The original version of the character, Kathy Kane (eventually given the birth name Katrina "Luka" Netz to differentiate the character from the newer version), was created by writer Edmond Hamilton and artist Sheldon Moldoff under the direction of editor Jack Schiff as a love interest in an attempt to combat allegations of Batman's homosexuality arising from the controversial book, Seduction of the Innocent.

This version of the character is depicted as a lesbian, of Jewish descent, possessing a military background, and is wealthy heiress who becomes inspired towards vigilantism by Batman, later revealed to be her maternal cousin (Kathy being the niece of Martha Wayne).

[8] In her debut issue, Kane is revealed to have been romantically involved with Renee Montoya, a former Gotham City Police detective (who would later be slated as the second incarnation of the superhero, the Question).

One of the reasons we made her gay is that, again when you have the Batman Family—a series of characters that aren't super-powered and inhabit the same circle and the same city—you really want to have a point of difference.

[18][19] That same year, Grant Morrison would also restore the original Kathy Kane into modern continuity in flashbacks, most prominently in Batman Incorporated #4 (August 2011).

The issue also revealed her being a spy sent to deduce Batman's secret identity and true parentage to Nazi scientist and spymaster, Otto Netz (also known as Agent Zero).

[25] The Kathy Kane character would make some appearances throughout the Grayson series (2014 - 2016) as an antagonist, revealing a new birthname of Katrina Luka Netz and being with both the codename "Agent Zero" and acting as the secret head of the espionage organization, Spyral.

[27] In July 2023, DC announced that Batwoman, along with Batwing, would lead a new Outsiders series after the conclusion of the "Gotham War" crossover event.

Her earliest known origin depicts her as Katherine "Kathy" Kane, a circus stuntwoman who received a large inheritance upon her father's death and become a socialite in Gotham City.

Frequently associated with Bruce Wayne, she would often team up with his alter-ego, Batman, and was a prominent ally and was assisted by her sidekick, Bat-Girl (aka Bette Kane, her niece).

Tying to her old origins, Nathan would purchase a circus for her as a gift but after his untimely death, she was recruited by a young man known as Agent 33 (the future El Gaucho of the Batmen of All Nations) into the organization, Spyral, and trained as a spy.

Spyral's leader and Nazi villain, Doctor Dedalus (known as Otto Netz) revealed himself as her biological father and threatened to expose her to Batman unless she continued her mission.

As adults, the pair compete for control of Spyral and Leviathan, organizations created by Otto Netz as opposing forces.

[33][34] She would also become briefly romantically involved with the young traffic cop, Renee Montoya, but later break up after Kate denounces her for being closeted.

Alcana, Ballantine, and Kathy pooled their resources and skills together to seek revenge while taking turns operating as Batwoman to draw suspicion away from each other, with all three using lethal force to achieve their goals.

In the DVD and Blu-ray special features, the producers explained that DC did not want the filmmakers to use Kate Kane in a family-friendly film due to the violence associated with her character.