Batwoman’s Rebirth series has been a different animal entirely, which has made reading the comic particularly special. Like a really good European film that’s yet to be discovered by friends, there’s a sensibility and uniqueness that makes it an extra exciting read. Digging up her past, Batwoman is on a foreign island once run by criminals and is now being taken over by two very rich, very creepy twins. She’s basically up against a really good Bond villain duo, but she’s yet to figure out what they’re really up to.
Writer: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
Artist: Steve Epting
Publisher: DC Comics
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
“The Many Arms Of Death” part three! Batwoman’s identified the cancer spreading through the lawless nation of Coryana, but to fight back, she’s going to need an army…and the only soldiers at hand belong to the island’s deadly warlords and gang leaders! Can Kate rally every one of these cutthroats to a common cause? Or will Coryana collapse into the same wretched hive of scum and villainy it’s always been? The fate of one of Kate’s greatest loves hangs in the balance…
Why does this book matter?
The creative team is out of this world with the exceptional Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV writing and the legendary Steve Epting bringing his artistic talents. There’s a noir-like story unfolding due to the incredible talents.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Interesting clothes.
Introduced only in the last issue, this issue reveals a lot more about these creepy twins. With their false smiles and lack of caring for anyone but themselves, Batwoman gets closer to them than ever and discovers a whopper of a plan. There’s a surefire James Bond feel to this scene as Batwoman is doing some recon with a little help from some gizmos. That includes one hell of a bat glider that’s a pleasant surprise.
Much of this issue is filled with action, with the same assassin hot on Batwoman’s tale from previous issues. They have a history together, which adds a layer of drama between them. I continue to be impressed with Epting’s action scenes in part because they’re so efficient. In only four larger panels we get the flow and grace of the fight skills of these women. The scenes with the twins has some obvious visual symmetry going on that helps convey the strange nature of the characters.
This made me laugh out loud.
It can’t be perfect can it?
I get that Batwoman’s assassin is very good, but twice in this issue she seemingly drops in out of thin air at the perfectly opportune time to cut off exposition and plot development. The first time she drops in is particularly befuddling because I wasn’t sure if she works for the twins or somehow just snuck into the room. Based on their shock I doubt she works for anyone, but dropping in a room the size they were in seems impossible, especially given the hoops Batwoman had to jump through to get in herself.
Is It Good?
Enjoy this knowing there’s no other superhero book quite like it. Batwoman has an irresistible noir story developing with incredible action scene visuals.
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