Batwoman Redux
I actually did have a couple of points I intended to make in my previous post about the announcement of the new Batwoman, and now that the story has spread all over the internets, I guess I should go ahead and make them. I found it amusing to see Matt Brady's reaction in Newsarama. I presume he already had the information but that it was embargoed, so he couldn't print it. The NYTimes story that broke the news was dated May 28, but Brady was in at 6:26 EST the night before to get it up as soon as possible. To cover himself from breaking any embargo, he wrote that the paper was "already being delivered in the New York area." I know that embargoed information can interfere with all types of journalism, and it's particularly widespread in entertainment journalism, but the comics press seems particularly plagued by it. With only the Big Two companies and a few more minor players, the comics press has to walk a thin line to keep from just becoming a PR clearing house for DC and Marvel (there are some who think they aren't much more than that as it is). But embargoes are all part of the game--even Rich Johnston admits to honoring them if he's asked to nicely enough. (Rich, by the way, wasted no time in reminding everyone in comments to the Newsarama story where we'd first heard the rumor about a gay Batwoman.)
But Matt Brady did break some new ground in talking with DC honcho (and Dr. Phil/Hank Kingsley lookalike) Dan DiDio. In response to DiDio's statement that Batwoman's sexuality "helps her to determine her choices that she makes as she's fighting crime in Gotham City," Matt challenged him as to what exactly that meant, and when he didn't exactly answer, Matt pressed, noting that Batman's heterosexuality doesn't obviously affect his crime-fighting choices. In response, DiDio revealed that Batwoman will to some extent be a closeted lesbian in her secret identity. Well, that's refreshing.
While we're on the subject, yesterday evening, Newsarama posted early pages of Batwoman in action. I've got to admit that Alex Ross's original sketch of a gray/black-and-red costume with dark hair in the NYTimes piece is far more intriguing than this blue-and-red costume with red hair. Oh, well.
posted by Doug @ 12:26 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I need to read more comics, because I have a hard time keeping track of Batgirl, Catwoman, and Batwoman...is sexual preference the best way to separate them? As of now, I think of Batgirl as Yvonne Craig, Catwoman as Eartha Kitt (or maybe Julie Newmar--no thanks, Lee Meriwether), and Batwoman as...who? Charlize Theron?
Batwoman is Yvonne Craig with a flannel cape.
I'm not sure actually reading the comics would help, because they're shifting all over the place, too. The original Batwoman, along with a number of other characters and elements that creators considered silly (even including Alfred!) were summarily dropped from the series in the early '60s so Batman could return to a more serious tone (they weren't even written out--just ignored). For good measure, Batwoman's character was murdered almost 30 years ago, and there's been no Batwoman until now.
The original Bat-Girl was Batwoman's niece, but she was dropped in the early '60s, too. A new Batgirl was introduced into the comics so Yvonne Craig could play her on TV, but that character was shot and paralyzed by the Joker about ten years after Batwoman's murder. She's now in a wheelchair and fights crime by computer (and the information she can put her hands on and manipulate puts the NSA to shame). Yet another Batgirl was introduced a few years ago, but my understanding is that this character, although still in the comics, has dropped her Batgirl identity, so there is no Batgirl in comics at the current time.
Catwoman has been evil, good, evil, good, evil, and good more times than I can count. Batman finds her attractive no matter which side she's on (although he's more likely to act on it when she's in a good phase). I haven't been following her that closely for the last couple of years, either, but in her current incarnation she's good (though she'll sometimes skirt the law when necessary). I don't know how long it will last, but for the time being she's also retired and has been replaced by a younger friend. And I've got to go with Julie Newmar for Catwoman. Eartha Kitt makes an interesting one, but Newmar set the mold for me, and I've never been able to successfully see the character in anybody else. You're absolutely right about Lee Meriwether. Michelle Pfeiffer makes a good Catwoman in theory, but the movie didn't actually come together for me. And I've heard vague rumors having something to do with Halle Berry, but no comic fan I know is willing to acknowledge there was ever anything more to it than that.
So are you still holding on to the idea that you need to read more comics and fill your head with this kind of stuff?
Your site is on top of my favourites - Great work I like it.
»
Post a Comment
<< Home