REVIEW: ‘Batwoman’ Issue 1

Batwoman Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Greg Rucka, art by DaNi, colors by Matt Hollingsworth, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This issue is part of DC Next Level. Batwoman is in a deeply personal battle with her own sister, leaving devastating consequences.

This comic starts in the aftermath, throwing the reader into the deep end. Kate Kane is traumatized and in pain, following a battle we haven’t ever seen yet. The plot then jumps backwards, explaining what led to the situation. It’s a sudden and jarring reintroduction to Beth, who goes by the name Alice as a brainwashed villain. A sisterly conflict is created early in Batwoman Issue 1, one that is unsettling.

This first issue is harsh and hard, not offering a soft landing for newcomers to Batwoman. But the mystery is intriguing, and the creeping fusion of folk horror and psychological thriller is engrossing. The whole issue feels like a dream, flowing through the various scenes, but the transitions are confusing at the start. It takes another read through to realize that Rucka is telling a much more sophisticated story.

Batwoman Issue 1 opens with a broken hero, seeing a haunted, in-pain Kate. She’s being treated by doctors whilst traumatized and timid, very much the opposite of the ferocious figure we’ve grown to know. Rucka then moves to a fight between Batwoman and Alice. Kate’s twin sister in that persona is terrifying. She’s so vacant, possessed by a voice that speaks about Darkseid. It feels like a continuation of Rucka’s story, after he created both of the Kane sisters. Seeing Batwoman so rattled is unnerving, setting the tone for the rest of the comic.

The fight between the sisters is a desperate scramble, with Kate never wanting to actually cause harm to her twin sister. Towards the end of Batwoman Issue 1, the true villains begin to appear, as well as a much more recognizable version of Batwoman. It makes the mind start to wonder about time skips or other possibilities. But it also makes you breathe a sigh of relief, finding something recognizable to cling to.

The art helps the comic be both haunting and unsettling. The first time Kate Kane appears in Batwoman Issue 1, the only way you would know it’s here is through the red hair. DaNi presents a defeated figure who is struggling to even function. She’s tired, bruised, and in pain, her short hair roughly cut. She lacks confidence and posture.

When the issue snaps to Batwoman and Alice, Kate’s sister’s design instantly sends a shiver up the spine. She’s like a giant porcelain doll, with wide, soulless eyes and a dress that would allow her to fit into the Palace of Versailles. She never stops walking, either, with guns and knives and a dead look on her face. The Batwoman in this scene and later in the issue is the more iconic design. The long hair and the full Batsuit, which is sleek and imposing. It only makes the disparity between the two appearances more alarming.

The colors of Hollingsworth’s work complement DaNi’s art well. That intense red of Batwoman’s hair is just amazing. During the fight with Beth, there are thick, solid-black shadows, so the red cuts through to create definition. The lettering is beautifully creative. Otsmane-Elhaou is always imaginative and crafting new fonts. Each word balloon seems individually molded, giving the text inside more power.

Batwoman Issue 1 is a rich but harsh return. Rucka brings back characters and concepts left behind, inflicting trauma on Kate Kane once again. The atmosphere and uneasiness are impressive. However, for newcomers, the issue is very unfriendly. There’s no real introduction, lead-in, or helpful hints. It hurts the head trying to understand what’s happening, and it’s hard to latch onto anything in the story until the final part of the book.

Batwoman Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.