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Event Website
https://www.mythsoc.org/oms/oms-2024.htm
Start Date
2-18-2024 4:00 PM
End Date
2-18-2024 4:50 PM
Description
Expansive superhero comic book universes can be thought of as collective, accretional works of Mythopoeia, generating modern mythologies of fantastical characters while also drawing inspiration from ancient myths of the primary world. The DC Comics’ character Batwoman was initially introduced in 1956 as a love interest of Batman/Bruce Wayne, in part to combat scandalous allegations of Batman’s homosexual tendencies towards his young male sidekick Robin. In 2006, writers Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, and Mark Waid reinvented the Batwoman character for modern audiences as the alter ego of ‘Kate Kane,’ Bruce Wayne’s cousin, who was a lesbian of Jewish descent. Queering the character was a significant move for the publisher; Batwoman was considered the highest profile gay superhero in the DC Comics stable, and even became the temporary lead character in the company’s namesake title, Detective Comics.
This paper aims to explore the depiction of the ‘Kate Kane’ version of the Batwoman character across multiple comic book series and storylines, particularly as it relates to common queer storytelling tropes and stereotypes. Primary examples will include the character’s US military history, including being expelled from the United States Military Activity over allegations of homosexual conduct, as well as complex and often fraught relationships with faith, family, and romantic partners.
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Comparative Literature Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, European Languages and Societies Commons, Literature in English, Anglophone outside British Isles and North America Commons, Literature in English, British Isles Commons, Literature in English, North America, Ethnic and Cultural Minority Commons, Medieval Studies Commons, Modern Languages Commons, Modern Literature Commons, Other English Language and Literature Commons
The Gay Bat of Gotham: Depictions of Common Queer Stereotypes and Tropes in the DC Comics Character Batwoman
Expansive superhero comic book universes can be thought of as collective, accretional works of Mythopoeia, generating modern mythologies of fantastical characters while also drawing inspiration from ancient myths of the primary world. The DC Comics’ character Batwoman was initially introduced in 1956 as a love interest of Batman/Bruce Wayne, in part to combat scandalous allegations of Batman’s homosexual tendencies towards his young male sidekick Robin. In 2006, writers Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, and Mark Waid reinvented the Batwoman character for modern audiences as the alter ego of ‘Kate Kane,’ Bruce Wayne’s cousin, who was a lesbian of Jewish descent. Queering the character was a significant move for the publisher; Batwoman was considered the highest profile gay superhero in the DC Comics stable, and even became the temporary lead character in the company’s namesake title, Detective Comics.
This paper aims to explore the depiction of the ‘Kate Kane’ version of the Batwoman character across multiple comic book series and storylines, particularly as it relates to common queer storytelling tropes and stereotypes. Primary examples will include the character’s US military history, including being expelled from the United States Military Activity over allegations of homosexual conduct, as well as complex and often fraught relationships with faith, family, and romantic partners.
