There have been many heroes who have taken on – or continued – Batman’s legacy in the DC Comics Universe. From Nightwing and Batgirl to Robin, Spoiler and Orphan, there are so many heroes in and around Gotham City who follow the Batman legacy and wear his symbol. One of the best, however, has to be Kate Kane, aka Batwoman.
The cousin of Bruce Wayne, Kate is a trained soldier who has fought to do things her way for most of her life, defying authorities who wanted her to deny her own sexuality and even her own father at times. Let’s find out what fans should know about Batwoman.
10 No Official Origin Book
One interesting thing about Batwoman is a publication fact, which is that despite her popularity, Kate Kane has no official origin storybook. Unlike many other popular heroes, her origin is actually explored in another comic, using flashbacks and memories/dreams. Introduced first in the 52 series and later explored in Detective Comics, Kate’s history is tragic.
When their mother takes her and her twin sister Beth out to celebrate their birthday, the terrorist organization 'The Many Hands of Death' captures them, holding them hostage until Jacob Kane, their father, arrives on a rescue mission. However, he is not quick enough to save his wife and Beth, with Kate and Jacob believing Beth is also gone.
9 Kicked Out Of Military Academy
Years after her loss, Kate went on to join the United States Military Academy, where she excelled in all her classes and became one of the school’s top students. Her life was set, following her father into a life of career service to the military. However, things took a turn.
Someone reported that Kate was in a lesbian relationship with another student, and was asked by her superiors to say it was false and merely face a demotion. However, the honor code she followed wouldn’t permit her to lie, and she admitted to being a lesbian. This led to her being kicked out of the school, but her father remained proud.
8 Trains Around World At Father’s Behest
After being kicked out of the academy, Kate begins the carefree lifestyle of a socialite, dating police officer Renee Montoya for a while before breaking up over her choice to party and not commit to life. As she is walking down an alley, she is attacked by criminals, but eventually saved by Batman.
This inspires her, and she steals equipment from her father’s military base to fight crime. Despite Jacob’s hesitation upon learning this, he agrees to help her, sending her to train for 2 years before returning to Gotham, having designed her own Bat-Suit for his daughter, the Batwoman.
7 Nearly Lost Life To Bruno Mannheim
One of Batwoman’s most dire moments came when she faced Bruno Mannheim and Intergang. After Renee Montoya discovers a prophecy in an Intergang sacred text that speaks of the loss of the daughter twice named Kane, Renee and The Question work with Batwoman to prevent the crime.
When Intergang discovers the image of Batwoman and the prophecy of the twice named Kane are the same, the criminals infiltrate Kane’s apartment and kidnap her. Bruno Mannheim, during a ritual, manages to stab Kate through the heart, but she survives, pulling the knife out and stopping Mannheim before collapsing in Renee’s arms, surviving the attack.
6 Once Turned Into A Female Fury
After stopping Mannheim, Batwoman is seen many times in the miniseries event Countdown, a lead up to the upcoming crossover event Final Crisis. Working alongside the Question, she helps the vigilante track down the Pied Piper and Trickster to the Iceberg Lounge, then when Final Crisis hits, things take a drastic turn.
A month after the Anti-Life equation has been released on Earth, Kate is revealed to be one of the new Female Furies. Alongside Catwoman, Wonder Woman and Giganta, she carries a costume similar to the former Fury, Mad Harriet. She is later seen fighting the Question during Final Crisis after being infected by the Anti-Life equation.
5 Briefly Becomes Lead Of Detective Comics
After the events of Final Crisis and even after the events of Battle for the Cowl, in which it is assumed that Bruce Wayne is no longer alive and Dick Grayson becomes Batman, Batwoman was given the lead for issues 854-863 of the hit comic book series Detective Comics.
Leading the investigation into the religion of crime, she and Batman compare notes on the case. Showing Batman there are thirteen and not twelve covens of the crime syndicate, Batman concedes the case to her. This demonstrates Batwoman’s mastery of the criminal organization, as well as her role as a prominent hero in Gotham City.
4 Tracks Down Alice
One of her moments from the comics that stands out was the revelation of more of her personal history, showing her relationship with her father Jacob Kane, an ex-military Colonel who assists Kate as the tech and tactical support. Sadly, her heroics start impacting her personal life, leading to her current girlfriend leaving her.
It is revealed this is because of a traumatic experience from her childhood, implying the loss of her mom and sister. It is around this time that Alice is introduced, the mad leader of the Religion of Crime who denies any connection to the Mad Hatter.
3 Originally Meant To Be Member Of New Justice League
During the Cry for Justice miniseries event, Batwoman encountered the JLA. In fact, she encountered two different teams, who split apart after Bruce’s passing and a defeat at the hands of the Shadow Cabinet. When Hal Jordan lead a part of the league to Gotham City to track down Prometheus, Batwoman followed the team as they battled Clayface.
Soon, she is forced to contact the league, after her battle with Endless Winter, who was later discovered to be controlled by Prometheus. The interesting thing about this story is that Kate was meant to be a new member of a new Justice League, but the series turned into a miniseries rather than ongoing series.
2 Fights Alongside Wonder Woman
There were a lot of surprises for Batwoman when the New 52 reboot came into continuity. Not only was her character more popular, but she became a part of the larger DC Universe. This included a mission alongside the iconic Wonder Woman. Batwoman was asked to join a team of female heroes in a battle to save the Earth.
It appeared that Professor Ivo had orchestrated a massive faux-alien invasion in Washington D.C., leading the female heroes to battle the “invaders” and Ivo. After their victory, Batwoman invited Wonder Woman to have a drink with the others, but Wonder Woman declined.
1 Leads DC Rebirth Team
During the DC Rebirth era, Batwoman is approached by her cousin Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, who reveals she knew his identity for years but let him keep his secret until he was ready. Batman asks Batwoman to co-lead a new team of heroes in Gotham, under a new protocol and system created by Tim Drake.
Leading the team consisting of Tim Drake, Clayface, Spoiler, Orphan and Azrael, Batwoman begins training them to prepare for the coming threats. They take on the Victim Syndicate, Hugo Strange’s monster men, and eventually a future version of Tim Drake from another Earth, who blames Batwoman for his dark future.