BATWOMAN #4
Review by: greccoo
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
1010
Pulls
Pulls
Avg Rating: 4.6
%7B%22comicdate%22%3A%222011-12-14%22%2C%22comicid%22%3A132692%7D
Users who pulled this comic:
- 1bat4u
- 3rdRedBird
- 8bitErin
- 8bitjm
- 27outs
- 0157h7
- 158hoff3
- 480thebatman
- a.j.howard09
- AaronBlock
- AbeFroman
- aboris26
- AbsoluteMark
- acamilo
- acbg
- Achaniel
- acowell429
- acrodavid
- adremm
- adrian
- adrianhosseini
- adrianrigter
- agaboury
- Agent005
- Agent Graves
- agentofstrange
- agent_of_shade
- Ajacks7
- ajmortys
- AL13N4112
- AlanMac
- AlanMooresBeard
- AlanRob
- albahan888
- Alex.Prostrollo
- AlexandertheGrape
- alexdlarge
- Alexferrer
- Allfather
- alorge
- AlphaFlightFan
- aluiscarrillo
- amcdole83
- AmirCat
- Andrew
- andybmcd
- andypeters
- Anome
- anrcampbell
- Anthony
- apoptosis81
- AquaPimp82
- Arathi411
- Arrrggghhh
- ashn0d
- Athalas
- atm
- atma
- ato220
- austinite74
- Automator
- avaldez
- Avenger117
- azrael1981
- babaoriley
- baggo
- bakakaba
- Bakhox
- Balefuego
- Baltika37
- Barnabas
- barrow
- Batusi
- batwoman
- bazhorne
- BazookaJim
- BCDX97
- beatdisciple
- Ben99
- benisjamino
- bigben2012
- BigE
- bigfall23
- bigsime22
- BionicDave
- bird
- BizDaddy
- bizreal1015
- BlackOps
- Blargo
- blueenvelope
- BlueTurtle1987
- blue_harlequin
- BMo2xl
- bmsovick
- bnicholas1
- BoldCoffee
- Bootmobile
- BoyBlue
- Boyling
- bpepple
- Brainiac6
- Bretticus
- BrettWhite
- brianoblivion
- Brother129
- Brotodeau
- BruceLuvsClark
- bryanpittard
- Bryce31
- buckeyerdld
- BuckyCap
- BulgarianBullwhip
- bursarman
- busboy
- cabernetfranc
- cabeto
- Cable
- CaeuZokul
- CagedLeo730
- cahubble09
- CalaveraDeOcho
- cannibalskunk
- Cantseeme
- CanuckGoose
- canuckster
- CaptainJackHarkness4
- Captain Yesterday
- CaptDS9E
- cassieforgen
- Cedric
- CelticHart81
- celtix
- chad
- CharlesVanMay
- CharlieBlix
- chelsea
- chrisgiff
- chrisleeson3
- chrismcclelland
- christopheduran
- christopherrenato
- chrs7637
- chuckles
- Cindrollic
- citizenmilton
- ClasikRok
- clay
- claydawg9418
- CleophusWayne
- Cliffjumper
- clint7480
- clintaa
- closetsquirrel
- Colonel2Sheds
- colossusofrhodeisland
- ComicBookGuy37
- ComicROAMER
- comicscansms
- comixfan
- conor
- consafo80
- Constable
- Cormac
- cornflakes
- cosmo
- Cranpa
- Crippler
- cromulent
- CronyC
- Croz
- CSFiction
- ctrosejr
- cultofweaver
- Curlibusj
- cutty
- daccampo
- daedj
- Daflash00
- Dakenn
- damianwayne
- DamienIII
- Damo1138
- Dane whitman
- DangerousHabits
- danyst
- darkknightwing
- Darksud
- darrenjackson
- DashiellPleasantHorse
- daveofthedead
- daverhodus
- Davetron3k
- DavidCW
- davidd
- DavidMacfarlane
- davidmc968
- dboutic617
- dbzmaster789
- DC87
- dcfanboy2012
- dcrob
- DDevil1964
- DeadBear
- deadspot
- Deanbitterman
- defjuan
- Detsuh
- DevilishRagz88
- Dex
- Dexter79
- Dez
- Diablo2
- diebenny
- Dietz82
- digitalartvark
- dignity20
- DikBallistik
- dix
- djd
- djgarciarx
- dkbat120
- dkbrain
- dman123us
- dogprod
- Dokhou
- Dondi
- Donnie D 3.0
- donny
- doomwad
- Doughboy
- downisthenewup
- dredscott33
- drevyek
- drew724
- DrewHLMW
- DrJonzo
- droll
- Drumanespic
- drummerman1126
- drunkentriggaz
- dsaint
- DTBrown72
- Du4No
- dublindarling
- Dudezilla2008
- dukealoops
- dunefish
- dworden
