Monday, September 27, 2010

Batwoman Begins

Hawkwoman, Batgirl, and Mera are taking the week off.  In their instead, they are leaving another beautiful, powerful, and ass-kicking redhead to perform Blog duty.  She is a rising star in the DC Universe, who after her successful run in Detective Comics, will receive her own ongoing series in the next few months.  She is the Batwoman!


Batwoman's first cover: 52 week 11

When DC editors called for a redesign of Batwoman, comic book artist Alex Ross modified a Batgirl costume he designed for Barbara Gordon, seven years prior to Kate Kane's debut in the series 52. Alex Ross and author Paul Dini initially planned to revive Barbara Gordon as Batwoman using an updated version of the character's original costume, with red accents in place of the traditional yellow.  DC's editorial staff said "no", so Batwoman was revamped as Kate Kane.


First sight of Batwoman

In the character's civilian identity as socialite Kate Kane, she has porcelain white skin, several tattoos, and dresses with a punk-goth style (this is established during her run in Detective Comics and differs from her appareances in 52 and Countdown).  Kate is Jewish, her father is an ex-colonel, has a stepmother named Katherine Kane (it is unclear whether this is the original Batwoman from the 60s) and her cousin is Bette "Flamebird" Kane (the original Bat-Girl from the 60s).

Batwoman's first full apparition

Kate attended the United States Military Academy, where she received excellent grades and ranked at the top of her class. She then moved back to Gotham City where she attended college and lived the high life with her stepmother's money. One night, Kate wass attacked by a mugger who wanted her wallet and cell phone. Using her military training, Kate easily defeated the criminal just as Batman arrived and helped her off the ground. She then watched him in awe as he left.


Batwoman saves The Question and Renee Montoya

Inspired by her encounter with the caped crusader, Kate began fighting crime using stolen military body armor and weaponry. After being confronted by her father, Kate accepted his offer for assistance and started an intense two years of training across the globe. Upon returning to Gotham, Kate discovered that her father created a Batsuit for her, along with an arsenal of experimental weaponry and a bunker hidden in the Kane home*.
*Material extracted from Wikipedia

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