Batman Finally Confronts Batwoman After She Breaks His Most Sacred Rule

Published Nov 14, 2026, 8:00 PM EST

Adam has been writing in the entertainment news space for over a decade. Beginning his career of covering film and TV at CinemaBlend, he has also appeared on The Flash Podcast and done several radio spots. 

Kate Kane has held the Batwoman mantle in the comics for 20 years, with her introduction following decades after the original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, entered the picture. While Kathy was originally a potential love interest for Batman, Kate is Bruce Wayne’s maternal cousin who was inspired to become a costumed vigilante even before she knew Bruce was Batman. By the time he revealed his identity to her during the DC Rebirth era, she informed him that she’d already deduced he was wearing the cape and cowl years earlier.

While Kate and Bruce usually work well together in the field, as it often the case with the Bat-Family (and families in general), there have been times when these two have fought. Most of the time, this has remained verbal, but there have been a few instances where things have gotten physical. Yet another family spat is coming, as Bruce is confronting Kate about breaking the most important rule that he follows in life.

Batman Asks Batwoman Why She Killed People With A Gun

Batwoman #9, Written By Greg Rucka, Art By Leandro Fernández, Cover Art By Dani

There are several traits that define most traditional depictions of Batman. His parents were killed when he was a young boy. He trained his body and mind to peak condition. He battles criminals using both a variety of martial arts and special gadgets. Most importantly here, he doesn’t kill and he doesn’t use guns. Granted, those last two rules have been ignored in some major stories, like 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but when it comes to DC Comics’ main version of the Caped Crusader, he refuses to break them and urges his allies to follow in his footsteps.

That’s why, as seen in the Batwoman #9 preview, he’s dismayed that Kate has been carrying a gun around and seemingly used it to kill in cold blood. Thankfully, it’s already been revealed that the Batwoman who fatally shot three people in Issue #3 was actually her sister Beth wearing her own Batwoman costume, so Kate hasn’t broken Batman’s no-kill rule. Nevertheless, the mood is tense when Kate passes the gun to Bruce after emptying the ammo. Once it’s in his hands, he has one simple question: “Why?”

Batwoman’s Gun Is Strange, But She’s Not The Only Bat-Hero To Carry One

DC Comics

Kate may not have killed anyone with the gun in her holster, but it remains a mystery why she has it in the first place. When she was appalled by Huntress’ suggestion to “put down” the GCPD TUCOs in Batwoman #8, Huntress was surprised by this, unaware that it was Beth dressed as Batwoman who killed those three people. Kate made it clear she doesn’t kill, but when Huntress inquired why she was carrying around the gun, all she said was that it was “not for show.”

It stands to reason that Kate will quickly clear up with Bruce that she didn’t kill anyone, and from there, she’ll explain why the gun is in her possession. That’s not to say that Bruce will approve of whatever her reasons are, and it’s not unreasonable to assume there will be yet another verbal clash between him and his cousin. Still, at least he, and the readers, will finally have the full context.

It also isn’t entirely out of left field for a member of the Bat-Family to carry a gun. Jason Todd, a.k.a. Red Hood, often uses firearms and has no qualms about killing criminals. Since making peace with Batman, he has mostly avoided doing the latter and uses rubber bullets in his guns instead. However, Red Hood will occasionally snuff out particularly detestable adversaries, but Kate still isn’t willing to cross that line. What remains unclear is how much longer her gun will stick around.

Batwoman #9 will be released Wednesday, November 18 by DC Comics.