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Batwoman
Batwoman, as seen on the cover to 52 #11. Art by J.G. Jones.
Publisher DC Comics First appearance Historical: Detective Comics #233 (July 1956) Modern: 52 #7 (July 2006, cameo) 52 #11 (July 2006, full-app.) Created by Bob Kane, Sheldon Moldoff
Characteristics Alter ego Katherine "Kate" Kane Abilities Trained martial artist, access to high tech equipment.

Batwoman (originally referred to as The Bat-Woman) is a fictional comic book superheroine from the DC Comics universe; and appears in related media. Created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff, she is a female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Batman.

Originally named Katherine "Kathy" Kane, the character was introduced as a love interest for Batman, to prove he was not gay in response to the backlash from the book Seduction of the Innocent. Although Batwoman made a number of appearances during the late 50's and early 60's, declining sales of both Batman and Detective Comics led to her official retirement. When editor Julius Schwartz took over the Batman related comic books in 1964, he removed non-essential characters including Batwoman, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite and Bat-Hound.^[1]

The most recent incarnation of the character, Kate Kane, appears in the series 52, operating in Gotham City during Batman's absence following the events of Infinite Crisis.

Alex Ross - designer of her modern costume^[2] - and Paul Dini initially planned to revive the former Batgirl Barbara Gordon using an updated version of her original costume, with red accents in place of the traditional yellow. However, since Gordon serves as the only disabled superhero of DC comics as Oracle, the editors decided to revitalize the original Batwoman instead.^[2]

Contents 1 Publication history 1.1 Kathy Kane (1956-1964) 1.2 Kate Kane (2006-Present) 2 Fictional character history 2.1 Silver Age 2.1.1 Crisis on Infinite Earths 2.2 Modern Age 2.2.1 52 2.2.2 One Year Later 2.2.3 Personal life 3 Skills, resources, and abilities 4 Alternate versions 4.1 Elseworlds 4.1.1 Kingdom Come 4.1.2 The Kingdom 4.1.3 JLA: The Nail 4.1.4 Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty 4.2 Alternate storylines 5 Appearances in other media 5.1 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman 6 References 7 Footnotes

The original Batwoman is primarily associated with the Silver Age of comic books. She first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (July 1956).^[1] In the aftermath of the attacks on comics in the early 1950s, The Batwoman was the first of several characters that would make up the 'Batman Family'. Since the familial formula had proven very successful, editor Jack Schiff suggested to Kane that he create one for The Batman. A female was chosen first, to offset the charges made by Frederick Wertham that Batman and Robin were homosexuals.^[3] Batman creator Bob Kane later claimed that he originally drew her to resemble his first wife. The fact that he named her "Katherine 'Kathy' Kane" supports this statement.

In her debut issue, Batwoman is introduced as a female rival to the crime fighting prowess of Batman.

There's only one Batman! That's been said many times and has been true for no other man has ever rivaled Batman as a champion of the law, nor matched his superb acrobatic skill, his scientific keenness, his mastery of disguise and detective skill! But now, in one suspenseful surprise after another, Batman finds he has a great rival in the mysterious and glamorous girl... The Batwoman!^[4]

She was a costumed crime-fighter like Batman, yet an exact counterpart in many ways. For example, while Batman wears a utility belt, Batwoman carried a utility purse. The contents of her utility purse- lipstick, cosmetic compacts, charm bracelets and hair nets- were actually weapons disguised as stereotypical feminine products.

Although letters from fans indicated Batwoman had become popular with readers, editor Julius Schwartz considered her, as well as other Batman-related characters, to be inappropriate for the new direction he took with the Batman mythology. Following the revamp to Detective Comics in 1964, Batwoman was removed from the series.

The 'new' Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, not only replaced Batwoman as Batman's female counterpart, she surpassed the original heroine in popularity. Batgirl also proved to be more appropriate for her time period and the realistic approach DC Comics began taking with its characters. Unlike Batwoman, Gordon's Batgirl used a utility belt and various gadgets similar to Batman's, in addition to being a skilled martial artist.

