Batwoman: Difference between revisions

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The original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, was a character introduced to the DCU in 1956 to serve as a love interest for Bruce Wayne, [[Gay Panic|who really was being accused by some people of being gay]]. The character first appeared in ''Detective Comics'' #233 (July, 1956). She was created by writer Edmond Hamilton, and artist Sheldon Moldoff. She lasted for about a decade, but was dropped (Along with the first [[Characters/Batgirl|Bat-Girl]], her niece Betty Kane) in 1964 in an attempt to prune down the Bat-Family, which was overly crowded with characters and had acquired a bit too much camp during [[The Interregnum]]. There was a half-hearted attempt to revive the character during the [[Bronze Age]], but this came to an abrupt end when Kathy Kane was [[Killed Off for Real]] by Ra's Al Ghul's League of Assassins in ''Detective Comics'' #485 (August, 1979).
The original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, was a character introduced to the DCU in 1956 to serve as a love interest for Bruce Wayne, [[Gay Panic|who really was being accused by some people of being gay]]. The character first appeared in ''Detective Comics'' #233 (July, 1956). She was created by writer Edmond Hamilton, and artist Sheldon Moldoff. She lasted for about a decade, but was dropped (Along with the first [[Characters/Batgirl|Bat-Girl]], her niece Betty Kane) in 1964 in an attempt to prune down the Bat-Family, which was overly crowded with characters and had acquired a bit too much camp during [[The Interregnum]]. There was a half-hearted attempt to revive the character during the [[Bronze Age]], but this came to an abrupt end when Kathy Kane was [[Killed Off for Real]] by Ra's Al Ghul's League of Assassins in ''Detective Comics'' #485 (August, 1979).


At the time DC was publishing stories set in two main [[Alternate Universe|Alternate Universes]]: Earth-One (with Silver Age characters) or Earth-Two (Golden Age characters and their heirs). Figuring that the familiar Batwoman was an Earth-One character, DC creators were still able to introduce an Earth-Two version. They did. This version of Batwoman/Kathy Kane first appeared in ''Brave and the Bold'' #182 (January, 1982). Besides a cameo appearance in #197 (April, 1983), this version was never reused. The [[Crisis On Infinite Earths]] was the finale of Earth-Two and most characters associated with it.
At the time DC was publishing stories set in two main [[Alternate Universe|Alternate Universes]]: Earth-One (with Silver Age characters) or Earth-Two (Golden Age characters and their heirs). Figuring that the familiar Batwoman was an Earth-One character, DC creators were still able to introduce an Earth-Two version. They did. This version of Batwoman/Kathy Kane first appeared in ''Brave and the Bold'' #182 (January, 1982). Besides a cameo appearance in #197 (April, 1983), this version was never reused. The [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] was the finale of Earth-Two and most characters associated with it.


[[Post-Crisis]] continuity denied that Kathy Kane had ever been Batwoman. Apart from an [[In Name Only]] inclusion in ''[[Batman Mystery of the Batwoman|Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman]]'' and a few other cameos over the years, Batwoman was largely absent for several decades and only returned to the comics themselves in ''[[Fifty Two]]'', a weekly series started in 2006. The character had a cameo in issue #7 (June, 2006) and was fully introduced in subsequent issues. This Batwoman, Katherine "Kate" Kane, [[Continuity Reboot|was introduced as a love interest and past girlfriend of Renee Montoya]], one of the main characters of the series. [[Hollywood Hype Machine|Touted as the highest-profile gay superhero in the DCU]], she drifted from comic to comic after her original appearance until being cast as the frontrunner for ''[[Detective Comics]]'' in 2009 with [[The Question]] (none other than Renee herself by this point) serving as the second feature. She was replaced as the frontrunner by Batman at the conclusion of her arc and received a self-titled solo series to continue her story, with a oneshot issue #0 in November 2010, but her series suffered more than one delay and eventually launched as part of the [[DC Universe]]'s [[New 52]] series of #1s in September 2011.
[[Post-Crisis]] continuity denied that Kathy Kane had ever been Batwoman. Apart from an [[In Name Only]] inclusion in ''[[Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman]]'' and a few other cameos over the years, Batwoman was largely absent for several decades and only returned to the comics themselves in ''[[Fifty Two]]'', a weekly series started in 2006. The character had a cameo in issue #7 (June, 2006) and was fully introduced in subsequent issues. This Batwoman, Katherine "Kate" Kane, [[Continuity Reboot|was introduced as a love interest and past girlfriend of Renee Montoya]], one of the main characters of the series. [[Hollywood Hype Machine|Touted as the highest-profile gay superhero in the DCU]], she drifted from comic to comic after her original appearance until being cast as the frontrunner for ''[[Detective Comics]]'' in 2009 with [[The Question]] (none other than Renee herself by this point) serving as the second feature. She was replaced as the frontrunner by Batman at the conclusion of her arc and received a self-titled solo series to continue her story, with a oneshot issue #0 in November 2010, but her series suffered more than one delay and eventually launched as part of the [[DC Universe]]'s [[New 52]] series of #1s in September 2011.


