The Most Dangerous Women in the DCU: A Look at Batwoman #12

Title: Batwoman #12

Author: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman

Artist: J.H. Williams III

Publisher: DC Comics

Rating: T+

Release date: August 15, 2012

Verdict: JHW3 Perfection!

There are so many comic book creators that I follow, that it’s always been kind of hard to answer the questions: “Who is your favorite writer? Who is your favorite artist? Who is your favorite writer/artist?” Even if I had a definitive answer, that answer could change a few months down the line. There are always new people coming down the pike, and to pick one… just one… is never easy. But when it comes to certain creators…guys like JH Williams III…it really isn’t that hard.

I’ve followed JHW3 on almost everything he’s done since at least the late 1990’s. An arc of Legends of the Dark Knight (Conspiracy #86-88) was where I first noticed his awesomeness. This led to various one-shot issues here and there, Chase from DC, the Son of Superman hardcover with Howard Chaykin & Dave Tischman from DC, the award winning Promethea from America’s Best Comics with Alan Moore, Wildstorm’s Desolation Jones with Warren Ellis (of which I wish he did more), issues of Batman with Grant Morrison, Batwoman in the pages of Detective Comics with Greg Rucka, and finally, the Batwoman ongoing series that he co-writes with W. Haden Blackman, the series we are here to talk about.

Issue #12, the first part of the third arc of the series, sees JHW3 return to not only write, but also to draw. And when I say “draw” and JHW3 in the same sentence, I mean so much more than that. The way he lays out a page, and the way he renders action, is unlike anything we are seeing out there today. This is not only true of his work now, but true of his work since Promethea. No one does it like him. No one. Multiple styles on a page, all to convey different emotions and to invoke different imagery. He’s truly one of a kind.

This issue is the first part of a two part Wonder Woman crossover. As a little side note; If you haven’t been reading Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello, you really should. It’s one of the best of the New 52. But I digress…back to issue #12; the issue opens to Kate Kane (aka Batwoman) nine months after the start of her current mission…still chasing leads…to find those missing kids. As the plot included Medusa and various characters from Greek myths, it was only a matter of time before Wonder Woman joined the fray.

Sometimes when you sit down to read a comic, it can go by fast. Not always a bad thing. It’s like a tasty snack. When it comes to comics by J.H. Williams III…it’s like the best meal you’ve ever eaten every time, no matter how long it takes you to digest. He packs his pages so full, you find yourself lingering on each page, long after you’ve finished the text, just admiring the artwork. The man has a talent for feeding our creative hunger. I can’t wait to see what he brings us in two months when the second part of this story will play out. Next month, as with several of the New 52 titles, Batwoman will have an issue #0 detailing Kate Kane’s origin. Should be eye opening J .

What did you all think? Does JHW3 fulfill your hunger for amazing artwork? How are you liking Batwoman with him as writer/artist? Do you miss Greg Rucka as his partner in crime? Let us know! Sound off in our handy comments section below.