Much too often female characters are made to be just pale, opposite gendered versions of their male counterparts/mentors without any substance or depth. However, DC has launched six titles—Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Catwoman, Batgirl, Supergirl, and Huntress—four ongoing titles and a mini-series which I feel are definitely on the right track in giving their female characters greater substance.
I will review the above titles, giving you my thoughts and rating them with my patented, “Fist rating system.” (see the key below) I will be careful not to spoil things for those who haven’t read any of these titles yet.
Let’s start with the newly revamped Wonder Woman series is written by Brian Azzarello—who does a great job weaving the pettiness of the Gods in the story arc—while the artwork is supplied by the talented Cliff Chiang. I liked the straightforwardness of this incarnation of Wonder Woman aka Princess Diana. She is a fierce warrior who walks softly and carries a big stick. Some of the revelations made early in this series will have a lasting impact on the character of Diana for time to come. I will say that despite the lack of Red—the color of passion and one that makes hot chicks hotter—I was pleased with the new costume. Silver replaces the gold, and black replaces the blue on her short, shorts and the red on her boots. I think that this imaging works for her and sets her apart from Superman’s color scheme. It also makes her less of an American flag girl—let’s leave that red, white and blue mantle to Captain America shall we.
I give this title
thus far.
Next up is Batwoman. This title takes a defining leap into diversity with a lead character who also happens to be a lesbian. I have found the series to be very entertaining so far. The art and writing by J. H. Williams III—who also acts as co-writer with W. Haden Blackman—is very solid. I got a noir-ish feel to the artwork which helps to distinguish this title from the other Bat-books, and also gives it a gritty, yet at times ethereal look. The current story arc gives the reader a sense of where Batwoman aka Kathy Kane fits into the Bat-universe/Bat-Family and provides a unique take on her personality. Some familiar characters play a prominent role in the series such as Commissioner Gordon, her love interest—Detective Maggie Sawyer (newly imported from Metropolis) and of course the Bat himself. One clichéd theme of the book is that she’s taking on her cousin, former Flamebird aka Elizabeth “Bette” Kane as her sidekick in training. This wouldn’t annoy me if she wasn’t wearing a piecemeal costume and that she’s written to act as a sounding board for Batwoman while they’re out on patrol. However, we’re not that far into the series so hopefully this will be adequately addressed in the near future. Batwoman has her flaws from failed relationships, deceased lovers (Renee Montoya), to a strained relationship with her father. I love a flawed character and this Batty-chick has some serious issues!
I give this title
thus far.
The next series title is Catwoman, who jumps out of the gate with a partially costumed sex scene with the Bat. I found the series to be an enjoyable, wild and fast read. This incarnation of Catwoman aka Selina Kyle gives the reader what they want to see in a book about a burglar who skates around the fine line of the law and happens to shag the Bat in between jobs including sex, plenty of action and seductive images of Selina—insert Eartha Kitt growl. Writer Judd Winick does a good job of creating a fast paced storyline full of cat and mouse situations (pun intended). The artwork—provided by Guillem March—is very Joe Kubert-esque in my opinion. I LOVE IT! Our favorite femme fatale is confronted by a new villain at the end of issue #2 named Louis Ferryman aka Bone. He reminded me of Tombstone from the Spider-man comics. However, what the character lacks in originality, he made up for in brutality as his goons beat the holy crap out of Selina. I have to say I was never bored with this comic in any way from start to finish!
I give this title
thus far.
Next series title is Batgirl. In this interpretation we see Barbara Gordon—who has miraculously been healed from paralysis—again in the title role. While we can excuse her convenient recovery as an after effect of Flashpoint, we have to hold DC’s feet to the fire for content and in my opinion they deliver. Batgirl is very well written—by Gail Simone—and in my opinion the current story arc takes the character more seriously than any previous incarnations I’ve read. She is certainly living in the shadow of the Bat—which is unavoidable for any Bat-Family member including the Bat himself—yet, she is carving a place in the Bat-verse all her own. She’s taking on a new and quite sadistic villain named The Mirror who I hope to see again in the future as a member of her personal Rogues Gallery. With the exception of a cameo by Nightwing which crosses over into his title (sort of), Barbara is proving that she can handle her own without a save from the Bat, while also dealing with her own insecurities. One of those is her lack of confidence due to post traumatic stress disorder resulting from her past encounter with the Joker which left her paralyzed.
I give this title
thus far.
Of the DC titles I’ve read in which a female character is the lead, Supergirl is the one I liked the least. I wasn’t impressed with this title very much at all. Then again, I’ve never been much of a Supergirl fan to begin with. The artwork—supplied by Mahmud Asrar—is adequate—nothing to blow up this fanboy’s skirt if I in fact wore one—and the writing—handled by Michael Green and Mike Johnson—is pretty standard. It’s the same tried and true situation where Kara El arrival on earth is misplaced and occurs years later than her cousin Kal El aka Superman. She and Supes fight it out and after that it pretty ho-hum in my opinion. A wealthy, enigmatic character named Simon Tycho, who is fascinated with Supergirl and has claimed the pod which brought her to earth is introduced—can we say Lex Luthor. It remains to be seen whether more will come of this title to make me feel compelled to continue reading—it is a bit early to tell. As it stands, I’m giving it one story arc to make its case and after that I’m done.
I give this title
thus far.
Lastly, and most importantly—in my humble opinion—is the Huntress mini-series. I have always liked this character in that she is the rebellious step-child of the Bat-Family, and she takes a no-holds barred approach to crime fighting. Huntress takes it a step further than the Bat while maintaining a more heroic presence than your usual anti-hero such as Marvel’s Punisher. The story arc has Helena Bertinelli aka the Huntress in Italy tracking down an arms dealer/sex trafficker. I liked the fact that the story’s setting was outside of Gotham, as it gives a fresh feel and different scenery. It also allows for Helena to use her Italian heritage to blend in while she gleans information from a reporter named Allesandro. I find this title to be one I’d like to eventually see as an ongoing title (provided the same art and writing team of Marcus To and character creator Paul Levitz is used).
I give this title
thus far.
For the most part I’m impressed with what DC has done with the above mentioned characters following the revamp. That doesn’t go to say that there isn’t room for improvement by any means. Hopefully the good start DC has thus far continues to gain momentum and doesn’t peter out too soon as is their tendency in my experience. Until then I will be keeping an eye on these titles waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop, while hoping to never hear it.
FISTS RATING SYSTEM KEY
= EXCELLENT!!
= GOOD!
= FAIR.