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lurker_stalker's review against another edition
2.0
I was pretty excited about this one after enjoying [b:Batwoman: Elegy|6911529|Batwoman Elegy|Greg Rucka|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492568441s/6911529.jpg|7137063] so much. Ultimately, I was very disappointed. The artwork was great but the story didn't do it for me at all. I didn't enjoy the writing, the story, or the characters. But I loved the art. So there's that.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
cgrayson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Batwoman Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death' by Maguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV, with art by Steve Epting and Ben Oliver is the first volume in Batwoman's own series. It collects Batwoman issues #1-6 and the one shot Batwoman: Rebirth #1.
In flashbacks, we learn about Katherine Kane's life. It wasn't an easy one with trauma following her all over the globe. There is one year in her life that is not known to anyone. It comes to light in this volume as she tracks down the distributors of a terrible monster venom that was unleashed on Gotham.
I've been interested in this character since I've seen her in the new Rebirth Batman comics. She gets a backstory here, and it's not horribly exciting. I don't think that's a bad thing. Her story is told in flashbacks to the past and present, and it can be a bit tough to keep track of where the story is.
The art is really good. I enjoyed the work of all the artists in the series. The hand-painted covers are a stand-out.
I like a Batman character that feels like she is independent of Batman. She is not a cookie cutter and feels like she could be an equal to him, not another student.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In flashbacks, we learn about Katherine Kane's life. It wasn't an easy one with trauma following her all over the globe. There is one year in her life that is not known to anyone. It comes to light in this volume as she tracks down the distributors of a terrible monster venom that was unleashed on Gotham.
I've been interested in this character since I've seen her in the new Rebirth Batman comics. She gets a backstory here, and it's not horribly exciting. I don't think that's a bad thing. Her story is told in flashbacks to the past and present, and it can be a bit tough to keep track of where the story is.
The art is really good. I enjoyed the work of all the artists in the series. The hand-painted covers are a stand-out.
I like a Batman character that feels like she is independent of Batman. She is not a cookie cutter and feels like she could be an equal to him, not another student.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
I read this some time ago but didn't review it, so I re-read it today and wasn't very impressed.
As the kickoff for DC's Rebirth (post-New 52), Batwoman must have come to the stands after other titles were underway, as the opening issue involves ongoing plots already established in other Bat-titles. The eponymous Many Arms of Death storyline is three issues long, and is the low point of this volume, which is really not a good way to start off a series. Fake/forced-feeling romantic allusions, and the pursuit of some "monster venom" that readers not simultaneously following Tom King's Batman (actually, I vaguely recall this monster men business being conceived in pages written by Steve Orlando, who is one of the worst writers in mainstream comics? feel free to fact-check me on that) 2.5 stars because I still very much love Batwoman/Kate Kane as a character, and the artwork is on point.
The second arc contained within is much better, as we get to know the interesting cast of "warlord" characters that became close to Kate during her "lost year," after possibly attempting suicide at sea and washing ashore, where she was of course saved by a gorgeous queer woman who is considered the ruler of this mostly uncolonized, remote island. I would very much like to see more stories featuring these competing groups of pirates, whether Kate is present for them or not!
We also get to see a bunch of action with Julia Pennyworth (Alfred's long-lost daughter) acting as one of the most badass dispatcher sidekicks (akin to Barbara Gordon as Oracle, but much sassier, bossier, and British-er!). She's my favorite addition to the Bat Family since Harper Row, so I will probably read the subsequent volumes of Batwoman just so I can see more of her. 4.5 stars
Just as things were getting better, this volume closes out with an awful and absurd abysmal future dystopian scenario where Gotham has been ruled by a fascist Tim Drake Batman and Bruce Wayne is dead. Boooorrrrrriiiiiing and out of left field, but not in the cool way. 1.5 stars
As the kickoff for DC's Rebirth (post-New 52), Batwoman must have come to the stands after other titles were underway, as the opening issue involves ongoing plots already established in other Bat-titles. The eponymous Many Arms of Death storyline is three issues long, and is the low point of this volume, which is really not a good way to start off a series. Fake/forced-feeling romantic allusions, and the pursuit of some "monster venom" that readers not simultaneously following Tom King's Batman (actually, I vaguely recall this monster men business being conceived in pages written by Steve Orlando, who is one of the worst writers in mainstream comics? feel free to fact-check me on that) 2.5 stars because I still very much love Batwoman/Kate Kane as a character, and the artwork is on point.
