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Batwoman (2017)
Batwoman, Vol. 3: The Fall of the House of Kane
Batwoman continues her triumphant return with her own series in Batwoman Vol. 3, as a part of DC Universe Rebirth!
After her deadly trip around the world hunting the infamous Many Arms of Death, Batwoman returns to Brussels, the site of her most brutal losses and memories. As the clock begins to tick on a new cycle of violence, Kate must overcome her haunted past to ensure her terrorist foes don't begin the New Year with a bang!
Written by Marguerite Bennett (DC Comics Bombshells) this stunning conclusion to the series ends this chapter of Batwoman's history! Batwoman Vol. 3 collects issues #12-18.
After her deadly trip around the world hunting the infamous Many Arms of Death, Batwoman returns to Brussels, the site of her most brutal losses and memories. As the clock begins to tick on a new cycle of violence, Kate must overcome her haunted past to ensure her terrorist foes don't begin the New Year with a bang!
Written by Marguerite Bennett (DC Comics Bombshells) this stunning conclusion to the series ends this chapter of Batwoman's history! Batwoman Vol. 3 collects issues #12-18.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 12, 2019
And so ends the Many Arms of Death as the story comes full circle in The Fall of the House of Kane. I quite liked this run, having Kate leave Gotham for a year, while delving into her past. While the 2 part finale was a decent finale to the series setting up Kate and Renee Montoya on a romantic path once again, it did feel a bit tacked on, especially since they fight Clock King. Maybe DC asked for a couple more issues to fill out the trade? Fernando Blanco's art is quite good, giving the book a moody tome.
January 23, 2019
Current sexuality: Batwoman kicking ass.
September 19, 2018
Thank thank that this series is ending.
World: The world building is aight, it’s still pretty fractured and over the course of 18 issues the full scope and design of the Many Arms of Death was a bit muddled and unclear, making the overall narrative and the world meh. The pieces that Bennett uses are from a lot of the past of Kate and it is nice to see that, that being said the pieces don’t really fit all that well together and when they do there are logic leaps and holes in the world that don’t really make that much sense.
Story: I am sorry but I am glad this series is over, this series needed to die after the first trade cause it was not doing what Kate deserves and what readers deserve in a Batwoman title. This arc is the culmination of the Many Arms of Death story and to be honest it does play out more sequentially and paced normally than the other books of the series, but the reveals was lackluster and pointless, the villain a groan, and using Beth again and again like this is getting old for Batwoman writers. In the end all the revelation and the final monologue that is suppose to resonate with readers in the end comes up hollow because this series so far has been hollow due to the subpar writing. The story emotions are fractured and the logic doesn’t make a lot of sense, with the relationships and the family and the history and pushing them all together. Then there is the out of character portrayal of Batman to make the story work, it’s just the very visible hand of the story and it’s not fun to read.
Characters: Kate is okay at time and inconsistent a lot of the time. I don’t mind flawed characters and I don’t mind impulsive and illogical character if they are that way but I don’t like inconsistent writing and characterization to fit the story, the characters are not fully fleshed out and internally inconsistent making it very apparent that how Kate and all the characters are acting because of the plot which is oftern choppy and nonsense.
I want Kate to be amazing, I want her book to be dark and brooding and painful and jagged and her being able to overcome it and also deal with mental health and PTSD and family issues and gender issues and so much more. What we have for 18 issues is fragmented choppy nonsensical character choices in a forced plot. DC, do better!
Onward to the next book!
World: The world building is aight, it’s still pretty fractured and over the course of 18 issues the full scope and design of the Many Arms of Death was a bit muddled and unclear, making the overall narrative and the world meh. The pieces that Bennett uses are from a lot of the past of Kate and it is nice to see that, that being said the pieces don’t really fit all that well together and when they do there are logic leaps and holes in the world that don’t really make that much sense.
Story: I am sorry but I am glad this series is over, this series needed to die after the first trade cause it was not doing what Kate deserves and what readers deserve in a Batwoman title. This arc is the culmination of the Many Arms of Death story and to be honest it does play out more sequentially and paced normally than the other books of the series, but the reveals was lackluster and pointless, the villain a groan, and using Beth again and again like this is getting old for Batwoman writers. In the end all the revelation and the final monologue that is suppose to resonate with readers in the end comes up hollow because this series so far has been hollow due to the subpar writing. The story emotions are fractured and the logic doesn’t make a lot of sense, with the relationships and the family and the history and pushing them all together. Then there is the out of character portrayal of Batman to make the story work, it’s just the very visible hand of the story and it’s not fun to read.
Characters: Kate is okay at time and inconsistent a lot of the time. I don’t mind flawed characters and I don’t mind impulsive and illogical character if they are that way but I don’t like inconsistent writing and characterization to fit the story, the characters are not fully fleshed out and internally inconsistent making it very apparent that how Kate and all the characters are acting because of the plot which is oftern choppy and nonsense.
I want Kate to be amazing, I want her book to be dark and brooding and painful and jagged and her being able to overcome it and also deal with mental health and PTSD and family issues and gender issues and so much more. What we have for 18 issues is fragmented choppy nonsensical character choices in a forced plot. DC, do better!
Onward to the next book!
January 19, 2019
Secrets are revealed, Clock Kings are punched, and sibling rivalry gets taken to a whole new level as Batwoman's latest solo series barrels to its conclusion in this final collection.
Before we hit the meat of the volume, there's a one-off story here to set things off that reveals some of the secrets of the Lost Year that has plagued Kate since this series began, with art from previous fill-in artist Scott Godlewski (who gets everywhere, it seems). It's more of a preamble than anything else, so you'd be forgiven for plowing through it to get to the rest of the book.
The Fall Of The House Of Kane itself is probably the most Batwoman-y story that this series has attempted, and not just because of the return of Alice to the fold. It manages to tie up the plotlines regarding the Many Arms Of Death as well as tying into the ongoing Detective Comics story about Kate and her relationship with the Bat-Family, with some more gorgeous art from Fernando Blanco too. These four issues are worth the price of admission alone, if you ask me.
