Comic Vine Review

25 Comments

Batwoman #2 - Hydrology, Part 2: Infiltration

5

Batwoman splits her time between fighting crime, doing serious detective work and thwarting off a suspicious D.E.O. Agent in issue #2, but will she succeed or will she drown?

Things are heating up for Batwoman both in her costumed life and on a personal level, but will she be able to handle it all?

The Good

When a comic is written to be extremely accessible to new readers, yet manages to make references to concepts and situations we have seen before (to the delight of veteran readers/die hard fans) it's definitely a good feeling. I admit, I cracked a smile a couple of times reading the second issue of Batwoman. The great thing about reading this book isn't just JH William III's breathtaking art and obscure panel placements; but the actual reading experience. In order to take in each and every detail of the dialogue and the art, you have to read it slowly. There's just so much to look at!

I really love how Williams and Blackman are integrating the the D.E.O (Department of Extranormal Operations) into their story line. The concept for the D.E.O. is to keep tabs/an eye on costumed vigilantes, and it first appeared in Batman #550; co-created by Williams. I really love that the creative team is bringing this cool concept back, adding a slew of challenges for Kate to deal with.

The fact of the matter is there is so much good about this issue. The story line is becoming increasingly more interesting with every turn and revelation, and the gradual development of the relationship between Kate Kane and Detective Sawyer is not only a lot of fun, but it's interesting because Sawyer in no way suspects Kane to be Batwoman.

The break down of the crime scene where Sawyer walks Cameron Chase (D.E.O. Agent) through the events is not only superbly written, but it's gorgeously illustrated. This book is breathtaking. The break down and sequence of events are in perfect order and the pacing is on point.

The Bad

Nothing bad here. Gorgeous.

The Verdict

This is the most gorgeous book at DC Comics right now. J.H. Williams III is an incredible artist and he and W. Haden Blackman work incredibly well together. The story is still accessible to new readers, although I recommend picking up the first issue before you dive into this one. Very well written story that is getting more and more exciting as time goes on. I absolutely cannot wait for the third issue!

25 Comments

Avatar image for baddamdog
Baddamdog

2836

Forum Posts

54199

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By Baddamdog

Is it possible for an issue to be too good?

Avatar image for daveyo520
Daveyo520

2469

Forum Posts

8

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Daveyo520

God I love J.H.'s art. You are right about it being the best looking book of the bunch. The story isn't half bad either.

Avatar image for jonesdeini
JonesDeini

3874

Forum Posts

224

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 212

User Lists: 9

Edited By JonesDeini

The art was off for me I don't know if it was the coloring or the inking but it was just off somehow, less tight and focused than in issue one. But a "sloppy" (for lack of a better adjective) J.H. Willam's III book still blows 90% of other books out of the water. Love the character development this issue.

Avatar image for rawr
rawr

92

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By rawr

HOLY DC NUGGETS. Did people notice the summary text under the Hydrology title graphic? I think my eyeballs nearly popped out of my head. I thought DC didn't do "story thus far" text blurbs? This kind of thing makes it so much easier to get people to read Batwoman which is one of the new 52 that really cannot let go of any of the continuity that came before it.

I also agree I think it is the best looking book out of the 52 hands down, but credit to the writers to making things tighter this time and easier to follow for newcomers to the series.

Avatar image for chernobylcow
ChernobylCow

96

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 4

Edited By ChernobylCow

This book is fan-freakin-tastic. The art is amazing. Page composition superb. But the colors really stick out in my mind. (Although hopefully we get some explanation to her really pale complexion). I love the fights with goons that just seem out of place in a modern context (but someone needs to kick their ass), it reminds me of SLEEPER. The only problem I had was the ending didn't really have much build-up, but oh well!

Avatar image for b_town
B'Town

2369

Forum Posts

791

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By B'Town

Batwoman is my number one favorite book❣

ღAbsolutely beautiful.ღ

Thanks for a fine review.

Avatar image for ecm1285
ecm1285

100

Forum Posts

847

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By ecm1285

@rawr: huh, I didn't noticed that til just now. It's a nice added touch.

Avatar image for fantasgasmic
Fantasgasmic

1091

Forum Posts

106

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 1

Edited By Fantasgasmic

Can I just ask, is this book still set in Gotham? I didn't read the new #1, but I really loved the old continuity stories (and art).

The only thing I ever disliked about Batwoman was Gotham. In the good old days (like 3 months ago) Gotham felt too crowded with Batman, Robin, Red Robin, and all their somewhat interrelated rogues, (not to mention Huntress, Oracle, and any of the other Birds of Prey who lived/operated in Gotham) it felt like Batwoman should be stepping on toes/having toes stepped on. Like New York in Marvel books in the 90s: the Avengers, Spiderman, Fantastic 4, Daredevil, and X-Men, were all operating there, but not running into each other much in their regular/non-event books. I only remember one instance of Batman showing up to check in with Batwoman.

If continuity is still wonky, moving Kate down the road to Blüdhaven would give her a bit more room to operate and not feel like the Bat-Family would be keeping close tabs on her, and it would be easier to deal with the spooky/supernatural/horror comic angle her book is (supposedly, because I haven't read it) taking.

Avatar image for rise2ragnarok
Rise2Ragnarok

140

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Rise2Ragnarok

This was one of my top books out of the new 52, I'm glad to see it still getting great reviews.

