NationStates Jolt Archive


Batwoman--out of the cave...and the closet

The Nazz
01-06-2006, 04:59
Interesting. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060531/ap_on_en_ot/batwoman_uncloseted)

NEW YORK - Years after she first emerged from the Batcave, Batwoman is coming out of the closet. DC Comics is resurrecting the classic comic book character as a lesbian, unveiling the new Batwoman in July as part of an ongoing weekly series that began this year.

The 5-foot-10 superhero comes with flowing red hair, knee-high red boots with spiked heels, and a form-fitting black outfit.

"We decided to give her a different point of view," explained Dan DiDio, vice president and executive editor at DC. "We wanted to make her a more unique personality than others in the Bat-family. That's one of the reasons we went in this direction."

The original Batwoman was started in 1956, and killed off in 1979. The new character will share the same name as her original alter ego, Kathy Kane. And the new Batwoman arrives with ties to others in the Gotham City world.

"She's a socialite from Gotham high society," DiDio said. "She has some past connection with Bruce Wayne. And she's also had a past love affair with one of our lead characters, Renee Montoya."

This smells like people trying to prove they're hip by being "diverse" and shit. It'll be interesting to see if they make Batwoman a real character, or just a token dyke.
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:03
Naw, DC Comics aint trying to be anything at all. They're just being who've they've always been, comic book makers.

And the sound of a lesbo superhero powered by bats... sounds pretty damn hawt if you ask me... :eek:
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:07
To me, all this looks like is people saying...hey...lets show off just how diverse we can get for no reason except to be diverse! Yeah! :rolleyes:

Why?
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:10
Why?

Well... why not?
The Nazz
01-06-2006, 05:13
Well... why not?My worry is this--I'm all for the character being lesbian if she's interesting beyond that. I just don't want her to be "the lesbian character," the token oddball. And that's what worries me from the artistic standpoint. Is she going to be "the lesbian" or is she going to be a fully developed character who, oh yeah, happens to like women? If it's the latter, I'll be pleased. Surprised, but pleased.

I'm fairly sure that's not what the Atlantian Islands will be concerned with, however.
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:14
So then, when is Robin coming out and admitting that Batman rocks his world?
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:17
So then, when is Robin coming out and admitting that Batman rocks his world?

HEY, WHAT AR EYOU SAYING ABOUT BATMAN?!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:18
HEY, WHAT AR EYOU SAYING ABOUT BATMAN?!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Merely stating the painfully obvious.
Wilgrove
01-06-2006, 05:18
So then, when is Robin coming out and admitting that Batman rocks his world?

ROFL! I knew there had to be a reason for his strange costume. Is it me or does his "cod piece" seem to allow easy access?
People without names
01-06-2006, 05:18
it is sad really, people seem to think that they need to be more and more diverse. but it is diversity that is going to pull a nation apart. im pretty sure it could do the same to a company.

everyone is afraid of being called names like racist, bigot, homophobe. so they bend over backwards trying to appease those that would call them such names. a quote from Churchill comes to mind here "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last"
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:19
Well... why not?

Because it just seems stupid to me. Its this whole minority quota thing. Oh, its an all straight cast so we NEED to add someone gay/lesbian.

Oh...too many White people on this show so we NEED to add some minorities...

Its just stupid.
Cannot think of a name
01-06-2006, 05:20
This:
"We decided to give her a different point of view," explained Dan DiDio, vice president and executive editor at DC. "We wanted to make her a more unique personality than others in the Bat-family. That's one of the reasons we went in this direction."
makes me think that it's not so much about "Hey, look-we can be diverse" as it is, "We gotta make this character interesting and we got nothin'."

I had to read a lot of first time playwrights and begining playwrights and this is an oft visited well.

The 'game' of the inclusion was years ago when Northstar came out of the closet back in the Alpha Flight days. And that was years and years ago.

Of course, now that I read the whole article...
"This is not just about having a gay character," DiDio said. "We're trying for overall diversity in the DC universe. We have strong African-American, Hispanic and Asian characters. We're trying to get a better cross-section of our readership and the world."
No, Nazz is right-it's an overt attempt at creating diversity for diversities sake. To a degree, there is nothing wrong with it-why shouldn't there be super-heroes of different stripes? But it can be pandering as well...
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:20
it is sad really, people seem to think that they need to be more and more diverse. but it is diversity that is going to pull a nation apart. im pretty sure it could do the same to a company.

everyone is afraid of being called names like racist, bigot, homophobe. so they bend over backwards trying to appease those that would call them such names. a quote from Churchill comes to mind here "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last"

Sorta agree and sorta know where your coming from.
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:20
ROFL! I knew there had to be a reason for his strange costume. Is it me or does his "cod piece" seem to allow easy access?
How much easier can it get? This is Robin we're talking about. :)
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:22
Because it just seems stupid to me. Its this whole minority quota thing. Oh, its an all straight cast so we NEED to add someone gay/lesbian.

