Batwoman is getting her own series, yay! Matt Staggs’ piece in Suvudu:
DC Comics announced Wednesday that Batwoman will have her own ongoing series beginning later this year. Batwoman’s most high profile role in comics has been that of lead character in “Detective Comics” during the disappearance of Batman. Artist J.H. Williams III, who was nominated for two Eisners for his work on “Detective Comics,” will continue his work with Batwoman, both drawing and writing the new series.
Batwoman is also the first lesbian superhero to have her own series, and is only one of a handful of gay comic book characters in the medium at all. Does seeing a lesbian hero in a mainstream comic book indicate a growing acceptance of LGBT characters in popular culture, over all?
If you read far enough you’ll see my response. But then see Caitlin Kiernan’s scepticism. She’s not wrong but, eh, she’s aiming for the moon, and, today, I’m just happy to fly. A dyke comic from a mainstream publisher? Woo hoo! How cool is that?
Also, over at Tor.com, they’re talking about queering f/sf. I’m glad, of course, that it’s a topic for discussion but I think they could use some help with suggested reading. Pop over and give them a hand.
In non-book queer news, President Obama yesterday phoned Janice Langbehn and apologised for what she went through when her partner, Lisa, died alone in a Florida hospital. He signed a memo prohibiting discrimination against same-sex (and other) hospital visitation. This is a Good Thing. Janice has been tireless in pushing for this. I know how crushing grief can be; she deserves recognition and our thanks for helping to make this happen.
Finally, over at Sterling Editing we have our weekly round up of links for writers. Lots of cautionary remarks from experts this week: how to write, how not to respond to rejection, and when (and not) to quit your day job. And lots more.
Nicola Griffith 
I think a lesbian comic is pretty cool. Whatever their motives, yep, it has t o be a good thing.
And what great news about Obama's memo! Finally. Janice has done a huge service for us all. I hope this gives her some small measure of satisfaction at least.
Good news for a Friday.
I love when people turn something bad into something good.
Jennifer, ssas, yep, good from bad = win.
She's a magnificent character, I've read almost everything she has been in for the past few years. I was a little worried that her run in Detective Comics was over and that would be the last anyone woul hear of her until Rucka went back to DC.
But to find out that she's getting her own series, that has got to be some of the best news since the announcement that she would be headlining Detective Comics.
There is also Renee Montoya aka The Question who didn't get as much press but is another lesbian hero for DC who shared Detective Comics wiht Batwoman. She is another great character with a long history in both comics and on Batman the animated series. I've been following her as well and I hope she too will get her own comic book. So far she has had two mini series. Both of which were fantastic.
I really hope that other comic publishers put out more gay heroes. I've been following this for years and just to get characters this notable has taken so long!
But hasn't The Question turned into a lonely unemployed alcoholic? Sigh…
She was for a brief period of time, but that was a few years ago, during the 52 series and BEFORE becoming The Question. It was the events of thst series which brought her out of that phase, and the death of the previous Question lead to her inheriting all that was his. Currently (Detective Comics #862) she is investigating a global crimminal organization with The Huntress.
Ah. My mistake. (You can probably tell I don't often read comics…) But I keep telling myself I should, I really should.
Ha, yeah and I probably read too many comics and not enough books. I worry about these characters though as I fear most old time comic readers are just into them because they're hot lesbians, while at the same time LGBT readers (and non readers) are annoyed that they are hot lesbians.
I'd hate for people to miss the fact that they are quality characters. Greg Rucka really nurtured them in his treatment of their motivations and history. They are sympathetic, flawed, and very human characters. the kind of characters that you don't have to look hard in order to see something of yourself in them.
Rucka, who is a supporter of gay right even included Daniel Choi in one issue of Detective Comics and put Batwoman (a former soldier) in a similar situation as part of her origin story.
I don't want people to miss out on these characters and their stories because they can't look past the surface or their own expectations.
For The Question, I would suggest reading “The Question: Five Books Of Blood” and for Batwoman, I would say Detective Comics 854-860.
I'm very happy about this. I've followed the character Renee Montoya in comics from her run in Gotham Central through 52 where Batwoman was introduced. The current Detective Comics run of Batwoman is great. It's nice to see DC committing to keeping lesbian characters around in big titles.