Renee Montoya
Renee Montoya | |
---|---|
Question | |
Abilities | Trained detective |
Renee Maria Montoya is a character appearing in media published by
Renee is initially a detective from the
Montoya made her live-action debut in the
Fictional character biography
Montoya was created for Batman: The Animated Series by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Mitch Brian, as described in the series bible.[3] She first appears as a uniformed officer partnered with Harvey Bullock. In the follow-up series The New Batman Adventures, Montoya has been promoted from police officer to detective.[4] She also makes a cameo appearance in Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero. The comic series Gotham Central describes Montoya as the daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic.
Renee is a recurring character in the Batman-related comics after Batman #475 (March 1992).[5] After she is promoted to homicide detective by Commissioner Gordon, Renee is partnered with Harvey Bullock. After Bullock is promoted to Lieutenant, Crispus Allen becomes Renee's new partner.[6]
Gotham City is destroyed by an earthquake in the Cataclysm crossover, and closed off from the rest of the United States in the No Man's Land story arc. Montoya and Bullock are two of the many Gotham police officers to stay behind with James Gordon to keep the peace among the people who remain.
Renee is the focus of an uneasy truce between Gordon's forces and the crime boss Two-Face. She reaches out to Two-Face's Harvey Dent persona in helping with aid and relief efforts, and he falls in love with her. In fact, he keeps her restrained in his headquarters against her will. She becomes involved when Two-Face puts James Gordon on trial for perceived wrongdoing. Renee persuades Two-Face to offer a more fair trial, giving Gordon a defense lawyer. Two-Face's Harvey Dent persona takes on this role, and ultimately convinces Two-Face to allow everyone to go free.
Gotham City is later re-opened thanks to humanitarian efforts spearheaded by Lex Luthor. Renee, Gordon, Bullock and the surviving officers are re-instated as a police official.
In "Officer Down", Renee is hit hard by a murder attempt on Gordon, and when the assassin walks free, goes to seek vengeance. However, Bullock catches her in the act and persuades her not to pull the trigger, telling her that revenge is not worth her career.
Gotham Central
Montoya is one of the main characters of Gotham Central, a comic book series about the Gotham City police department. Believing that the only way to have Montoya is to take everything away from her, Two-Face outs her as a lesbian to the public and frames her for murder.[7] He then kidnaps her, making it look like Montoya has escaped. Two-Face becomes more unstable and the two fight for control of his gun until Batman arrives to save them. Montoya is cleared of all charges and Two-Face returns to Arkham, but Montoya's personal life becomes chaotic, especially with her family: while her younger brother knows about and, to a limited extent, accepts her sexuality, her religious parents disown her.[8]
In the 2004–2005 "War Games" storyline, Montoya and Crispus Allen are ambushed by the Black Spider, and Allen shoots the villain.[9] A corrupt crime scene investigator named Jim Corrigan steals and sells the bullet on the Internet, but the bullet is needed to prove that the shooting was self-defense. In her pursuit of the bullet, Montoya beats the name of the buyer out of Corrigan.[10] Although Allen is cleared, Montoya becomes obsessed with exposing Corrigan. Allen tries to persuade Montoya to let it go, but Montoya refuses, so Allen investigates Corrigan independently. During his investigation, one of Allen's informants is murdered shortly before Allen himself is shot and killed by Corrigan.[11] Montoya takes it upon herself to bring Corrigan to justice. Tracking him down, Montoya beats Corrigan's girlfriend unconscious and draws a gun on Corrigan. He begs for his life, and Montoya finds she cannot pull the trigger. Montoya quits the GCPD the next day, disgusted and broken.[12]
52
In the 2006–2007 series
The Question believes that Intergang is preparing for an invasion of Gotham, and to that end, hires Montoya to surveil a warehouse in Gotham City, where they uncover futuristic weapons.[13]
During Week 14, Montoya and the Question fly to Kahndaq, and track down some leads on Intergang. Abbott, the wolf creature, tracks them. After they leave an empty warehouse, they are taken prisoner by members of Black Adam's army.[14]
"One Year Later" and "Final Crisis"
Montoya appears in
She later stars in
Montoya appears in the .
