Batgirl

Batgirl #1

Batgirl #1The first issue of the new Batgirl solo-series takes Barbara Gordon to Japan on a pilgrimage in search of elite martial artists who can help improve her fighting skills. In Okinawa, Barbara runs into an old friend who it seems has drawn the interest of some unsavory locals as well as meeting the elderly Fruit Bat who, after showing off some still impressive skills, shares some cryptic advice with our heroine.

Batgirl #1 has the right tone I want in a Batgirl series. Sure, it would make much more sense having Stephanie Brown bouncing around as Batgirl (with Babs as Oracle), but the ship apparently has sailed. Japan is an interesting destination to take Batgirl especially as we’re still a bit unsure how much training Barbara got from anyone other than Batman her first go-around as Batgirl.

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Justice League: Gotham City Breakout

  • Title: LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout
  • wiki: link

LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City BreakoutAnother lukewarm entry to the LEGO DC Super Heroes line, Justice League: Gotham City Breakout features two separate stories. First, Nightwing (Will Friedle) and Batgirl (Sarah Hyland) convince Batman (Troy Baker) to finally take a vacation leaving Gotham City in the hands of Superman (Nolan North). The trip to visit his old teacher Madame Mantis (Amy Hill) unveils a plot by Deathstroke (John DiMaggio) and Bane (Eric Bauza) to use a normally peaceful underground tribe to take over the world. While providing its moments, the adventure begins to drag during its second-half.

The other storyline features Superman having more trouble with the super-villains of Gotham City than he expected. Tricked by the Joker (Jason Spisak), Superman accidentally causes a break-out at Arkham Asylum. Even calling on the help of Cyborg (Khary Payton) and Wonder Woman (Grey Griffin), the heroes struggle to stop the chaos eventually allowing Robin (Scott Menville) to show them what crime-fighting in Gotham is all about.

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Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1Setting up the upcoming Batgirl and the Birds of Prey series, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 introduces to the three key characters of the team while explaining the past relationships of Batgirl and Black Canary. Barbara’s time as Oracle stays in the continuity as does her former partnership with Black Canary. Wiped from continuity is any official Birds of Prey team featuring other members (Huntress, Zinda Blake, and others).

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 works to get everyone up to speed on where these characters are now, with most of the focus on Batgirl. I didn’t like Dinah as much here as the version of the character we’re seeing in Green Arrow and we see so little of the new Huntress it’s too early for me to make a judgement on her quite yet. And, for me, the comic could use a firecracker like Lady Blackhawk to liven things up.

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Secret Six #12

Secret Six #12With a few arcs under its belt it looks like its time for a little shake-up to the current status quo of the Secret Six. The neighborhood gets a trio of unexpected visitors in Secret Six #12. With Batgirl still hanging around from last month’s issue, Lady Shiva comes calling on the house of misfit toys. Determined to make Strix an offer the assassin can’t refuse, Shiva makes quick work of Catman, Strix, and Batgirl. Further threatening the lives of her new friends, Shiva convinces Strix to join the League of Assassins.

We also get an appearance by Sue Dinby which has a dramatic effect on her husband. Say goodbye to Big Shot and say hello to the Elongated Man. Maybe his heroic look can rub off on Catman next?

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Batgirl #47

Batgirl #47While fun, Batgirl #47 is a jumbled mess. Offering us an team-up between Batgirl, Spoiler, and Bluebird the latest issue sends Babs and Stephanie into the GCPD disguised as cops in an undercover mission so ridiculous it would have made Charlie’s Angels blush. The girls’ night out vibe is cute, but Barbara’s plan (breaking into a police station where nearly everyone knows her by sight) is half-assed at best.

It also doesn’t help that the art from the issue is a scatterbrained as the story with two different artists sharing duties. The very talkie issue also takes far to long to get to the break-in as we’re forced to wait through Babs dealing with the bizarre New 52 version of her father (seriously DC, WTF did you do to Commissioner Gordon?) and roommate issues.

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