Then we end on a peculiar two part story called The Time Of Your Life that pits Kate and Reneé Montoya against the Clock King - these are very reflective issues, which makes for a good ending in theory, but the Clock King is hardly a worthy threat after Alice in the previous story. It's an odd choice, and I wonder if the series was either meant to continue and then cancelled too early to wrap this up properly, or if DC asked for another two issues to fill out this final trade. They're not bad at all, but they don't feel like exactly how you'd expect a series to end. Blanco also draws these two issues so there's no complaints on the art front, however.
Batwoman's solo series has been a bit shaky after a strong start, but a strong finish helps it stand up next to the previous series with pride.
Before we hit the meat of the volume, there's a one-off story here to set things off that reveals some of the secrets of the Lost Year that has plagued Kate since this series began, with art from previous fill-in artist Scott Godlewski (who gets everywhere, it seems). It's more of a preamble than anything else, so you'd be forgiven for plowing through it to get to the rest of the book.
The Fall Of The House Of Kane itself is probably the most Batwoman-y story that this series has attempted, and not just because of the return of Alice to the fold. It manages to tie up the plotlines regarding the Many Arms Of Death as well as tying into the ongoing Detective Comics story about Kate and her relationship with the Bat-Family, with some more gorgeous art from Fernando Blanco too. These four issues are worth the price of admission alone, if you ask me.
Then we end on a peculiar two part story called The Time Of Your Life that pits Kate and Reneé Montoya against the Clock King - these are very reflective issues, which makes for a good ending in theory, but the Clock King is hardly a worthy threat after Alice in the previous story. It's an odd choice, and I wonder if the series was either meant to continue and then cancelled too early to wrap this up properly, or if DC asked for another two issues to fill out this final trade. They're not bad at all, but they don't feel like exactly how you'd expect a series to end. Blanco also draws these two issues so there's no complaints on the art front, however.
Batwoman's solo series has been a bit shaky after a strong start, but a strong finish helps it stand up next to the previous series with pride.
July 11, 2022
I liked this more than volume two, but it still wasn't as good as the first. Taking a deeper look at what makes Kate tick is when the book is at its best.
The stuff about choosing her family over "the Bat" is corny, and culminates in a goofy standoff with Batman. It feels like they brought him in for gravitas, but it felt unnecessary.
Then, Kate teams up with Montoya to fight clock robots? Dunno what the hell that was about.
The stuff about choosing her family over "the Bat" is corny, and culminates in a goofy standoff with Batman. It feels like they brought him in for gravitas, but it felt unnecessary.
Then, Kate teams up with Montoya to fight clock robots? Dunno what the hell that was about.
July 13, 2019
A series that never hit a stride - even in a wrong direction - lurches to a disappointing conclusion.
May 16, 2022
(2.5)
Rep: Jewish lesbian mc, Black side characters
Rep: Jewish lesbian mc, Black side characters
January 23, 2019
4 stars basically for the art alone. Fernando Blanco is just so fantastic. The last page is beautiful.
Story-wise, kinda meh. I like the idea of the lost year filling in the gaps in Kate's history and making her come to grips with her tendency towards addiction. But the nuts and bolts of the big confrontation/reveal at the end don't hold up to scrutiny and I can't imagine anyone making heads or tails of it without having read Elegy or the prior run, not to mention Detective Comics.
Gosh that art, tho. And I do love Kate getting some peace and choosing to be happy for once. Cool that this is such a woman-centered story, too! Except for Bats and the Clock King, there's hardly any men. I'm pretty happy with this series and I think it's a good thing to end it here, looking to the future with the family Kate chooses.
Story-wise, kinda meh. I like the idea of the lost year filling in the gaps in Kate's history and making her come to grips with her tendency towards addiction. But the nuts and bolts of the big confrontation/reveal at the end don't hold up to scrutiny and I can't imagine anyone making heads or tails of it without having read Elegy or the prior run, not to mention Detective Comics.
Gosh that art, tho. And I do love Kate getting some peace and choosing to be happy for once. Cool that this is such a woman-centered story, too! Except for Bats and the Clock King, there's hardly any men. I'm pretty happy with this series and I think it's a good thing to end it here, looking to the future with the family Kate chooses.
March 2, 2021
It's amazing how current events can change the perception of a read. The majority of this arc was written years before the pandemic, and yet...(here we are). It's also clear that Rebirth contains most of the source material for this season of the show. I bought this when it came out, in anticipation of the show, but when Batwoman's Rebirth title was cancelled before the show's premiere, I set this aside and forgot it. Rambling aside, this is a decent finale to the run with a nice closing epilogue. Too many series just abruptly end without any finesse. They dropped The Colony, Jacob Kane, and future Jason Todd dystopia stories from the first collection to narrow Kate's focus, and I think that was a wise choice. The story is a cleaner read for it. I hope we get to see another Batwoman solo title in the future.
August 27, 2018
After being deeply esceptic with the first volume, I've grown more and more in love with these adventures of Batwoman. But the final issues of The Fall of the House of Kane are absolutely enjoyable. Pure action and fun, there's no other way to put it. It's deeply unfair that DC has cancelled this series. I assume that the TV show has something to do with that, but it doesn't make it fair. You see Kate Kane grow and evolve along these issues. You understand her addictions and her ghosts and, in the end, that's all I want with this character. I love the way Bennett has put an end to this run of her story. Beautiful, tasteful and woderfuly drawn. The final pages are simply a delight. It's a shame that it's the end by now, but it's a great ending. Congrats
April 25, 2022
I wasn't really too big a fan of the whole "lost year" situation that was setup in previous volumes, but I've got to admit - Marguerite Bennett really tied it all together nicely and made it work for this volume.
