New DC Hero Featherweight, Granddaughter of Batman’s Villain Ra’s al Ghul, Revealed as Transgender

Introducing Featherweight: A New Character with a Unique Identity

With the final issue of Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League Vol. 1 hitting shelves this week, DC has introduced a new character named Featherweight. This character is the granddaughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, a well-known foe of Batman who has been addicted to the Lazarus Pit. What makes Featherweight stand out is that she is transgender.

The Story Behind the Heist

The six-issue mini-series, written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Nicola Scott, follows the story of two villainesses, Cheetah and Cheshire, as they attempt to pull off a major heist. Their target is a device called the Power Bank, which serves as a backup of every hero’s superpower. This device is stored in the Justice League’s newly established Watchtower.

To execute their plan, the pair, along with Cheshire and Roy Harper’s daughter Lian, recruit three metahumans. These include Klarion the Witch Boy, Hazard, and Featherweight. Each of these characters has unique abilities that the team believes will be essential for their success.

A New Character with a Rich Background

Featherweight, created specifically for this story by Rucka and Scott, is 25 years old. She reveals her real name to her teammates as Alya Raatko. The Raatko family name is significant because it is also used by her mother, Nyssa. Nyssa received the name from her own mother, who was born without a father—Ra’s Al Ghul.

In the story, Alya confirms that her mother is Nyssa Al Ghul. This revelation comes when Hazard asks about her last name. Alya references events from Rucka’s 2003 miniseries Batman: Death and the Maidens, saying, “My mom tried to kill Superman a while back, maybe?”

Revealing the Truth

Initially, Featherweight was depicted as a biological woman due to her feminine appearance. However, her transgender identity is revealed in the final issue of the series. After the team successfully robs the Justice League, Klarion asks Alya what she plans to do next. She mentions visiting her mother, who has been placing guilt on her for not visiting. She also talks about going to Greece, where there is a lot of anti-LGBTQ persecution.

A Personal Revelation

Alya confirms her identity as bisexual and transgender when Klarion asks, “Does that mean…so you’re…” She responds, “B[isexual] and T[ransgender], yeah.” Acknowledging Klarion’s crush, she tells him, “I’m a little old for you, Klarion. Look me up in a couple years…we’ll see.”

Reactions and Backlash

Despite the intention to represent diverse demographics, Featherweight has faced criticism. Some readers have seen her as a stereotypical, transphobic caricature, particularly due to her on-the-nose use of the transgender pride flag colors. As of now, DC, Rucka, or Scott have not publicly responded to the backlash.

Future of the Series

As the story continues, it remains to be seen how the character of Featherweight will be received by fans and critics alike. The introduction of such a character highlights the ongoing conversation around representation in comic books and the importance of accurate and respectful portrayals of diverse identities.