As we continue into 2018 it seems Hollywood is giving us exactly what we want (and need): female superheroes. From Wonder Woman to Supergirl, comic movies are now female dominated.

And the latest to be added to the ever-increasing list? Batwoman.

Earlier this year, network CW announced that actress Ruby Rose would be taking on the role, highlighting that it had made it a priority to cast an openly gay actress for the role. Rose – who has starred in Pitch Perfect 3 and Orange Is The New Black – describes herself as gender fluid. 

And Rose shared an image of her in the actual Batwoman costume for the first time a few months ago, and it’s brilliant. From her red-hot wig, black catsuit, black cape, and the iconic black mask, the outfit designed by four-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood, is certainly statement-making. 

This week Rose debuted as Batwoman and, so far, the reaction has been brilliant. Taking to Twitter, fans shared their initial reactions to the show’s debut on The CW on Monday 10 December. 

The character will be introduced in the annual crossover event later this year between three of the network’s DC shows: The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl, according to Entertainment Weekly.

And the network is currently making a stand-alone series around the character of Kate Kane. If successful, it will mark the first TV series focusing on an LGBTQ superhero.

“Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate Kane soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence,” according to CW’s official description. “But don’t call her a hero yet. In a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope. Based on the characters from DC.”

Batwoman first appeared in the DC Comics universe as a romantic interest for Batman to shut down suggestions of his homosexuality. Since 2006, Batwoman has been openly gay in the comic books after when was reintroduced as a lesbian of Jewish descent who found a love interest in former Gotham police detective Renee Montoya.

Earlier this year, Rose celebrated the news on Instagram, saying that she was “beyond thrilled and honoured.”

“I’m also an emotional wreck… because this is a childhood dream,” she wrote. “This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on tv and felt alone and different. Thank you everyone. Thank you god.”

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the series brings…

Images: Getty