So apparently this is the last volume of this particular run, and you can really tell because there is a finality in the air regarding the volume. Bennet begins throwing everything from the previous volumes at us, including runs before her own. Batwoman must not only deal with the events of her lost year once again, but also deal with her sister Alice reverting to her evil persona. She releases bats with a super virus in them, and Batwoman along with Alfred's daughter (remember her?) have to deal with it by using a antidote cloud to blanket the city.
While I liked the story overall, there are some issues with it. I mean, the antidote cloud thing has been done a lot in stories before, characters act very out of... well, character, and things are very convenient in order for the plot to move forward.
Overall, it was an uneven volume, but better than the previous couple in my opinion. Recommended for fans of the character.
So apparently this is the last volume of this particular run, and you can really tell because there is a finality in the air regarding the volume. Bennet begins throwing everything from the previous volumes at us, including runs before her own. Batwoman must not only deal with the events of her lost year once again, but also deal with her sister Alice reverting to her evil persona. She releases bats with a super virus in them, and Batwoman along with Alfred's daughter (remember her?) have to deal with it by using a antidote cloud to blanket the city.
While I liked the story overall, there are some issues with it. I mean, the antidote cloud thing has been done a lot in stories before, characters act very out of... well, character, and things are very convenient in order for the plot to move forward.
Overall, it was an uneven volume, but better than the previous couple in my opinion. Recommended for fans of the character.
April 9, 2020
This book in isolation probably deserves only a 4 star rating but through the lens of ending the trilogy this is 5* all the way.
Not only does this rival the greatest run (in my opinion) of the New 52 Batwoman. But this elevates the character as an equal to batman in many ways.
The central idea of what is Batwoman's value in Gotham if she is always in the shadow of her cousin. Is a great thread to follow through the trilogy. ''what can she do that batman can't"
The larger more dominating theme is about wasted time chasing past mistakes leading to new ones and in the end just wasted life.
Highly recommended this run. It's still a close second to the New 52 run by J H Williams III, however it builds on that run to perfection
Not only does this rival the greatest run (in my opinion) of the New 52 Batwoman. But this elevates the character as an equal to batman in many ways.
The central idea of what is Batwoman's value in Gotham if she is always in the shadow of her cousin. Is a great thread to follow through the trilogy. ''what can she do that batman can't"
The larger more dominating theme is about wasted time chasing past mistakes leading to new ones and in the end just wasted life.
Highly recommended this run. It's still a close second to the New 52 run by J H Williams III, however it builds on that run to perfection
April 11, 2019
Not sure how I felt about this one, and then Renee Montoya comes in in the final installments earning this a solid four stars.
Definitely felt like the end, which makes me a little sad, and was a bit abrupt.
I've enjoyed Bennett's take on Batwoman.
Definitely felt like the end, which makes me a little sad, and was a bit abrupt.
I've enjoyed Bennett's take on Batwoman.
July 8, 2019
4.5 I guess. Because I enjoyed this even more than the first two. It wraps it all up and puts a nice bow on it.
Nice graphics. Although sometimes it gets a little confusing as to who is who, it soon sorts that out.
Now to save up and get some more.
Nice graphics. Although sometimes it gets a little confusing as to who is who, it soon sorts that out.
Now to save up and get some more.
June 25, 2020
Batwoman: The Fall of the House of Kane picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting the last seven issues (Batwoman #12–18) of the 2017 on-going series and collects three stories: "Paradise Is Burning Down", "The Fall of the House of Kane", and "The Time of Your Life".
"The Fall of the House of Kane" is a three-issue storyline (Batwoman #13–15) with a finale (Batwoman #16) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman continuing her fight against The Many Arms of Death, the terrorist group, this time Batwoman has to go against her sister, Elizabeth Kane as Alice, brainwashed by The Many Arms of Death to neutralize Batwoman – Bruce Wayne as Batman and Julia Pennyworth cameo as supporting characters in this storyline.
"The Time of Your Life" is a two-issue storyline (Batwoman #17–18) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman going against William Tockman as Clock King. Assisting her is her former flame, Detective Renee Montoya of the Gotham City Police Department.
Finally, "Paradise Is Burning Down" is an one-issue storyline (Batwoman #12) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman begins the hunt for the Mother of War, she recalls an encounter with Safiyah Sohail and Tahani in her past, which she considered the death of love.
Marguerite Bennett penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well. Bennett continues Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman continuing her battle with the terrorist organization The Many Arms of Death, this time dealing with her very own sister. The last two issues deals with her dealings with William Tockman as Clock King and a somewhat nice send-off for the series, albeit a tad disjointed form the rest of the trade paperback.
With the exception of one issue (Batwoman #12), which was penciled by Scott Godlewski, the entire trade paperback is penned by Fernando Blanco. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style.
Overall, this Batwoman series is somewhat well done. Bennett, who has essentially written the entire series, did a nice job of reinventing Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman, although the execution could have been better. She took Batwoman away from the supernatural and magical cases that dominated the previous series and gave her an enemy in the terrorist organization named The Many Arms of Death. It was smart to move her out of Gotham City, but it still didn't distinguish her as much from the more established characters of the Bat Family. It started rather mediocrity, but ended rather strong.
All in all, Batwoman: The Fall of the House of Kane is a good conclusion to a mediocre to somewhat above average series.
"The Fall of the House of Kane" is a three-issue storyline (Batwoman #13–15) with a finale (Batwoman #16) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman continuing her fight against The Many Arms of Death, the terrorist group, this time Batwoman has to go against her sister, Elizabeth Kane as Alice, brainwashed by The Many Arms of Death to neutralize Batwoman – Bruce Wayne as Batman and Julia Pennyworth cameo as supporting characters in this storyline.
"The Time of Your Life" is a two-issue storyline (Batwoman #17–18) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman going against William Tockman as Clock King. Assisting her is her former flame, Detective Renee Montoya of the Gotham City Police Department.