As with Batman himself, her portrayal has varied over the years, reaching varying points on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] depending on the time of her writing (the campy [[Silver Age]] vs. the darker [[Modern Age]]) and the medium of the story (The [[DCAU|DCAU film]], though pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable, remained [[Animation Age Ghetto|restricted in what it could show]]). How much of the history of her original appearance will carry over into her new continuity is being slowly revealed, with some information already contradicting her original history, while other points seem to match.
As with Batman himself, her portrayal has varied over the years, reaching varying points on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]] depending on the time of her writing (the campy [[Silver Age]] vs. the darker [[Modern Age]]) and the medium of the story (The [[DCAU|DCAU film]], though pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable, remained [[Animation Age Ghetto|restricted in what it could show]]). How much of the history of her original appearance will carry over into her new continuity is being slowly revealed, with some information already contradicting her original history, while other points seem to match.
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Of course, the irony of having a character introduced out of a fear of homosexuality becoming gay herself has been lost on no one.
Of course, the irony of having a character introduced out of a fear of homosexuality becoming gay herself has been lost on no one.


Unrelated to the [[MST3K]] fodder ''[[Wild World of Batwoman]]''.
Unrelated to the [[Mystery Science Theater 3000]] fodder ''[[Wild World of Batwoman]]''.
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=== Pre-Crisis Batwoman provides examples of: ===
=== Pre-Crisis Batwoman provides examples of: ===


* [[Back for The Dead]] / [[Stuffed in The Fridge]]: The original Batwoman, after years of barely appearing, was brought back for a story in which she was murdered by the League of Assassins to a) further motivate Batman to oppose that group, and b) give [[Suicide Squad|Bronze Tiger]] something to [[The Atoner|atone]] for (He did not kill Batwoman himself, but kept Batman busy long enough for the other assassins to succeed).
* [[Back for the Dead]] / [[Stuffed in The Fridge]]: The original Batwoman, after years of barely appearing, was brought back for a story in which she was murdered by the League of Assassins to a) further motivate Batman to oppose that group, and b) give [[Suicide Squad|Bronze Tiger]] something to [[The Atoner|atone]] for (He did not kill Batwoman himself, but kept Batman busy long enough for the other assassins to succeed).
* [[The Chick]]: The original Batwoman, who used weapons based on women's cosmetics, often relied on "feminine intuition" instead of deductive reasoning and frequently turned into a [[Distressed Damsel]] for Batman to rescue.
* [[The Chick]]: The original Batwoman, who used weapons based on women's cosmetics, often relied on "feminine intuition" instead of deductive reasoning and frequently turned into a [[Distressed Damsel]] for Batman to rescue.
* [[Damsel in Distress]]: She was frequently captured by bad guys back in the '50s.
* [[Damsel in Distress]]: She was frequently captured by bad guys back in the '50s.
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]], obviously.
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[Batman]], obviously.
* [[Elseworld]] / [[What If]]: Several of the Batwoman stories of the 1960s were imaginary stories written by Alfred, in which Batman and Batwoman had gotten married and had a son, Bruce Jr. Dick Grayson and Junior took over after their elders retired, fighting under the supranyms "Batman II" and "Robin II". (They even had "II" symbols on their chests.) There was a "Son of the Joker", Batgirl became the new Batwoman, and almost inevitably Bruce would have to come out of retirement in each story...
* [[Elseworld]] / [[What If]]: Several of the Batwoman stories of the 1960s were imaginary stories written by Alfred, in which Batman and Batwoman had gotten married and had a son, Bruce Jr. Dick Grayson and Junior took over after their elders retired, fighting under the supranyms "Batman II" and "Robin II". (They even had "II" symbols on their chests.) There was a "Son of the Joker", Batgirl became the new Batwoman, and almost inevitably Bruce would have to come out of retirement in each story...
* [[Gay Panic]]: Based predominantly on [[Ho Yay|subtext]], many rumors circulated in the 1950's that Batman's relationship with Robin was sexual instead of parental. One of the original reasons for Batwoman's creation ([[Urban Legend|According to some]]) was to provide a female love-interest for Bruce Wayne in order to appease the [[Moral Guardians]].
* [[Gay Panic]]: Based predominantly on [[Ho Yay|subtext]], many rumors circulated in the 1950's that Batman's relationship with Robin was sexual instead of parental. One of the original reasons for Batwoman's creation ([[Urban Legend|According to some]]) was to provide a female love-interest for Bruce Wayne in order to appease the [[Moral Guardians]].
* [[Name of Cain]]: Probably named after Batman creator Bob Kane.
* [[Name of Cain]]: Probably named after Batman creator Bob Kane.
* [[Of Corsets Sexy]]: The original Batwoman's first costume was a black corset over a yellow silk shirt, with yellow tights and cape. Later artists have interpreted her costume differently.
* [[Of Corsets Sexy]]: The original Batwoman's first costume was a black corset over a yellow silk shirt, with yellow tights and cape. Later artists have interpreted her costume differently.
