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A review by unladylike
Batwoman Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death (Rebirth) by Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
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