Maggie Sawyer, corrupted by the Anti-Life Equation, emerges from Gotham Central along with the rest of the brainwashed police force. They attempt to unleash the Equation on Montoya, but are stopped by the intervention of the Spectre and Radiant. The Spectre is not able to hold them off for long, because they are protected by the same force that protects Libra. Radiant makes sure that Montoya cannot be brainwashed, and teleports her away. Observing the surroundings, she finds Batwoman lying in the streets. Batwoman reveals that she now obeys Darkseid as well, and starts to recite the Equation. It appears, however, that Montoya is completely immune to the Equation; in the following issue, she is seen in complete control of her own mind.
Montoya appears in Final Crisis #5, recruited by the underground resistance movement organized by
Starting in Detective Comics #854, Montoya appeared in an ongoing backup feature written by Greg Rucka, with art by Cully Hamner.
Batwoman: Detective Comics
Montoya takes the case of a missing illegal immigrant — the young sister of the man named Hector Soliz seeking her detective services. She follows some leads to their hideout and discovers pornographic pictures of the girl, indicating she may have become involved in a child pornography or sexual slavery ring.[15] While investigating a businessman whom she believes is involved with the slavery, Montoya is kidnapped and left to die after being tied up in the trunk of a car that is driven into a river. She easily escapes and eventually tracks the slaves to a boat owned by the businessman. After a brief fight with several henchmen, the police arrive and rescue the women, reuniting Hector with his sister.
When Montoya briefly returned to Gotham City, she worked with the new Batman and quickly realized that he was Nightwing. Her old partner Bullock also discovered that Renee is the new Question, pointing out that he worked with her long enough to be able to recognize her butt anywhere.[16]
"Blackest Night"
During the events of the 2009–2010 "
Some time after this, Montoya teams up with the
Following this, the Question appears alongside Batwoman as part of Wonder Woman's team of superheroines when a group of aliens attack Washington D.C.[20] Rose Wilson jokingly asks her if she intends to seek an autograph from Wonder Woman, only for Renee to nervously remark that she is trying to work her way up to asking for one.[21]
Batman Inc.
Montoya seeks out
The New 52
As part of The New 52, a 2011 line-wide revision of DC superhero comics, including their fictional histories, Montoya appears in an image viewed by Batwoman on the GCPD's wall of honor. James Tynion IV, a writer on Batman Eternal, revealed that the creative team almost included Montoya, but they decided against it: "We cut her out because we didn't want her to just be in the background of the GCPD. We want to bring her back for her own big story".[24]
Montoya appears in Detective Comics (vol. 2) #41, as
DC Rebirth
DC included Renee Montoya in a line-wide revision of DC superhero comic books, stories and characters they dubbed "DC Rebirth". Montoya appeared sporadically in Detective Comics, still working for the GCPD and slowly rebuilding her relationship with Kate Kane. The two eventually became a couple again in the final issue of the Rebirth Batwoman series.[26]
In July 2019, Montoya debuted as the Question in Lois Lane (vol. 2) #1 as a supporting character.[27] As the Question, she also plays a minor role in Event Leviathan, also from 2019.
Infinite Frontier
Renee rejoins the GCPD around the time of "A-Day", a massive attack on
In the Batman: Urban Legends story "Disinformation Campaign", she and Kate Kane are revealed to have broken up sometime prior to the start of the story for unknown reasons.[31]
Equipment
- Montoya uses an advanced energy pistol she found while fighting with Intergang, as well as her police sidearm.
- After the death of Vic Sage, Montoya inherited his costume, mask, fedora and trench coat, all of which have been treated to react to the binary gas created by Aristotle Rodor. In addition, Rodor provided Montoya with a shampoo that causes her hair to change color when exposed to the gas. According to the Question: Secret Origin backup in 52, this substance was developed using technology lifted from an old Batman foe named Bart Magan (Dr. No Face) and Gingold Extract, a fruit derivative associated with the Elongated Man. The Question's series by Denny O'Neil presented Pseudoderm as Rodor's attempt to build an artificial skin for humanitarian purposes.
