Debuted: "52" #7 (2006)
Previous Movie or TV appearances: None
Why: The current incarnation of Kathy or Kate Kane as Batwoman has become one of DC Comics' most critically acclaimed characters of the past decade. One of the few out lesbian heroes, Kane was inspired to become Batwoman after fighting off a mugger and a brief encounter with Batman.  Unlike the many and former Robins or Batgirl, however, Batwoman is mostly patrolling Gotham City on her own without Batman's assistance.  In her current series (gorgeously drawn and painted by J.H. Williams III) Batwoman's story lines have found the heroine dealing with more supernatural forces than the Caped Crusader usually does - a nice distinction from the other Bat-family titles. As DC looks for new easy to differentiate its characters from Marvel in theaters, Batwoman is a prime example of a compelling character that could become a solid franchise because of how fresh and different it is from the previous Batman films.

- Gregory Ellwood