COVERGIRL: My dad’s old school, preferring to riff on the Lord’s name when angry, instead of employing more vulgar and, in my opinion, satisfactory cusses. In deference to him, and in response to the Batwoman-Wonder Woman combo promised by this cover, I say a hearty, “GOD DAMN!”
INSIDE STORY: Batwoman seeks Sune and her gaggle of horrific urban legends brought to life. Employing the help of werewolf Kyle Abbot, she find Bloody Mary, whose myth little Gotham girls recite at slumber parties to engender the chills.
Batwoman employs the children’s chant: “Bloody Mary show yourself. Bloody Mary show yourself! BLOODY MARY SHOW YOURSELF!”
Instead of collapsing into giggles like Gotham’s tweens, Batwoman summons the demon spirit. Mary informs Batwoman that Medusa isn’t an organization, but rather the Queen Monster, snake-tressed Gorgon of old.
Gotham’s superheroes face a variety of evils, but Greek gods are the stuff of someone else's legend: Wonder Woman’s. Batwoman tells DEO boss Bones it’s time to bring in the Amazon.
Though Kate Kane doesn’t reach out to Diana until book’s end, Wonder Woman’s current status is woven (gorgeously) throughout the book. She’s battling a serpentine crew, and vows to destroy them all. Serpentine. Medusa. Do I have to spell it out?
Also, Gotham parents grieving for their kidnapped children berate poor hard-working Maggie Sawyer. Kate’s not up to the task of comforting. She’s off to Paradise Island.
Also, Bette Kane/Flamebird is out of the hospital and living with Uncle Jake.
RAMBLE: Have I said, "God Damn?" Yippee! Though as overstuffed as usual, super duper double whooper issue.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I’m always blathering on about the art in this book, so I won’t. But really. Gorgeous.
The juxtaposition of Wonder Woman’s story and Batwoman’s, which can’t help but be awesome for the awesomeness of the awesome women, is the more brilliant for the writing.
I never noticed how distinct Batwoman’s voice is, probably because I was so busy drooling over the art. (Have I mentioned gorgeous?) She’s of Gotham, matter-of-fact and about the facts; closer to Batman-speak than quippy Batgirl’s intelligent chatter.
Wonder Woman, who in her own book remains fairly silent, the better to shine in the midst of her garrulous family’s mad bickering, here speaks like a grandiloquent stereotype of herself. Alone she might sound ridiculous, but when her godly speech runs alongside Batwoman’s straight prose … genius!
I had been excited for September, for all the #0 backstorying, but now I just want to skip ahead to October and see what happens next. Perhaps Harrison’s will let me set up a tent.
WHO THE HELL ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Kate Kane: Survived a brutal kidnapping by terrorists that killed her mother and turned her sister into a crazy villain. West Point student, expelled under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Dating Detective Sawyer.
Batwoman: Kate’s awesome superhero alter-ego. Currently working with Agent Chase and the DEO, who will arrest Kate's dad if she doesn’t help them.
Kyle Abbot: Werewolf; sometimes villainous, sometimes helpful
Bloody Mary: Spirit of Mary Worth, who went on a she-killing rampage after her husband proved unfaithful. Hanged. Brought back to miserable half-life, presumably by Medusa, to help capture children.
Bones: Batwoman’s boss in the DEO. His name is literal. The man’s a skeletal version of The X-Files’ Cigarette Smoking Man.
DEO: Department of Extranormal Operations
Jake Kane: Kate’s dad and military big-wig. Kate won’t talk to him, though he’ll talk to her.
Bette Kane/Flamebird: Kate’s cousin/Batwoman’s former mentee, member of Teen Titans/tennis star. Felled and rendered comatose by one of Medusa’s minions; now back to life and living with Uncle Jake Kane.
Detective Maggie Sawyer: Police detective assigned to the Medusa case. Kate’s love interest.
Medusa: Mysterious, evil She who leads a serpentine band of vile villains.
Sune: AKA Maro. Shapeshifter. Medusa’s second-in-command.
Wonder Woman: WONDER WOMAN!
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
Batwoman is trying to bring down Medusa and free the Gotham children she and her crew have kidnapped.