- The mask adheres to her face and renders it as a featureless blank when exposed to the binary gas. The binary gas is expelled from a special belt buckle worn by Montoya. The gas also causes her chemically treated costume, fedora, and trench coat to change color, typically to a dark blue.
Other versions
Titans Tomorrow
In the alternate future seen in the "Titans Tomorrow" storyline, Renee Montoya has become the commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department long after a crisis claimed the life of Batman. When Tim Drake became Batman and started killing the villains of Batman, Montoya and her predecessor James Gordon worked to hunt him down.[32]
"Flashpoint"
In the alternate timeline of the 2011 "Flashpoint" storyline, Renee Montoya is a bar owner and bartender. She is defensive of one of the alcoholic patrons, Bullock.[33]
Earth-3
During the 2013–2014 "
DC Comics Bombshells
In DC Comics Bombshells, set in an alternate history 1941, Montoya is a Republican veteran of the Spanish Civil War, now in Berlin fighting with the German resistance group led by Countess Selina Digatti. Montoya was a lover of Kate Kane when the latter fought in the Civil War as one of the American volunteers, though they were driven apart after the death of Jasón, whom they considered their son. She also serves as the Question in this continuity.
Reception
Renee Montoya was ranked as the 80th-greatest comic book character of all time by the Wizard magazine.[35] IGN also listed Montoya as the 87th-greatest comic book hero of all time: a character representing ethnic diversity, who has undergone a tremendous personal transformation from humble beginnings.[36]
Collection editions
- The Question: Pipeline (collects the "Question" stories from Detective Comics #854–863)
- Final Crisis: Revelations (collects Final Crisis: Revelations #1–5 and Final Crisis: Secret Files)
In other media
Television
- A young Renee Montoya appears in the Barbara Kean who works in the GCPD's Major Crimes Unit as a detective alongside Crispus Allen.[38][39]
- Renee Montoya appears in Batwoman, portrayed again by Victoria Cartagena.[40] This version is a former member of the Gotham City Police Department who left due to corrupt members and has a secret romantic past with Poison Ivy.
- Renee Montoya appears in DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by Roxana Ortega.[41] This version is a security guard at Metropolis High School.
- Renee Montoya will appear in the Amazon Prime Video series Batman: Caped Crusader.[42]
Film
- Renee Montoya appears in City of Scars, portrayed by Katie Joy Horwitch.
- Renee Montoya appears in Batman: Bad Blood, voiced by Vanessa Marshall.[41]
- Renee Montoya appears in Birds of Prey, portrayed by Rosie Perez.[43][44] This version is a skilled Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) Detective and fan of 1980s police films, which she is prone to quoting while conducting police work, whose career has stalled due to her former partner and current captain Patrick Erickson taking credit for solving a past case sometime prior. In the present, she develops a fixation towards Roman Sionis while investigating his criminal activities, but is suspended for failing to provide evidence. After she joins forces with Harley Quinn, Dinah Lance, and Helena Bertinelli to rescue Cassandra Cain from Sionis, Erickson takes credit for doing so, leading to Montoya resigning from the GCPD and joining Lance and Bertinelli in forming the Birds of Prey.[citation needed]
- Renee Montoya appears in Batman: The Long Halloween, voiced by Alyssa Diaz.
Video games
- Renee Montoya makes a cameo appearance in Batman: Dark Tomorrow, voiced by Erin Quinn Purcell.[41]
- Renee Montoya as the Question appears in DC Universe Online.
- Renee Montoya as the Question appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
- Renee Montoya appears in Batman: The Telltale Series, voiced by Krizia Bajos.[41] This version is a sergeant for the Gotham City Police Department.
- Renee Montoya appears in Batman: The Enemy Within, voiced by Sumalee Montano.[41] As of this game, she has been promoted to detective.
- Renee Montoya appears as an NPC in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Liane Schirmer.
- Renee Montoya appears in Gotham Knights, voiced again by Krizia Bajos.[45] This version is a captain for the Gotham City Police Department.
Miscellaneous
- Renee Montoya appears in the BBC Radio's "Batman: Knightfall" adaptation, voiced by Lorelei King.
- Renee Montoya appears in Gotham Girls, voiced by Adrienne Barbeau.