- dx6pac
- dxhc99
- Eadge
- EAGLEBAUER
- ed209AF
- Edo
- einstein399
- Eitanman
- ElectricShoes
- elfrawg
- ElvisPresto
- elwell23m
- emberman
- ender1979
- Endigo
- EnglishDamsel
- Eric
- ericeilersen
- ErieMaxwell
- erikduane
- Erotica_Scott
- essurfer
- est1864
- Etboo
- Euhin
- evenecia
- EVILgeniusBEN
- FamousLastWords
- Fanraeth
- Fanteisimo
- farceur318
- farisk1
- FarSide0013
- fatsoraven
- Ferrian
- filippod
- FishyBoy
- flaco
- flapjaxx
- Flash923
- fleaman
- FluffyPigSkin
- Flye777
- FoeApple
- ford
- FortressLad
- franchise
- Francisco
- Franktiger
- freakzilla
- fredsolo
- Friedmiester
- frodog28
- Fuchal
- fudd71
- Funcrusher
- Funnybooks
- FuryofFirestorm
- Fuzzymodo
- Fvckstick
- Gabrielogan
- gaffergamgee
- gallon
- gamboa1047
- GamiSB
- gandalf25
- Gareth
- GarHoch
- Garrett
- gat0rl1vebeatz
- geekmonkey
- GeminiTwin
- genelaw9
- getupreggie22
- GhostFactory
- ghostmann
- Gilgamesh417
- Gimpace
- GIrth
- GKFinns
- Glassford
- glcfarmboy
- Gloomy
- glunders
- gnanniv
- Goaler31
- goldenibis
- gollygosh03
- gorf313
- Grath
- Gray
- Grayghost
- Graysonite
- Grayson_Drake
- greccoo
- greenbillblue
- greenet
- Grendel1972
- grizly
- gruvenreuven
- GutterIsATool
- HailScott
- Hampton
- harkiamsuperman
- HarlemSkywalker
- Harper
- Harry Envy
- harwellpkg
- hassler
- Haupt
- havok1977
- HaZaa
- HBD
- henryj2112
- HeroesForHire08
- herogirl00
- Heroville
- Herpderpman
- HeX
- Hexsas
- heylook
- heymigs
- HipHopHead
- hiragikawaii
- hoaznod
- hobley
- Hoobeiss
- Hoshigaki
- HotelNeptune
- Hourman1941
- houseian
- hschweiss
- HumphreyLee
- husdis
- iamso77
- IanF
- ibagree
- icrawfordus
- idspispopd
- iGotKittyPryde
- Ilash
- imakereality
- ImMackBish
- Impossibilly
- Impulse
- Insomnia666
- IroncladMerc
- Ironknight
- itsHef
- j206
- jabroniunc
- JackAcid
- jackietam
- JacksonAlexandr
- jag2004
- jaiss1k
- Jake
- JAMESDEAN2020
- jamesschneider
- JamesTheFourth
- JamesUsher3000
- Janja
- jason245
- jason1749
- jasonwest
- jawhnb74
- jaybatzner
- JayEll
- jbaran82
- JBOGUZ
- jcwell01
- JdRavnos
- Jdudley
- JedeyeSniv
- Jediaxle
- JediJoe22
- Jeffc
- jerriblankstare
- Jesse1125
- JesseG
- jessidee
- Jester
- JesusChrysler
- JFernandes
- jforan21
- JGG
- jguerra
- Jgyorfi
- JimBilly4
- JimD
- JimmyD
- Jimski
- Jinnpo
- jisrael
- jjoe23j
- jkilbane
- jla728
- jlddlj11
- jleggat
- jlhenry55
- jlobassman
- JLupo
- jmack
- jmo
- jmstump
- joawmeens
- JoeFX
- Joey
- JoeyDoughnut
- JohhnyNormal
- john72tex
- JohnathanKong
- JohnCorrigan
- JohnNevets
- JohnnyDestructo
- johnthrax
- jokele
- JokersNuts
- JonBoy
- Jondmoser
- jonloveless
- jonnjonz
- jonny
- jono87
- Jonscone
- JoseRivera83
- josh
- Joshrector
- JPtheProdigy
- jramsey1
- JRoUKno
- JSAkid
- jsbigman
- jsbx
- jsligh
- jtrem
- jtrigg13
- jubal1
- JudgeJoyce
- JudgmentalSteve
- Jurassicalien
- justderek
- justincresswell
- jwsutts
- jwt6577
- jxc
- JZga
- k5blazer
- Kamilo
- kanjisaurus
- kaonohi
- karmictoast
- Kartoffelkopf
- Katharsis
- kcekada
- kebly
- Keith81658
- keithgrauman
- kellansmith
- Kellboy
- Kelly
- kennyg
- KenOchalek
- KevinAB
- kevinscomics
- KGBrAm
- kidsodapop
- Killerbee1
- KillTheG1mp
- kineAg62
- kingdomofevan
- kingmob23
- kingpinII
- kingsynthithis
- kirbyk
- KISSlover101
- Kmanifesto
- knight
- KnightofCydonia