Despite requests from readers to revive Batwoman, DC's editorial staff initially declined to bring Batwoman out of retirement, considering the fact that she was specifically created to be love interest for Batman.

...[Batwoman and Bat-Girl] were there because romance seemed to be needed in Batman [and Robin]'s life. But thanks to the big change and a foresighted editor, these hapless females are gone for good. In their place stands a girl who is a capable crime-fighter, a far cry from Batwoman who constantly had to be rescued from Batman.^[1]

However, with the launch of the Batman Family comic book series in 1975, readers continued to request for Batwoman to appear in new stories. One reader states:

it is totally beyond me why you ignored Batwoman in your first two issues... I can understand your reluctance to go back to the days where everybody in Gotham had a Bat-identity, but you can't wipe out Batwoman that easily... I was counting on her making the scene in a new story, perhaps coming out of retirement to offer assistance to your Dynamite Duo [Batgirl and Robin].^[1]

Batwoman was brought back in Batman Family #10 as "Batgirl's guest heroine" when she comes out of retirement to assist Batgirl in defeating Killer Moth and Cavalier.^[5] However, Batwoman is later killed in Detective Comics #485 with editor Dennis O'Neil stating "we already had Batgirl, we didn't need Batwoman."^[1] The issue marked the final appearance of Kathy Kane in DC Comic continuity.

When DC editors called for a redesign of Batwoman, Alex Ross drew inspiration from the modified Batgirl costume he designed for Barbara Gordon, seven years prior to Kate Kane's debut in 52. In an interview with Newsarama, Ross states:

They had me change the mask and hair to make it a bit more Batwoman, rather than Batgirl...I pointed out to them that the mask makes her look like the Huntress a little overall - but there weren't many options. The original mask that I had in there when it was to be a Batgirl design was the complete head cover that we've seen, so they did need something different from that.^[2]

Unlike the Silver Age Kathy Kane, who was written as being romantically attracted to Batman, the new version of Kane is written as a "lipstick lesbian." Her homosexuality was announced at the same time as the character was revealed in the spring of 2006.^[6] Stories appeared on television news outlets such as CNN,^[7] general news magazines such as "USA Today", and gay culture magazines such as Out.^[6]

The modern Katherine "Kate" Kane made her first comic book appearance in 52 #7 (2006).^[8] She is revealed to be the former lover of Renee Montoya, a former Gotham City Police Detective. Montoya deduces Batwoman's alter-ego is Kane during the 52 series, in addition to taking up the mantle of The Question. The two heroines also renew their romance during this time.

Batwoman's sexual orientation has gathered mixed reviews, ranging from acceptance to outrage.^[9] When questioned about the editorial decision to make Batwoman a gay character in an interview with Wizard Entertainment, DC Comics Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Dan DiDio states:

It was from conversations we’ve had for expanding the DC Universe, for looking at levels of diversity. We wanted to have a cast that is much more reflective of today’s society and even today’s fanbase. One of the reasons we made her gay is that, again when you have the Batman Family—a series of characters that aren’t super-powered and inhabit the same circle and the same city—you really want to have a point of difference. It was really important to me to make sure every character felt unique.^[10]

During the Silver Age of Comics Batwoman guest-starred occasionally in Batman stories published from 1956 to 1964. While Batman wished for Kane to retire from crimefighting due to the danger, she remained his ally, even when she temporarily became a new version of Catwoman.

In 1961, Batwoman was joined by her niece Betty Kane, the Bat-Girl.^[11] Kathy and Betty were romantically interested in Batman and Robin, respectively. Robin seemed to return Bat-Girl's affection, while Batman remained aloof.

In 1964, DC dropped Batwoman, as well as Bat-Girl, Ace the Bat-Hound, and Bat-Mite from the Batman titles, which were undergoing a revamp under Editor Julius Schwartz that eliminated many of the sci-fi elements that were introduced in the 1950s. In stories published during the next few years, Batwoman makes several appearances in the Batman-Superman team-up book World's Finest, which was edited by Mort Weisinger.

