The
latest issue of Batwoman begins with
an internal monologue, stating “One year ago, Batman sent me on a mission to
hunt down the Many Arms of Death…”
A
year ago. This story has been going on for a YEAR, chock full of flashbacks,
hallucinations and other reality bending experiences that have me so confused,
I know only two things about the character:
1:
she’s an amateur crime fighter in over her head. Sure, she has military
training, but her investigative skills are lacking
2:
she’s a lesbian. I know this because hardly an issue goes by without her being
the arms of her former-lover-now-turned-enemy. This time they’re canoodling
while Kate Kane researches why the foxes on the island are dying from an
unknown malady. I love my wife, but when we’re cooking dinner, we’re not
constantly having to untangle our arms. Kind of gets in the way of what needs
to be done, yeah?
In
fairness, that may not be writer Marguerite Bennett’s doing, it could be artist
Scott Godlewski. But before accuse me of homophobia, allow me to offer a
thought from a very dear (and gay) friend of mine: “Whatever you are – black,
gay, Muslim, whatever – if that’s all you show the world, that’s how the world
will judge you.”
Another
cliché I hate about this story is how the origin of the villain is tied to the
origin of the hero. Ever Since Batman
(1989), when pre-Joker Jack Napier killed Bruce Wayne’s parents, heroes and
villains origins have been tied together. Superman and Lex Luthor were once
friends, Captain America and the Red Skull were both results of the same
research, Thor and Loki are brothers, and Black Panther and Killmonger are
cousins. The list goes on. It’s as if no one ever meets and simply doesn’t get
along for no reason.
I
don’t know if there is an agenda here – and I don’t mind if there is – but
I do wish Batwoman could avoid
falling into narrative traps, and simply tell a good story. Preferably one that
doesn’t wander aimlessly for a year. Perhaps it just needs a more experienced
writer.
Rating:
2/10