Batgirl

Batgirl #46

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Batgirl #46Despite the issue’s cover Batgirl #46 doesn’t quite give us the Batgirl and Spoiler team-up we were hoping for. In fact Stephanie Brown doesn’t even appear until halfway through the issue when Babs sets out to save the Spoiler who has gotten in over her head with the local gangs. Still, for at least a few panels we get to see the woman who should be Batgirl fight along side of the woman who is Batgirl.

Meeting during Spoiler’s fight with the gangs, the issue can’t quite resolve a major problem with the New 52 reboot where the two are far too similar in age for Babs to be taking the older sister approach which she did prior to the start of the New 52. Given the comic’s second soft reboot, which attempted to de-age the character a bit with the introduction of a new costume and creative team, balancing her actual age and experience to that of Spoiler is problematic (which is probably why the two say less than 100 words to each other).

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Justice League United #14

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Justice League United #14Let me start by saying I have absolutely no idea what is happening in Justice League United #14. The second issue of an arc (yeah, okay I’ll admit I didn’t read the last issue, but seriously WTF is going on?) involving members of the team being trapped in a WWII battlefront along with a Who’s Who of lesser known DC characters including Sgt. Rock, Vandal Savage, Robotman, the Creature Commandos, Enemy Ace, the Unknown Soldier, and Batgirl is as bizarre as it sounds. Hell, even O.M.A.C. shows up before all is said and done. And it’s also kinda fun.

I haven’t picked up an issue of Justice League United over the last six months finding the title’s opening arc only so-so. The cover of Justice League United #14, featuring Stargirl and Batgirl, however grabbed my attention as did the odd collection of characters within. With the series facing cancellation before the end of the year it’s obvious that writer Jeff Lemire and artist Paul Pelletier have been left to their own devices to construct an unusual tale that while baffling still makes me want to stick around to see how things turn out. Congrats DC you’ve finally sold me on the title.

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Batgirl: Endgame #1

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Batgirl: Endgame #1Aside from being unclear as to why there is a Jokerized mob terrorizing all of Gotham I enjoyed Batgirl: Endgame #1 featuring Batgirl striving to save as many people as possible from the infected including using charades to help one little girl who nearly gets left behind before the bridge is blown.

The issue includes no dialogue (other than a single deep exhale of relief from our heroine on the finale page) meaning those (like me) not following the events of Batman: Endgame may be lost going in as there’s no preamble, discussion, or narration to get us up to speed. Thankfully Batgirl’s role in the issue is straightforward even if questions are left unanswered.

I’m still very much on the fence about the New 52’s version of Black Canary, or her new title as the lead singer of a touring band, but at least Batgirl: Endgame #1 makes Dinah less of the vacuous bitch than she’s been in the last few issues of Batgirl and allows the former besties to finally bury a hatchet whose very existence was perplexing to begin with. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batgirl #39

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Batgirl #39The “who is Batgirl” storyline seemingly wrapped up a couple months ago continues in Batgirl #39. The quick revamp of the character with spiffy new costume and younger feel got me interesting in Barbara Gordon once again but my interest is already beginning to wane. Although they finally make-up at the end of the issue, Batgirl #39 continues Black Canary‘s role as pretty much the worst friend ever as she completely abandons Babs once again in her time of need as my opinion of the New 52 version of Dinah Lance continues to sour with little relief in sight.

The latest issue does introduce an unexpected villain behind the town of Burnside turning on Batgirl as Barbara finally makes a connection between her computer code and recent memory lapses. I’m not sure I buy the final panel’s tease of who is responsible, but at least it feels like the comic is leading somewhere new.

Once again the art of Babs Tarr is the highlight of the issue, but the style and look of the series in and of themselves can’t hide the fact that better storytelling is needed. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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