In the late 1970s, Batwoman made guest appearances in the Batman Family, often fighting crime alongside the new Batgirl, Barbara Gordon.^[12] During her retirement, she becomes the owner of a circus, which she keeps until killed by the League of Assassins and the brainwashed Bronze Tiger.^[13]

A Batwoman on Earth-Two was like her deceased Earth-One counterpart. This Kathy Kane retired when the Batman of that world married Catwoman. She married and had children, but her husband was never revealed. She came out of retirement following Batman's death when Gotham City was threatened by the return of Hugo Strange.^{[citation needed]}

Main article: Crisis on Infinite Earths

After Crisis on Infinite Earths altered DC Universe continuity, Batwoman's and Bat-Girl's histories are heavily changed. In the new continuity, the late Kathy Kane did exist, though her persona as Batwoman had been erased. Bat-Girl never existed either, but a superheroine named Flamebird was introduced who had a somewhat similar costume and similar name, "Bette Kane". Despite the absence of both Batwoman and Bat-Girl, there have been references to both in post-Crisis publications.

In Alan Moore's The Killing Joke, Batman stares at a photograph that portrays Bat-Girl, Batwoman, Ace the Bat-hound, and Batmite- characters that did not exist in continuity at the time.^[14]

In the Beast Boy miniseries, Flamebird tries to post bail for Beast Boy, with money "borrowed from Aunt Kathy", which would suggest the original Kathy Kane is still alive. In addition, Batman: Dark Detective #2 (2005), displays a large portrait of Batwoman on the wall of the Batcave, although it is likely that Batman: Dark Detective does not take place in current DC continuity.

See also: 52 (comic book)

After the Infinite Crisis series, a new Katherine "Kate" Kane is introduced. Kate is Renee Montoya's former lover and heiress to one of the wealthiest families in Gotham City, owning that which the Wayne family does not.^[15] Renee refers to her as "Katherine the younger" and asks Kate to help find the connection between the Kanes and the address 520 Kane Street. While still upset from their break-up, Kate agrees to help Renee, but punches her after Renee mentions their prior relationship. Renee suggests they once loved each other, and Kate tells her to leave. Not long after that, Batwoman is shown to be observing Montoya from the rooftops as Renee converses with the Question (in his guise as "Charlie") in an alley.

Kate meets with Renee and Charlie in Gotham Park and confirms that the warehouse was being leased by Ridge-Ferrick until six weeks ago. Renee refuses to tell Kate what is going on saying that she does not owe Kate anything, which shocks Kate and prompts her to tail them as Batwoman. When Renee and the Question break into Ridge-Ferrick's Gotham offices, they are attacked by Whisper A'Daire's shapeshifting minions, and Batwoman arrives to rescue them. Making quick work of two monsters, Batwoman stops Renee from shooting the third, instead kicking the monster out a window. Batwoman informs them the police are coming, asks that she not be mentioned, and leaves.

After Renee learns that the Book of Crime, a sacred text of Intergang, contains a prophecy foretelling the brutal murder of the "twice named daughter of Kane,"^[16] she and the Question return to Gotham. They contact Kate by flashing a batsignal, and the three join forces to avert Intergang's plans.^[17] As Kate continues the case, she is joined by Nightwing, who has recently returned to Gotham and becomes infatuated with her. On Christmas Eve, he gives her an 'official' Batarang. She also celebrates Hanukkah with Renee, and the two kiss shortly before Christmas.

Intergang realizes that the image of Batwoman in the Crime Bible and the cited "twice-named daughter of Cain" were one and the same, and ransack Kate's apartment, kidnapping her with the intention to sacrifice her. Renee finds her, seemingly too late to save her, as during the fight, Kate pulls the knife out of her own chest to stab Bruno Mannheim and then collapses in Renee's arms. Kate survives her wounds after Renee stops the bleeding in time, however, and as she recuperates in her Penthouse, Renee, dressed as the Question, shines the batsignal into her apartment and asks, "Are you ready?"

Main article: One Year Later

One year after the start of 52 (2006), the Penguin suggests Batman bring a date to the opening of his club, asking, "Why don't you bring that new Batwoman? I hear she's kind of hot."^[18] After the simultaneously published 52 finished its run, Batwoman later appears in a story written by Greg Rucka for the DC Infinite Holiday Special.^[19] This story fleshed out some of the current Batwoman's background, including the fact that she is Jewish.