Oh...too many White people on this show so we NEED to add some minorities...

Its just stupid.
Well she's always been kind of a dyke. My brother has cartoon porn of her forcing catwoman to give her oral...and next door to her Batman doing the same to Robin. lol
Gartref
01-06-2006, 05:22
You guys are reading way too much into this.

Hot Lesbian in very tight crime-fighter suit = hot.

Hot = sales.
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:23
Because it just seems stupid to me. Its this whole minority quota thing. Oh, its an all straight cast so we NEED to add someone gay/lesbian.

Oh...too many White people on this show so we NEED to add some minorities...

Its just stupid.

Naw... the media (in this case, graphic novels) is just a reflection of various aspects of society. Sure, lesbians are a minority, but that doesn't change the fact that they are still part of society. And graphic novels, like any other media, lets us be exposed and learn about our differences, since obviously we're not all the same, right?
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:25
Merely stating the painfully obvious.

Hey.... just cuz you think Robin is hot, doesn't mean anything. Robin is Robin, a crime-fighting sidekick of le Batman. :)
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:26
Hey.... just cuz you think Robin is hot, doesn't mean anything. Robin is Robin, a crime-fighting sidekick of le Batman. :)
Sigh...blind are those who choose not to see. And blissful those who choose not to know. :)
Raotflmfao
01-06-2006, 05:26
To me, all this looks like is people saying...hey...lets show off just how diverse we can get for no reason except to be diverse! Yeah! :rolleyes:

Why?

here's what i think, all those little perverted guys that buy the comics because batwoman's a hot chick in a tight outfit are gonna buy every single one of these new ones hoping to see batwoman make out with a chick or do something lesbian
Guns n Whiskey
01-06-2006, 05:26
Why?

Some people have an irrational desire to make money?
Dakini
01-06-2006, 05:27
If they really wanted to go out on a limb with this one, they'd have made Robin gay. The public is fine with lesbians generally...
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:27
Well she's always been kind of a dyke. My brother has cartoon porn of her forcing catwoman to give her oral...and next door to her Batman doing the same to Robin. lol

I'll send you my response in private.
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:28
Naw... the media (in this case, graphic novels) is just a reflection of various aspects of society. Sure, lesbians are a minority, but that doesn't change the fact that they are still part of society. And graphic novels, like any other media, lets us be exposed and learn about our differences, since obviously we're not all the same, right?

Yes, but why do people feel the need to show off lesbians just cuz there are no lesbians on the show/comic/whatever.

Its like...being diverse because the show/comic/whatever doesnt have enough diversity.
Cannot think of a name
01-06-2006, 05:30
Yes, but why do people feel the need to show off lesbians just cuz there are no lesbians on the show/comic/whatever.

Its like...being diverse because the show/comic/whatever doesnt have enough diversity.
Maybe they should ask the question, "Why doesn't it?"
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:30
If they really wanted to go out on a limb with this one, they'd have made Robin gay. The public is fine with lesbians generally...
Yep, lesbians are perfectly respectable members of the moral majority. :) If it's hot, it's Christian.
UpwardThrust
01-06-2006, 05:31
Merely stating the painfully obvious.
That they are really these guys?

http://www.rotten.com/library/culture/ambiguously-gay-duo/444.jpg
NERVUN
01-06-2006, 05:31
So then, when is Robin coming out and admitting that Batman rocks his world?
BATMAN IS NOT GAY!!!!

Sure he's slept in the same bed with Robin, sure he's spanked Robin a number of times, and taken cold showers with him, and... and...

http://www.superdickery.com/seduction/1.html

Damn... but he isn't GAY!








:p
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:33
BATMAN IS NOT GAY!!!!

Sure he's slept in the same bed with Robin, sure he's spanked Robin a number of times, and taken cold showers with him, and... and...

http://www.superdickery.com/seduction/1.html

Damn... but he isn't GAY!

:p
Yeah, sure. Just "straight curious". ;)
The Atlantian islands
01-06-2006, 05:34
Maybe they should ask the question, "Why doesn't it?"

Why does it matter?

Why does racial/ethnic/whatever quotes come into play? Its just stupid.
Cannot think of a name
01-06-2006, 05:34
Yeah, sure. Just "straight curious". ;)
Quality.
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:35
BATMAN IS NOT GAY!!!!

Sure he's slept in the same bed with Robin, sure he's spanked Robin a number of times, and taken cold showers with him, and... and...

http://www.superdickery.com/seduction/1.html

Damn... but he isn't GAY!








