Character Spotlight on BATWOMAN!

Gotham Socialite Kate Kane as One of Gotham's Greatest Vigilantes
 
Batwoman's Modern incarnation is one of my favorite all-time developments in DC Comics.  I adored the original Kathy Kane Silver Age Batwoman, but she never quite evolved out the cheesy campy character whose sole purpose was to butch-up Batman.  I loved her, but I accepted her as a goofy figment of the past.  Then in 2006 we met this new version of the character.  There aren't really many parallels between the two characters aside from her title, real name, and penchant for red.  I personally feel that Kate got off to a rocky start.  Her first few years were pretty boring and clichéd.  There didn't seem to be any depth to the character beyond her sexuality, religion, and social standing.  But then she took over as the title character in Detective Comics in 2009 and suddenly she was awesome.  She suddenly had motivation, backstory, personal conflict, and believable fighting skills.  She was one of the very very few characters that was left unchanged by the upheaval of the DC: The New 52 revamps in 2011.  Kate Kane has received a decent amount of merchandising in her brief seven years, let's check, it all out below!

I'll start off with the first plastic representation of Kate:

 

Batwoman Action Figure

52: Series 01

DC Direct 2007

Sculpted by Sam Greenwell

 

 

I really like this figure.  It has some flaws, yes, but it was very exciting to get an action figure of Batwoman so early on, and Sam Greenwell sculpts are always beautiful.  The flaws are (1) very odd leg articulation and posing, (2) an awkwardly painted face that makes her look like a zombie from certain angles, and (3) weird hair.. but, hey, that's what she looked like in the comics back then.

Batwoman came with a black batarang that I forgot to include (although I'm pretty sure she can't even hold it -- which is probably why I didn't have her displayed with it in my collection).

 

Batwoman 3.75" Action Figure

DC Universe Infinite Heroes Series 01 Singles #13

Mattel 2008
DC Universe Infinite Heroes - Three-Pack #17

Mattel 2010

 

This figure was a little unexpected.  The Infinite Heroes line seemed to be focusing on classic characters and designs during its brief run, so a new character like this was a nice surprise for me.  I always thought she looked a little stiff and bulky around the shoulders, but overall she was a welcome addition to my collection.

 

Batwoman Mini-Bust

Women of the DC Universe: Series 02

DC Direct 2008

Designed by Terry Dodson

Sculpted by Jim Maddox

 

This mini-bust is beautiful.  The only odd thing with this sculpt (and the whole second series of WoDCU busts for that matter) is that she leans back really far.  It makes for a much more dynamic looking pose, but it also limits the angles from which she looks good.

 

 

Batwoman Chess Piece

DC Chess Collection #27 (White Rook)

Eaglemoss Publications 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Batwoman Lead Figurine

DC Comics Super Hero Collection #81

Eaglemoss 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batwoman Mini-Mate

DC Mini-Mates: Series 08

The Question & Batwoman 2-Pack

DC Direct / Art Asylum 2008

 

This Mini-Mate also came with a hairpiece for her unmasked look that I forgot to photograph her with.  It is the same piece that came with Batgirl and Hawkgirl.

Batwoman HeroClix Game Piece (1)

DC HeroClix: Crisis #19 

ToyWiz 2008

Batwoman HeroClix Game Piece (2)

DC HeroClix: Batman #36 

ToyWiz 2012

Batwoman Statue

Batman Family Multi-Part Statue: Part 3

Commissioner Gordon & Batwoman

DC Direct 2009

Designed by Andy Kubert

Sculpted by Oluf Hartvigson

So my regular readers might remember that I bought the entire Batman Family Statue in order to chop it up and display the individual characters (and also customize some).  Batwoman is no exception.  She is not customized (yet) but she is detached from Commissioner Gordon.  I did some (poor) photoshopping of the base in these photos because in reality there are big white gouges and breaklines from the operation.  I basically removed Gordon and customized him, but never got around to Batwoman.

 

 

 

Batwoman Statue

DC Comics Cover Girls Statue
DC Collectibles 2013
Designed by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
Sculpted by John G. (Jack) Matthews

I love this statue!  I haven't been excited about a Cover Girls statue since the Adams Hughes Poison Ivy from years ago.  Batwoman looks fantastic.  If I had to make one minor criticism, it would be that I wish her red color was more bright and vibrant (and not metallic/pearlescent).  We fans of the comics want the bold apple red!

 

Here are some images of Kate from the comics.  The first two images are pre-Detective before her character was really fleshed out and her costume was made more utilitarian.

 

 

 

Time for a Group Shot!

Cheers!