Finally, "Paradise Is Burning Down" is an one-issue storyline (Batwoman #12) has Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman begins the hunt for the Mother of War, she recalls an encounter with Safiyah Sohail and Tahani in her past, which she considered the death of love.
Marguerite Bennett penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well. Bennett continues Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman continuing her battle with the terrorist organization The Many Arms of Death, this time dealing with her very own sister. The last two issues deals with her dealings with William Tockman as Clock King and a somewhat nice send-off for the series, albeit a tad disjointed form the rest of the trade paperback.
With the exception of one issue (Batwoman #12), which was penciled by Scott Godlewski, the entire trade paperback is penned by Fernando Blanco. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style.
Overall, this Batwoman series is somewhat well done. Bennett, who has essentially written the entire series, did a nice job of reinventing Katherine "Kate" Kane as Batwoman, although the execution could have been better. She took Batwoman away from the supernatural and magical cases that dominated the previous series and gave her an enemy in the terrorist organization named The Many Arms of Death. It was smart to move her out of Gotham City, but it still didn't distinguish her as much from the more established characters of the Bat Family. It started rather mediocrity, but ended rather strong.
All in all, Batwoman: The Fall of the House of Kane is a good conclusion to a mediocre to somewhat above average series.
May 24, 2019
3.5 Stars.
The end of this shorter run of Batwoman pales in comparison to her recent role and actions in Detective Comics. Still... it serves the purpose of stabilizing Kate for whatever her future in the DCU will be.
Highlights:
- The beginning of the Volume focuses on the history that Kate has with Safiyah, her lover and recently revealed high ranking person in the Many Arms of Death, which she's been trying to shut down for the last two Volumes. Much detail is paid to making you feel their love, so when Safiyah shows her face in Gotham, you can tell that there is going to be trouble.
- Contrary to what they lead us to, Kate finds out that it is not Safiyah, but her sister Beth, who is in her psychotic state of "Alice". Alice wants to attack Gotham with a swarm of poisoned bats, as vengeance for Kate choosing to be Batwoman over being with her.
- To save Gotham from poisoning, Kate disperses the antidote with her floating cruiser/base Sequoia, and then is forced to blow it up to destroy the bats.
- Julia called Batman in to stop Batwoman from rescuing her sister, but obviously, Kate is picking her over Batman. When she is able to stop him, and convince him to allow Beth to flourish (Alice faded away when the cure was dispersed), he claims that it is Strike 2 for her (Strike 1 being her saving and redemption of Clayface in the pages of Detective Comics). When she inquires as to what happens when she hits 3.... Batman says it will be then that she stops being Batwoman.
- The secondary story in the Volume has to deal with Clock King using automatons to disperse a drug that seems to give the user brief precognition. With the help of Renee Montoya, she is about to stop the drug trade and put Clock King behind bars again.
- At the end of the Volume, Kate and Renee decide to get back together and try their relationship again. (Is this a sign that DC is finally ready for Kate to be a happy lesbian? LOL)
Ok end to an ok Volume of Batwoman. What's next for Kate?
Recommend, if you've read the other two Volumes or like the character.
The end of this shorter run of Batwoman pales in comparison to her recent role and actions in Detective Comics. Still... it serves the purpose of stabilizing Kate for whatever her future in the DCU will be.
Highlights:
- The beginning of the Volume focuses on the history that Kate has with Safiyah, her lover and recently revealed high ranking person in the Many Arms of Death, which she's been trying to shut down for the last two Volumes. Much detail is paid to making you feel their love, so when Safiyah shows her face in Gotham, you can tell that there is going to be trouble.
- Contrary to what they lead us to, Kate finds out that it is not Safiyah, but her sister Beth, who is in her psychotic state of "Alice". Alice wants to attack Gotham with a swarm of poisoned bats, as vengeance for Kate choosing to be Batwoman over being with her.
- To save Gotham from poisoning, Kate disperses the antidote with her floating cruiser/base Sequoia, and then is forced to blow it up to destroy the bats.
- Julia called Batman in to stop Batwoman from rescuing her sister, but obviously, Kate is picking her over Batman. When she is able to stop him, and convince him to allow Beth to flourish (Alice faded away when the cure was dispersed), he claims that it is Strike 2 for her (Strike 1 being her saving and redemption of Clayface in the pages of Detective Comics). When she inquires as to what happens when she hits 3.... Batman says it will be then that she stops being Batwoman.
- The secondary story in the Volume has to deal with Clock King using automatons to disperse a drug that seems to give the user brief precognition. With the help of Renee Montoya, she is about to stop the drug trade and put Clock King behind bars again.
- At the end of the Volume, Kate and Renee decide to get back together and try their relationship again. (Is this a sign that DC is finally ready for Kate to be a happy lesbian? LOL)
Ok end to an ok Volume of Batwoman. What's next for Kate?
Recommend, if you've read the other two Volumes or like the character.
December 11, 2024
Batwoman is such an incredible character, and her motives are at their purest in this final volume of rebirth 😄👍🦇❤️!!
The Many Arms of Death comes to an end as we learn that Tahani is the mastermind behind the entire operation as she's kidnaped Elizabeth "Beth" from her safehouse sanatorium in Geneva, Sweeden and, with the aid of psychedelic-mind altering drugs has forced Beth to emerge as Alice once more.
Batwoman learns of this treachery upon returning to the remnants left behind in Brussels, Germany, in the last military home where the terrorists kidnapped them, and the ultimate destruction of her family occurred. In the wake of Batwoman's investigation, she finds her ex-lover Safiyah on the second-floor balcony where she reveals that her own only motive was to recapture her Siren and learn where Kate was going to go when she said the key to finding her sister was to return home. The two draw the mystery to a close with the knowledge that Tahani, the prized apprentice assassin and rival lover, has orchestrated the whole operation.
