Batgirl

• Title: Batgirl #22
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
• Artist: Pere Pérez

After being tapped by Batman (the original) for an overseas mission Stephanie Brown soon finds herself in the UK only called on to save England from from a gang of ruffians pulling the sword from the stone and releasing anti-time across the world. Tally Ho!

Once again writer Bryan Q. Miller makes a pretty darn good story without having anything resembling an A-list (or even C-list) villain to work with. And although I’ve never been that big of a fan of Squire I do like the pairing with Stephanie which provides some trademark Batgirl humor (and plenty of butt kickin’). And by the end you’ll know the real reason why Greenwich Mean is so important.

There are also a few sly pop nods throughout the book to keep your eye out for (including the a nice homage to the Beatles). Dammit Steph, I’m going to miss you when you’re gone. I’m happy for Barbara Gordon fans, but I’ve got to say DC is really missing the mark pulling the current Batgirl (who has much the same feel of the original) to reinstate a character who’s outgrown the position.

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Batgirl #22Read More »

• