Kate Kane

Catherine Hamilton (stepmother)

Bette Kane (twin sister; estranged)

Mary Hamilton (stepsister)

Julia Pennyworth (former)

Sophie Moore (former)

Diamond District, Gotham City, New Jersey

**Katherine "Kate" Kane** is a socialite from Gotham City, the cousin of Bruce Wayne and the vigilante known as **Batwoman**. Operating from a hidden base within the R.H. Kane Building, Batwoman is an ex-military operative who has spent over two years amongst mercenaries training specifically for the role of saving Gotham's citizens from the murder and chaos that has plagued the city.

Donned in the colors of war and death, Batwoman is relatively new to the hero community but she has already proven herself competent; targeting Intergang's Cult of Crime in a one-woman operation to shut the cult down before the cult turns Gotham into Hell on Earth.

## History

### Early Life

**Katherine "Kate" Kane**, alias **Batwoman**, was born the daughter of Colonel Jacob Kane and Captain Gabi Kane. Her parents were both career military and worked extensively with military intelligence services. Katherine grew up with her parents and her twin sister Elizabeth "Beth" Kane. As her parents were promoted they moved to a wide variety of towns and bases. Her father was often away from home.

As the sisters grew they became inseparable in spite of their differing personalities; while Beth was more demure and controlled; like their father, Kate was more brash and impulsive.

On their twelfth birthday, Kate and Beth were treated to a dinner at a restaurant with their mother, however, the night ended badly when the trio were kidnapped and held for ransom. Now a military colonel, Jake launched a rescue attempt but the kidnappers had already executed his wife and Beth.

With her mother and sister dead, Kate latched onto her father's stability and attempted to emulate him; to keep the rage and sadness she had over her sister and mother's deaths in check. Kate tried to please her father by entering the United States Military Academy. As a cadet, Kate excelled in all areas, eventually earning the rank of Brigade Executive Officer, as well as completing both Air Assault School and the U.S. Army Airborne School and earning prestigious awards. She also roomed with Cadet Captain Sophie Moore, with whom she entered a lesbian relationship. Eventually, an anonymous accusation of homosexual conduct was brought against Kate, and her commanding officer inquired about it. She confirmed her sexual orientation, but protected Sophie. Per the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, she was discharged. Her father forgave her, and found it more important that she did not lie to save herself.

She found her purpose soon enough: when she was confronted by a mugger in an alleyway, she fought the man off, but was stopped by Batman before she could inflict serious injury. Seeing Batman in person made Kate realize that she could be a vigilante, too. For about six months, she conducted intelligence gathering and spent six additional month in the field before Jacob found out. Though initially angry with her, Jacob agreed to help her with her war on crime after she convinced him of her seriousness. With her father's help, she traveled all over the planet for two years learning how to fight. Her father used the family fortune and connections to provide her with experimental weaponry to use on her crusade.

## Relationships

* **Jacob Kane****:** Father.
* **Beth Kane****:** Twin sister. Estranged.
* **Mary Hamilton****:** Stepsister.
* **Bruce Wayne****:** Cousin.
* **Bette Kane****:** Cousin, protégé.
* **Luke Fox****:** Best friend.

## Romantic Relationships:

* **Sophie Moore****:** Kate's first love, the two had a relationship when they entered the military. When Kate was dismissed due to the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, Sophie chose to deny the rumors and hide her true feelings, ending they relationship. They rekindled the flame when Kate became Batwoman, but Sophie met her end at the hands of Alice.
* **Julia Pennyworth****:** The two had a brief fling when Kate was training overseas before going their separate ways. They remain good friends, with Julia occasionally filling in as Batwoman.
* **Maggie Sawyer****:** The two had a brief relationship when Kate first returned to Gotham, though it ended when Maggie transferred to Metropolis.
* **Renee Montoya****:** Kate's current girlfriend, Renee has been the first girl Kate has dated since Sophie's death.

## Abilities & Paraphernalia

### Abilities

* Peak Human Condition
* Movement
	+ Master Acrobat
	+ Stealth
	+ Escapology
	+ Speed
* Investigation
* Leadership
* Tactical Analysis
* Tracking
* Intimidation
* Prestidigitation
* Weaponry
* Wealth
* Multilingualism

### Weaknesses

* Stubborness
* Family

### Paraphernalia

* The Batwoman Suit
* The Batbike
* Various Bat Gadgets

## Trivia

* Kate's birthday is March 7th.
* Kate was named after her aunt Katrina Webb, who went by the name Katherine..
* Kate has a tattoo of the Green Beret sleeve insignia on her right upper arm. It is a match to a tattoo her mother Gabi had.

* Kate has a tattoo of the Nautical Star on her upper back, which she had inked sometime after her discharge from the US Military Academy, but before she became a vigilante. Whilst being a common tattoo and having a broad range of symbolism, the Nautical Star tattoo is commonly associated with the US Navy and Marine Corps. During the 1940s it also started to be used by homosexuals (particularly lesbians) to indicate their sexuality in a discreet manner during a time when homosexuality was frowned upon.
* Kate's third tattoo, a bluebird on her left shoulder.

* Kate's nickname at West Point, possibly due to her participation in boxing, was "Candy", a play on her last name.

* Her company at West Point was Company B-2.

* Although she's Jewish, Kate does not follow kosher guidelines.

* Kate finds both Wonder Woman and Zatanna attractive.