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Back in the 1950s, DC Comics would try out any concept that
came to mind. Especially if it could be based on an existing, successful
concept. This is how Superman spawned Superboy (in the late 40s) and
Supergirl. Not to be outdone, the Batman Family, added to the lineup of Bat-
characters, for awhile. There was the infamous Bat-Mite, a magical imp who
admired Batman and tried to help him, though he caused as much trouble
as anything. And there was Bat-Woman, Kathy Kane. Kathy Kane was a circus
performer, who used her fortune (no, I can't imagine how a circus performer got
wealthy in the 1950s, either) equip her to fight crime. Using her acrobatic
skills and her purse filled with helpful gadgets, she teamed up with Batman,
many times.
Of course, Batman, obviously an unreconstructed chauvinist, in
those days, tried to convince her to give up her dangerous "hobby".
Kathy's neice, Betty, joined her in crime-fighting as Bat-Girl, for awhile, as well.
Eventually, Bat-Woman and Bat-Girl were more or less
forgotten, in the evolution of the Bat-mythos. In the 60s, Barbara Gordon took on
the role of Batgirl and became a fan-favorite for many years. These days, if
you mention "Batwoman", people will think you don't know how to spell. Even
Goggle asks, when you search for "Batwoman", "Did you mean: Catwoman".
I supposed you can see why Bat-Woman might not make the
transition into the modern era, her costume, consisting of a yellow bodysuit, with
red boots, gloves, cape and mask just didn't fit in with the "creature of
the night" image, that Batman was returned to in the late 60s and early
70s.
Kathy Kane made occassional appearances in Batman comics,
over the years, until she was killed by members of the League of Assassins.
Betty Kane would re-enter DC continuity as a member of the "Titans
West", taking the name Flamebird.
Years go by and DC introduces its "Elseworlds" series and Alan
Davis's JLA:The Nail mini-series reintroduced Batwoman to the world. In
this story, the Joker uses Kryptonian technology, derived from the escape
rocket that brought Kal-El to Earth, to immobilize Batman. Batman was forced
to watch, couldn't even close his eyes, while the Joker tortured Batgirl and
Robin to death. Batman was left, nearly broken, to be brought back from the
edge of madness and despair by his sometime enemy, Selina
Kyle...Catwoman.
Selina joined Batman, then, wearing the original Bat-Woman
costume.
In the sequel, JLA:Another Nail, Selina has altered the costume,
combining elements of Batgirl's old costume and the color scheme
of the original Catwoman costume.
I like the use of purple in the costume, this is reminiscent of the
TV Batgirl and Catwoman costumes. I'm not sure the green works so
well, but it fits the character, since she used to be Catwoman.
I think it's time to reintroduce a Batwoman character. Borrowing
a bit from all previous versions for the costume design, I've kept the
mask, with the lenses over the eyes, that flows into the full-length "bat-cape". I
worked elements of the traditional bat-utility belt into this design,
but kept something of the design of the original costume, in the buckle
and with large hip-pouches on the belt, to take the place of that stupid
purse! I like the idea of a style of boot and glove different from the
traditional bat-style.
Well, this is running late, so I need to wrap it up. See you next month!
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