Hold The Bat-Phone! Batwoman Graphic Novel Out Tomorrow

Black leather and spandex have never kicked this much ass. Batwoman, DC Comics' high profile lesbian superhero will swing onto bookshelves tomorrow in the soft-cover edition of Batwoman: Elegy.

Smartly written by Greg Rucka and lavishly illustrated by J.H. Williams, Elegy is a collection of Batwoman's adventures in the monthly Detective Comics series. Don't let the marketing or the media hype fool you -- while Batwoman's (a.k.a Kathy Kane) sexuality is explored throughout the six-issue arc, it's done in a respectful, realistic manner -- while juxtaposed with werewolves, back-alley brawls, and psychedelic villains from Alice in Wonderland (guess the Joker wasn't in town). The superhero isn't defined by her sexuality, rather, it's just a part of her. Simple and affordable, ($17.99) the Elegy soft cover is the easiest introduction to the best gay superhero in the business. Oh, and if nothing else, pick it up for J.H. Williams' award-winning visuals -- jaw-dropping.

And watch for the Bat-Symbol this fall, as DC Comics announced yesterday that Batwoman's very own solo-series will fly high in September.

-- FLASH STEINBEISER

Previously >Need To Know: Declan Bennett