Title: Elegy Pt3 - Affettuoso
Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: J.H. Williams III
Cover by: J.H. Williams III
Release Date: August 26th, 2009

Official DC Comics Synopsis:
"Elegy" part 3 of 4! Batwoman unites with an unlikely ally to momentarily defeat the fairytale villain known as Alice. But when Kate is forced to attend a high society event, she soon learns that her worlds are colliding as Alice's plans for Gotham's elite put Kate's father directly in harm's way.

Plus, in the next part of The Question co-feature, writer Greg Rucka and artist Cully Hamner bring Renee's search for a missing girl to new depths when The Question is trapped inside a sinking car. Will her life and her leads end up at the bottom of the river?

REVIEW BY: Bob Tilley

Very different shift in this issue, not only with the art style and coloring but the story. Last issue we saw Batwoman and Alice duke it out one on one. This time we start with what looks like a hammer horror movie/dogsoliders encounter. What is referred to as the hybrids, a group of mutated people, one being a werewolf helps rescue Batwoman and the Colonel from Alice and her henchmen.

I think what makes this first few pages amazing is the coloring by Dave Stewart, his collaboration with J.H. Williams III on this is amazing to look at.

During this scene we see Abbot (the werewolf), who was previously featured in 52 when the Batwoman was first introduced fighting the religion of crime, helping the colonel analyse Batwoman's condition and quickly determine she's been poisoned. The colonel administers an anti-toxin, while we see Abbot transform back into his human form. A quick explanation as to why he has saved Kate and that the hybrids are the true believers (nuff said), and need to ensure Batwoman stays alive - more explained later!

The issue quickly shift to Kate and the Colonel talking about the previous nights exploits and we see Kate's determination increase in regards to finding Alice even more. The Colonel asked Kate to take the night off and invites her too a fundraiser with him and her stepmother, which we continue to learn Kate has no desirable connection with.

Art wise another new shift in the issue, and also some very powerful character scenes with Kate and the introduction of Bette Kane. Kate turns up at the fundraiser dressed in a tuxedo (much to her stepmothers dismay). Kate and Bette share a small moment who highlights her loneliness after moving back the Gotham (Kate misses this comment), make us feel sorry for Bette from the get go. Kate has been distracted by someone who she mistakes as Renee Montoya (again showing her connection to her from their previous relationship). Also during this scene we sudden see her farther getting a mysterious call from the base and has to suddenly leave.

Maggie Sawyer "Captain of GCPD Major Crimes Unit" makes her appearance also dressed in a tuxedo making her sexuality instantly recognisable to the reader with another wonderfully written moment by Greg Rucka, with the pair dancing and direct flirtation taking centre stage.

Suddenly Abbot and the other hybrids appear, with Abbot asking if he can cut into the dance. He and Kate move to the side were Kate confronts him about his actions from last night and what angle he is now playing (since he was traying to kill her in 52). He still believes in the "dark faith" as he puts it, but a different interpretation. Since she survived the sacrifice the prophecy has no meaning and he now believes Batwoman has to survive. Alice also isn't after Kate but has returned to Gotham as it is the Jerusalem for the Religion of Crime to rule over, in order to do this she needs to obtain a WMD and Kate suddenly realises what the call was about her farther received earlier!

The last page shows army solders dead and her farther all bloodied up. Alice answers his phone with a maniacal look in her eyes!

Another enjoyable issue and the balance with seeing Batwoman in action and the story/character development is very evenly paced out. Not just within the issue but over the last three issues so far. The artwork continues to remain stunning.

Another Question feature in the back of this issue, but I'll leave this for another time I think. The artwork by Cully Hamner continues to look great and Renee is doing an awesome job under the hat, but its ultimately Batwoman's story that take centre stage for this issue.

SCORE: 3.5/5