* [[Stay in The Kitchen]]: The original Batwoman's very first appearance plays like an aversion at first - sure, Kathy had feminine tools like a Utility Handbag, but she was still kind of [[Action Girl|badass]], what with her sexist tools being pretty awesome (tear gas perfume?!), her Robin-esque circus background, and the fact that she saves Batman and Robin's butts roughly once every two pages. Then it switches to being played horrifically straight when Batman, [[I Was Beaten By a Girl|despite said life-saving]], treats her like a joke and then tracks her down to learn her secret identity so he can "convince her" that she can not be Batwoman because crime fighting is "too dangerous" for a girl, even the one who just saved his life five times. Then she listens to him and gives up her cape straight away, because, apparently women aren't cut out for the job?
* [[Stay in the Kitchen]]: The original Batwoman's very first appearance plays like an aversion at first - sure, Kathy had feminine tools like a Utility Handbag, but she was still kind of [[Action Girl|badass]], what with her sexist tools being pretty awesome (tear gas perfume?!), her Robin-esque circus background, and the fact that she saves Batman and Robin's butts roughly once every two pages. Then it switches to being played horrifically straight when Batman, [[I Was Beaten by a Girl|despite said life-saving]], treats her like a joke and then tracks her down to learn her secret identity so he can "convince her" that she can not be Batwoman because crime fighting is "too dangerous" for a girl, even the one who just saved his life five times. Then she listens to him and gives up her cape straight away, because, apparently women aren't cut out for the job?


=== Current Batwoman provides examples of: ===
=== Current Batwoman provides examples of: ===


* [[Action Girl]]: The [[The Reveal|reveal]] of her [[Post-Crisis]] incarnation is a full-page splash of her knocking out two [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|mutated human/leopard/lion cultists]] at the same time, breaking one of their heads ''through'' a table while kicking the other one clear across the jaw.
* [[Action Girl]]: The [[The Reveal|reveal]] of her [[Post-Crisis]] incarnation is a full-page splash of her knocking out two [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|mutated human/leopard/lion cultists]] at the same time, breaking one of their heads ''through'' a table while kicking the other one clear across the jaw.
* [[Adaptational Badass]]: The current Kate Kane, and the [[Batman Mystery of the Batwoman|DCAU incarnation]], are both far tougher than the original Kathy Kane.
* [[Adaptational Badass]]: The current Kate Kane, and the [[Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman|DCAU incarnation]], are both far tougher than the original Kathy Kane.
* [[Affirmative Action Legacy]]: The new incarnation is Gay [[Twofer Token Minority|and]] Jewish.
* [[Affirmative Action Legacy]]: The new incarnation is Gay [[Twofer Token Minority|and]] Jewish.
* [[Alice Allusion]]: The Religion of Crime's second High Madame, who speaks entirely in [[Lewis Carroll]] quotes.
* [[Alice Allusion]]: The Religion of Crime's second High Madame, who speaks entirely in [[Lewis Carroll]] quotes.
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* [[Anti-Hero]]: Kate decided to become a vigilante crimefighter as an outlet and expression of her depression, listlessness and refusal to accept the decision of society to refuse her help.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Kate decided to become a vigilante crimefighter as an outlet and expression of her depression, listlessness and refusal to accept the decision of society to refuse her help.
* [[Art Shift]]: JH Williams III and Amy Reeder collaborated on ''Batwoman #0'', with Williams doing the Batwoman scenes and Reeder doing the Kate scenes in divided page spreads until they finally come together at the end. In the series proper they are going to switch off art duties for different arcs.
* [[Art Shift]]: JH Williams III and Amy Reeder collaborated on ''Batwoman #0'', with Williams doing the Batwoman scenes and Reeder doing the Kate scenes in divided page spreads until they finally come together at the end. In the series proper they are going to switch off art duties for different arcs.
* [[Author Appeal]]: [[Greg Rucka]], the author who wrote her [[Post-Crisis]] reintroduction in ''[[Fifty Two]]'' and her run on ''[[Detective Comics]]'', is fond of writing [[Queen and Country (Comic Book)|strong, female characters]] and has worked on several comics that take a deep and mature look at [[Gotham Central|homosexuality]] and [[Whiteout|femininity]] in confrontational and dramatic situations. Kate Kane combines all into one.
* [[Author Appeal]]: [[Greg Rucka]], the author who wrote her [[Post-Crisis]] reintroduction in ''[[Fifty Two]]'' and her run on ''[[Detective Comics]]'', is fond of writing [[Queen and Country|strong, female characters]] and has worked on several comics that take a deep and mature look at [[Gotham Central|homosexuality]] and [[Whiteout|femininity]] in confrontational and dramatic situations. Kate Kane combines all into one.
* [[Awesome but Impractical]]: The Batwoman costume originally had high heels, which are impossible to run and fight in, and Kate herself had long hair, which Batman [[Lampshade Hanging|points out]] is ''very'' easy to grab in a fight.
* [[Awesome but Impractical]]: The Batwoman costume originally had high heels, which are impossible to run and fight in, and Kate herself had long hair, which Batman [[Lampshade Hanging|points out]] is ''very'' easy to grab in a fight.
