When Kate Kane was first introduced as Batwoman in Detective Comics #824 how could any of us have known that her character would sky-rocket in popularity the way she did? With her very own ongoing title as part of DC's "new 52" line, Kate Kane has been gradually rising in popularity as one of DCs foremost female characters and one of the most high profile gay characters in comics. Although so much has already been done with her character; DC still has some very big plans for Kate very soon -- plans that could potentially put her at odds with the Dark Knight himself.
Last week we discussed the importance of Agent Cameron Chase's character to Batwoman and the idea that she could be a potential threat to Batman. This week we connect her importance and her relationship to Kate Kane and how that will affect Kate's decisions in the very near future. If you read the fifth issue of the BATWOMAN series then you already know why. What is Kate to do when she is faced with a situation where she is damned if she does, damned if she doesn't? If you haven't read the series' latest issue I recomment you do so before continuing to read any further.
== TEASER ==
At the end of BATWOMAN #5 readers witnessed Kate come face to face with a choice that could potentially change the direction of her character. The decision Kate will make in the coming issues will have her working side by side with Agent Cameron Chase and Bones, cooperating with the Department of Extranormal Operations, also known as the D.E.O. This decision will also pit her against Batman, something he made clear to Kane in the final pages of the series' most recent issue.
In this scene Kate seems pretty sure about her decision to go ahead and work for an organization that has recently compromised the identity of a former Teen Titan (Flamebird) and has been known to go after members of the Bat Family. By agreeing to work with the D.E.O. Kate may not only be compromising her own identity but that of other crime fighters as well. What will this mean for Batman?
It's not news to any Bat-fan that Batman has a very difficult time trusting people. I mean, why else would he insist on carrying a fragment of Kryptonite in his utility belt? Just in case. If there is anything Batman doesn't like is the feeling of not being in control of a situation. This fact was made obvious to readers when Bruce spent an entire month trying to uncover Batwoman's secret identity. For an entire month Batman followed her every move, documenting everything from her hook-ups to fighting technique until he was absolutely sure that Batwoman was indeed Kate Kane.
It was then and only then that the dark knight invited her into his inner circle, and I don't entirely believe that he did so as a form of respect for Kate; at least not entirely. By inviting Batwoman in as a member of Batman, Inc. Batman is essentially attempting to instill his control over Batwoman and her operations. Not only would the heroine no longer work alone, but each and every one of her moves would be documented. Kate knew this, which may be part of the reason why she refused the offer. This might also be the reason why when confronted with an invitation by the D.E.O. she rather willingly obliged. But what does this all really mean, and how much of a threat to Batman is Kate's alliance to the D.E.O.?
For those who don't know, the D.E.O. is a governmental organization in the DC Universe whose sole purpose is to regulate superhero behavior, something that --clearly-- Batman would not be down for. Additionally, Batman has previously been a target of the D.E.O. before. For years, actually. And although the D.E.O.'s Director (Mister Bones) stated that Batman would not be a target, it's hard to believe that he wouldn't be when he s so close to Batwoman. What does this mean for Batwoman and Batman? By gaining the allegiance of Kate Kane, have Mister Bones and Cameron Chase come one step closer to Batman? After all, the D.E.O. is in the business of regulating superheroes, so why not go after Batman, INC.?