Reviews
Book #86 Read in 2017 Batgirl Vol 1: The Darkest Reflection by Gail Simone et all This is a graphic novel and was an installment in a special series from DC comics. Batgirl is getting back in action after regaining her ability to walk after being shot by the Joker. She doubts herself a bit but her drive to help the good people of Gotham inspires her to get back in the crime-fighting game. I think high school readers would like this book. I borrowed it from the public library.
Loved the dick/babs scenes, and the interactions between her and her mother/father/roommate as well. Will always be disappointed by the quick fix of her being able to walk again.
Batgirl Volume one is a decent read, but as I have said about almost all the new 52 comics, she just isn't my Batgirl. Before DC rebooted, Barbara Gordon had been shot and paralysed by the Joker, and then became Oracle, a disabled superhero who specialised in information gathering and coordination. She was an absolutely amazing character, and an example of fantastic representation. In the new 52, Barbara gets a miracle surgery that cures her paralysis and goes back to being Bargirl. Not only did this piss off many readers for erasing her Oracle past, the book is rather confusing as one tries to piece together exactly what of her past still exists. (This reboot also erased Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown as Batgirl, another fact that enraged fans of the series) Furthermore, like the rest of the new 52, this is not a happy Batgirl book. She's suffering because of her experiences, and she pushes her loved ones away. While I appreciate that Simone deals with issues of PTSD directly, there is little joy or warmth in Barbara's new story. While she's never been the funny delight that Dick Grayson tends to be, Barbara has always been precocious, curious, and a contrast to Batman's gritty angst. All in all, the book is a decent superhero comic. Nothing groundbreaking, but Simone deals with her scenario as best as one could expect. On the other hand, you could just read some of the older Batgirl (or the new soft reboot) for a better story and more interesting character.
My husband is a huge Batman fan. I tell you this because, if you've been following me for any length of time, you probably know that I'm only just toeing my way into the Marvel and DC universes. Look, those bad boys are daunting. They're huge and, since I was never so much into the "capes and tights" set, I wasn't willing to take the plunge. Now, I'm a little less afraid. I'm testing the waters. Anyway, the point is that most of what I know about Batman and Batgirl, I've absorbed through osmosis from my husband. I know the basics, and possibly a bit beyond that. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get completely lost in Gail Simone's vision of Batgirl. I didn't need to know very much about Barbara Gordon, or her past. Whether you're coming into this volume with a lot of background knowledge about this character or not, you'll be just fine. Simone brings Barbara to life. She makes her human, with the same flaws and doubts we all have. Happily, she also makes her completely bad-ass. I'm all for Batman, but who doesn't love a fiery redhead who doles out justice? The illustrations here are crisp, and so vivid that they just draw you in. I was so impressed at the raw emotion that comes through in these panels. I felt for Barbara. I understood her pain, her doubt, and the underlying motivation propelling her forward despite everything else. Paired with the juicy and action packed story line, it was a ride that I completely enjoyed. Am I little biased because she's a female character? Quite possibly. That doesn't change the fact that Gail Simone's writing has breathed new life into a character that I was already interested in. I really love this Barbara Gordon, and I can't wait to read more.
