Batwoman: Everything You Need To Know
3. Creating Kate Kane: 52, THAT Costume, And West Point
The actual origin of Batwoman took place during one of the most fascinating periods in DC's history, called '52'. So named for the fact that, for fifty-two weeks, DC's Trinity went missing and were replaced by a the publisher's lesser-known characters, the event saw a number of heroes step up to fill the void left behind by Batman's absence - among the most notable being The Question, G.C.P.D. officer Renee Montoya and the mysterious new Batwoman, later revealed to be former U.S. Army soldier, Kate Kane.
Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid and Keith Giffen are all credited with the creation of Batwoman, but it was really Rucka who latched onto the character and gave them the space to develop into one of the Bat-Family's most interesting characters, fostering a synonymy between the Batwoman brand and intrigue, horror, maturity and quality.
Irrespective of what the character would go on to become, however, Kate Kane made her full comics debut in 52 #7, which released in 2006. Her striking red and black outfit was originally intended to be used as part of a potential Batgirl redesign, but when DC Editorial decided to keep Barbara Gordon as Oracle (at least for the time being), Kate Kane came into being.
Her origin, like her costume, was also striking. Born into a military family, Kate grows up along with her sister Beth and eventually joins the army. As an out lesbian, she's eventually discharged under the army's homophobic 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and returns to Gotham, attending college and living a party life-style. Just as her life looks set to fall apart again, however - with the character falling behind her studies and ending her relationship with Renee Montoya - Kane is targeted by a mugger, who she dispatches using her military training. In the midst of the confrontation Batman makes an appearance, and Kate, now inspired by the bat-symbol, decides to take to the streets as a vigilante.
Her father, utilising his contacts in the military, then sends Kate away to train around the globe. Upon her return, she's presented with the now-iconic red and black costume and starts fighting crime as Batwoman, independent of the Dark Knight.