Batwoman subsequently appears in Countdown #39 (2007).^[20] She appears after Renee Montoya confronts Trickster and Pied Piper, having trailed them from the Penguin's Iceburg Lounge nightclub.

In her civilian identity as a socialite, Katherine Kane is acquainted with Bruce Wayne and is friends with a doctor named Mallory, who treats the Question's cancer and later Kate's stab wound. Kate is also Jewish, and celebrated Hanukkah with Renee during the events of 52. Her familial relationships are unknown. It is unconfirmed whether or not Kate Kane is related to the New Earth versions of Kathy Kane and Bette "Flamebird" Kane, although 52 alludes to there being an older Katherine Kane in Kate's family.

Kane is one of several LGBT characters appearing in stories published by DC Comics. Kane is an example of a closet homosexual; one who makes a conscious effort to conceal her sexuality by any means. Renee Montoya, Kane's former lover, hinted during 52 that Kate's inhibitions were the reason behind their break-up.^[21]

As Batwoman, Kane lacks any superpowers, and instead relies on her martial artistry and Batman-inspired equipment when fighting crime. In the ten years since her break-up with Renee Montoya, she has become a skilled martial artist and is able to defeat three monsters, as well as spy on Montoya and the Question with relative ease.^[22]

Being the heiress of a family whose fortune is comparable to the Waynes, Kane possesses the finances to produce an arsenal of equipment, similar to Batman. This includes a baton-like device which can extend from the center in length and has Bat-shaped attachments at each end.^[23] She also makes use of Batarangs and a Batman-like grappling hook.

Main article: Elseworlds

Elseworlds is an imprint of DC Comics which places the company's iconic characters in alternate timelines and events outside of mainstream continuity. Various incarnations of Batwoman have appeared in Elseworld titles.

Main article: Kingdom Come (comic book)

In Mark Waid and Alex Ross's Kingdom Come limited series, a Batwoman character is portrayed as a Batman admirer from Jack Kirby's Fourth World. Her costume mixed Kirby-esque elements with those of the original costume. The character rode a giant bat-winged dog named Ace.^[24]

Main article: The Kingdom (comics)

Batwoman is referenced in Planet Krypton, an issue within the The Kingdom miniseries. This series introduces the concept of Hypertime, in which characters who had been removed from continuity still exist in alternate timelines. A Planet Krypton theme restaurant (modeled after Planet Hollywood) finds itself "haunted" by silent "Hypertime ghosts" of characters who are no longer part of DC continuity. Batman comes face to face with Batwoman and says, "Kathy?" Later, Batman says there is no possible way he could know her. This series is connected to the same continuity as Kingdom Come.

Main article: JLA: The Nail

In Alan Davis's JLA: The Nail, Selina Kyle wears a Batwoman costume that looks very similar to the costume worn by Kathy Kane. In the sequel JLA: Another Nail, she fashions her own Batwoman persona.^[25]

Main article: Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty

In Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty, President Brenna Wayne becomes Batwoman in order to stop Vandal Savage. Wayne discovers a conspiracy against her family after investigating the last thirteen generations of the Wayne family.^[26]

• In the Teen Titans storyline "Titans Tomorrow", Bette Kane is Batwoman, and wears a costume similar to Kathy's pre-Crisis one.^[27] In the follow up storyline, "Titans of Tomorrow... Today!" (2007), Bette Kane remains Flamebird and former Batgirl Cassandra Cain becomes Batwoman.

• Helena Wayne appears as Batwoman in an alternate Earth where the genders of Superman, Batman and other heroes are reversed.^[28] Batwoman's closest ally is Superwoman.

Main article: Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

Batwoman appeared in the direct to video animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. This version is actually three different women: Gotham Police Detective Sonia Alcana (voiced by Elisa Gabrielli), Dr. Roxanne 'Rocky' Ballantine (Kelly Ripa), and Kathleen 'Kathy' Duquesne (Kimberly Brooks). The character Kathy Duquesne ("Du-Kane") is an homage to Kathy Kane, the original Batwoman. The disguised voice of the Batwoman is provided by Kyra Sedgwick.

