Also, the book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and Rucka has now left DC. A couple of the page layouts were so complex that it took a few seconds to figure out the order in which to read the panels. I can only think of a couple of negatives. Rucka also does a fantastic job of making Batwoman Kate Kane into her own character, and not just a female version of the Batman. This is sort of a 'Batwoman: Year One' (with some sections even mimicking the style of Batman: Year One), but it also gives us a memorable new villain in the psychopathic, Lewis Carroll-quoting Alice. No such worries here thanks to writer Greg Rucka (Queen & Country). There are even details in the art that you don't really notice until after you've finished the story.īut what of the story? There are plenty of comics that have terrific art but are poorly written. It's also obvious that a lot of thought went into the overall design of each page, not just individual drawings. These pages are painted with a B&W ink wash and then the talented Dave Stewart (Hellboy, The Umbrella Academy) adds the colors, and the result is stunning. Williams (Alan Moore's Promethea) employs several different styles over the course of the story, but his primary style (for when Batwoman goes into action) is especially beautiful. I put great stock in truth-I think that's one of the reasons why we get along.The first thing you will notice about this book is the spectacular artwork. And it is that last that is the most concerning. That may be because the world has changed. I have found myself in a position where a great deal of what I took as true no longer seems accurate. I think it is important-and I think as a reporter that you would be inclined to agree-that we question those basic assumptions that we often decide are true. I think there is a psychological element to it. It has been difficult for me to untangle. And I am not certain I am talking about emotional pain either. LOIS: But you're not talking about physical pain?ĭIANA: No. And one is not aware of it until something happens that places it into relief. When that pain has been with you for so very long, it is background noise. The only analogy I can think of is chronic pain. It can be very difficult and sometimes painful to turn and confront them. I think, again, when we have our moments of clarity, it is very easy to brush past them, to let the status quo continue. I can't fault the people who love and care for me for not seeing what I did not myself see.

“LOIS: The personal stuff you've been dealing with, did you feel like you needed someone to catch you? Were we not there for you?ĭIANA: (pauses) You know how when people talk of depression, they talk of it both coming in storms and coming stealthily? So that, for many, it is the status quo, before they realize.

Batwoman by Greg Rucka