- Renee Montoya appears in the Huntress, an enraged Montoya overdoses on performance-enhancing pills with the intention of killing High Councilor Superman herself. She defeats Cyborg, takes Damian Wayne hostage, and challenges Superman. In the subsequent fight, Montoya takes several more pills until she suffers heart failure. Batman later collects her body and buries her next to Green Arrow and Black Canary.
See also
References
- ^ "Comics Should Be Good: Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #22!". Goodcomics.blogspot.com. 2005-10-27. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ "Margot Robbie Reveals Full 'Birds of Prey' Title: 'The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn'". thehollywoodreporter. November 20, 2018. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- ^ "Batman: The Animated Series: "P.O.V."". The A.V. Club. January 17, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ "The World's Finest – Batman: The Animated Series". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ Detective Comics #742 (January 2000)
- ISBN 9780345501066.
- ^ Gotham Central (vol. 2) trade paperback, DC Comics
- ^ Gotham Central #23 (November 2004). DC Comics
- ^ Gotham Central #24 (December 2004). DC Comics
- ^ Gotham Central #38 (February 2006)
- ^ Gotham Central #40 (April 2006). DC Comics
- ^ 52 Week Four. DC Comics
- ^ 52 Week Fourteen. DC Comics
- ^ Detective Comics #854
- ^ Detective Comics Annual #11
- ^ The Question #37. DC Comics
- ^ Detective Comics #862. DC Comics
- ^ Detective Comics #863. DC Comics
- ^ http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/files/2010/06/ww_600_no_ads-3-copy.jpg[permanent dead link]
- ^ Wonder Woman #600
- ^ Detective Comics Annual #12 (December 2010)
- ^ Batman Annual #28 (December 2010)
- ^ Siegel, Lucas (April 26, 2014). "C2E2 2014: DC Comics Batman Panel- Eternal News, Joker's Return Teased". Newsarama. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
- ^ "EVERY June 2015 New DCU Solicitation – Including WE ARE ROBIN". March 12, 2015.
- ^ Batwoman (vol. 3) #18 (August 2018)
- ^ Lois Lane (vol. 2) #1 (July 2019)
- ^ Infinite Frontier #0 (March 2021)
- ^ a b The Next Batman: Second Son #1 (April 2021)
- ^ Batman: Urban Legends #21 (November 2022)
- ^ Batman: Urban Legends #8 (October 2021)
- ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #17
- ^ Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #2 (July 2011). DC Comics
- ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #23.4. DC Comics
- ^ "Wizard's top 200 characters. External link consists of a forum site summing up the top 200 characters of Wizard Magazine since the real site that contains the list is broken". Wizard. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ "Renee Montoya is number 88". IGN. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 2, 2015). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Big Bang, Arrow, Bates, Sleepy, Castle, Twin Peaks, UnREAL, Gotham, Dome and More". TVLine. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
Matt Mitovich did some digging around and learned that, as suspected, neither Victoria Cartagena nor Andrew Stewart-Jones (AKA Montoya and Allen) will return as regulars
- ^ Bricken, Rob (February 25, 2014). "What We Learned from the Script for Gotham's First Episode". io9. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 12, 2014). "Fox's 'Gotham' Promotes Three to Series Regular". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ Petski, Denise (2021-07-20). "'Batwoman': Victoria Cartagena To Play Renee Montoya In Season 3 Of CW Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Voice Of Renee Montoya – Batman | Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 12, 2017. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Comic Book Club: Ed Brubaker, retrieved 2024-01-03
- ^ Couch, Aaron (October 3, 2018). "Rosie Perez Joins Margot Robbie in 'Birds of Prey'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Birds of Prey: Who are the members of the DCEU's new team?". 4 February 2020.
- ^ @GothamKnights (September 2, 2022). "Welcome to Gotham. #GothamKnights @KriziaBajos is Renee Montoya" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2022 – via Twitter.
External links
- Renee Montoya at DC Comics' official website
- "QUESTION II (Renée Montoya)". Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe.
- Renee Montoya. The New Batman-Superman Adventures.
- "RENEE MONTOYA WEEK" Archived 2009-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. vicsage.com.
- Renee Montoya on the DC Animated Universe Wiki, an external wiki
- [1][permanent dead link]