Batwoman #17 Preview/Discussion

[JimmyOlsenMustDie]

Spoilers.

Not really buying the proposal. Particularly because I haven't bought into the Mags/Kate relationship at all thus far. They've shared, what, one tender moment in 18 issues? They've had, what, two dates ever? Kate kept saying how she missed Maggie, but how could she when they've barely spent any time together? I'm really hoping that this is just an impulsive move by Kate and it ends poorly. Not poorly as in Maggie dies or something, but a move like this has the potential to just totally ruin a relationship. Like, "Hey, I've been lying to you all this time. Oh yeah, will you marry me?" I can see Maggie saying no and its being the start to an enmity between them. I think it would be great if it were revealed that Kate were much more into the relationship than Maggie, possibly because she has alienated the two people closest to her lately (Jake and Bette) and is looking for a substitute of sorts. That would explain a lot of what's happened in this book so far as regards the relationship, but I'm not terribly optimistic about it.

About the Bones reveal, I do think they are familial, but probably half-siblings. It would explain why the DEO has taken such an interest in Kate. And I don't know why you guys are saying he's black - he's always had invisible skin and organs, so I would assume that would exempt him from the standard racial categories.

As far as how the story ended - a little bit rushed, I thought. WW and Kate just bump fists then go their separate ways? Pretty underwhelming. And Bette's new name and costume are just awful.

Kate's crushing the surveillance device was pretty predictable and disappointing. Typical superheroes who don't trust government agencies. I get that she was blackmailed into working for them, but she certainly has taken great advantage of their technology during this arc, so I would hope that, contrary to most "superhero-works-for-the-government" narratives, she eventually sees the value in working for them and begins to believe in their cause rather than grow disillusioned because she had to do things she found reprehensible. That would be different.

Still, though, this is a good book. The layouts and art are awesome and even though I don't like McCarthy nearly as much, I've always been a big fan of Bones, Chase, and the DEO and there are a ton of loose ends there, so let's see what happens.

[Quinnhop]

Spoilers.

Not really buying the proposal. Particularly because I haven't bought into the Mags/Kate relationship at all thus far. They've shared, what, one tender moment in 18 issues? They've had, what, two dates ever? Kate kept saying how she missed Maggie, but how could she when they've barely spent any time together? I'm really hoping that this is just an impulsive move by Kate and it ends poorly. Not poorly as in Maggie dies or something, but a move like this has the potential to just totally ruin a relationship. Like, "Hey, I've been lying to you all this time. Oh yeah, will you marry me?" I can see Maggie saying no and its being the start to an enmity between them. I think it would be great if it were revealed that Kate were much more into the relationship than Maggie, possibly because she has alienated the two people closest to her lately (Jake and Bette) and is looking for a substitute of sorts. That would explain a lot of what's happened in this book so far as regards the relationship, but I'm not terribly optimistic about it.

This. I'm not a fan of the relationship. I love the series, but I don't love this aspect of it. Unless, as you said, it ends the way it should: with things not working out. It's such a shotgun celebrity wedding notion that if it works out it kind of undermines what Kate represents. Or, not what she represents, but who she's grown into. I could see Kate fresh off of her expulsion from Westpoint doing something like this (her behavior was extremely reckless), but she's grown since then and this whole marriage notion seems like a regression to me. Especially considering, like you said, Maggie's really just filled the role of her father, at least emotionally speaking.

[dupersuper]

So going over Bones history on Wikipedia, does that mean than Kate's mom was one of the women injected by Dr. Love

That's pre-Flashpoint history: take it with a grain of salt.

Also, where did he get that sarcophagus?

Abandoned Stargate SG-1 set?

[OberonOsiris]

Who here thinks that Bones is a full blooded brother of Kate and Alice?

Who thinks all three have the same father, or the same mother, but not both?

Is it possible that Bones has the essence/dna of Jake, due to some military experimentation he was involved in - either volunterily, or otherwise.