* [[Awesome Yet Practical]]: The comic writers and artists have explained that, when redesigning the Batwoman costume for her appearance in ''Detective Comics'', they made a deliberate decision to have her appear more practical and realistic than she did when she first appeared in ''52''. Chief among their changes was the removal of high heels on her costume, pointing out the utter impossibility of leaping across rooftops in heels. They also dramatically cut her hair and replaced it with a wig, since even Batman [[Lampshade Hanging|points out]] that any [[Mook]] could grab her hair in a fight.
* [[Awesome Yet Practical]]: The comic writers and artists have explained that, when redesigning the Batwoman costume for her appearance in ''Detective Comics'', they made a deliberate decision to have her appear more practical and realistic than she did when she first appeared in ''52''. Chief among their changes was the removal of high heels on her costume, pointing out the utter impossibility of leaping across rooftops in heels. They also dramatically cut her hair and replaced it with a wig, since even Batman [[Lampshade Hanging|points out]] that any [[Mook]] could grab her hair in a fight.
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* [[By the Hair]]: Batman himself tells Kate that long hair is a liability, and she replies with a smirk that she will "take it under advisement." Later scenes reveal that Kate's long hair in her Batwoman costume is actually a detachable wig, and [[Subverted Trope|when Alice tries to grab her hair she is distracted by the wig coming off long enough for Kate to escape.]]
* [[By the Hair]]: Batman himself tells Kate that long hair is a liability, and she replies with a smirk that she will "take it under advisement." Later scenes reveal that Kate's long hair in her Batwoman costume is actually a detachable wig, and [[Subverted Trope|when Alice tries to grab her hair she is distracted by the wig coming off long enough for Kate to escape.]]
* [[Call to Adventure]]
* [[Call to Adventure]]
{{quote| '''Kate Kane:''' "That [[Bat Signal|bat they shine in the sky]]...civilians think it's a call for ''help''. The bad guys think it's a ''warning''...but it's ''more'' than that. It's something ''higher''. It's a call to arms...I've found my way to serve....[[Desperately Looking for A Purpose In Life|I finally found a way to serve]]."}}
{{quote| '''Kate Kane:''' "That [[Bat Signal|bat they shine in the sky]]...civilians think it's a call for ''help''. The bad guys think it's a ''warning''...but it's ''more'' than that. It's something ''higher''. It's a call to arms...I've found my way to serve....[[Desperately Looking for a Purpose In Life|I finally found a way to serve]]."}}
* [[The Cameo]]: Dan Choi, known for his activism for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," appears in ''Detective Comics'' #859 at West Point as one of Kate's classmates, and he was consulted for the story in that issue.
* [[The Cameo]]: Dan Choi, known for his activism for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," appears in ''Detective Comics'' #859 at West Point as one of Kate's classmates, and he was consulted for the story in that issue.
* [[Clark Kenting]]: When Batman is following Kate Kane, attempting to discern if she and Batwoman are one and the same, he disguises himself with a wig and thinks about how "[[Superman|Clark]]" always said the simple disguises were the best.
* [[Clark Kenting]]: When Batman is following Kate Kane, attempting to discern if she and Batwoman are one and the same, he disguises himself with a wig and thinks about how "[[Superman|Clark]]" always said the simple disguises were the best.
* [[Coming Out Story]]: The flashback issues detailing Kate's evolution into Batwoman cover her expulsion from West Point under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and revealing to her father that she was gay. He supports her actions, proud that she kept her honor and integrity, but does ask what she is now going to ''do'' with her life.
* [[Coming Out Story]]: The flashback issues detailing Kate's evolution into Batwoman cover her expulsion from West Point under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and revealing to her father that she was gay. He supports her actions, proud that she kept her honor and integrity, but does ask what she is now going to ''do'' with her life.
* [[The Commissioner Gordon]]: As the step-daughter of a wealthy Gotham socialite, Kate actually knows the real James Gordon, but her own personal contact on the force is shaping up to be Captain Maggie Sawyer, head of the Major Crimes Unit. Maggie, however, is looking to ''arrest'' Batwoman because she is interfering in Maggie's work, even though she accepts Gotham vigilantes in general.
* [[The Commissioner Gordon]]: As the step-daughter of a wealthy Gotham socialite, Kate actually knows the real James Gordon, but her own personal contact on the force is shaping up to be Captain Maggie Sawyer, head of the Major Crimes Unit. Maggie, however, is looking to ''arrest'' Batwoman because she is interfering in Maggie's work, even though she accepts Gotham vigilantes in general.
* [[Continuity Nod]]: When Batwoman recognizes that Alice is speaking in quotes from ''[[Alice in Wonderland (Literature)|Alice's Adventures In Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Alice in Wonderland (Literature)|Through the Looking Glass]]'', she points out that there is already an Alice-themed villain in Gotham. The Mad Hatter, an established Batman villain, bases his crimes and theme around the same-titled character from ''[[Alice in Wonderland (Literature)|Alice's Adventures In Wonderland]]''.
