wessaari's Batwoman #18 - This Blood is Thick: Secrets review

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    Batwoman #18

    WARNING, THERE BE SPOILERS!!!

    Since my first review of this series last issue, I have picked up multiple issues of this series and even Elegy. I have found a new fondness for this character and the story that she is in and I am excited for the future of this title. Kate has proposed to Mags, the DEO is still trying to control her, and Batman is hot on her tail. With the help of the newly dubbed Hawkfire, Kate is heading on a new mission, but on to the review.

    PLOT:

    Batwoman and Hawkfire are on the trail for Mr. Freeze, with Bette still oblivious to the fact that Kate is working with the D.E.O. They have some trouble taking him down, but ultimately cripple Freeze. Batman then shows up, and Kate is being ordered to take the Freeze tech for the D.E.O. but Bats is not up for it. There is some hostility between the two, Kate even brings up Batman's lack of assistance in the Medusa crisis. Kate breaks the tech, and leaves some of it for Bats. Chase and Mr. Bones realize that they might be losing control over Kate, and also realize that Bette might become a problem. Bones decides to add in someone that will force Kate to abide by their wishes, but the identity of this new agent is unknown. Katherine Kane, stepmom to Kate and wife to Jake Kane, discovers Bette's Flamebird costume and figures what Kate really does and how Jake is helping. Meanwhile, Maggie is out looking for a new place to live ever since Croc/Hydra knocked down Kate's apartment. The issue ends with the new informant approaching Chase.

    THE GOOD:

    Let me first just say that this cover is beautiful. I know that this series flip flops with J.H. Williams and Trevor McCarthy, but I love both of their styles. With the huge Medusa story finally finished, it is time for Kate to move on, and that starts with Mr. Freeze. I thought by introducing an iconic Batman villain and then for Batman to show up was a great way to remind readers that Batwoman is still a Bat-influenced Gotham hero. She is great where she is, and is often described as living in her own little corner, but that doesn't mean her book suffers from it. I thought by reintroducing Bette as Hawkfire, after beginning her time in the Batwoman book as Flamebird, was a good way to keep things fresh. The interactions with Batman were also very validated, as he does do his own thing and also shows the antagonistic relationship these two have. The ender of issue 17 gave us a huge clue into Batwoman's future, and I have a clue as to who Bones is bringing in, and I am looking forward to it. The other huge reveal was the proposal, which now means that Mags knows of Kate's identity, and though we don't see any interaction between the two, or discussion of what it could mean for them, it was nice to see Maggi acknowledge her. There is still a mystery as to who Bones brought in to stir up the pot, but like I said, I have a pretty good idea.

    McCarthy delivers a great issue, with his unique style as well as the book's trademark unique panels. The whole issue was really consistent, with only a few panels I really didn't care for. Although, Williams isn't doing the artwork, and that is a huge let down, it is great to have such a good artist on this book. With Francesco Francavilla taking over the title, I am worried that his different style will conflict with the book. Black Mirror is a great example of his work, though at times I don't care for his style, he can really pull through with some amazing stuff.

    BEST STORY MOMENT: Having Hawkfire, Batowoman, and Batman interact with Jake Kane in Bette's ear and Chase in Kate's ear was a spectacle.

    BEST ART MOMENT: The thing with Trevor is, he is so freaking consistent, that it is nearly impossible to pick out the best piece in the story, when all of the story is drawn to such a high caliber. If anything, the cover really is the centerfold of the issue and accurately portrays the huge fight scene within the story.

    THE BAD:

    This is abrupt, so sue me, but this issue felt either rushed or short. The scene with Freeze didn't seem to last that long, but before we know it, the issue winds down in a very fast way. I love that Batman was there, I love that Bones is introducing a twist, and I even like that Katherine discovers Jake's secrets, but in the end these features added very little to the story. We have two pages for the D.E.O., two pages for Katherine, and then one page for the end. That seems incredibly rushed to me, and that might have to do with the page limit on these books. I feel that Williams and Blackman could have put so much more into the story then the very little they did put in it. The ending of this issue bugs me the most, it is so abrupt story and art wise, that really deflates the issue altogether.

    Trevor, although highly consistent, did have some panels that looked like they had very little work done on them. My other problem was that nothing in particular stood out. Most pages in this book are double spreads, and in multiple issues the ads had to be done in the back of the book because there was no page that was a one shot, and I think that is where McCarthy could have shined the most. The last page is also the least appealing page and ends the issue in such an anticlimactic way.

    WORST STORY MOMENT: The excessive rushing, while drawing out the Freeze fight really brought this issue down

    WORST ART MOMENT: The last page, hands down. Not that it was bad, it was just so plain and so abrupt.

    OVERALL:

    An interesting issue, and an interesting setup for the future of the story. If there is a flaw with this series, is that it draws out so long without accomplishing main goals within its issues. I really hope more significant events happen in this series, because I am so drawn into it, and I would love for this series to wow me like it has recently. I still have faith in this series, and though it wasn't a bad issue, it wasn't as exciting as I hoped it would be. I would still recommend this issue to those coming into this series, and all fans of the one and only Batwoman!!!

    STORY: 3.5/5
    ART: 4.5/5

    SCORE: 4/5

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