- knuckleDragger70
- Kodaiji
- Kodos
- kortum22
- koryrosh
- KrelPlat
- krooze
- Krtrsl
- krypto
- kryptonkid
- KRYPTOTIM
- ksamara
- kwilli
- kyleo71
- kyouhin11
- Kzinti
- Lando
- langdonnicholas
- Lantern1025
- Lawless
- Lbmtuc
- Lebahn
- leftyloner
- Legend
- Legion
- Lelandp13
- Leprechaun
- LeviHunt15
- levitakis
- lifeinmoments
- lifesend
- Limitless
- lincolnputnam
- LiquidSnake
- liverpoolmunky
- lonemagician
- lorddowney
- lou6972
- lowkeylos
- LRecio
- LucasEwalt
- LukeB
- lvlutedHeretic
- MacAoidh
- macdad34
- madderhorn
- madthinker
- magnetowasright
- Major McMeat
- malakilii
- malloc
- malpractice
- ManaTau80
- manwithoutbeer
- marc0403
- MarkBiz
- markbovenzi
- MarkCWarner
- markish
- Mart
- martinNL
- mattgarcxc9
- matthewAskirble
- mattiebatslayer
- MattieMoe
- mattpavo
- MattyBoy1127
- Maty
- Maukingbird
- MaxPower
- maxpower00044
- Meanmrmustid
- MEFDOC
- Melanie
- MeNSinestro
- metalhead4
- Metamorphic
- MFGrizz666
- mguy77
- micahmyers
- michaelwalling
- michelleness
- middlenameboom
- midwinter
- MikefromGotham
- mikegraham6
- mikel411
- MikePositive
- mikeromo
- MikeSaxon
- milez42
- milkydj
- MisterBlank
- misterckent
- misterdestructo
- MisterShaw
- Mitchll
- mitchster
- mlilien
- moby66
- MoniBolis
- monkeeeboy
- montereybob
- Mordecai
- Morpheus
- MP76
- MPJB
- MrBeebs37
- MrBungle
- MrGlass
- mrglaubitz
- mrmccoy81
- MrNoahBdy
- MrPhases
- MtyKwan
- muddi900
- mulletpeep
- Multihuller
- Murakami
- musickills
- Mustbedamned
- mxc
- Mykey
- mymatedave
- Myrlyn314
- mzzr
- Natebot
- natethegreat
- nathematics
- Neb
- neftones
- NeonVomit
- NeoProwl
- netforceequalsma
- newkidintown
- newsun
- nick0606
- Nickelhouse
- Nicohdemus
- nightmarewalking
- nightwalker
- Nirvanahawk
- nl042
- noni
- Nonraw
- Notahiro
- Noto
- nsg
- nstange
- Ntpmcrtp
- nuages
- nudebuddha
- nukethewhalesagain
- nwrage
- nyrock
- obiwanpomaybo
- ockets8
- odare77
- odino1
- ohcaroline
- oldmanlogan88
- OniDante
- optimuspyro
- origamikid
- Osyris
- otisburns
- overgrownbat
- Pace
- paeryn
- Pandemic
- paorear
- parri
- party
- Patient957
- PaulMontgomery
- PDubble
- perch15
- PerplexedDCreader
- PeteJohnWilson
- petevaldez
- PhantomPhrenemy
- piscespaul
- pjhorrex
- pkbronson
- player1
- pmcmullen
- Pompster
- Pottsie
- PozrDu
- pppiquer
- PraxJarvin
- preacher95
- ProjectX2
- Psychomt
- pterri
- ptheiss
- PV
- pwac
- PymSlap
- qortlr100
- Quasar
- quenbyh
- Quinn
- RadConsv
- radiojejune
- RadIrish
- rafterman
- ragcage
- RahUniQue
- ralphsix
- ramonschenk
- randalmeister
- ratedrsuperstar1331
- Ratenef
- RaulTheMan
- RavagerWolf
- rawb
- rayclark
- Rchapoteau
- RecksDeud
- redline925
- RedMoses
- reg5000
- rerun717
- ResurrectionFlan
- Retcon
- Reverend13
- reversematt
- rhcoop24
- Rhymer
- RickyStardust
- rivendell3
- rizumu
- rjl
- RKB
- roadcrew1
- robbydzwonar
- RobCarmack
- RobFather
- RobotZombie
- Rofo
- RogueWarrior76
- roho
- RolandofGilead
- Roldan
- Roly
- ron
- rosariojav
- rottenjorge
- rparnaso
- rtillxnc
- Rtousi
- RubberJustice
- rubra
- Ryane92
- RyanHoyt
- ryanorr
- ryu156
- Salarino
- sambonie
- SamIAm
- SamKnox
- Sara92
- saturnmda
- SBomb232
- scallionsncreme
- schleprock
- ScottB
- ScottCarelli
- ScottH
- ScottR33
- Scruffy
- seanpatrickcasey
- SeanStockton
- seirules
