| “ | Just one more case, and then that's it, I promise. No more Titans West. Unless... | „ |
| ~ Bette Kane |
Mary Elizabeth Kane, better known as Bette Kane, is a superheroine appearing in DC Comics. In the 1960s, she was Betty Kane, the niece of Kathy Kane (Bat-Woman), where are served as her aunt's sidekick, Bat-Girl. Initially, she was conceived to be Robin's female counterpart and love interest. In post-Crisis stories, she was reiterated as Batman and Batwoman's cousin. In development, she adopted the alias Flamebird to accommodate to Dick Grayson's new development as Nightwing. However, in Post-Flashpoint, she changed it to Hawkfire. She has been a member of the Teen Titans, Titans West, Young Justice, and Titans Los Angeles.
History[]
Pre-Crisis[]
Mary Elizabeth Kane was the niece of Kathy Kane, the original Bat-Woman. When she discovered her aunt's dual identity, she became Bat-Woman's sidekick, Bat-Girl. Both female characters were originally conceived as love interests and female counterparts of Batman and Robin. Though the two characters were around from between 1961 and 1964, the two female characters suddenly disappeared.
However, Betty and Kathy were revived into DC Comics in 1977. As Bat-Girl, Betty became a member of the Teen Titans West in Teen Titans# (October 1977). However, the team disbanded and Betty Kane only made two more appearances. She was also one of the attendees to Donna Troy and Terry Long's wedding in Tales of the Teen Titans #50 (February 1985).
Post Crisis[]
In the 1970s, Betty joined Teen Titans West under the Bat-Girl moniker. However, she ceased to exist in the post-Crisis universe. A new version was introduced in Secret Origins Annual #3. Bette was a self-absorbed and spoiled Los Angeles debutante and tennis protege who wanted to become a hero after watching Robin on the news. After training to Olympic levels in gymnastics and martial arts, Bette created the identity of Flamebird. She joined Titans West; however, she gave up her heroic thrills of the heroic business. She attempted journeying into the afterlife with Hawk and Dove, but the mission was unsuccessful. After being criticized by Dove, Bette gave up her obsession with the Titans until Cyborg (a former Titan) collected her and other former Titans superheroes to protect his soul from the Justice League. Hoping this would lead to a formal invitation to rejoin the team, Bette was crushed to learn they did not need (or want) her assistance.
She was later chastised by Robin for her lack of dedication to crime fighting. When Beast Boy asked for help in facing down an imposter framing him for crimes he did not commit, Flamebird joined him in hopes of proving Nightwing wrong. She became more level-headed, boosted her crime arsenal, and changed her costume to look more adult. She helped Gar clear his name and joined the Titans West formed by Gar's cousin Matthew. However, none of the recruits took their duties seriously except for Duela Dent. Bette subdued her. She and Beast Boy served the Young Justice Team, hoping they would raise their public profiles. Unfortunately, their team only lasted for one mission. She became a hero on her own until she was captured by a Brainiac-worshipped cult leader in Oregon. However, the Oracle's Birds of Prey came to rescue her. She later joined former members of the Teen Titans and fought Doctor Light.
Infinite Crisis[]
Following the Infinite Crisis storyline, Betty was reinvented as Bette Kane, where she is the cousin of Batwoman and Batman And briefly served as a member of the Teen Titans. In her appearance, Flamebird fought Superboy Prime. Though it was implied that Flamebird was Bat-Girl's Earth-2 Counterpart and that she was Bat-Girl's replacement post-Crisis. Flamebird and the other heroes from Earth-Two vanished during the Anti-Monitor Crisis. However, it was revealed that they simply made it to New Earth sometime after the Infinite Crisis. In the Villains United story arc, Flamebird assisted the other heroes fought off members of the !Secret Society of Super Villains.
DC Rebirth[]
In the comics' relaunching, Bette is a yearling who was enrolled at the United States Military Academy, and she frequently visits her cousin on Gotham from time to time and keeps contact with Kate and Julia Pennyworth. enrolled at the United States Military Academy,
Personality[]
Hawkfire was originally a female counterpart of Robin. She was somewhat obsessive with Dick Grayson, who she had romantic feelings for. It was so strong she even modeled herself as Flamebird when Dick grew up to be Nightwing. She is fairly determined, brave and stubborn who is willing to protect others. She also used to be spoiled prior to becoming a heroine.
According to Dove in post-Crisis stories, Bette wants to be a part of a team stemmed off loneliness and sadness. Bette late decided to become a hero on her own After the Titans refused to formally invite her into their group. Despite things happening badly between the two, Bette helped rescue her former teammates, Garfield Logan/Beast Boy. However, she doesn't seem the approval of others and operated as her own hero.
Powers and abilities[]
- Acrobatics:
- Athletics: As a skilled athlete, Bette used to be a talented tennis player.
- Military Protocol
- Psychology: Bette studied forensic psychology at Gotham University before teaming with Kate.
- Swimming
- Sewing: Bette created her suit all on her own.
In other media[]
- Bette Kane appears in the Young Justice episode "Homefront", voiced by Alyson Stoner. She serves as Artemis Crock's liaison.
- In the Arrowverse series, Batwoman, Bette is adapted as Mary Hamilton, portrayed by Nicole Kang. However, she is reimagined as Kate Kane's step-sister.
Gallery[]
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