Batwoman is now hot on the trail as she seeks to save her sister Beth and end Tahani's treachery once and for all with the help of Julia Pennyworth, who locates their position on the roof of Kane Industry. Batwoman arrives on site and immediately encounters a hand-to-hand fight with Tahani, who states that she kidnapped Beth to distort the one she loves most, just as what was done to her by Kate's love of Safiyah. Tahani shortly thereafter vanishes into the night while Alice reveals the final phase of the plan via an enlarged projector which is to release the disease caring Bats from Scarecrow's lab upon the citizens of Gotham to destroy the symbolic Bat that Batwoman has chosen over her family and sister time and time again. In a heroine act of desperation, Batwoman takes up arms to lead the Bats out of Gotham and to the docks via an echolocation missile aimed at her yacht and, in a fiery explosion, kills all of the disease-ridden Bats.
Meanwhile, Julia Pennyworth recalls via the stored data from the Colony that Dr. Crane always had a FailSafe on hand, which was actually in reference to an antibody reversal to the virus the Bats transmitted. Thanks to the swift wit of Julia, a new vaccine is made on the aircraft and dispersed across Gotham to save the citizens from becoming gravely ill from the plague of diseases. In a moment, all appears to be saved, but Julia, with hesitation, sets out the signal to Batman to intercept Alice.
As the immediate threat is diffused, it is now up to Batwoman to stop her sister and bring Alice down to save Beth. However, Alice still has a trick up her sleeve, which is a trigger that could release an anti-gene mutation that would render the vaccine insert. Batman arrives on the scene and, in an instant, attempts to disarm Alice but is thwarted by Batwoman, who claims that this matter must be managed by her alone. Alice pulls the trigger, but it fails to release any mutations. Rather, it explodes the floor beneath them, and the three fall into an industrial wear house area of the Kane Industry. Batman tells Batwoman that Alice/Beth is too unstable and deserves to be sent to Arkham, which triggers an aggressive response from Batwoman to cease Batman before any further harm could come to her sister. Batwoman manages to trigger an amplified echo from the same gun that killed Bruce's parents, forcing him to stop, which allows Kate the upper hand and Pins Batman under rubble/debris.
Batwoman, now obtaining Batman's full attention, tells him how Martha Wayne was once a Kane and how her death greatly damaged her father before the passing of her own mother, Gabrielle. She then further explained how Martha's DNA runs through the Kane bloodline and that what's happened to Beth is not of her own doing (essentially that we are all kin and family). In a final act of desperation, Kate pleads with Bruce to allow her to handle the care of her sister. Batman emerges from the rubble and simply says strike 2 as he turns to leave. Kate demands further clarification, and Batman replies with how Strike 1 was killing Clayface and that this act of defiance was Strike 2, eluding to her losing the ability to claim the title of Batwoman if she got to Strike 3.
What follows is closer as Kate purchases a penthouse apartment for Beth, Julia, and herself to reside in by turning in the military aircraft. In addition, we get a nice moment shared between Safiyah (who is being kept as a prisoner) and Kate. Kate reveals that Fatima, who was working under Elder/Younger, is Safiyah's daughter and was hence rescued by her in an act of protection during the Scarecrow battle. Kate offers a peace offering as she sets Safiyah free in hopes of never seeing her again. Safiyah asks for Kate to come with her, but Kate refuses, claiming that she is done with losing herself to the past and that it is time to create a new future.
We have one final story that involves Clock King, who is using a hoard of robotic clock minions to disperse a drug called Kairos, which supposedly allows the user to gain a glimpse into the future. Detective Montoya and Batwoman team up after a rogue Clock Robot storms G.C.P.D. and with the help of Julia and Beth, the two infiltrate a mascarade ball hosted by the Clock King to sell his drug to the highest bidder. The two heroines manage to take the villain down, and the rest is history. Finally, we conclude with Kate walking Renee home to her apartment and the purpose of starting over again as lovers emerge. The two agree but are called to action by their own respective parties with the promise to meet up again soon. Our plot comes to a close with Batwoman's monolog discussing how it is our responsibility to live a good life and, in turn, be grateful for the life given.
This was an excellent Batwoman arc!! I truly loved every moment of this epic conclusion and felt like we obtained the closure that Kate/Batwoman desperately needed to regain her confidence and continue forth down her own path. My only point of criticism was how heartless Batman/Bruce appeared in his quest to arrest Beth and throw her in Arkham. It felt unusually cold, and calluses of Bruce to suggest that she'd be better off in Arkham, given the history. I believe Kate's lecture and action were justified and don't fully understand why Bruce would be so opposed to allowing Kate to manage/handle her sister as she deemed fit, especially since Beth was kidnapped and manipulated into becoming a lethal weapon once more by means that were not of her own doing 🤨. If anything, Bruce should have suggested another means or further aid if Kate needed it, but his behavior of threatening to demote her for insubordination was really a whole lot of nonsense 😒👎.
Overall, this was an incredible Batwoman arc filled with a lot of thought-provoking questions related to self-identity and heartfelt/heartwrenching moments between the relationships shared by Kate over the years. A masterpiece and true work of art 👏😁❤️💯!! 10/10 🌟🦇!!
The Many Arms of Death comes to an end as we learn that Tahani is the mastermind behind the entire operation as she's kidnaped Elizabeth "Beth" from her safehouse sanatorium in Geneva, Sweeden and, with the aid of psychedelic-mind altering drugs has forced Beth to emerge as Alice once more.
Batwoman learns of this treachery upon returning to the remnants left behind in Brussels, Germany, in the last military home where the terrorists kidnapped them, and the ultimate destruction of her family occurred. In the wake of Batwoman's investigation, she finds her ex-lover Safiyah on the second-floor balcony where she reveals that her own only motive was to recapture her Siren and learn where Kate was going to go when she said the key to finding her sister was to return home. The two draw the mystery to a close with the knowledge that Tahani, the prized apprentice assassin and rival lover, has orchestrated the whole operation.