* [[Continuity Nod]]: When Batwoman recognizes that Alice is speaking in quotes from ''[[Alice in Wonderland|Alice's Adventures In Wonderland]]'' and ''[[Alice in Wonderland|Through the Looking Glass]]'', she points out that there is already an Alice-themed villain in Gotham. The Mad Hatter, an established Batman villain, bases his crimes and theme around the same-titled character from ''[[Alice in Wonderland|Alice's Adventures In Wonderland]]''.
* [[Continuity Reboot]]: The Batwoman character introduced in ''52'', though still identified as Katherine Kane, bears little thematic resemblance to the original 1956 incarnation. Information from ''Batman, Inc.'' reveals that she is related to the [[Silver Age]] Batwoman and is, presumably, her niece, but the continued accuracy of this information is unknown after the 2011 DC Relaunch.
* [[Continuity Reboot]]: The Batwoman character introduced in ''52'', though still identified as Katherine Kane, bears little thematic resemblance to the original 1956 incarnation. Information from ''Batman, Inc.'' reveals that she is related to the [[Silver Age]] Batwoman and is, presumably, her niece, but the continued accuracy of this information is unknown after the 2011 DC Relaunch.
* [[Cop Boyfriend|Cop Girlfriend]]: In the ongoing series Kate and Maggie Sawyer of the Gotham City Police Department begin dating after some flirting in the ''Detective Comics'' run. However, Maggie is unaware of Kate's vigilante activities and complains to her about Batwoman interfering in her case, despite accepting Gotham vigilantes in general.
* [[Cop Boyfriend|Cop Girlfriend]]: In the ongoing series Kate and Maggie Sawyer of the Gotham City Police Department begin dating after some flirting in the ''Detective Comics'' run. However, Maggie is unaware of Kate's vigilante activities and complains to her about Batwoman interfering in her case, despite accepting Gotham vigilantes in general.
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** Save for a single instance (where she was tied up and gagged as part of a ritualistic sacrifice), the modern version has steered clear of this trope.
** Save for a single instance (where she was tied up and gagged as part of a ritualistic sacrifice), the modern version has steered clear of this trope.
** Bette Kane plays this straight, culminating in issue #4 of the ongoing, where {{spoiler|she is stabbed by a thug and tricked by Cameron Chase into revealing Kate's identity, since Chase convinces her that she is dying and asks her for a name so someone can be by her side as she "dies"}}.
** Bette Kane plays this straight, culminating in issue #4 of the ongoing, where {{spoiler|she is stabbed by a thug and tricked by Cameron Chase into revealing Kate's identity, since Chase convinces her that she is dying and asks her for a name so someone can be by her side as she "dies"}}.
* [[A Date With Rosie Palms]]: After Maggie and Kate spend the night together, ending with the sun coming up, Maggie remarks that the lack of rest is okay since she keeps herself up all night anyway. After Kate's leering reaction, [[Subverted Trope|Maggie explains that recently she is too preoccupied with the dead children she is investigating to get any sleep.]]
* [[A Date with Rosie Palms]]: After Maggie and Kate spend the night together, ending with the sun coming up, Maggie remarks that the lack of rest is okay since she keeps herself up all night anyway. After Kate's leering reaction, [[Subverted Trope|Maggie explains that recently she is too preoccupied with the dead children she is investigating to get any sleep.]]
* [[Death By Origin Story]]: Kate, her twin sister and her mother were kidnapped and held hostage when kate was ten years old. When her father managed to rescue her, she left her cell and saw their bullet-ridden corpses.
* [[Death By Origin Story]]: Kate, her twin sister and her mother were kidnapped and held hostage when kate was ten years old. When her father managed to rescue her, she left her cell and saw their bullet-ridden corpses.
* [[Desperately Looking for A Purpose In Life]]: A large section of her ''Detective Comics'' run covers the years after she was expelled from West Point, where the running theme (And commentary from friends and family) is that she is listless and undriven, and that she does not know what to ''do'' with her life.
* [[Desperately Looking for a Purpose In Life]]: A large section of her ''Detective Comics'' run covers the years after she was expelled from West Point, where the running theme (And commentary from friends and family) is that she is listless and undriven, and that she does not know what to ''do'' with her life.
* [[Destination Defenestration]]: In her re-introduction in ''[[Fifty Two]]'', after she [[Thou Shalt Not Kill|stops Renee Montoya from shooting an enemy]] she throws the enemy out of the window.
* [[Destination Defenestration]]: In her re-introduction in ''[[Fifty Two]]'', after she [[Thou Shalt Not Kill|stops Renee Montoya from shooting an enemy]] she throws the enemy out of the window.
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]], obviously. The ''Cutter'' arc of ''Detective Comics'' placed heavy emphasis on their parallels, with alternating pages (and sometimes even alternating ''panels'') that followed both characters as they each trailed a different villain, going through the same motions, victories, and setbacks.
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[Batman]], obviously. The ''Cutter'' arc of ''Detective Comics'' placed heavy emphasis on their parallels, with alternating pages (and sometimes even alternating ''panels'') that followed both characters as they each trailed a different villain, going through the same motions, victories, and setbacks.
