DC Comics/$2.99
Simply put, writer Gail Simone’s Batgirl run has been an awesome read. While Scott Snyder has been
putting his dark stamp on the core Batman
title, Simone has been expertly crafting a superhero epic with a distinct
feminist edge- simultaneously reminding us of why the character of Batgirl is
cool while breaking new ground and creating new adversaries for Barbara Gordon.
Simone’s writing on the Batgirl book
won me over with the first issue and has made me fall in love with the
character again and again on a monthly basis.
Following the death of her brother, James, Barbara Gordon
begins to fall back into a pattern of normalcy (as much as a member of the
Bat-Family can, anyway) by actually going on a date with a young man named
Ricky. Their night of opera-going is interrupted, however, by an attack on
Ricky by some gang members. Needless to say, Barbara can handle herself in such
a situation, but she is surprised to discover that her date can, as well. She and Ricky briefly brawl with the gang
members, dispatching them quickly and send them whimpering away. Their date
continues, and the pair finds themselves at Ricky’s apartment, having dinner
and chatting with his family. Barbara is reminded of the family experience that
she may never have again due to recent events. (I don’t wish to ruin some of the
shocking moments that have come before this story for those of you who have not
been following Batgirl, and shame on
you for not reading such a fine comic. Go to your nearest retailer, buy the
first two collections and a few back issues and get caught up!) After her date
with Ricky, Barbara is summoned to a meeting with her father, Jim Gordon, and the
two have a heart-to-heart discussion that is a tear-jerking moment of the
issue, leading Barbara to make a drastic decision about her future as her
father commits to a quest to bring Batgirl to justice for what she did to his
son. The last four pages made my jaw drop open in surprise! Batgirl #22 is a fine read, and, as
always, the book leaves me wanting more. The immediate future of the title will
no doubt be filled with twists, shocks, and heart-wrenching moments. One of the
things I like most about Gail Simone’s Batgirl
is the inner dialogue of Barbara Gordon. As an audience, we’re invited to share
in her insecurities, heartaches, triumphs, losses, fears, and joys. It
strengthens the narrative, improving on an already well-crafted story, and
makes this book an absolute pleasure to read. Please keep it coming, Gail,
because Batgirl is one of the most
refreshing, solid books in DC’s mainstream stable of monthly titles!
Simone’s
excellent script is ably brought to life by penciller Fernando Pasarin and inker
Jonathan Glapion, with expressive colors by Blond and sharp lettering by Dezi
Sienty. Alex Garner’s beautiful cover is extremely eye-catching and collectible
in and of itself (I wish DC would start making posters of some of these
covers!) and all together, this is an incredible book and well worth spending a
few bucks of your hard-earned cash on each month. Way to go, DC!
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