The Girl Gangbuster: The Original Batwoman!
On Free Comic Book Day, I have doodled cartoons at The Comic Stop located in Watertown, Massachusetts. On one occasion, I saw a mother picking up the latest issue of Batman for her five-year-old. I leaped to my feet and advised her not to select this comic book. I suggested making a selection from the comic books geared to children. Why? On the first page of this particular issue there was human blood, lots of it. Gone are the days when the adventures of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman were geared for the whole family.
Batman’s adventures were not always this dark-natured. At one time he was aided by a lighthearted and capable crime buster: The Batwoman.
Batwoman uses a cosmetic inspired weapon to stop a criminal. Detective #233 (1956)
The original Batwoman was Kathy Kane, a circus performer who inherited a fortune. With her money, she decided to become a crime-fighter. Kathy made her debut in Detective Comics #233 (1956) in a story written by Edmond Hamilton titled The Batwoman. Kathy wore a black and yellow suit, oversized mask (red, later yellow), a red cape, and a weapons bag slung over her shoulder. This glamorous dare doll was designed by artist Sheldon Moldoff.
Kathy often relied on cosmetic-disguised weapons to battle criminals. These included an oversized hair net, a powder puff filled with sneezing powder, and a charm bracelet which actually was a pair of handcuffs. She did not refrain from throwing people over her shoulder. Batwoman’s capable fists were also on display to subdue the bad guys. She rode a red bat-cycle to patrol the streets of Gotham City.
Batman discovers Batwoman’s true identity from Detective Comics #233 (1956)
As her initial activities occurred in the un-liberated 1950s, Batman did not welcome her assistance. By the conclusion of Batwoman’s first adventure, the Caped Crusader learned her secret identity. Batman reasoned if he was able to discover Batwoman’s secret, crooks would too. Kathy decided to retire even though the average criminal does not possess Batman’s detective skills.
However, readers were receptive towards Batwoman and she returned in Batman #105 (1957) in The Challenge of Batwoman. She aided Batman and Robin in the capture of a criminal gang, but, again, retired at the end of the story.
Batman Family comic
She encountered Batman, Robin and Superman in World’s Finest #90 (1957) and became The Super Batwoman. Batman was not initially thrilled to have Batwoman participate in this adventure. He lectured her again on the dangers of crime-fighting. When Batwoman accidentally gains superpowers, she aids Superman. Batman later changed his mind about her crime-fighting career. He said to the girl gangbuster, “You showed such cleverness and courage that I can’t ask you to drop your career completely, just be careful.”
Betty Kane and her Aunt Kathy pose an interesting question to Batman and Robin. Batman #159 (1963)
Batwoman would make semi-regular appearances in Detective, Batman and occasionally popped up in World’s Finest. On occasion, she would team up with Bat-Hound and the alien pixie Bat-Mite. In Batman #139 (1961), Kathy’s niece, Betty, came for a visit and discovered her identity! She took on the guise of Bat-Girl in her first self-titled story. Betty aided Batwoman and romantically pursued Robin. One of Batwoman and Bat-Girl’s most exciting adventures was in Batman #159 (1963), The Great Clayface-Joker Feud. The heroines capture the Joker while Batman apprehends Clayface.
Batwoman saves Batman and Robin from The Menace of The Firefly! Batman #126 (1959)
Critics have often written Batwoman had to be rescued frequently by Batman. It is true he had to come to her rescue. However, Batman was fortunate Batwoman was involved with his cases. She saved Batman and Robin from being blinded by the Firefly in Batman #126 (1959), The Menace of The Firefly. Batwoman’s ability to capture criminals, on her own, was demonstrated in Detective #276 (1960), The Return of Bat-Mite. Also, in this story she saved Batman and Robin from a water trap set by The Hobby Robber. In Detective Comics #302 (1962), The Bronze Menace, Batwoman rescues The Dynamic Duo when they become bronze statues. The Terrible Trio launches the Caped Crusaders into space in Detective Comics #321 (1963), The Return of the Terrible Trio. Batwoman, discovering their plight, returns the pair to earth. Batman and Robin are left to perish in a fire by The Cat-Man from Detective #325 (1964), The Strange Lives of the Cat-Man. Batwoman dons a Cat-Woman costume, giving her nine lives, to rescue the pair from perishing in flames.
Batwoman’s fists stop a pair of thieves as Bat-Mite watches. Detective #276 (1960)
Kathy Kane dated Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, suspecting he was Gotham City’s protector. Over time, both in and out of costume, the pair developed a deep affection for each other. Batman, believing both he and Batwoman would soon perish, admits his love for her in Batman #153 (1962), Prisoners of Three Worlds. “I do love you,” Batman reveals. “I never wanted to admit it before.” They share a passionate kiss. When the danger passed, Batman takes back what he said, without convincing Batwoman or the readers.
By 1964, sales of the Caped Crusader’s comic books were dismal. This had been attributed to the wild science fiction plots imitating Superman’s adventures. To increase sales, Batman’s look and storytelling were revamped. Batwoman, Bat-Hound, Bat-Mite and Bat-Girl were dropped, and Alfred the butler was killed off. Kathy’s last appearance as Batwoman was in World’s Finest #154 (1965) The Sons of Superman and Batman. This was an imaginary tale where Kathy Kane was married to Bruce Wayne.
A Batwoman ring produced by The Lawson Novelty Company in 1966.
Shortly after the debut of the Batman television series in January 1966, related merchandise lined store shelves. Although not seen in the comic books, Batwoman did appear on a few items including a toy ring by the Lawson Novelty Co. bearing a 1966 copyright. The ring featured a lithograph which changed from Batwoman’s face to an image of her on the Bat-Cycle. Also in 1966, although using different colors for her costume, Batwoman became a moveable puppet billed as a Muv-Eze product and manufactured by Mobli-0 Enterprises. Occasionally when Catwoman appeared on merchandise, Batwoman’s image was pictured mistaking her for the feline felon!
