BY JONATHAN EDWARDS
Much like myComic Bastards colleague Daniel Vlasaty (who reviewed Batwoman Rebirth #1), the eponymous Batwoman is a character that's remained more on the periphery for me. My prior exposure to her amounts to the recent Night of the Monster Men crossover and just a general awareness of her existence. However, it turns out that the introductory arc of her new solo series deals in part with the aftermath of that crossover. Namely, Kate Kane has been tasked with hunting down the party responsible for selling the same kind of "Monster Venom" that was used to create the Monster Men. Of course, this turns out to not be so cut and dry for Kate, as it appears to be connected to the events of the "lost year" of her early-20s.

And really, that's about all we get from this issue. It's a pretty standard introduction and setup to the character and story arc, where nothing in particular is all-that sacrificed or missing. But at the same time, nothing really makes this book stand out or feel particular defined tonally or thematically. It's just kind of "a superhero book" with a lead that "has a past." You're either going to buy into it or not, but either way I can't see this ending up as anyone's most anticipated book in the coming months.

One thing that does ring strange in this issue has to do with the character Safiyah. She's someone from Kate's, seen in flashbacks where only the lower half of her face is depicted. It doesn't take a genius to realize this is an attempt to build mystique around the character. Except, in the Rebirth one-shot, she's shown in full. And since the intention and expectation of those one-shots is to attract readers to the main books, it's a bit head scratching that they'd introduce Safiyah so blatantly and then try to build up to her after the fact. Maybe it wouldn't have felt like such a problem if it didn't happen in every single flashback sequence, or if we saw her whole face again before the end of the issue.

Overall, the art works well enough. There's nothing spectacular on display, but it gets the job done. That being said, the flashbacks offer a bit more by using the black, white, and red aesthetic. It's a tried and true color scheme that, at this point, is probably getting close to overused (if it isn't already there). Although, it's pretty appropriate when the title character's design includes the same color scheme, and it does effectively distinguish the past from the present.

Batwoman is a series I was excited for, wanted to like, and thought I would, yet this first installment fell short. I'll probably at least give it a few more issues and hope it improves, but unless you're an avid fan of the character, or want to read everything that relates to the current Detective Comics run, this is a title you can probably get away with skipping.

Fans of crime-fighting vigilante Kate Kane have been clamoring for a new ongoing series featuring the character since her New 52 title was cancelled two years ago, and with this week’s Batwoman #1, they finally get their wish.

Preceded by a Rebirth special published last month (that I reviewed here!), Batwoman #1 comes after her newfound role as a mentor in the pages of Detective Comics. The Kate we see here isn’t a newbie, but a bonafide professional who knows what she’s doing, and how she has to do it.

That’s not necessarily something her erstwhile partner Batman could get behind, hence Kate’s relative secrecy about addressing some unfinished business outside of Gotham. With Julia Pennyworth by her side, Kate heads to a mysterious island called Coryana, and quickly finds that there may already be trouble waiting for her when she gets there.

Batwoman #1 is written by Marguerite Bennett and’ James Tynion IV, whose combined sensibilities make for a good foundation moving forward. Confessed Batwoman megafan Bennett has already shown her knack for Kate’s voice in the 1940’s-set Bombshells, while Tynion involvement here ensures that her solo adventures will fit consistently into his own Detective Comics.

Maybe it’s because I just rewatched Casino Royale last night, so it’s still fresh in my head, but there’s a fantastic espionage feel to the proceedings here. If Batman is (ostensibly) the Sherlock Holmes of superheroes, then you could make an excellent case for Batwoman as James Bond. All the classic hallmarks of a spy story are set up here: a sexy lone wolf with questionable methods (Kate) and their snarky quartermaster (Julia), international intrigue with an exotic locale to explore (Coryana), and the promise of a slinky tête-à-tête with a shadowy femme fatale (the woman known only to us as Safiyah). Come on, it totally works out! I’m really interested to see how everything plays out.

The art team from Batwoman: Rebirth #1 remains intact here, and they provide similarly great visuals. Steve Epting’s illustrations are action-packed when they need to be, and conversely subdued in the quieter moments. Jeromy Cox’s coloring compliments Epting’s art perfectly; there’s a notable flashback to Kate’s time in Coryana that’s rendered in black and white, except for Kate’s trademark red hair. It’s a striking accent that pops just the right amount, and even when we’re set in the present day with full coloring, she sticks out on the page.

The Verdict
Buy it! If Batwoman: Rebirth #1 was meant to set the table for us, then Batwoman #1 is an appetizing first course for what’s sure to be a tasty meal moving forward. Bennett and Tynion are a great writing team, while Epting, Cox, and letterer Deron Bennett make their script come alive through superlative visuals. I know I’m gushing here, but Batwoman #1 is an exciting new beginning for one of DC’s most interesting (and relevant) characters.