Batwoman is now hot on the trail as she seeks to save her sister Beth and end Tahani's treachery once and for all with the help of Julia Pennyworth, who locates their position on the roof of Kane Industry. Batwoman arrives on site and immediately encounters a hand-to-hand fight with Tahani, who states that she kidnapped Beth to distort the one she loves most, just as what was done to her by Kate's love of Safiyah. Tahani shortly thereafter vanishes into the night while Alice reveals the final phase of the plan via an enlarged projector which is to release the disease caring Bats from Scarecrow's lab upon the citizens of Gotham to destroy the symbolic Bat that Batwoman has chosen over her family and sister time and time again. In a heroine act of desperation, Batwoman takes up arms to lead the Bats out of Gotham and to the docks via an echolocation missile aimed at her yacht and, in a fiery explosion, kills all of the disease-ridden Bats.
Meanwhile, Julia Pennyworth recalls via the stored data from the Colony that Dr. Crane always had a FailSafe on hand, which was actually in reference to an antibody reversal to the virus the Bats transmitted. Thanks to the swift wit of Julia, a new vaccine is made on the aircraft and dispersed across Gotham to save the citizens from becoming gravely ill from the plague of diseases. In a moment, all appears to be saved, but Julia, with hesitation, sets out the signal to Batman to intercept Alice.
As the immediate threat is diffused, it is now up to Batwoman to stop her sister and bring Alice down to save Beth. However, Alice still has a trick up her sleeve, which is a trigger that could release an anti-gene mutation that would render the vaccine insert. Batman arrives on the scene and, in an instant, attempts to disarm Alice but is thwarted by Batwoman, who claims that this matter must be managed by her alone. Alice pulls the trigger, but it fails to release any mutations. Rather, it explodes the floor beneath them, and the three fall into an industrial wear house area of the Kane Industry. Batman tells Batwoman that Alice/Beth is too unstable and deserves to be sent to Arkham, which triggers an aggressive response from Batwoman to cease Batman before any further harm could come to her sister. Batwoman manages to trigger an amplified echo from the same gun that killed Bruce's parents, forcing him to stop, which allows Kate the upper hand and Pins Batman under rubble/debris.
Batwoman, now obtaining Batman's full attention, tells him how Martha Wayne was once a Kane and how her death greatly damaged her father before the passing of her own mother, Gabrielle. She then further explained how Martha's DNA runs through the Kane bloodline and that what's happened to Beth is not of her own doing (essentially that we are all kin and family). In a final act of desperation, Kate pleads with Bruce to allow her to handle the care of her sister. Batman emerges from the rubble and simply says strike 2 as he turns to leave. Kate demands further clarification, and Batman replies with how Strike 1 was killing Clayface and that this act of defiance was Strike 2, eluding to her losing the ability to claim the title of Batwoman if she got to Strike 3.
What follows is closer as Kate purchases a penthouse apartment for Beth, Julia, and herself to reside in by turning in the military aircraft. In addition, we get a nice moment shared between Safiyah (who is being kept as a prisoner) and Kate. Kate reveals that Fatima, who was working under Elder/Younger, is Safiyah's daughter and was hence rescued by her in an act of protection during the Scarecrow battle. Kate offers a peace offering as she sets Safiyah free in hopes of never seeing her again. Safiyah asks for Kate to come with her, but Kate refuses, claiming that she is done with losing herself to the past and that it is time to create a new future.
We have one final story that involves Clock King, who is using a hoard of robotic clock minions to disperse a drug called Kairos, which supposedly allows the user to gain a glimpse into the future. Detective Montoya and Batwoman team up after a rogue Clock Robot storms G.C.P.D. and with the help of Julia and Beth, the two infiltrate a mascarade ball hosted by the Clock King to sell his drug to the highest bidder. The two heroines manage to take the villain down, and the rest is history. Finally, we conclude with Kate walking Renee home to her apartment and the purpose of starting over again as lovers emerge. The two agree but are called to action by their own respective parties with the promise to meet up again soon. Our plot comes to a close with Batwoman's monolog discussing how it is our responsibility to live a good life and, in turn, be grateful for the life given.
This was an excellent Batwoman arc!! I truly loved every moment of this epic conclusion and felt like we obtained the closure that Kate/Batwoman desperately needed to regain her confidence and continue forth down her own path. My only point of criticism was how heartless Batman/Bruce appeared in his quest to arrest Beth and throw her in Arkham. It felt unusually cold, and calluses of Bruce to suggest that she'd be better off in Arkham, given the history. I believe Kate's lecture and action were justified and don't fully understand why Bruce would be so opposed to allowing Kate to manage/handle her sister as she deemed fit, especially since Beth was kidnapped and manipulated into becoming a lethal weapon once more by means that were not of her own doing 🤨. If anything, Bruce should have suggested another means or further aid if Kate needed it, but his behavior of threatening to demote her for insubordination was really a whole lot of nonsense 😒👎.
Overall, this was an incredible Batwoman arc filled with a lot of thought-provoking questions related to self-identity and heartfelt/heartwrenching moments between the relationships shared by Kate over the years. A masterpiece and true work of art 👏😁❤️💯!! 10/10 🌟🦇!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2019
Que legal foi acompanhar todas as edições do Renascimento DC que dizem respeito à Batwoman. Neste encadernado a saga chega no fim. Mas, como dizem, é melhor abandonar o barco quando se esta´na crista da onda do que quando se está nas profundezas do lodo. Não tive oportunidade de ler todas as histórias pregressas de Kate Kane, mas sei que elas forma muito elogiadas pela crítica e público, mas aquelas que eu tive a oportunidade de ler, eu gostei. As histórias começam densas, com bastante texto, bastante conspiração, e pecados do passado. Aos poucos as conspirações vão se revelando evamos entendendo mais o universo de Batwoman. Além disso, a arte é fabulosa, ainda que nos primeiros volumes não tenhamos tanta experimentação narrativa como fazia J. H. Williams III. Contudo, parece que neste último encadernado, Bennett e Blanco resolveram prestar uma homenagem aos primeiros arcos da personagem. A dupla traz de volta não somente a irmã de Kate, Alice, mas também reapresentaram o modo de construir as páginas de narrativas visuais ousadas e dinâmicas, marcas de Williams III. Depois do grande arco se encerrar, a equipe criativa dá um gostinho de quero mais nas duas últimas edições fazendo a Batwoman combater o Rei-Relógio ao lado de sua antiga paixão, a policial Renée Montoya. Batwoman é vida! =)
January 8, 2020
My least favorite so far. Which is confusing because there was so much sister dynamics that it feels like it should have been my favorite...
