“PYGSTY!”
Writer: K. Perkins
Artist: Scott Godlewski
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
PAGING PROFESSOR PYG!
Julia Pennyworth’s been kidnapped! By whom you wonder? By none other than the homicidal maniac, Professor Pyg!
In this one-off issue, Batwoman travels to Cairo to investigate a series of tourist kidnappings. While the previous story arc was psychologically distressing, this issue was just plain gruesome! A warning for anyone intending on reading this issue, be ready- no- expect to witness some disturbing moments. Batwoman #11 is definitely the most unsettling issue I’ve read in the series yet.
The cruel treatment of Professor Pyg’s victims reminded me of the Dollmaker’s actions from the 2015 animated film, Batman vs Robin. In the film the psychotic Dollmaker kidnapped children and mutated them into vicious dolls by grafting masks onto . It was a truly unsettling, almost unwatchable experience.
The plot is very straightforward and predictable. Batwoman discovers Julia has been kidnapped. An innocent tourist is attacked by Pyg’s victims and taken to his dreaded lair. Batwoman employs her detective skills in locating Julia and Pyg. The same kidnapped tourist is subjected to Pyg’s experiment and subsequently mutated into another of his ‘dolls’. Batwoman locates Julia and fights Pyg. The maniac escapes, but Julia and the hostages are saved. Sadly, only those who survived.
NEW ISSUE, NEW WRITER
Batwoman #11 is a special case as it’s the first issue in the series not written by either James Tynion IV or Marguerite Bennett. Instead, Kate Perkins aka. K. Perkins(Supergirl, Superwoman) is serving as issue #11’s writer. It was a surprise to me when I saw her name on the cover instead of Marguerite Bennett. Nonetheless, I was intrigued how Batwoman would be handled by a new writer. Kate Perkins has done a wonderful job in realising the eponymous hero. The first panel showing Batwoman kicking down a glass door was a great way to begin the comic and felt so akin to her character.
Batwoman’s internal monologues play a key factor in what made the series so compelling for me. I’m happy to write that Kate Perkins has brilliantly nailed this important aspect as well. While the internal monologues were mainly expositional, they were nevertheless an effective method in conveying Batwoman’s personal struggles. Things become exceedingly personal when Pyg reveals he knows about the death of Batwoman’s mother and twin sister.
Kate Perkins did such a fantastic job depicting Batwoman that her writing was indistinguishable from Marguerite Bennett. Rest assured, Batwoman fans will not be disappointed.
Unfortunately, I found the story to be dull. Batwoman #11 is really just filler until the next story arc begins. Nothing significant occurs in the issue and the ending was underwhelming. I also thought the flashback scenarios featuring Batwoman and her twin sister were unnecessary.
THE ARTWORK
On the whole, the artwork is above average. There were many panels where the characters and the backgrounds lacked detail . Where artist Scott Godlewski truly shines though is his illustration of Batwoman. He greatly articulates the scarlet-haired vigilante’s emotions through his expressive facial illustrations. Every painful blow Batwoman endures looked believable.
CONCLUSION
Batwoman #11 saw our heroine fighting a worthy foe in the form of Professor Pyg, but lacked a compelling enough narrative to keep me engaged. Kate Perkins is a skilled writer. In one issue she nailed the layered characterisation of Batwoman. Scott Godlewski’s accurate illustration of Batwoman made up for the less than stellar background and minor character artwork.
Image Courtesy of DC Entertainment
