The recent arrival of Batwoman to the world of DC Comics came with much excitement. She is the first major superhero from either of the two big houses (Marvel or DC) to be gay or lesbian. This was my first chance to actually read some of her title, and this book is actually made up of a series of issues from the comic.

Kate Kane is not what most people would think of when they think of superheroes. She is a bit of a goth-girl with tattoos, short hair, and a gruff exterior. But when darkness falls, she dons the cloak that was made famous by Batman and takes to the streets of Gotham City to fight crime.

She is actually still recovering from a battle she had with the Religion of Crime, a cult that bases its faith on doing wrong. She was actually captured, drugged, and even stabbed in the heart during her last run-in as she was believed to be meant as sacrifice. She was able to dispose of their prophet/leader, but word is that a new leader is coming to take over.

It does not take her long to run into this new leader, who calls herself Alice and seems to be obsessed with all this Wonderland. Alice is also a goth-chick, though she has the form of the more doll-like appearance. This doesn't make her any less deadly, but she clearly does have issues with her sanity. In some ways, she is a cross between Batman's foes the Joker, the Hatter, and Harl E. Quinn.

As the tale strides toward its expected good vs. evil conclusion, the readers join Kate as she looks back over her life to explain how she has ended up the woman she is. This includes the fact that her twin sister and mother were killed decades earlier when they and she were kidnapped by terrorist. Her mother and her father, who now serves in the role that Alfred has for Bruce Wayne/Batman, served in the military ... a path that made her want to follow in their footsteps. She also goes over how she had to resign from the Marines because of the country's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and how that action was received by her father.

Readers also get a chance to see Kate as she tries to date and build a relationship, something that is always difficult for those hiding behind a mask. Being Batwoman creates a number of problems in that arena.

The artwork is interestingly drawn. It nicely draws on the psychedelic nature of the story and the characters Batwoman is dealing with. Williams nicely interprets Rucka's story not only in function, but by also using interesting framing that symbolizes the diametric opposition between Alice and Batwoman as well as the dark nature of the story.

I would say that this is definitely a must for anyone looking to get a first look at DC's newest hero. She is a really interesting addition to the Batman "family of characters, which includes the original Batman, Alfred, Nightcrawler (the original Robin), a number of newer Robins, Oracle (the original Batgirl), Catwoman, Huntress, and a newer Batgirl.