Starting this June, Batman fans will no longer be able to look to one of comicdom's longest running titles for their monthly dose of their favorite character.
That's because Detective Comics, the magazine for where Batman was created and has starred since 1939, will feature a new lead character in the form of Kathy Kane, Batwoman.
The new character won't only be significant for replacing Bruce Wayne as Batman, however. When Detective Comics No. 854 hits the racks, Batwoman will also be the highest profile highest profile gay character in comics today.
This Batwoman isn't the first character to bear the name, nor is she the first homosexual character to appear in comics.
The first Batwoman appeared in 1956, as a potential rival and love interest of Batman. She had a strong presence in comics up until 1976, when she was killed off by Batman's evil psychologist, Hugo Strange.
This new version of the character actually first appeared in 2006, when she was introduced in the maxiseries "52." At the time, DC made headlines for introducing the character they described as a "lipstick lesbian" and intended to feature her in her own series.
It didn't materialize, however, and Batwoman faded into a supporting role.
A new opportunity arose this year, however, when Batman was killed saving the universe in Grant Morrison's epic series "Final Crisis". His death left an opportunity for writer Greg Rucka to give Batwoman a story line.
"Nobody has really seen her. They don't really know who this person is," Rucka told Comic Book Resources. "You are going to figure out what she does, why she does it and who she has to help her. I obviously get into what makes her different than Batman. They share a lot, more than including a bat. But they have different techniques and different approaches."
Gay characters have been featured as heroes and villains in a number of books, including popular titles like "X-Men" and "Starman." But often these characters are used in supporting roles or have been included as members of a super-hero team. Neither DC or Marvel Comics have featured a homosexual character as the lead of one of their ongoing books, especially one as high-profile and popular as Detective Comics.
Some see Batwoman's introduction as a way to increase the diversity of the DC universe. Along with Batwoman, DC has introduced revamped minority versions of classic characters such as the Blue Beetle, the Atom, the Question and Firestorm, the Nuclear Man.
Rucka said this week Batwoman's sexuality won't be the main focus of her character.
"Yes, she's a lesbian. She's also a redhead. It is an element of her character. It is not her character. If people are going to have problems with it, that's their issue," said Rucka. "Frankly, she should be judged on her merits."
Time will tell whether fans will buy a book featuring Batwoman, but it is likely the time she is featured won't be long.
Over the years, Batman has been replaced by former sidekicks, arch-enemies, alternate dimension clones, even by Superman. But no matter how many times he is replaced, one thing remains constant, Bruce Wayne always returns as Batman.
Be the first to comment on this article!