* [[Distracted By the Sexy]]: When Kate was just getting involved in crimefighting, before she first donned the Batwoman costume, she was eavesdroping on several criminals in a bar as they were discssing their upcoming operation. During the conversation one of the men questions the other, Jackson, on if he was paying attention or not. Jackson explains that he was "admiring the view" and is seen openly staring at Kate, then turns to the other man and dares him to say he was not having the exact same thoughts.
* [[Distracted by the Sexy]]: When Kate was just getting involved in crimefighting, before she first donned the Batwoman costume, she was eavesdroping on several criminals in a bar as they were discssing their upcoming operation. During the conversation one of the men questions the other, Jackson, on if he was paying attention or not. Jackson explains that he was "admiring the view" and is seen openly staring at Kate, then turns to the other man and dares him to say he was not having the exact same thoughts.
* [[Doesn't Like Guns]]: Played straight.
* [[Doesn't Like Guns]]: Played straight.
* [[Dramatic Irony]]: Present in a flashback scene in the ''Detective Comics'' run when Kate criticizes Renee for not being out at work and calls her a liar. Anyone who's read ''[[Gotham Central]]'' knows that Renee has a ''very'' valid reason for not being out, and that when she eventually is outed against her will it proves disastrous to both her professional and personal life. Considering that Greg Rucka wrote both stories this was almost certainly intentional.
* [[Dramatic Irony]]: Present in a flashback scene in the ''Detective Comics'' run when Kate criticizes Renee for not being out at work and calls her a liar. Anyone who's read ''[[Gotham Central]]'' knows that Renee has a ''very'' valid reason for not being out, and that when she eventually is outed against her will it proves disastrous to both her professional and personal life. Considering that Greg Rucka wrote both stories this was almost certainly intentional.
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* [[Foreshadowing]]:
* [[Foreshadowing]]:
** In ''Detective Comics'' #856, {{spoiler|the alternating panels of Kate and Alice foreshadow the eventual reveal that they are twins}}.
** In ''Detective Comics'' #856, {{spoiler|the alternating panels of Kate and Alice foreshadow the eventual reveal that they are twins}}.
** In issue #857, there is a [[Call Forward]], as one flashback of Kate {{spoiler|has her and Beth dressed in red and black and white and pink respectively, mirroring what they would wear as adults, as well as the copy of ''[[Alice in Wonderland (Literature)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' on the floor of their room}}.
** In issue #857, there is a [[Call Forward]], as one flashback of Kate {{spoiler|has her and Beth dressed in red and black and white and pink respectively, mirroring what they would wear as adults, as well as the copy of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'' on the floor of their room}}.
* [[Full Name Ultimatum]]: Both mother ''and'' father Kane.
* [[Full Name Ultimatum]]: Both mother ''and'' father Kane.
{{quote| "Katherine Rebecca Kane, you open this door right now...or so help me, this really ''will'' turn into your worst birthdays ''ever''!"}}
{{quote| "Katherine Rebecca Kane, you open this door right now...or so help me, this really ''will'' turn into your worst birthdays ''ever''!"}}
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* [[Green Eyed Red Head]]
* [[Green Eyed Red Head]]
* [[Green Eyes]]: Everyone in her close family has these, {{spoiler|and by extension, so does Alice}}.
* [[Green Eyes]]: Everyone in her close family has these, {{spoiler|and by extension, so does Alice}}.
* [[Heroic Albino]]: Kate at least ''looks'' like an example, though it's more of an artistic choice than an actual character trait. Her skin is colored an extremely pale white (bordering on vampiric) that looks particularly striking and unusual on the page, but isn't treated as especially unusual or strange-looking [[In Universe]].
* [[Heroic Albino]]: Kate at least ''looks'' like an example, though it's more of an artistic choice than an actual character trait. Her skin is colored an extremely pale white (bordering on vampiric) that looks particularly striking and unusual on the page, but isn't treated as especially unusual or strange-looking [[In-Universe]].
* [[Heroic Sacrifice]]: When Kate is forced to resign from the United States Military Academy at West Point she is first given the option of denying the affair and having the event swept under the rug. [[Will Not Tell a Lie|She will not deny that she is gay]], so she admits to the charge and is discharged. However, she has a [[Take a Third Option|third option]], which is to say nothing (Neither confirm or deny the accusation) which would result in an official investigation that could potentially rule that the "charges" were incorrect, allowing her to stay in the military without actually lying to a superior officer. Before Kate makes any definitive statement she first asks if there is anybody ''else'' under investigation, and when she hears that nobody else has been accused she confesses. If she remained silent and there was an investigation, her girlfriend, Sophie Moore, could have been discovered as well. Kate accepted discharge, from the ''only'' dream she had in life, in order to keep her lover from being discovered.