September 13, 2018
I read these as single issues and, for the first time in this series run, I felt like I truly enjoyed myself and looked forward to the next issue. At the same time, it kinda feels kinda crappy knowing that the best arc was saved to wrap up this writing tenure to an otherwise less than stellar run.
I liked the fact that the lost year chapter of Kate's life wrapped up although maybe in a quicker manner then I would have liked. It almost seemed uneventful to find out that Kate's ex was not the true mastermind behind everything. I liked the fact that the writing help make sense of just how much Kate's presence on the island effected a variety of people. I liked that the story tied back in the second arc where Kate winds up on an underground lab somewhere smack dab in the middle of a desert, which by itself seemed odd. Lastly, I loved the twist with Alice. I personally have no knowledge or experience knowing Alice's story so this really inspired me to dig into previous volumes and get caught up so I can understand why that twist seems the more perfect. To end my review, I have to say that the one issue epilogue that ends the series was really sweet and made me feel hopeful that Kate will be able to live a more peaceful life even after really making bad decisions (i.e. Clayface from the Detective Comics series). I appreciate the editors for helping me place timeline wise where this falls among the other series.
I liked the fact that the lost year chapter of Kate's life wrapped up although maybe in a quicker manner then I would have liked. It almost seemed uneventful to find out that Kate's ex was not the true mastermind behind everything. I liked the fact that the writing help make sense of just how much Kate's presence on the island effected a variety of people. I liked that the story tied back in the second arc where Kate winds up on an underground lab somewhere smack dab in the middle of a desert, which by itself seemed odd. Lastly, I loved the twist with Alice. I personally have no knowledge or experience knowing Alice's story so this really inspired me to dig into previous volumes and get caught up so I can understand why that twist seems the more perfect. To end my review, I have to say that the one issue epilogue that ends the series was really sweet and made me feel hopeful that Kate will be able to live a more peaceful life even after really making bad decisions (i.e. Clayface from the Detective Comics series). I appreciate the editors for helping me place timeline wise where this falls among the other series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2019
Kate has to face her worst nightmare and win before Batman steps in to stop her for good. This was a slow start, but ended up super powerfully, and I'm so sad that this run is over!!
I love how Kate works to define herself, and wins again Bruce even at aa cost she knows may be too high. The conclusion with Safiyah was great, and with Julia. I found Beth's conclusion surprising, and wonder how this figures into bigger picture plots.
The end was so great, with Kate reframing herself and her struggles and fights and her wins, and recognizing that her time has not been wasted, and neither has she. The final scene with Renee was so romantically sweet. And the final speech, of sorts, reminds me of the Twelfth Doctor's farewell. Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.
"And when it is time to surrender life gracefully, know that you were real, and you mattered, and that you were loved, even when you failed. Be better. Be kinder. Be more, next time. And try to find happiness if you can." It was a great tie up to a deep probing run, and I greatly look forward to seeing Kate's new adventures.
I love how Kate works to define herself, and wins again Bruce even at aa cost she knows may be too high. The conclusion with Safiyah was great, and with Julia. I found Beth's conclusion surprising, and wonder how this figures into bigger picture plots.
The end was so great, with Kate reframing herself and her struggles and fights and her wins, and recognizing that her time has not been wasted, and neither has she. The final scene with Renee was so romantically sweet. And the final speech, of sorts, reminds me of the Twelfth Doctor's farewell. Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.
"And when it is time to surrender life gracefully, know that you were real, and you mattered, and that you were loved, even when you failed. Be better. Be kinder. Be more, next time. And try to find happiness if you can." It was a great tie up to a deep probing run, and I greatly look forward to seeing Kate's new adventures.
January 3, 2020
Really enjoyed this latest Batwoman series. It really felt well rounded and most loose ends were answered in volume 3 (though I’m still missing Mags and any references to them being engaged at some point in Kate’s recent past).
Artwork in this last installment was again stunning! Fernando Blanco did an amazing job, though I did feel he changed Safiyah’s physical traces from flashback to present day in a way I could barely recognize her (fine, she changed hairstyles, but did she also have a nose job?).
I’m also all for a somewhat happy and hopeful ending (or cliffhanger if the series continues - still waiting for strike 3), so finishing with “The Time of Your Life” and having Renee back was a great way to close this chapter for Kate Kane. Always thought they had great chemistry, though would’ve appreciated more flashbacks with her throughout the new saga, so we had more of an emotional connection (in case readers didn’t know of their past together).
Can’t wait to see what’s next for Batwoman! I definitely recommend Marguerite’s take on Kate Kane, though I’d still suggest starting with Rucka’s Elegy to understand her origins and enjoy this fully.
Artwork in this last installment was again stunning! Fernando Blanco did an amazing job, though I did feel he changed Safiyah’s physical traces from flashback to present day in a way I could barely recognize her (fine, she changed hairstyles, but did she also have a nose job?).
I’m also all for a somewhat happy and hopeful ending (or cliffhanger if the series continues - still waiting for strike 3), so finishing with “The Time of Your Life” and having Renee back was a great way to close this chapter for Kate Kane. Always thought they had great chemistry, though would’ve appreciated more flashbacks with her throughout the new saga, so we had more of an emotional connection (in case readers didn’t know of their past together).