- Sempervirens
- SenatorSnake
- seneca73
- serabird
- serge
- serviettedetable
- ShabaTG
- shawnopolis
- shiveringking8
- siddfinch68
- sideshowRaheem
- Sifl
- significarta
- SilverAgeTom
- Simon
- SirCut
- sistermagpie
- sitara119
- skeets
- Skyfire124
- SleepingMan
- Sloppyrog
- smitty
- smoggy
- SmokMnky
- Smutty
- snakeeyesy211
- snappants
- SnrFrijole
- Sodapopcat
- Softfoot
- Soma
- SomeCreepyDude
- sonofrich
- SonorousStar
- Sonu
- soulgiver
- SpaceCommander
- spacegrass
- Spade101
- sparos01
- sphinx69
- Spidey1313
- spilledmik
- spongebat
- Spoons
- spydermon
- srh1son
- stasisbal
- stevoarome
- STLComicGeek
- stobrien1981
- stoicaxis
- stormy504
- stormyinthenorth
- stubbleupdate
- stuclach
- stustap
- sugarglider
- sunhero
- Supascoopa
- SuperBatBoy
- superchuck
- SuperGregM
- supershock
- supersnac90
- svest322
- sw102106
- sweepy
- SymetriX
- TA
- TaBfan19
- Talclaren
- Tamaran
- TangleVine
- tathel
- TAV69
- techbot
- teewillis1981
- Tender Loving Killer
- Tetsu
- Thatguycalledscott
- TheApeThatEscaped
- thecannibalisticvagrant
- Thechangingman
- TheChosen
- thecodger
- theDANEtrain
- TheDoh
- theegreatone
- TheFlashr
- thefreakytiki
- TheGoddamnDeadpool
- thegreatoz
- thegreatpaulio
- TheGunny
- thehorseman
- themanagement
- TheMythicalReader
- Theoran
- TheSandman
- thescimitar
- theshadetool
- TheSquirrel
- thewalrus1235
- ThisIsChad
- throughthebrush
- thuyghe
- time_flow
- Tiocore
- tjerrod
- tjnewton
- Toadmeister
- TomE
- tomhayday
- tomistommy
- tomjoadsghost
- TommyC
- TommyMonaghan
- TomO
- Toniokiki
- topkat74
- topljo
- Toug
- Towerofam
- trailofdead
- treed808
- tripleneck
- Trizetacannon
- trobinson79
- TRStrick
- Truthseeker
- Tsarin
- tslothrop
- Tuff_Ghost
- turaho
- TurDOUGen
- TurdSandwich
- TurkeyJ
- twopossums
- unclerocco
- ungaro
- union20
- unkec
- UXmen
- vadamowens
- vampirebear
- VanLighty
- VichusSmith
- Victortoise
- vidiot
- Viewt
- VinceTwelve
- vinh
- VinyltheFabric
- Vinyl_the_Fabric
- ViperPilot
- Waldo
- walkerjody
- wallycee
- Walter
- WaltKellysGhost
- wangman31888
- Warrior Dude
- WeRideToFight
- whalenapp81
- Wheelchairlawyer
- WheelHands
- whitespyder9
- wideangle81
- WildSeven
- willelmagnifico
- WilliamKScurryJr
- wingsfan757
- WinTheWonderboy
- WonderAli
- Wood
- woodpeckerfrommars
- WookieLoveMachine
- Woomer
- wrater
- Wrkn4life
- wyn
- xantm70
- xebix
- Xenfernox
- xiseerht
- xrcst
- XsandOhs
- xZAOx
- yetihands
- youngneil
- ytsan
- yyzKyle
- Zachman
- zachtruitt
- zak7khan
- zattaric
- Zeppo
- zerodni
- zlbenson
- zombiemoses
- ZookZoltn
All users who pulled this comic
Hide users
Users who reviewed this comic:
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
Size: 32 pages
Price: 2.99
This review contains spoilers, click here to read
Describing how good J.H Williams III is at what he does has been done ad nauseum but whenever I read a new issue of his work I feel compelled to do so, so please bear with me here.
His work is probably the most inventive and imaginative in mainstream comics right now.