Due to reader demand, Batman Family #10 (1977), Those Were the Bad Old Days, featured the return of Kathy Kane. Batwoman, with an altered costume design, teamed with the current Batgirl (Barbara Gordon). In this story, Kathy mentioned she left Gotham City to run her own carnival. The two bat-heroines became good friends.
Batwoman would make a few more appearances with Batgirl. However, once again, Batman’s sales were dropping. Writer Denny O’Neil had Kathy Kane murdered in the hopes this dramatic event would revive reader interest in Batman’s adventures. In Detective Comics #485 (1979), The Vengeance Vow, Batman failed to save Kathy from an assassin’s knife and displayed little emotion upon her demise. He appeared more upset over being quickly overcome than the loss of a close friend. This story began a sickening trend within the pages of DC Comics, who published Batman’s adventures, where women were often maimed, mutilated or murdered.
Although Kathy Kane died on one universe she was alive on another. Brave and the Bold #182, (1982)
Brave and the Bold #182 (1982), Interlude on Earth-Two, written by Alan Brennert, had an unsuspecting Batman traveling to Earth-Two. This world had their own, older version of the Caped Crusader who shared similarities with his younger counterpart. While trying to save Gotham City, Batman encounters another Robin and Batwoman. Earth-Two’s Batwoman’s early background was nearly identical to the deceased Kathy Kane. On this parallel universe, Bruce Wayne wed Selina Kyle, better known as The Catwoman. Sensing Batman, in his other identity, was married, Batwoman hung up her costume. Years later, after the deaths of Earth-Two’s Batman and Catwoman, Kathy comes out of retirement to aid Robin and the younger Batman. Overtime this story has become much beloved and is considered one of Batman’s finest adventures. In this adventure, Batman finally becomes emotional upon meeting this world’s Batwoman. While shaking Kathy’s hand he remembers the version from his universe. Brennert, possibly noting the emotional dismissal Batman gave Kathy Kane in The Vengeance Vow, had that corrected in his story.
Brave and the Bold #197 (1983), The Autobiography of Bruce Wayne, had the Earth-Two Batwoman make a cameo appearance in a tale recounting how Batman and Catwoman fell in love.
Batman Legends of the Dark Knight Annual No. 6 (1996) featured a sword yielding Kathy Kane, from another universe, wearing armor and calling herself The Batwoman.
Batman encounters a ghostly Batwoman. The Kingdom, Planet Krypton #1 (1999)
By the time The Kingdom: Planet Krypton #1 (1999) was published, D.C. Comics had rebooted their universe. There was no evidence of a Batwoman ever existing. However, Batman investigates a restaurant where ghosts of superheroes and heroines wander about. He determines they are not ghosts but “echoes” of other realities. There is a touching moment when Batman, although not supposed to be remembering her, encounters Batwoman. Initially he has a stern expression but becomes emotional when referring to the echo as “Kathy.”
Batwoman was revived as Katherine Webb-Kane. Batman Incorporated Vol.1 #4 (2001)
In 2001 Batwoman was reintroduced in Batman Incorporated Vol 1. #4 by writer Grant Morrison as Kathy Webb-Kane in The Kane Affair. She donned a cape and cowl when the secret organization Spyral wanted her to discover Batman’s identity. Batwoman and Batman fell in love, but she later left his side so as not to betray him. Eventually Kathy would lead the Spyral organization.
Katrina Moldoff was referred to as The Bat-Lady in episode of The Brave and the Bold, The Criss-Cross Conspiracy (2010)
The Brave and the Bold animated series had Katrina Moldoff donning a Batwoman costume as it looked in the comic books from 1956-65. This was in the episode called The Criss Cross Conspiracy. Katrina was referred to, by Night wing, as the “Bat-Lady.” Although starting out as a heroine, she becomes a criminal. Katrina, her secret identity exposed by The Riddler, seeks revenge on Batman’s nemesis! A wizard puts her mind into Batman’s body and vice versa. Eventually things are straightened out and Katrina is taken into custody. Batman assures her she will have friends once released from prison.
There was also a Kathy Kane from Earth-11 who became Batwoman. She dressed in a feminine version of Batman’s costume. Kathy was later corrupted by Joker venom to become The Batwoman Who Laughs.
The year 2004 gave fans a six-inch-tall Batwoman action figure produced by DC Direct. She was featured along with Bat-Girl. Tweeterhead produced a beautiful 13-inch maquette statue of Batwoman in 2017.
In 2023 Kathy and Betty Kane came out of retirement to aid Scooby Doo’s gang alongside the present-day Batwoman, Kate Kane. The Batman & Scooby Doo Mysteries (2023)
Writer Sholly Fisch revived both Kathy and Betty in The Batman & Scooby Doo Mysteries #5, (2023), Rats All Folks. In this exciting tale, the original Batwoman and Bat-Girl team up with Scooby Doo’s gang to capture a gang of Rat-Men stealing motorcycles. The current red-haired Batwoman, Kate Kane, also appears in this story. Kathy Kane officially passes the mantel of Batwoman to Kate.
The original Batwoman has not totally been put into storage. Her older stories have been reprinted in trade paperback form. They may be a bit pricey, but if a parent should want their child to read a more family-friendly Batman, these are the books to seek out.
Batwoman designer, Sheldon Moldoff, drew this special drawing for the author of this article
All images Courtesy Fred Grandinetti
Top Dollar Collectibles
August 2023
Find the most valuable — and fun — keepsakes in the worlds of sports, toys and superheroes
Buy This Issue