We’ve featured Batgirl and shared our tradition of Comic Book Wednesday before and we thought it was time to do it again. Thank to resident comic book nerd Chad for today’s review!
Gail Simone. What a talented and fearless author. Two years ago the new 52 Batgirl #1 is what got me back into comics. That was thanks to Gail’s amazing rebirth of the best and original Batgirl, Barbra Gordon. She made Batgirl witty, vulnerable and fearless all in that first amazing issue. Ever since, Batgirl has gone through some of the most exciting and devastating adventures the character has ever known. In each issue Gail has always boiled it down to the heart of Barbra and what it means to her in her life. Never has a bat character ever felt so real or tangible than Gail’s Batgirl.
Beginning in issue #20 Batgirl met her newest foe…the reinvented Ventriloquist. All while still very much dealing with the **SPOILER** death of her psychotic brother by her own hands. Breaking the most important “bat-rule” of them all. Never murder.
Issue #21 found Batgirl giving up her bat symbol on her suit. Literally removing it herself while questioning if she deserves to wear the uniform at all anymore. All of this while being the great detective and hero that she is and tracking down the location of the Ventriloquist in order to save a celebrity reality talent show judge. Her detective work brought her to one of the creepiest finales of any comic issue in my recent memory. Gail created such an atmosphere (with the help of a very talented artist) that you could almost smell the death in the home that Batgirl found herself in.
We are now left in the middle of one of my favorite of the story arcs Batgirl has had since the start of the new 52. I can’t help but think that this is even better than some of the “bigger” arcs such as the two Batfamily crossover events that happened earlier in the new 52.
Gail is right where she belongs in writing Barbara Gordon. Her love and understanding of the character are evident in every word she writes. Have you kept up with the new Batgirl and other New 52 storylines? Also, DC, when will we see a Batgirl movie?!