Avatar image for combatspoon86
CombatSpoon86

963

Forum Posts

7376

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 10

Edited By CombatSpoon86

This book had to be one of my tops. J.H knows Batwoman. Finally an artist turned writer success. Very few have done it. Well done J.H.

Avatar image for 137
Om1kron

1224

Forum Posts

63

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

Edited By Om1kron

not reading the review but I have heard great things about this book so glad I was able to grab the number 1 reprint today along with the new issue. Will come back later and sound off. 

Avatar image for hector
Hector

454

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By Hector

I just picked up #1 yesterday and read #2 today and holy hell...I must say this is one of the better books from DC.

Avatar image for codysf
CODYSF

2239

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By CODYSF

Dam I feel left out I need to get the first issue and the second one.

Avatar image for whiskeyjack
Whiskeyjack

41

Forum Posts

44

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Whiskeyjack

Finished reading this issue. Set it down. And after a moment of reflection could only sum it up outloud with "Wow". Don't know what it was in the issue that was so compelling but I'll be damned if it wasn't. Really enjoyed this issue.

Avatar image for hajime76
hajime76

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By hajime76

Great review! After reading this issue, I found two things especially noteworthy. The dialogue between all the characters is wonderful (Kate and Bette, Maggie and Cameron) but I really enjoyed the dialogue between Kate and Maggie when they are on their date. There's a natural tone between the two especially from Kate that I would have enjoyed seeing another page or two of the them just talking inside the club. I also liked the breakdown of a crime scene through the eyes of Detective Sawyer later on. It had a nice flashback/in-the-moment feel that visually complemented all of the details being explained in dialogue.

Avatar image for eyz
Eyz

3187

Forum Posts

304

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Eyz

You mean CHASE made a come-back post-New 52? :D

Avatar image for lordcmdrstryker
LordCmdrStryker

16

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By LordCmdrStryker

8 two-page spreads. Of amazing art. Yes, it's kind of schizophrenic and not consistent with the line and ink and color all put together, but somehow it works really well. And the layouts are awesome.

Has convinced me to buy a DC book for the first time in forever. I told myself I would never do it! Damn you, J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman, for making such a good book.

Avatar image for daveyo520
Daveyo520

2469

Forum Posts

8

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Daveyo520

I loved the panels where her and Batman talked. Also the end of her date was very sweet.

Avatar image for daveyo520
Daveyo520

2469

Forum Posts

8

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Daveyo520

@B'Town: After this issue I think it may be mine as well. Could change with issue two of All Star Western and Batman.

Avatar image for the_cyan_lantern
The Cyan Lantern

276

Forum Posts

6918

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 1

Edited By The Cyan Lantern

This was featured on the official Batman Facebook page. Pretty cool Babs!

http://www.facebook.com/batman

Avatar image for janarrah
JanArrah

8

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By JanArrah

Yeah Batwoman is a pretty title, but I still don't get a sense of why this character is Batwoman and why Batman thinks she's worthy of being a Bat except that he apparently is letting anyone and everyone in (except Huntress for no apparent reason). I've yet to see Batwoman do anything remotely well.. Bat-like. She's not an amazing fighter, she's not smarter than everyone else, she's just a woman in a costume. This issue just showed me that Detective Sawyer has more right to the Batwoman mantle than Kate Kane. Saywer is vastly smarter, she's athletic, and she's clearly capable of doing it if Cameron Chase seems to think so. Kate has done really nothing to prove that she's worthy of being Batwoman. I also find it annoying that now instead of her father being the brains, she's now going to use Detective Sawyer so that Kate doesn't have to think or figure anything out on her own. She's too damn reliant on others and then she treats Bette (and well the whole comic treats Bette) like SHE'S an incompetent moron. If you want to show Kate as being so vastly better than Bette despite Kate being a complete and utter rookie, you're going to have to do better than this.

Also, Kate's pale pale skin is beginning to get old. No one else in the entire comic (or any comic) has skin this pale. She looks like a corpse more and more.

Avatar image for booster_bronze
Booster_Bronze

204

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Booster_Bronze

@JanArrah: I disagree, the Joker is just as pale. Perhaps he's Kate's TRUE father. Wouldn't THAT be a kick?

Anywho, I loved this one just as much as the first. The panel layout and art is gorgeous to look at and has a very noir feel to it. The only problem I have with the series so far, if I had to find one, would be why is Batwoman dealing with a supernatural threat? Anything magic or mystic should be handled by the "Dark" series of heroes, no? I'm wondering how a detective who uses science and hand to hand combat is going to stop an apparent ghost/urban legend. Other than that, it's fleshing out nicely so far.

Avatar image for raw_gutz
Raw_gutz

7

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Raw_gutz

Holy jesus christ Batwoman kicks a**. I think there was something about Batwoman vs Batgirl a while back, but if that fight went down, back to justice-on-wheels for Ms. Gordon.

Avatar image for green_ankh
Green ankh

1104

Forum Posts

3197

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 39

User Lists: 3

Edited By Green ankh

Two issues and both A+ THANK YOU NEW 52 !

Avatar image for arcadias
arcadias

12

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By arcadias

I didn't really know anything about Batwoman prior to Williams' run in Detective Comics. His art drew me in and now she's my favourite character by far.