The three women team up to avenge wrongs by the Penguin, Rupert Thorne and Carlton Duquesne (Kathy's father), each taking on the identity to avoid connection with any one individual. Detective Alcana wants retribution on Rupert Thorne after he burned down her parents' shop when she was a child and ruined her family's lives. Dr. Ballantine's goal is to clear her fiancé's name after he was framed by the Penguin for gun smuggling. Finally, Kathy wants her father Carlton Duquesne's criminal career to end because it led to the death of her mother. Detective Alcana met Dr. Ballantine when they were in college, and Kathy Duquesne on an art class.

Batwoman uses methods that are more violent than what Batman uses, causing him to investigate. Detective Alcana acts as the leader of the trio, Dr. Ballantine, who works for Wayne Enterprises, uses her scientific background for their operations, and Kathy finances the team's equipment and activities. Alcana decides to base their shared costumed identity on Batman, who rescued the detective from a fire in her home years ago, despite the protests of Dr. Ballantine and Kathy. Each woman is also proficient in martial arts and an Olympic-level athlete. During the investigation, Bruce Wayne and Kathy develop a romantic affection after the two met at a department store. Bruce enjoys Kathy's company and is fond of her spiritual personality. Wayne's ward, Tim Drake, also became a friend with Dr. Ballentine, after they played the computer game Death Castle 3000 together in the office at Wayne Enterprises. Detective Alcana is paired with Gotham PD detective Harvey Bullock for this investigation, who is unaware of his partner's activities as Batwoman.

Dr. Ballantine designs the team's equipments and gadgets that were used throughout the film that are easily comparable with Batman's. She built a Batglider for flight, which can be remote-operated by the team's utility belts. She also develops a new alloy that capable to program into any shape, which the team and Batman utilize as a type of restraining tool. The trio also uses weapons and gadgets that are based from Batman's, such as his batarangs and grappling gun. The trio's batarang design is a red miniature version of Batman's, an amalgam of the boomerang used by Australian Aborigines and ninja shuriken by Japanese shadow warriors. The grappling gun is not unlike the compact-climbing gear for commando units. It fires an explosively propelled grappling hook attached to a fast-uncoiling reel of jumpline. The team's headquarters is an abandoned subway station, accessible through a maze of sewer tunnels, and its entrance can be opened through Batwoman's remote from her belt or glider. The headquarters are equipped with an advanced computer, gymnasium, and laboratory equipment.

The costume is made from a grayish-black tight-fitting body suit which allows complete freedom of movement and camouflage, consisting of a scalloped cape emulating the shape of a pair of batwings, a bat-like cowl which conceals the entire face, a pair of red gloves, a yellow utility belt, and the stylized red insignia of a bat emblazoned on the chest. In addition, the cowl has a voice-altering device to disguise the wearer's voice.

• Batman: The Complete History (1999) ISBN 0-8118-4232-0
• Batwoman at the Grand Comic-Book Database
• Batwoman (Kathy Kane) at the Comic Book DB
• Batwoman (Kate Kane) at the Comic Book DB

v • d • e Batman
Creators	Bob Kane · Bill Finger · Other writers and artists
Supporting characters	Robin (Tim Drake) · Nightwing (Dick Grayson) · Batgirl · Batwoman · Alfred Pennyworth · Lucius Fox · Barbara Gordon · Commissioner Gordon · Harvey Bullock · Azrael · Huntress
Villains	Bane · Catwoman · Clayface · Harley Quinn · Joker · Killer Croc · Mad Hatter · Mr. Freeze · Penguin · Poison Ivy · Ra's al Ghul · Red Hood (Jason Todd) · Riddler · Scarecrow · Talia al Ghul · Two-Face  · Ventriloquist
Locations	Arkham Asylum · Batcave · Gotham City · Wayne Enterprises · Wayne Manor
Equipment	Batarang · Batmobile · Batcycle · Batsuit · Utility Belt
Miscellanea	Publications · Storylines · Alternate versions of Batman · Batman in popular media