* [[Heroic Sacrifice]]: When Kate is forced to resign from the United States Military Academy at West Point she is first given the option of denying the affair and having the event swept under the rug. [[Will Not Tell a Lie|She will not deny that she is gay]], so she admits to the charge and is discharged. However, she has a [[Take a Third Option|third option]], which is to say nothing (Neither confirm or deny the accusation) which would result in an official investigation that could potentially rule that the "charges" were incorrect, allowing her to stay in the military without actually lying to a superior officer. Before Kate makes any definitive statement she first asks if there is anybody ''else'' under investigation, and when she hears that nobody else has been accused she confesses. If she remained silent and there was an investigation, her girlfriend, Sophie Moore, could have been discovered as well. Kate accepted discharge, from the ''only'' dream she had in life, in order to keep her lover from being discovered.
* [[Hollywood Hype Machine]]: When her reintroduction in ''52'' was announced press response to the character was instantaneous and largely focused on her sexuality, commented upon and discussed even in media not normally connected or related to comic books or superheroes. DC Editor [[Dan Di Dio]] claims to have been completely surprised and overwhelmed by the massive response to the character, saying he never expected even the announcement of her sexuality to be quite so momentous, and she began to be touted as the DCU's highest profile gay superhero. However, the press coverage was greatly out of proportion to her importance to the series and she ultimately went two years without a starring role in any series and only the occasional cameo in titles belonging to other characters and teams. It was not until she became the lead character in ''Detective Comics'' in 2009 that she became a regularly-appearing character, and in September 2011 got her own self-titled series.
* [[Hollywood Hype Machine]]: When her reintroduction in ''52'' was announced press response to the character was instantaneous and largely focused on her sexuality, commented upon and discussed even in media not normally connected or related to comic books or superheroes. DC Editor [[Dan Di Dio]] claims to have been completely surprised and overwhelmed by the massive response to the character, saying he never expected even the announcement of her sexuality to be quite so momentous, and she began to be touted as the DCU's highest profile gay superhero. However, the press coverage was greatly out of proportion to her importance to the series and she ultimately went two years without a starring role in any series and only the occasional cameo in titles belonging to other characters and teams. It was not until she became the lead character in ''Detective Comics'' in 2009 that she became a regularly-appearing character, and in September 2011 got her own self-titled series.
* [[Honor Before Reason]]: When confronted by her commanding officer over accusations that she is gay, Kate is given the option of denying the charge and having the entire affair swept under the rug. However, she admits to the charge and resigns from the United States Military Academy at West Point, quoting the Cadet Honor Code as she does: "A cadet shall not lie, cheat or steal, nor suffer others to do so...I'm Gay." Her father, when she tells him what happened and why, says he [[So Proud of You|is proud that she "kept [her] honor and [her] integrity."]]
* [[Honor Before Reason]]: When confronted by her commanding officer over accusations that she is gay, Kate is given the option of denying the charge and having the entire affair swept under the rug. However, she admits to the charge and resigns from the United States Military Academy at West Point, quoting the Cadet Honor Code as she does: "A cadet shall not lie, cheat or steal, nor suffer others to do so...I'm Gay." Her father, when she tells him what happened and why, says he [[So Proud of You|is proud that she "kept [her] honor and [her] integrity."]]
* [[Hot Chick in A Badass Suit]]: Wears a tuxedo to a charity ball, and Maggie Sawyer later shows up wearing the same thing.
* [[Hot Chick in a Badass Suit]]: Wears a tuxedo to a charity ball, and Maggie Sawyer later shows up wearing the same thing.
* [[Hot Dad]]: Issue #3 of the ongoing has Cameron Chase drop in on Jacob Kane while he's at the pool, and shows that [[Grandma, What Massive Hotness You Have!|despite being in his 50s or 60s Colonel Kane has aged very well]].
* [[Hot Dad]]: Issue #3 of the ongoing has Cameron Chase drop in on Jacob Kane while he's at the pool, and shows that [[Grandma, What Massive Hotness You Have!|despite being in his 50s or 60s Colonel Kane has aged very well]].
* [[Internal Reveal]]: Bette's identity as Flamebird was revealed to the readers early in her arc, even earlier for those who were aware of the character in relation to the [[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]], but Kate only found out after she rescued Bette from a serial killer and Bette asked to be her sidekick. [[Cut Short|Then they were kicked off the series]].
* [[Internal Reveal]]: Bette's identity as Flamebird was revealed to the readers early in her arc, even earlier for those who were aware of the character in relation to the [[Teen Titans (Comic Book)|Teen Titans]], but Kate only found out after she rescued Bette from a serial killer and Bette asked to be her sidekick. [[Cut Short|Then they were kicked off the series]].
* [[Interplay of Sex and Violence]]: Issue #4 of the ongoing series features intertwined scenes of {{spoiler|Bette being stabbed by a thug}} and {{spoiler|Kate and Maggie making love}}.
* [[Interplay of Sex and Violence]]: Issue #4 of the ongoing series features intertwined scenes of {{spoiler|Bette being stabbed by a thug}} and {{spoiler|Kate and Maggie making love}}.
* [[Jump Off a Bridge Rebuttal]]: Kate's dad uses this on her. "I'd be right behind [Alice]. You're such a Dad."
* [["Jump Off a Bridge" Rebuttal]]: Kate's dad uses this on her. "I'd be right behind [Alice]. You're such a Dad."
