Greg Rucka’s and J.H. Williams, III’s Batwoman: Elegy series has long been on my to-read list, so this marks only the second issue of Batwoman I’ve read. Issue #1, from a year ago, was amongst those first issues of the New 52 I gave a shot. While I enjoyed that issue, it didn’t hook me enough to buy the book on a monthly basis. Having seen a preview of this book, and it being a fairly short week, I decided to give it another chance. This issue may in fact have made me augment pull list. Being so new to the series also may have been a benefit, as, if this issue covers previously published material, it’s still new to me.

The narrative unfolds as a letter from Kate Kane, Batwoman, to her estranged father, only to be read in the event of her death. Under writers of lesser talent this could’ve have come across as nothing more than tedious exposition, but Williams III and co-writer, W. Haden Blackman, are able to hold a natural, conversational tone throughout the entire book. Even when Kate is going over events that her father was a part of and would undoubtedly know, it’s to shed light on her emotional state and motivations at the time, serving both the characters and the reader.
Just about everything that can be said of Williams III’s art has already been said, and assuredly much more eloquent than I could possibly hope to muster.

Regardless it is nothing sort of stunning. The book contains no dialogue spoken by the characters being depicted, relying solely on the narrative of Kate’s letter. Williams III always chooses the best moments from these memories to show. Had the flashback scenes been entirely wordless, this could’ve served a comprehensive origin for this Batwoman. The highlight was a splash page, showing Kate’s first encounter with Batman. While Kate is show in the foreground in a more traditional line art style, Batman is shown in Williams III’s more painted style. It works to give a sense of awe to the scene, putting the reader squarely in Kate’s shoes.

While I’m not 100% sure I’ll be adding this to my pull, the chances are high. I’m definitely on board for the Wonder Woman arc next month.