OneMetal.com book REVIEW:
Batwoman: Elegy Deluxe Edition

Another masked redhead swings into Gotham’s troubled heart, declaring war against its criminal infestation. A mighty symbol emblazoned on her costume, the new Batwoman fills the city’s streets with more than nervous electricity: She sparks a little controversy, as well.

Greg Rucka has handled lesbian issues before, particularly with DC’s own series Gotham Central, and now he’s back steering the army brat Kate Kane through tumultuous relationships and putting her in the thick of Gotham’s miscreant welcome brigade. Kane, military cadet turned superhero, faces the city’s second most famous Lewis Carroll nut, the cult leader “Alice” whose religious ties nearly cost Kane her life once before. The lavishly dressed villain converses purely in rhyme, and the High Madame oversees the thirteen covens with merciless, sadistic attention. Kane’s vengeful strike against Alice’s latest homestead attracts the interference of the cult’s supernatural sect, shape-shifters known as the True Believers. When the fight escalates, taking to the skies, Kane learns a secret that disrupts her moral compass and awakens unhappy family memories.

Those unfamiliar with the spitfire character can relax, as the comic executes all the formalities of exposition without hindering the plot. In fact, Rucka shears every fatty inch from the narrative, leaving a story built only on its essentials. The dialogue runs strictly on plot progression and character development, embellishing the lines with personality without feeding the reader any lazy filler material.

Co-piloting the Detective Comics makeover Elegy is J.H. Williams III, whose artistic revolution weaves innovation into the design of every page, elevating Gotham’s dreary landscape to a visual wonderland ripe with eloquence. Williams breaks into his peak talent, creating breathtaking scenes by playing with panel layouts, exploiting a full artistic license, and alternating between styles. Dave Stewart deserves equal praise for magnificently adapting the look of his colors to Williams’ vision, dabbling in watercolors, pastels, and the bizarre and unnatural. Letterist Todd Klein pitches in, as well, expertly assisting Williams and Stewart in the overall tour de force, to which Rucka lends incredible language.

Bottom Line

With a sleek story and mesmerizing artwork to its name, Batwoman: Elegy will hook you to the very end. Rucka and Williams conquer one hell of an achievement in the medium.