By employing multiple art styles throughout the issue (and series), it’s as if he’s just flaunting how much better he is than everyone else. Don’t mistake this for art pornography however as his use of these art styles serve the story and characters. For instance Kate and Maggie’s love scene, done in a washed out watercolour style, not only emphasises Kate’s dreamlike rapture but also recalls their courtship in issue 2 where a similar art style was used. Furthermore, these panels are contrasted against the more realistic, painted style of Flamebird’s fight sequence with the ‘hook’ character. In this sequence we see, for the first time, Flamebird drawn the same way Kate is when she is in her Batwoman costume. The outcome of the fight provides an ironic counterpoint to this artistic choice.
The artistic credit does not belong solely to Williams however. This book has an all-star line-up with Dave Stewart on colours and Todd Klein lettering.
Just as Williams draws in different styles, Stewart justifies his multiple Eisner’s by following suit as he colours in different styles while still reminding the reader that it is still very much a Dave Stewart product. As much credit Williams gets in forming the visual identity of Batwoman, it’s Stewart’s gorgeous colours, particularly Batwoman’s reds, which strike me first when I think of the series.
Todd Klein also flexes his artistic muscles by giving the supernatural characters unique speech bubbles that fit their character. What’s more impressive however is how he guides the reader’s eye when characters have conversations within Williams’ elaborate layouts.
When I read the previous issues of Batwoman I had a slight doubt that my enjoyment of the story was mainly due to the art and loyalty to the character (Rucka’s Elegy run is what got me into comics) and not the story. After reading this issue however my doubts were laid to rest. Williams and W. Haden Blackman advances the narrative a great deal and has me jonesing for the next issue. There were complaints that the three previous issues of Batwoman were too slow and did not advance the plot. While that position is understandable, I found the character work fantastic and in this issue we start to see the payoff to the plot threads sprinkled throughout the previous issues.
The one complaint I do have with this issue is that it is definitely not new reader friendly so I would advise people to read the previous issues before jumping on (and even then a reading of Elegy would also greatly benefit for a better understanding of the series).
During a period when representation of female characters in comics are being justifiably scrutinised, one only needs to look to Batwoman as an exemplary example of female representation in comics. The series contains four strong female characters (hell five if you want to count the moonlighting med student introduced in this issue) that have believable motivations and reactions to events and are not sexualised in an exploitive sense. At the same time they do not fall into any tough or action girl clichés and are not just stand-ins for male characters.
All in all Batwoman represents all that is right with mainstream comics. The art and story demonstrate how comics are different from any other medium and the work done by all the creators on this series deserve all the praise they get.
Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent
Leave a Comment
Login or Register to get involved and leave a comment