Can’t wait to see what’s next for Batwoman! I definitely recommend Marguerite’s take on Kate Kane, though I’d still suggest starting with Rucka’s Elegy to understand her origins and enjoy this fully.
February 13, 2021
It is kind of awkward to read, on 2021, a story about a bat related virus being released and causing chaos.
Besides the obvious oddness of a virus related storyline, this volume had good art and good themes; Kate's arc about where her loyalties land and how this affects her decisions is rather good and the confrontations with Beth and Batman worked quite well.
Still, can't get over how much this feels like a rushed ending; the Many Arms of Death being just mildling villains to give room to Alice kind of sucks. It feels like a bigger story cut short and though the themes are strong, the overall plot of this series ends up being OK.
Batwoman is one of my favorite members of the Batfamily and I feel like Bennet and the artists of this run did a good job at going deep into Kate's mind and her own struggles, and I'm saddened that we didn't see more of this run and that it's been a while since Kate got her own series.
Besides the obvious oddness of a virus related storyline, this volume had good art and good themes; Kate's arc about where her loyalties land and how this affects her decisions is rather good and the confrontations with Beth and Batman worked quite well.
Still, can't get over how much this feels like a rushed ending; the Many Arms of Death being just mildling villains to give room to Alice kind of sucks. It feels like a bigger story cut short and though the themes are strong, the overall plot of this series ends up being OK.
Batwoman is one of my favorite members of the Batfamily and I feel like Bennet and the artists of this run did a good job at going deep into Kate's mind and her own struggles, and I'm saddened that we didn't see more of this run and that it's been a while since Kate got her own series.
January 16, 2023
Calling this volume part of her triumphant return when it collects the end of this reboot of the series feels a bit tacky....
The loose ends from Volume 1 and 2 get gathered up here, and blended in with the classic beats and secondary characters for Kate as the Many Arms of Death reveals its true head and Kate fights her way through everyone to basically prove them all wrong.
There's definitely a sense of trying to wrap up all the plot threads, and things that feel like they needed more development get cursory responses. The book also does a bit of continuity rebooting, basically tossing Safiyah aside in favor of returning to the Kate/Renee relationship (which I'm not against, but it feels like Safiyah's importance from the last few volumes doesn't really get paid off). There's some decent action, but a lot of it is rehashes of previous fights and conflicts, but physical and emotional. It's not a terrible end to the series, but it feels like it deserved more.
The loose ends from Volume 1 and 2 get gathered up here, and blended in with the classic beats and secondary characters for Kate as the Many Arms of Death reveals its true head and Kate fights her way through everyone to basically prove them all wrong.
There's definitely a sense of trying to wrap up all the plot threads, and things that feel like they needed more development get cursory responses. The book also does a bit of continuity rebooting, basically tossing Safiyah aside in favor of returning to the Kate/Renee relationship (which I'm not against, but it feels like Safiyah's importance from the last few volumes doesn't really get paid off). There's some decent action, but a lot of it is rehashes of previous fights and conflicts, but physical and emotional. It's not a terrible end to the series, but it feels like it deserved more.
July 3, 2019
Probably the strongest volume in this particular run - just before it got cancelled, of course. This is quite a strong story, avoiding some of the clichés of volume 2 (although there's a fight with Batman, which is kind of a cliché). The first few parts wrap up the Arms of Death storyline, with some good use of Batwoman's background, as well as giving a decent pay-off to some of the events in volume one. The coda at the end doesn't feel as tacked-on as such things normally do, with Kate facing the possibilities of her future in a nice mix of action and introspection. I've enjoyed this trilogy, and it feels like there could have - and should have - been more.
April 18, 2022
Marguerite Bennett's Batwoman run ends and its just okay. The book is saddled with this huge reliance on a certain antagonist and it seems Batwoman writers can't resist. It makes each out less special. A Batman family character isn't easy to do solo because you have to build an entire new world while simultaneously being in the Bat world. Kate's inner monologue, how she's dealing with past loves, friendship, and duty is really done well. Fernando Blanco continues to do very good artwork, especially when he gets creative with his page layouts. Overall, a decent book but nothing that's going to move the needle.
February 25, 2021
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to this arc of the Batwoman story. Marguerite Bennett's writing is fantastic, and the art was consistently pleasing and compelling.
Part of the storyline involves the creation of a deadly virus that is unleashed on Gotham City.
Part of the storyline involves the creation of a deadly virus that is unleashed on Gotham City.
September 23, 2022
This disappointing series comes to an end. Not really much here to recommend it. There is a punch-up with Batman, a labored love story, lots of introspection, and heavy family drama. The trouble is that none of it meshes well and the series jumps around too much. Batwoman spends most of her time doing Batman's bidding or putting out fires as she falls into one problem after another. It was all written on the fly with no outstanding characters or events for the reader to latch onto. This is the first Batwoman series I've read and it did not impress me.
March 29, 2020
Felt more coherent than the previous volumes, and ends on a nice wistful/hopeful note - at least a proper conclusion to the series and not something that just cuts off. However, trying to end properly means that gigantic chunks of text are used to explain her feelings, which I'm not a fan of.
Finally, reading this in a time of Coronavirus feels REALLY uncanny. Killer virus? Bats? Ack. One only wishes that a vaccine could be made in real life in just a few hours like in comics...
Finally, reading this in a time of Coronavirus feels REALLY uncanny. Killer virus? Bats? Ack. One only wishes that a vaccine could be made in real life in just a few hours like in comics...
February 18, 2019
An apt conclusion to Marguerite Bennett’s Batwoman run in which she wraps up the overarching storyline of the series and ends with a two-issue epilogue which allows Kate Kane to reflect on her experiences (both in her own series and in Detective Comics) and lay the groundwork for whoever picks up the Batwoman mantle next.
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