:p

Exactly... especially after Bruce Wayne confronted his fears with bats, Batman is not scared of anything.. HE'S FEARLESS!!!! (and he aint gay)
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:35
That they are really these guys?

http://www.rotten.com/library/culture/ambiguously-gay-duo/444.jpg
Nah, there'd be a lot more leather and one of them would be on all fours. ;)
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:37
Why does it matter?

Why does racial/ethnic/whatever quotes come into play? Its just stupid.

Perhaps its a depiction of real life? Did you ever think about that? Huh? Huh? Huh? :eek:

Well, not REAL real... but real in the sense that it just shows life as it is in North American society you know?
Dakini
01-06-2006, 05:38
Yep, lesbians are perfectly respectable members of the moral majority. :) If it's hot, it's Christian.
I know, hypocracy at its finest.
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:38
Perhaps its a depiction of real life? Did you ever think about that? Huh? Huh? Huh? :eek:
If it is offensive to readers, it might cause a drop in sales. Lesbianism is hot, ergo causes a rise in sales. When girls start reading comics and find gay guys hot, then they'll start targetting that market too.
New Zero Seven
01-06-2006, 05:43
If it is offensive to readers, it might cause a drop in sales. Lesbianism is hot, ergo causes a rise in sales. When girls start reading comics and find gay guys hot, then they'll start targetting that market too.

Thats true. I just don't think it should be about the money though, I just think it should be there for the sake of being there. I would probably buy an out-of-this-world comic book because its different from the rest same-ole boring crap.
Europa Maxima
01-06-2006, 05:48
Thats true. I just don't think it should be about the money though, I just think it should be there for the sake of being there. I would probably buy an out-of-this-world comic book because its different from the rest same-ole boring crap.
Yeah, I think companies might pick up on that eventually -again a monetary incentive- and start varying the stuff they publish.
NERVUN
01-06-2006, 05:49
When girls start reading comics and find gay guys hot, then they'll start targetting that market too.
*cough* Yaoi *cough* Bishonen-ai *cough cough*
Soheran
01-06-2006, 06:05
Because it just seems stupid to me. Its this whole minority quota thing. Oh, its an all straight cast so we NEED to add someone gay/lesbian.

Oh...too many White people on this show so we NEED to add some minorities...

Its just stupid.

No, it's not. The conscious corrections lead to unconscious acceptance.

Ignoring the problem only extends it.
Zarathoft
01-06-2006, 06:44
I don't really read comics so i guess I don't really care.
Not bad
01-06-2006, 06:45
It'll be interesting to see if they make Batwoman a real character, or just a token dyke.


It is a comic book. About a superheroine. None of the characters are real. I promise.
Gartref
01-06-2006, 06:45
I don't really read comics so i guess I don't really care.


Oh yes you do.
UpwardThrust
01-06-2006, 06:47
Nah, there'd be a lot more leather and one of them would be on all fours. ;)
Well they could be in this attack position
http://www.rotten.com/library/culture/ambiguously-gay-duo/555.jpg
Not bad
01-06-2006, 06:53
Thats true. I just don't think it should be about the money though, I just think it should be there for the sake of being there. I would probably buy an out-of-this-world comic book because its different from the rest same-ole boring crap.

No comic books shouldnt be for money. They should be purely for the art and the understanding of the human condition which they can impart upon the conciousness of mankind. Anything less is an insult to the reader and a steamy dung pile meant to be force fed to the hoi poloi for their disgusting filthy lucre. Mais non?
Vimeria
01-06-2006, 08:09
Fun fact #341590:
In Finland, the Finnish word for a bat is also a pretty commonly used slang term for a lesbian.

So you anglos might be taken off-guard by this, but no Finn was ever fooled by someone who goes around calling herself "Batwoman". :)
Svalbardania
01-06-2006, 10:36
Only a couple of you saw the reality... would you rather read/watch a leather clad read head flirting with a guy or a girl? For the majority of comic book readers, it's the girl.

Oh and... http://www.p0stwh0res.com/images/batmanowned.jpg


:p
Jester III
01-06-2006, 10:53
And that's what worries me from the artistic standpoint. Is she going to be "the lesbian" or is she going to be a fully developed character who, oh yeah, happens to like women?
You want what? A comic book hero(ine) that has a developed character? From DC? :D You gotta be kidding, right?
Kanabia
01-06-2006, 11:23
"Wouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?" asked one poster. "You know, 200-pound woman, man with horseshoe hair loss pattern, people with cold sores, etc.?"

Fatwoman, Baldy, and Herpes-guy. Now THAT is a comic i'd read.
Divine Imaginary Fluff
01-06-2006, 14:56
I know, hypocracy at its finest.
Not again! Hypocrisy, damnit!
Silly English KNIGHTS
01-06-2006, 15:49
Well... why not?

