SPOTLIGHT: Batwoman

If you go gay for comic books like me, you need to read the new issue of Batwoman #17.  After a hard day at the office; fighting Medusa with Wonder Woman and saving the world again, Kate Kane finally decides to take the plunge with girlfriend Maggie.   If this actually happens, this would make the second superhero wedding in the last year, mazel tov boys. 

Recently, we have seen quite a few superheroes come out of the comic book closet; DC's Batwoman and Green Lantern, Xmen's Northstar, and Hulking and Wiccan of Young Avengers.   When  Batwoman #1 was released, a friend and I ran to the comic book shop cooing about how awesome it was that Batwoman  is a lesbian.  I guess we were a little too exuberant,  because we were interrupted by a rather large man who wanted to know why superheroes needed to be gay at all.  Comic books are for children anyway, duh.  I resisted the urge to ask him, if comics where only for kids, then why was he reading The Avengers?  Instead I just stated the obvious, “Gay kids need superheroes too.”  Enter Katherine Kane. In 2009, Gregg Rucka and JH Williams III presented a bad ass 21^st century heroine who was sexy, dangerous, smart and very gay.  Although inspired by Batman she is independent of him, fights in her own universe, and loves in her own way.  The first few issues do a spectacular job of weaving together present story lines and backstory.  We learn that Kate Kane is a military brat, whose mother and twin sister were kidnapped and killed when she was a child.  In issue #2, Kate is kicked out of West Point for kissing a girl and spirals out of control into the stable arms of Police Officer Renee Montoya.  One night, after kicking the rusty butt of a mugger, she is “saved” by the big guy himself.  The imagery is powerful. It is dark and raining - Batman swoops down, the mugger runs away, he extends a hand, pulls her from the ground, and shoots back into the sky - leaving Kate alone.  She stares  into the bat signal, all at once remembering who she was and knowing what she must do.  

Superheroes have always appealed to queer culture.  It is not a stretch to see why queer kids feel a connection to them.   Many superheroes live among society but are separate from it.  They struggle to live like 'normal’ citizens, while hiding secret identities and leading double lives.  Because of their dual obligations, it is often difficult to maintain truthful relationships with those closest to them.  And they all seem to know someone who does fabulous costume work.  The parallels go on and on, and  I am excited that writers and artists are brave enough now to portray queer characters on the panel.  And anyway you draw it - that is a good thing.   Batwoman #18 premieres March 20th.  If you haven’t picked her up yet, I heard she’s pretty easy. DC Comics has digital copies of the series on sale for .99-$2.99.  Get it girl.