J.H. Williams III returns to art chores on this book, as Batwoman teams with Wonder Woman to take on Medusa.
The story cuts between Batwoman’s pursuit of one of Medusa’s supernatural operatives, Bloody Mary, aided by Abbott the werewolf and Wonder Woman’s battle with a giant monster. Batwoman recalls the legend of Bloody Mary as she and Abbott race through a hall of magical mirrors. They are then attacked by Bloody Mary. After taking down the giant monster, Wonder Woman battles ninjas. Batwoman learns that Medusa isn’t an organization, which she (and the readers) have been led to believe, but a giant Queen of Monsters. The Medusa– snakes for hair, eyes that turn you to stone.
(Aside: At one point, Batwoman points out that Medusa’s operatives are all urban legends and it suddenly dawned on me why Killer Croc was included… the old “alligator in the sewer” legend. And the last horse crosses the finish line. Okay, not my proudest moment.)
Kate meets with Director Bones and Cameron Chase and briefs them, then asks that Wonder Woman be brought in. “Only Wonder Woman knows how to fight Greek gods an monsters.”
In Gotham City, the citizenry are up in arms, angered that the children abducted by Medusa are still missing. Commissioner Gordon and Maggie Sawyer have a press conference to reassure the public, but it doesn’t go well. Later, Maggie is frustrated that Kate is leaving on her mission, but won’t explain her activities.
Bette Kane seems to be recovering quite well from being gutted by Claw… at least physically.
Finally, Batwoman and Wonder Woman meet face-to-face.
Williams and Blackman seem to enjoy playing with Wonder Woman here. Her inner monologue addresses various misconceptions about the character, both within the DC Universe, but in a more meta way, among the actual public. She references her allies calling Superman “Clark,” but referring to Batman and Aquaman by their code names. The writers definitely emphasized her warrior nature.
Williams is the finest artist working in comics. Period.
The book was starting to lose me, but this issue won me back over. It wasn’t just Williams’ art, although that was welcome. But it seems like a fresh, reinvigorated start. It moved along briskly, yet filled in a lot of information. I’m excited to see Batwoman step out of the gritty, supernatural norm of this series and venture into the over-the-top world of super heroics alongside Wonder Woman. Though they only meet briefly, I’m intrigued to see how they work together. And we also get several personal developments involving many cast members.
BATWOMAN #12
Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Art and Cover by Williams
