Richie's Recommendation
Batwoman (2026) #01
(W) Greg Rucka (A) Dani "Da Ni" Strips
In 2006, DC Comics made a bold shift. Instead of leaning only on their biggest icons, they turned toward the so-called “lower-tier” characters in their library and gave them room to breathe. Out of that creative pivot came something that, for me, feels deeply personal: Greg Rucka and J. H. Williams III’s reimagining of Kate Kane - Batwoman.
Batwoman technically dates back to the 1950s, but her original creation was rooted in fear. She was introduced as a reactionary measure - a way to quiet rumors about Batman and Robin rather than exist as a fully realized character. Because of that, she never truly felt alive on the page. She was more of a tool than a person, and eventually she faded into the archives.
Everything changed when she was reintroduced in 52. That’s when Kate Kane was truly born. Instead of being used to deflect conversations about queerness, she became a powerful representation of it. Rucka’s storytelling felt raw and intentional. Her origin - being expelled from West Point under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” - wasn’t just backstory. It was emotional truth. It gave her pain, conviction, and purpose.
What resonates with me most about Batwoman’s history is the contrast. Her original concept came from censorship and bigotry, and it showed. The modern version came from empathy and honesty, and that shows too. Greg and J.H. didn’t just update a character - they gave her trauma, depth, flaws, and perspective. She felt human. She felt real. She felt like someone whose story hadn’t often been centered in superhero comics.
Since 2006, Batwoman has cemented herself as a vital member of the Bat-Family. She’s one of the few characters to take the lead in Detective Comics outside of Batman himself and to headline her own ongoing series. That kind of staying power means something.
Now, in 2026, with Rucka back in the driver’s seat for a new Batwoman series, I feel that same excitement all over again. Batwoman represents more than just great art and sharp storytelling to me - she represents growth. Growth in comics. Growth in representation. Growth in courage.
This one is absolutely at the top of my stack this month.