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“Batwoman #5” gives us a shocking revelation about our favorite caped crusader

Caution: Spoilers for Batwoman #5 below!

I feel like I’m running out of ways to praise Batwoman, because how many times can I shout, “This is the greatest comic book of all time!” at you before you start to doubt my sincerity? But, see, the thing is: This is the greatest comic book of all time! Or, well, at least it’s the best thing DC has offered in a ages; and certainly the best lesbian-centric comic book in the history of the space-time continuum. Issue #5, which hit shelves yesterday, further proves that the title deserves my mania.

When last we left our Caped Crusdaer, she was thiiiis close to solving the case of the Weeping Woman; Agent Chase was thiiiiis close to unmasking Batwoman; Flamebird was thiiiiiis close to dying; and Maggie and Kate were thiiiiis close to U-Hauling it. Issue #5 is the last one in the “Hydrology” arc, so J.H. Williams lays off the romance and sidekicks this time around and focuses mostly on the mystery.

The first 13 pages of the book find Batwoman chasing down the Weeping Woman, exorcising her spirit, and confronting her own demons about the death of her wayward twin sister. (See Batwoman: Elegy.) Williams continues to produce superlative art. The page layouts for Batwoman’s battle with the Weeping Woman are the stuff of legend. (I noticed last month that DC is having a hard time breaking up Batwoman with ads because of the breathtaking two-page spreads.)

The Weeping Woman’s demise is satisfying, but so is the reveal that she is only a piece of the puzzle, a pawn in the larger game of a crime organization known as Medusa. Enter Agent Chase and D.E.O. mastermind Director Bones. They lets themselves into Kate’s house and explain that she can help put an end to Medusa and save Flamebird’s life and keep her father out of prison, if only she’ll come work for them. Oh, and also: They know her secret identity.

But working for the D.E.O. is going to put her at odds with a lot of people, including – wait for it – Batman! He shows up in Bette’s hospital room to warn Batwoman not to cross him.

But perhaps the most important reveal of issue #5 is the fact that hardass Kate Kane wears bunny slippers:

I know, I know. Just when you thought you couldn’t love her more.

So one chapter of Batwoman’s story comes to a close, but “Hydrology” was only the tip of the iceberg. Next month we’re finally going to get to see Amy Reeder‘s art alongside Williams’ in the new arc “To Drown the World.” DC is already promising big things for the story, including lots more face time with Maggie Sawyer.

I know I keep saying this, but it’s true too: I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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