When it comes to literary/comic characters, I'm kind of a purist (with the exception of elseworlds.) If you want to use an established character, fine, but don't stray very much from who the character is. If you want someone who is radically different from that character, MAKE A NEW CHARACTER. Don't screw with classics just to satisfy some bug that flew up your butt.
Tremalkier
01-06-2006, 16:12
Fatwoman, Baldy, and Herpes-guy. Now THAT is a comic i'd read.
I think Fatwoman would definitely need her sidekick Bellyman at her side...or lagging a little behind...at all times.
Carnivorous Lickers
01-06-2006, 17:02
Interesting. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060531/ap_on_en_ot/batwoman_uncloseted)



This smells like people trying to prove they're hip by being "diverse" and shit. It'll be interesting to see if they make Batwoman a real character, or just a token dyke.


I cant stand anything that tries to be "hip". You either are or you arent.

Alternative lifestyles are hip, let me jump on the bandwagon !!

No thanks- I've been cool forever just being myself. And not saying I'm sorry to anyone for being me.

Is there some big niche the comic will appeal to now?
Nadkor
01-06-2006, 17:34
So basically....they couldn't possibly have had a strong heterosexual woman character (after all, everybody knows they're subservient and belong in the kitchen) so they had to make her a lesbian.
ShuHan
01-06-2006, 17:43
lesbian hentai. hmmmmm :confused: :rolleyes: :eek: :p :) ;) :D sounds great by me
Trostia
01-06-2006, 17:49
I'm waiting for them to take the cue from some people we have on NS General and come up with the next stage in Bat-Diversity:

Batboy.

He's the pro-pedophilia Batperson.
Waterkeep
01-06-2006, 18:33
ROFL! I knew there had to be a reason for his strange costume. Is it me or does his "cod piece" seem to allow easy access?

JO: This is Jimmy Olson, reporting to you live with an exclusive interview with a man many of you have heard about but few have ever spoken to. May I present, the World's Greatest Detective, the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the one, the only, Batman.

BM: Thanks Jimmy.

JO: Okay, let's get some small stuff out of the way. First, the costume, what gives?

BM: Well, Jimmy, not only does it mask my identity from evil-doers, allowing me some semblance of a real life occasionally, it also serves to strike fear into their hearts, and conveniently allows me to blend into the shadows.

JO: Blend into the shadows? But what about that big yellow symbol?

BM: You can't armor your head. I'd much rather criminals shot at my chest, which is armored, than my head. So I stick a bright symbol on it as an easy target to distract the criminals.

JO: I see. So along those lines, what's with the costume of the Boy Wonder.

BM: ... well .. armored or not, I'd much rather not be shot at at all..
Wilgrove
01-06-2006, 19:00
JO: This is Jimmy Olson, reporting to you live with an exclusive interview with a man many of you have heard about but few have ever spoken to. May I present, the World's Greatest Detective, the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the one, the only, Batman.

BM: Thanks Jimmy.

JO: Okay, let's get some small stuff out of the way. First, the costume, what gives?

BM: Well, Jimmy, not only does it mask my identity from evil-doers, allowing me some semblance of a real life occasionally, it also serves to strike fear into their hearts, and conveniently allows me to blend into the shadows.

JO: Blend into the shadows? But what about that big yellow symbol?

BM: You can't armor your head. I'd much rather criminals shot at my chest, which is armored, than my head. So I stick a bright symbol on it as an easy target to distract the criminals.

JO: I see. So along those lines, what's with the costume of the Boy Wonder.

BM: ... well .. armored or not, I'd much rather not be shot at at all..

lol
Myrmidonisia
01-06-2006, 19:19
Interesting. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060531/ap_on_en_ot/batwoman_uncloseted)



This smells like people trying to prove they're hip by being "diverse" and shit. It'll be interesting to see if they make Batwoman a real character, or just a token dyke.
I can hardly wait for the movie. Tell me it's not already in production.
Myrmidonisia
01-06-2006, 19:20
JO: This is Jimmy Olson, reporting to you live with an exclusive interview with a man many of you have heard about but few have ever spoken to. May I present, the World's Greatest Detective, the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the one, the only, Batman.

Isn't this something like a mixed metaphor? Jimmy Olsen and Batman??
CthulhuFhtagn
01-06-2006, 23:27
This smells like people trying to prove they're hip by being "diverse" and shit. It'll be interesting to see if they make Batwoman a real character, or just a token dyke.
Considering that DC got rid of a real character to introduce this one...
Hydesland
01-06-2006, 23:30
The Filfth!

Catwoman would be a much better lezbian
Not bad
01-06-2006, 23:52
Isn't this something like a mixed metaphor? Jimmy Olsen and Batman??

No.
[NS]Wooshaba
01-06-2006, 23:59
Batwoman as a lesbo. Very dumb move. I wonder if they will have Batwoman, Catwoman and Batgirl to have a dykey threesome. That would be very interesting don't you guys think?