REVIEW: ‘Batwoman’ Issue 8

Batwoman Issue 8 is published by DC Comics. Written by Greg Rucka, with art by DaNi, colors by Matt Hollingsworth, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This is Part 1 of Week 9 of the Batman: Bad Seeds event. Batwoman is ready to unleash justice on Vandal Savage’s TUCOs, but then a badly injured Huntress steps in.

As the previous chapter ended, it seemed Batwoman Issue 8 would be a hunt, with the TUCOs entering the ancient church like flies into a spider’s web. Despite being outnumbered, Batwoman easily has the advantage. But then Huntress appears, badly wounded, and Batwoman becomes her protector. This arrival is a brilliant example of the synergy between the Bad Seeds books.

Characters flow between the comics, with Huntress leaving Poison Ivy and entering this book instead. It’s a sign of how widespread the crossover is, but also how connected the Bat Family is. And don’t worry, the hunt does come, but there are now two brilliant heroes ready to take out their anger.

The pacing is smooth, ramping up when necessary but also slowing to allow for conversation. The fights are fantastic, too, embracing the environment and the Bats’ style.

Rucka introduces a very different team-up for Batwoman, which brings out her personality. With Batman, Kate is like a soldier: subservient and waiting for orders. But with Helena Bertinelli, she is angrier and more confrontational. She treats Huntress like a teenager acting out or a trainee, taking control and leadership of the situation.

That age-old conversation on killing also rears its head, with Huntress sitting very firmly on the violent side of the family. Batwoman is resolute, driven, and committed to her cause, which makes her incredibly opposed to ending a life. That’s a key element to this Batwoman run too, with Kate being framed as a murderer.

Batwoman Issue 8 features much more personality on both sides than the previous, quieter chapter. The script is phenomenal, exploring power dynamics between the squadrons of the villains and making them more than just goons.

DaNi’s art is truly unique, and the Batwoman Issue 8 location perfectly reflects that. Batwoman’s relationship with the shadows match her design. She can be part of the darkness, and looks beyond human when she does appear. The mask covers up her entire face, with only her pupil-less eyes visible. It turns her into something close to demonic, a frightening presence to those she preys upon. Huntress appears in a very different guise. Her face is more detailed, and the pattern on her costume makes her stand out, turning her into a target.

The gothic church is gorgeously haunting, providing so many places to hide and harrowing imagery. There are skulls in the walls and several statues, which the Bats can stand alongside. DaNi also displays a terrific understanding of action, movement and fighting, with a tactical edge to Batwoman Issue 8. The soldiers move in formation, and the whole room is shown before we see Batwoman and Huntress strike.

The thick line weights of DaNi’s style can be awkward with all of the tech attached to the soldiers, but they do a great job of presenting as menacing, heavy-set figures. Their faces are also hidden behind visors until they are smashed, and their expressions are necessary.

The colors in Batwoman Issue 8 are remarkable. The shadows are big and imposing, thanks to the church’s dark walls, archways, and alcoves. It means Batwoman and Huntress can slink around unseen. The light is created by the TAC lights on the soldiers’ weapons, but also making them and their dark silhouettes more visible.

The red of Batwoman appearing against solid black is some of the most breathtaking panels in the comic. She and Huntress are often separated in the panels, so that the red and purple don’t clash too heavily. The lettering is incredible, especially when revealing the petrified screams of the soldiers when Batwoman and Huntress begin picking them off.

Batwoman Issue 8 is an immersive set-piece. This book forgets the killer plants as the events within the church become the focal point. Batwoman is one of the few comics in this crossover that focus on the Bats being hunted, and it is a spectacular survival story. It embraces a location where DaNi’s art style thrives, crafting a gothic landscape that Batwoman can utilize. And the introduction of Huntress throws a volatile spark into a room that takes some control away from Kate.

Batwoman Issue 8 is available where comics are sold.