Batwoman #1 Is A Spiritual Successor That Still Forges Its Own Path (Review)

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In 2009, writer Greg Rucka, along with artists J.H. Williams III, Jock, and Dave Stewart, created a memorable run on Detective Comics that significantly boosted Batwoman’s popularity. Now, in 2026, Rucka is back with a new creative team—DaNi, Matt Hollingsworth, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou—to begin a fresh story in Batwoman #1. Despite the change in artists, the same creative spark is still evident.

The new Batwoman comic immediately throws Kate into a dramatically different situation, and the story keeps you hooked by switching between current events and past memories. The art team of DaNi and Hollingworth is excellent, creating a visually unique style and color scheme that feels both fresh and connected to previous Batwoman stories. While the series hasn’t peaked yet, it’s already incredibly promising.

Rating: 4 out of 5

PROS CONS
Rucka Picks Up Where He Left Off, But With a Twist Occasional Sequences Feel a Bit Muddy
DaNi and Hollingsworth’s Action Sequences Are Absolute Standouts The Timeline of Events Can Be Hard to Pin Down
The Relationship Between Kate and Beth Is The Heart of the Story

What On Earth Is Happening With Kate Kane?


The central puzzle at the start is why Kate is unexpectedly in a clinic or institution. This quickly expands into a larger mystery surrounding her sister, Beth. Kate has long struggled to help Beth overcome her alternate personality, known as Alice, and this struggle seems to be the main focus of the next part of Batwoman, exploring their shared past and hinting at a possible shift in their dynamic.

Throughout their relationship, Beth has usually been the one questioning her identity – her past, present, and future. This time, however, Kate is grappling with those same issues. The story explores this through flashbacks, which aren’t always clear about when they’re happening. This keeps the audience guessing and constantly shifts the focus. Just when things start to make sense, even bigger mysteries emerge, setting up new questions for what’s to come.

A Visual Spiritual Successor That Stands On Its Own

As a longtime reader of Batwoman, I have to say J.H. Williams III and Dave Stewart really redefined the character with their run – it’s still the gold standard for me. So, I was really impressed with DaNi and Hollingsworth’s work. They’ve managed to capture that same incredible visual energy, but also created a style that feels completely fresh and their own. They’ve built a world and characters that truly pop off the page, and it’s a beautiful tribute to what came before, while forging its own path.

Kate’s performances are powerfully expressive, clearly showing her internal struggles, which effectively translates into the action scenes. Even with a mask concealing her face, you can still feel the emotional weight of the situation for both Kate and Beth. However, Alice truly shines with a fierce determination and intensity in every scene, and if this is just a taste of what’s to come, we’re eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.

The artwork is generally strong, though some scenes lack detail, making them appear a bit unclear. However, even with this consistent style, most scenes still effectively communicate what’s happening. The final page, in particular, is stunning. The flashbacks, while intentionally disorienting at times, can occasionally make it hard to follow the story’s timeline.

Despite a few minor issues, the first issue of Batwoman immediately grabs your attention with a compelling mystery and stunning art that feels true to the character’s classic stories. We’re excited to see how this exciting new story unfolds.

  • Published By: DC Comics
  • Written By: Greg Rucka
  • Art By: DaNi
  • Colors By: Matt Hollingsworth
  • Lettering By: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Batwoman #1 is in comic stores now.

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2026-03-18 18:40