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calbowen's review against another edition
1.0
Let me start by saying that I think it is good that DC decided to have a fully gay heroine.
The problem with this series is not that she is a lesbian.
The problem with this story is that she is written and drawn like a whore. I am not saying that she should be all prim and proper librarian lady by day, and kick-a** superhero at night, but this is just ... bad. I think that DC decided to have her be gay, to win over some gay or bisexual fans into their books, but they drew Batwoman's costume as a latex outfit without a bra, so that her permanently hard nipples always show. I wouldn't like that even from a straight heroine. I hated the 'nipple-suits' from the Batman and Robin movie. This is just as bad.
And then, Batwoman is very easy and meets a woman and has sex with her immediately. This does not create a good role-model for anyone. I realize this is a comic book, but again, that is the point. She has more sex than she does heroic things.
DO NOT INVEST YOUR TIME OR MONEY!
The problem with this series is not that she is a lesbian.
The problem with this story is that she is written and drawn like a whore. I am not saying that she should be all prim and proper librarian lady by day, and kick-a** superhero at night, but this is just ... bad. I think that DC decided to have her be gay, to win over some gay or bisexual fans into their books, but they drew Batwoman's costume as a latex outfit without a bra, so that her permanently hard nipples always show. I wouldn't like that even from a straight heroine. I hated the 'nipple-suits' from the Batman and Robin movie. This is just as bad.
And then, Batwoman is very easy and meets a woman and has sex with her immediately. This does not create a good role-model for anyone. I realize this is a comic book, but again, that is the point. She has more sex than she does heroic things.
DO NOT INVEST YOUR TIME OR MONEY!
hannahhbic's review against another edition
4.0
Unsettling and gorgeous. Can't wait to read more (knowing that the creative team quits before it's over).
daniellejones1992's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm.
Damn.
I didn't fall in love with Kate like I did with Barbara. It could still happen, this is only volume 1. But if I'd started with Batwoman instead of Batgirl, I don't know that I would've been encouraged to move forward and go through my library's comic book section with a fine toothed comb.
That's not to say I don't love her. What's not to love about an ass kicking lesbian redhead who doesn't need a (Bat)man to save her?
But this story feels disjointed and weird. I think there's just too much going on, and maybe that's because I don't know anything about the history? Though...is there a history here? It doesn't feel like there's backstory I'm missing, really.
I do desperately want to know more about her sister Beth/Alice. Hoping that's coming in future volumes.
Fingers crossed for love to come.
Damn.
I didn't fall in love with Kate like I did with Barbara. It could still happen, this is only volume 1. But if I'd started with Batwoman instead of Batgirl, I don't know that I would've been encouraged to move forward and go through my library's comic book section with a fine toothed comb.
That's not to say I don't love her. What's not to love about an ass kicking lesbian redhead who doesn't need a (Bat)man to save her?
But this story feels disjointed and weird. I think there's just too much going on, and maybe that's because I don't know anything about the history? Though...is there a history here? It doesn't feel like there's backstory I'm missing, really.
I do desperately want to know more about her sister Beth/Alice. Hoping that's coming in future volumes.
Fingers crossed for love to come.
unladylike's review against another edition
4.0
My second reading of Hydrology, several years after its publication: I imagine J.H. Williams III (gawd his name takes some effort to type out!) completing approximately 20 full paintings for every page of this comic. He then cuts out just a few square inches of each (though none are square-shaped) and pastes them into a collage using the same glue that holds multiple, simultaneous settings and figures together in dreams.
I get the complaint others have mentioned - that Batwoman lacks a compelling villain in this first arc - but Williams and Blackman still set up a great story here. Mister Bones, the D.E.O. agents, and Kate Kane's evil twin sister, who she believes has died twice, are all fitting characters in Gotham. The part of the book I couldn't really get behind is the main mystery involving an urban legend ghost mother kidnapping and drowning children. I kept waiting for John Constantine to show up and set things right, because really, this was more his kind of thing than a Bat-family case.
I also realized how much more sense this Vol. 1 makes if you've just read Elegy by Greg Rucka first. This was allegedly the relaunch of the character under New 52, but the cast of characters was established and their relationship details developed two years earlier.
No surprise that J.H. Williams III is responsible for the best-looking book I've seen from DC's The New 52 so far. He seems to be up to the task of writing as well. There were a few points where the script could have been better, but only nit-picky things. This is a beautiful and well-told book for sure.
I get the complaint others have mentioned - that Batwoman lacks a compelling villain in this first arc - but Williams and Blackman still set up a great story here. Mister Bones, the D.E.O. agents, and Kate Kane's evil twin sister, who she believes has died twice, are all fitting characters in Gotham. The part of the book I couldn't really get behind is the main mystery involving an urban legend ghost mother kidnapping and drowning children. I kept waiting for John Constantine to show up and set things right, because really, this was more his kind of thing than a Bat-family case.
I also realized how much more sense this Vol. 1 makes if you've just read Elegy by Greg Rucka first. This was allegedly the relaunch of the character under New 52, but the cast of characters was established and their relationship details developed two years earlier.
No surprise that J.H. Williams III is responsible for the best-looking book I've seen from DC's The New 52 so far. He seems to be up to the task of writing as well. There were a few points where the script could have been better, but only nit-picky things. This is a beautiful and well-told book for sure.
jmitschke's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeous art. Very interesting version of Batgirl. Story was okay.