While Batman continues to hold significance in the DC Universe, the ing characters of his ensemble like Batwoman and Robin have also enjoyed considerable popularity in their own storylines. Introduced in the late 2000s, Katherine 'Kate' Kane is depicted as a wealthy heiress who gets inspired by Batman to become a vigilante.
With an ongoing CW series of the same name, now is the best time for DC fans to get into Batwoman. Some essential reads include her self-titled run as well as several tie-ins and crossovers with Batman.
Going Down (52 #7)
Going Down is a storyline that focuses mainly on Booster Gold and Adam Strange but one of its subplots features Kate Kane albeit in a brief role. Gotham City Police Department detective Renee Montoya (popularized by Rosie Perez in Birds of Prey) investigates a mystery around a warehouse that belongs to the Kane family. As she sees Kate Kane in an ment featuring her millionaire family's charity gala, she decides to exact information from her as she dated Kane in the past.
The comic doesn't find Kate donning her black costume but it is monumental for the character as it marks her first appearance. Her family background, romantic interests, and even fighting skills are quite evident in this issue of 52. For these reasons alone, it makes for an essential collector's item for fans of Batwoman.
Batwoman Begins (52 #11)
Following her appearance in Going Down, Kate returned in the 52 series as Batwoman. This issue marked the first-ever appearance of Batwoman's costume as she rescues Renee and The Question. The latter two continue their investigation at the Kane Warehouse as Renee finds a link to her partner's killer. But when a gang that they are spying on discovers them, Batwoman comes to save the day.
Renee figures out her alter ego although she promises to stay mum. It's a straightforward adventure but it sets the stage for future Batwoman adventures. Her former relationship with Renee adds a more personal context behind the vigilante's new partnership.
Injustice: Gods Among Us (Various)
Year One, the debut plotline from the Injustice comics, found Batwoman ing Batman's Insurgency along with the Huntress. When Superman's opposition goes against the Insurgency, Batwoman and her ally must face off against Wonder Woman. It is no surprise that Wonder Woman holds immense powers in the comics but she goes overboard this time, accidentally killing Huntress.
The next Year finds Batwoman plotting her revenge and in Year Four, she ends up suffocating Wonder Woman with her own lasso of truth, sparing her life in the end. The Injustice series definitely showed a more aggressive side to her personality as readers wouldn't expect her to go head-to-head against a superhuman foe like Wonder Woman.
Hydrology (Batwoman #1-5)
Hydrology marked the debut of Batwoman in the New 52 Universe following a change in timelines caused by the Flash's actions. In her first solo storyline, she undergoes an independent investigation to find the missing children of a neighborhood. Rumor has it that the spirit La Llorona (the Weeping Woman) is behind the abductions. While Batwoman has her doubts, she too gets to be in the creature's grips underwater.
Greg Rucka's storyline is engaging enough for it doesn't play out as a straightforward superhero actioner. Instead, it takes inspiration from Batman and associated characters for a more detective-centric approach while the supernatural antagonist also turns the story into a horror thriller.
Batwoman: Future's End (Crossover)
Batwoman: Future's End marks a tragic conclusion to Batwoman's run in the early 2010s as she turns into a vampire. With heroes and villains uniting to stop her, Kate's sister Beth (who also calls herself Alice) sets out to kill her sister. This version of Batwoman is so powerful that she can easily fight off even powerful supernatural creatures like Etrigan the Demon.
The real focus lies on Kate and Beth's relationship. The two sisters have had their low moments but Kate has always been there for her sibling no matter what. Now, faced with no other option but imminent death, Beth must make the difficult choice of ending Batwoman's life once and for all. The true nature of Kate's vampirism is explored in the rest of the story but readers can't deny that this is one of her most emotional storylines yet.
The Many Arms Of Death (Batwoman: Rebirth #7-11)
The Many Arms of Death refers to an extremist group of the same name that plans a global genocide. As Batwoman is willing to go to any extent to stop this organization, the comic also touches upon her teenage years. After being shamed for her sexuality in school, Kate turned towards alcoholism until Batman trained her in martial arts and became her mentor.
However, the arc also succeeds at showing the differences in morals between the two characters. While Batman is a stickler for justice, Batwoman feels that violence can be justified when necessary. And this mental dilemma plagues her mind yet again as she faces the Many Arms of Death.
Elegy (Detective Comics #854–860)
Batwoman: Elegy marked its heroine's debut in the DC flagship title Detective Comics for an exciting adventure featuring a unique villain. After Batman is presumed to be dead in the aftermath of Final Crisis, Batwoman emerges as Gotham's new protector.
More than Kate, it is the antagonist that stands out. Referring to herself as Alice after Alice In Wonderland, she sees the whole world as a fairytale and plans to unleash toxic gas all over Gotham City. The battle of wits that ensues is bound to remind readers of Batman's clashes with classic Batman comic book villains like The Joker and Riddler. The story also found its way in the first season of the CW series.
Chapter Three-Six (Nightwing: The New Order Vol 1 #3-6)
In Nightwing: The New Order, Kate loses faith in vigilantism and turns towards a new job as a government official. Nightwing and Batwoman forces in ing anti-super power actions ed by the government. However, when a state-sponsored superhero monitoring body is created, Nightwing is appointed as the leader making Batwoman envious.
The story interestingly includes an alternate future in 2040. Kate is still bitter about not getting what is her due. This prompts her to even betray Nightwing and his superpowered son Jake. For a Batwoman storyline, The New Order offers a unique distinction as it focuses more on interpersonal conflicts rather than any formulaic fights with supervillains.
The Fall Of The House Of Kane (Batwoman: Rebirth #12-18)
This Rebirth storyline finds Batwoman traveling to the Belgian city of Brussels, a place where she has had a traumatic past and failed missions. But it's up to Batwoman to fight her personal demons and prevent a global terrorist attack.
Fernando Blanco's dramatic art is the highlight of the comic adding a touch of seriousness to a personal story like this. Her relationship with Renee is also rekindled as they plan on getting back together. Hence, apart from a terrorist conspiracy, The Fall of the House of Kane also humanizes Batwoman as more than just a costumed heroine.