The second arc contained within is much better, as we get to know the interesting cast of "warlord" characters that became close to Kate during her "lost year," after possibly attempting suicide at sea and washing ashore, where she was of course saved by a gorgeous queer woman who is considered the ruler of this mostly uncolonized, remote island. I would very much like to see more stories featuring these competing groups of pirates, whether Kate is present for them or not!
We also get to see a bunch of action with Julia Pennyworth (Alfred's long-lost daughter) acting as one of the most badass dispatcher sidekicks (akin to Barbara Gordon as Oracle, but much sassier, bossier, and British-er!). She's my favorite addition to the Bat Family since Harper Row, so I will probably read the subsequent volumes of Batwoman just so I can see more of her. 4.5 stars
Just as things were getting better, this volume closes out with an awful and absurd abysmal future dystopian scenario where Gotham has been ruled by a fascist Tim Drake Batman and Bruce Wayne is dead. Boooorrrrrriiiiiing and out of left field, but not in the cool way. 1.5 stars
cat_thecatlady's review against another edition
2.0
kinda sad that this was my first encounter with batwoman... there's not a thing I liked about this, except for the art of stephanie hans. the story is pretty boring and full of self entertaining monologues. didn't quite feel like this was a batwoman story, almost any characters could kinda fit into this plot. and the overall art wasn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't my thing.
disappointed but don't plan on giving up on this character just yet
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/11/22/arc-manga-graphic-novel-review-68-batwoman-vol-1-the-many-arms-of-death-by-marguerite-bennett-james-tynion-iv-steve-epting-stephanie-hans-and-renato-arlem/
disappointed but don't plan on giving up on this character just yet
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/11/22/arc-manga-graphic-novel-review-68-batwoman-vol-1-the-many-arms-of-death-by-marguerite-bennett-james-tynion-iv-steve-epting-stephanie-hans-and-renato-arlem/
stevequinn's review against another edition
3.0
I mean...it was PRETTY good. The Epting art was lovely. But we're still a far cry from the glory days of the original Batwoman (which are closer for me because I just read them for the first time a month or so ago).
So Kate had a lost year on Gotham, and then another lost year on this island? and it's tying in to this League of Shadows cross-Bat-book plot? Okay, but leaves me a bit flat. Kate is awesome and she can carry her own side story.
and the alt-future Tim Drake rules Gotham, Kate is in the Colony plot? Please tell me that has something to do with Dr. Manhattan, cause otherwise it is so out of nowhere.
If Batwoman's going to be in the team book, I'd like her own book's stories to be more, well, their own stories.
Overall, good, but not the old Batwoman. thanks to DC for giving me a review copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
So Kate had a lost year on Gotham, and then another lost year on this island? and it's tying in to this League of Shadows cross-Bat-book plot? Okay, but leaves me a bit flat. Kate is awesome and she can carry her own side story.
and the alt-future Tim Drake rules Gotham, Kate is in the Colony plot? Please tell me that has something to do with Dr. Manhattan, cause otherwise it is so out of nowhere.
If Batwoman's going to be in the team book, I'd like her own book's stories to be more, well, their own stories.
Overall, good, but not the old Batwoman. thanks to DC for giving me a review copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
kristy_k's review against another edition
1.0
I am fairly new to superhero comics and though I have a read a bit of Marvel, DC has been limited to mainly Batgirl and Nightwing. I enjoyed those and was hoping Batwoman would fall along the same lines. However, I felt the story line was forced and didn't care about what was happening. The story was not quite an origin story, not quite fighting the villain plot.
I've read one other DC rebirth comic and didn't like it, so I think this DC universe just isn't for me.
I've read one other DC rebirth comic and didn't like it, so I think this DC universe just isn't for me.
johnawickline's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75