That's what I think. Unless I missed clues that show Kate's mom is also his mom.

[Bluebow]

Kate's crushing the surveillance device was pretty predictable and disappointing. Typical superheroes who don't trust government agencies. I get that she was blackmailed into working for them, but she certainly has taken great advantage of their technology during this arc, so I would hope that, contrary to most "superhero-works-for-the-government" narratives, she eventually sees the value in working for them and begins to believe in their cause rather than grow disillusioned because she had to do things she found reprehensible. That would be different.

It would have been more unexpected if, as they were parting Wonder Woman just told her to hand the device over to her. Wonder Woman should not be that naive after experiencing Government interference with The Justice League. Obviously destroying the device herself is to make her seem rebellious and noble as she would seem less heroic if she followed every order slavishly, which clearly she does not do.From her point of view I can see why she would continue to resent being forced to do their bidding. Why after they had discovered her identity did they not first offer her the job and only blackmail her if she refused? Add to this the fact that her handler Agent Chase is one of the few people she has encountered that does not act as though totally impressed by her and I can understand her attitude.

[thewarning]

And I don't know why you guys are saying he's black - he's always had invisible skin and organs, so I would assume that would exempt him from the standard racial categories.

From Manhunter.

[OberonOsiris]

Its been hinted that the new 52 may have changed this aspect of Bones' origin, but that was one of us posters. We just don't know, as of yet if the history is the same or not.

My guess is, of course he is black, African American, which means that Bones only shares 1 parent in common with Kate and Alice.
As I've mentioned before, Jake Kane, being a former Military OPS of some sort may have been involved in experiments with or without his consent in which his dna was used with presumably Bones ' mother.

[nepenthes]

Who here thinks that Bones is a full blooded brother of Kate and Alice?

Who thinks all three have the same father, or the same mother, but not both?

Is it possible that Bones has the essence/dna of Jake, due to some military experimentation he was involved in - either volunterily, or otherwise.

That's what I think. Unless I missed clues that show Kate's mom is also his mom.

I think it's misdirection and Bones is merely referring to Kate as an estranged "sister" of the Religion of Crime. Being a literal relative would be a weird and ill-fitting turn in the series. There's so much going on already it'd just be unnecessary

[OberonOsiris]

ONe of the upcoming solicits indicates a shocking family revelation. It could be that Kate discovers Alice is alive, still. But I think its more.

Of course, being the Flamebird fanatic that I am, I've been self-speculating that maybe Jake is secretly Bette's father (affair that was never discovered?) and therefore Kate and Bette are half-sisters. Who knows?

[batGRRRl4ever]

Bought and read the issue today. The issue had a sorta 1970's super hero horror book feel to it, the art was great despite all the wonky paneling issues that I dislike with this book generally. As others have said, the story just took WAY too long. It feels like this book is being written specifically for the trades, and not a monthly book that gets put into trade, you know what I'm saying?

Good issue, good enough to make me check out #18 at my LCS and maybe buy that one too.

[X-23_1977]

I think it's misdirection and Bones is merely referring to Kate as an estranged "sister" of the Religion of Crime. Being a literal relative would be a weird and ill-fitting turn in the series. There's so much going on already it'd just be unnecessary

its not a misdirection as JH Williams has said on Twitter that he is in fact a brother of Kates and Beths, to many of us on this board including myself. And that itll be part of a bigger mystery to be unveiled.

[X-23_1977]

Bought and read the issue today. The issue had a sorta 1970's super hero horror book feel to it, the art was great despite all the wonky paneling issues that I dislike with this book generally. As others have said, the story just took WAY too long. It feels like this book is being written specifically for the trades, and not a monthly book that gets put into trade, you know what I'm saying?

Good issue, good enough to make me check out #18 at my LCS and maybe buy that one too.

Awesome hope you decide to stay for the long run, all female Bat characters need the support, theres only two after all with ongoings ;)