Batwoman writer and artist J.H. Williams III will leave the acclaimed title over editorial interference from DC Comics.
In a joint statement made by Williams III and Batwoman co-writer, W. Haden Blackman, last-minute editorial decisions by DC Comics caused the duo’s departure from the supernatural Bat-comic. “From the moment DC asked us to write Batwoman — a dream project for both of us — we were committed to the unofficial tagline ‘No Status Quo,'” Blackman posted on his website. “. . . Unfortunately, in recent months, DC has asked us to alter or completely discard many long-standing storylines in ways that we feel compromise the character and the series.” These rash decisions by DC included: scrapping the origins of Killer Croc; significantly altering the ending to their current story arc; and most devastating for the former Batwoman creative team, prohibiting Kate and Maggie from getting married.
Before accusation of DC being anti-gay marriage got carried away, Williams clarified on Twitter that the publisher’s objection to Kate and Maggie’s marriage wasn’t motivated by their sexual orientation. Instead, similar to Marvel Comic’s decision to break up of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, DC opposed Batwoman’s marriage because it interfered with status quo. It certainly isn’t encouraging news for the comic book industry, given its negative stance on superhero marriages, nor is it encouraging for the now brokenhearted DC world the New 52 ushered in from the previous continuity. Worst of all, Williams and Blackman’s departure from Batwoman is just another disappointing example of DC scaring off their creative talents with their editorial mandate.
Batwoman #26 will be Williams and Blackman’s last issue.