* [[Lady in Red]]: In her very first appearance in ''52'' she is dressed in a long, flowing red dress, and she wears the ''hell'' out of that dress.
* [[Lady in Red]]: In her very first appearance in ''52'' she is dressed in a long, flowing red dress, and she wears the ''hell'' out of that dress.
* [[Lampshade Hanging]]: Characters will often discuss the rules governing their actions with one another.
* [[Lampshade Hanging]]: Characters will often discuss the rules governing their actions with one another.
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* [[The Ophelia]]: Alice, who speaks, as Kate puts it, "fluent crazy" from [[Lewis Carroll]] {{spoiler|and seemingly dies by drowning in the river}}.
* [[The Ophelia]]: Alice, who speaks, as Kate puts it, "fluent crazy" from [[Lewis Carroll]] {{spoiler|and seemingly dies by drowning in the river}}.
* [[Painting the Medium]]: Alice speaks with black speech bubbles and white text, except for {{spoiler|when she reveals who she is to Kate just before falling into the river.}}
* [[Painting the Medium]]: Alice speaks with black speech bubbles and white text, except for {{spoiler|when she reveals who she is to Kate just before falling into the river.}}
* [[Parent With New Paramour]]: Kate is always quick to point out that Catherine is her ''step''mother, and while they seem to get along well enough Kate seems to enjoy seeing her squirm.
* [[Parent with New Paramour]]: Kate is always quick to point out that Catherine is her ''step''mother, and while they seem to get along well enough Kate seems to enjoy seeing her squirm.
* [[Real Person Cameo]]: Dan Choi was consulted for the issue detailing Kate's discharge, and received both a credit on the cover and a cameo.
* [[Real Person Cameo]]: Dan Choi was consulted for the issue detailing Kate's discharge, and received both a credit on the cover and a cameo.
* [[Red and Black And Evil All Over]]: [[Badass]] [[Anti-Hero]] type costume colors of choice
* [[Red and Black and Evil All Over]]: [[Badass]] [[Anti-Hero]] type costume colors of choice
* [[Relationship Upgrade]]: Kate Kane and Maggie Sawyer had some light flirting at a fundraiser during the ''Detective Comics'' run; as Batwoman she approached Captain Sawyer to feel out [[The Commissioner Gordon|a professional relationship]]. In issue #1 of the ongoing, Kate arrives at Maggie's office to ask her on a date, which is seen in issue #2. In issue #4 {{spoiler|they sleep together}}.
* [[Relationship Upgrade]]: Kate Kane and Maggie Sawyer had some light flirting at a fundraiser during the ''Detective Comics'' run; as Batwoman she approached Captain Sawyer to feel out [[The Commissioner Gordon|a professional relationship]]. In issue #1 of the ongoing, Kate arrives at Maggie's office to ask her on a date, which is seen in issue #2. In issue #4 {{spoiler|they sleep together}}.
* [[Religion of Evil]]: Like Renee Montoya, it looks like her main antagonists belong to the Religion of Crime.
* [[Religion of Evil]]: Like Renee Montoya, it looks like her main antagonists belong to the Religion of Crime.
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* [[So Proud of You]]: Kate's father was surprised when Kate [[Coming Out Story|explained why she had been separated from the army]], but he only pauses long enough to consider what her story implies before confirming that he is proud of her for her actions.
* [[So Proud of You]]: Kate's father was surprised when Kate [[Coming Out Story|explained why she had been separated from the army]], but he only pauses long enough to consider what her story implies before confirming that he is proud of her for her actions.
{{quote| '''Colonel Kane:''' "Then you kept your honour and integrity. I'm [[So Proud of You|proud of you]]. Your mother would have been, too."}}
{{quote| '''Colonel Kane:''' "Then you kept your honour and integrity. I'm [[So Proud of You|proud of you]]. Your mother would have been, too."}}
* [[Stay With Me Until I Die]]: Cruely invoked in issue #4 of the ongoing, when {{spoiler|Cameron Chase poses as a nurse and convinces Bette that she's dying from her injuries, and asks her to give her a name so someone can be with her, and Bette gives Kate's name. This allows Chase to all but confirm that Kate is Batwoman}}.
* [[Stay with Me Until I Die]]: Cruely invoked in issue #4 of the ongoing, when {{spoiler|Cameron Chase poses as a nurse and convinces Bette that she's dying from her injuries, and asks her to give her a name so someone can be with her, and Bette gives Kate's name. This allows Chase to all but confirm that Kate is Batwoman}}.
* [[Stealth Hi Bye]]:
* [[Stealth Hi Bye]]:
** Batwoman has a tendency to just ''appear'' whenever she is making an entrance, with the first clue of her presence being the sound of her fist making a healthy ''thump'', but when she leaves she visibly exits through a handy window, sometimes actually pausing long enough to say goodbye (Or at least ask whoever is there not to mention her to the cops).
** Batwoman has a tendency to just ''appear'' whenever she is making an entrance, with the first clue of her presence being the sound of her fist making a healthy ''thump'', but when she leaves she visibly exits through a handy window, sometimes actually pausing long enough to say goodbye (Or at least ask whoever is there not to mention her to the cops).
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