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Detective Comics #856 cover featuring Batwoman - J.H. Williams III

Artist: J.H. Williams III (All)

4 Comments - 1,356 Views - 0 Like

Detective Comics #856 cover featuring Batwoman - J.H. Williams III Comic Art

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Additional Images:

Detective #856 cover featuring Batwoman - printed with text

Detective #856 cover featuring Batwoman - printed, textless

Pieta headstone by Felix Weihs de Weldon

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Batwoman #0, p. 16 (end page) - J.H. Williams III

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Artwork Details

Title:	Detective Comics #856 cover featuring Batwoman - J.H. Williams III
Artist:	J.H. Williams III (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,356
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	10/5/2015
Comic Art Archive:	Detective Comics Issue: 856 Page: cover View

Description

EPIC. GRAIL. PIECE.

Original comic art measures approximately 11.5"x17". Pencils, ink, and ink wash on bristol board. Signed by J.H. Williams III. Dated 2011.

This is one of the most subtly symbolic Batwoman covers I have come across. I couldn't figure out for the longest time why the composition of this piece looked so familiar and at long last it dawned on me: it's a Pieta. For those of you not up to speed on your art history, the Pieta is a representation in Christian art of the Virgin Mary holding the deceased Jesus Christ across her lap. The iconography dates all the way back to about 1300 AD.

I've confirmed with Jim Williams that yes, the Pieta visual/symbolic reference was intentional. In the original cover art we have Batwoman's father holding her (deceased?) body in the same Pieta pose, head bowed in sorrow and lamentation. The genders of the figures have just been reversed.

In addition, Jim also slipped in details that might escape a first glance such as the cape distressingly resembling a river of blood and the curlicue shapes which are always shown in context with the deranged villain Alice and her opioids.

The background shows us a looming, menacing figure of a werewolf (Kyle Abbott). One cannot tell if he is here to help or hinder our heroine.

Lastly, this issue was one of the "Elegy" run. Elegy is defined as a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead, which would lead the viewer to believe Batwoman has indeed passed away.

Please see the additional images for a Pieta, the printed cover without text, and the final printed version with text.

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About the Owner

	~ ephiny22 ( 1 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2012
Last Login:	August 2025
Ebay Id:	ephiny22
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Damon Wright
Member Since 2008

Posted on 10/5/2015

Outstanding. Just stunning, love all the background, too, thank you for that!

Guenter J
Member Since 2004

Posted on 10/6/2015

great cover!!!

Vincent VP
Member Since 2011

Posted on 10/6/2015

Bravo!

Jonathan H
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/6/2015

JHW is the best. Congrats!

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