Crisis On Infinite Earths Part 2 Teases Batwoman Vs. Supergirl
Could the Girl of Steel come to blows with Kate Kane?
Part two of the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover came our way on last night’s episode of Batwoman. Much like the first episode, the second instalment was packed to the brim with all kinds of plot twists, Easter eggs and things getting wiped from existence.
The episode also introduced more of the promised characters from other DC shows and movies. Amidst all the super powered fights and desperate decision making, there was one particular incident that could imply some rather unexpected consequences for the Arrowverse going forward. If you are yet to watch the episode, you might want to look away now, because MASSIVE SPOILERS lie ahead.
The heroes return to action after the Monitor informs them of seven heroes scattered across the multiverse who could hold the key to defeating the Anti-Monitor. These Paragons each represent a particular aspect of what makes someone a hero.
One of them happened to be none other than Kevin Conroy’s Batman from Earth-99, or so we thought at least. At said Earth, Kate and Kara encounter an old, disillusioned Bruce Wayne who has given up on the world, having broken his moral code and gone on a murderous rampage. Not one to give up so easily, Kate tries her best to appeal to the hero inside her cousin.
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Unfortunately the cause is well and truly lost when Kara discovers this Batman had killed Superman. When confronted, Bruce attacks Kara, wounding her with a Kryptonite powered uppercut. This forces Kate to intervene and in the ensuing chaos, Bruce gets shoved into a bunch of electrical equipment and dies of electrocution. After returning to camp, the Monitor informs the pair that this had all been a test to bring out the courage in Kate. It was not Bruce but Kate herself who was the Paragon.
However, it would not be the end of Earth-99’s influence on Kate. Just as it seemed Batwoman and Supergirl had embarked on a strong friendship that would never end, Kate reveals she had kept Bruce’s kryptonite piece. This immediately opens a number of debates. First and foremost; despite appreciating Kara as a friend and protecting her at the expense of Bruce’s life, she does still harbour some of the same fears that led to Batman killing Clark.
The common theme of humans being distrustful of higher beings with exceptional powers returns. As for its impact on the Crisis, Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries suggested it could be limited to Kate’s inner struggles. According to Dries (via Variety), that scene was “teeing up the third episode of the crossover and an internal conflict that Kate has”.
Its true significance though, may lie in the future. If going forward all the Arrowverse universes get merged into one and Supergirl starts operating in the same world as Batwoman, we can expect to see more interactions between the two. What’s to say they will always be in agreement? Bruce and Clark colliding has always been a big draw for DC. Given the sheer gravitas of any storyline involving the great heroes coming to blows, The CW may very well decide to do their version of it with Batwoman and Supergirl.
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Crisis on Infinite Earths continues with part 3 on tonight’s episode of the Flash.