Batwoman #2 is written by Greg Rucka and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by DaNi, colours by Matt Hollingsworth and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Main cover art (left) is by DaNi and Hollingsworth.
Batwoman #2 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Batwoman engages the enemy, drawing Master Slay and his acolytes onto the field. But can her father, Jacob Kane, reach her before the streets of Petalon become a kill zone?
Review
Greg Rucka’s Batwoman is back in comic book stores today as Kate Kane’s Greek mystery further deepens. The second issue of the series begins to draw back the curtain on Rucka’s new version of Kate’s world but still stubbornly continues to tease us with only small details about what might really be going on.
This second chapter to the “Eschatology” arc gives us a better understanding of what Jacob Kane is currently up to. It turns out that Kate’s father is also on the island, keeping very close watch over his daughter. Rucka has always kept the two characters in close proximity, something which other writers who have taken on these characters in the intervening years haven’t maintained. Seeing Jacob showing more of his paternal side is a welcome addition to Batwoman. That being said I can’t help but wonder if this role might end up being part of the overall mystery of the piece.
As for Kate herself, this month she seems to be getting her hands dirty, fully suited up as Batwoman. Seeing her back in action is great, particularly as it adds a lot of intensity which reaches beyond the confusion of seeing her in the institution last month. As always, Rucka is pitch perfect in pitting Kate against a far larger, stronger foe. This means we get to see her thinking on her feet, fighting dirty but also getting her ass handed to her which keeps the book grounded and gritty. Part of Kate’s appeal is that she isn’t Bruce. She doesn’t have a plethora of gadgets to get her out of every scrape and that sometimes means getting hurt.
Kate’s actions by the end of issue #2 will clearly be the driving force of Batwoman through the next couple of issues. Rucka brilliantly frames the shocking events through Jacob’s reaction, leaving us with a rather jaw dropping moment and a stunning final panel from artist DaNi as we close the book this month. The dots are starting to connect but only just, the connections to Alice, the cult and Kate’s fragile state of mind are all part and parcel of the same thing. But what that thing really is remains out of reach for now.
Two issues in and I have really fallen in love with DaNi’s artwork, particularly thanks to the abstract and dynamic colouring of Matt Hollingsworth. The two play off each other brilliantly on every page, contrasting the detail of DaNi’s pencils and inks with bold, block colours. Look at the double-splash above a show the red of the Batwoman logo stands out perfectly against the inky nighttime blue of the buildings. It’s stunning on the page and so unique for a mainstream superhero book.
Batwoman was always going to be in safe hands with Greg Rucka. But two issues in and this is already beginning to feel like a potentially seminal run for the character. The mystery is alive and electric with Rucka teasing out just enough detail to keep me desperately guessing and waiting for what might come next.
Verdict
Two issues in and Batwoman already feels essential. Rucka and DaNi are building something special — electric, grounded and utterly unafraid to let Kate bleed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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