Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Batwoman #0 Review

By J. Skyler
September 24, 2012 - 03:55

Batwoman #0 (2011) divulged some information about Kate Kane's past and her military training, but it was written entirely from the perspective of Batman, which by nature, limited the reader's understanding of Kane, her motives and her history. In contrast, Batwoman #0 (2012) is essentially the diary of Katherine Kane and is in no way a duplicate of the issue of the same name released last year. For the first time, we get a direct window into this character's mind, clarifying her angry, resentment, ambition and drive. It is a story steeped in insight and one I hope will remain a cornerstone of her mythology.

Taking us into the mind of Katherine Kane, W. Haden Blackman and J.H. Williams III reveal a unique aspect of her character: leaving a "good-bye" message to her father Colonel Jacob Kane prior to going out on every mission, just in case it happens to be her last. A number of people who work in law enforcement or for the government develop their own little routines to let their loved ones know just how much they mean to them, heaven forbid that one day they set out to go to work turn out to be their last. It's a subtle but emotionally charged ritual, one that is rarely seen in comic books considering superheroes face death on a routine basis. Then again, we always expect the hero to survive don't we? Kane's ability to face her own mortality shows she doesn't wear a costume for glamor or frivolity, she wears a uniform that she is well aware she may one day be buried in. The seriousness of her commitment is thoroughly examined in this issue, explaining that becoming Batwoman did not occur overnight, and in fact, is an ongoing process.

Batwoman #0 is Kane's latest good-bye message to her father, one that fully explains their now-estranged relationship. It's a conflict I've wanted clarification on since the launch of the Batwoman monthly title and it was well worth the wait. To recap, Greg Rucka's "Batwoman: Elegy" revealed the criminal mastermind Alice to be Kane's twin sister Beth, whom she assumed had been killed in the terrorist attack alongside their mother when they were twelve years old. Jacob Kane was forced to admit he knew Beth had survived, even though he was never able to locate her. I could understand Kate's anger, but in a way I also found it selfish. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people are often ostracized from their families, facing homelessness or at the very least, isolation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Since the launch of Batwoman, I've found myself angry with Kane over this one particular issue, turning her back on a father who has supported her unconditionally her entire life, in spite of her sexual orientation and even when she cooked up the outlandish idea to run around fighting crime dressed as a bat. I wouldn't go as far as to say she should have ignored her feelings completely, but at the very least she should have been able to see that her father's secret did not come from a place of malice. In this issue, she explains why her father's betrayal was so devastating, and at the same time, acknowledges that she can't hold on to her anger forever.

Batwoman #0 also explores Kane's battle with alcohol addition and her reasons for hitting the bottle so hard in the first place. Works of fiction often depict the consequences of alcohol abuse, especially how it affects the people closest to the abuser. However, it's rare to see alcohol dependency through the eyes of the one drinking that isn't summed up in the phrase "I drink to make the pain go away." Blackman and Williams get to the heart of the matter, giving a full account of how the physical sensation of drinking can effect the body as well as the spirit, and one's reasons for clinging to it so desperately. The authors pen Kane's voice with astounding depth, a voice that can hopefully speak to alcoholics and those close to them on an entirely new level. Drug and alcohol dependency are a specific matter of concern for LGBT people, as they are often an avenue of escapism in the face of heterosexism and homophobia in everyday society. With a role model like Batwoman, members of our community (and especially youth) can see how such vices can be overcome by acknowledging why one indulges them, and by working towards goals that will delivery a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. Most importantly, Batwoman shows we never really accomplish anything alone. We must allow others to help us further our goals, in the same way we must work diligently to see them through.

Williams artwork is superb as always, as is the coloring by Dave Stewart. That combined with storytelling as strong as "Elegy," Batwoman #0 is one of the strongest issues out of DC Comics' Zero month. Blackman and Williams have given me a new found respect for the character, and I am sure the same will be said by all who read this issue.


Follow me on Twitter @jskylerinc

Rating: 10 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12