made me stop and ogle the eye candy because of the coloration and the abstractedness of the piece.  Towards the ends of the issue there is penciling of a skeleton lying in the rain, and as the rainwater swirls together the artwork it fractures off and depicts the crime scene in various stages in a semicircle around the focal point.  A little macabre to say the least, but that followed by another stunning panel of Batwoman and Batman standing beneath the moonlight conversing about the crime sets a masterful tone for the series.

In all honesty I was not expecting to like Batwoman, nor was I expecting to love it; however, this is a must read for any comic book fan, especially one of the Bat Family nature. 

I give Batwoman #1 five-out-of-five stars.  Check back here for more coverage on DC’s NEW 52 as well as local Spokane area events and news.

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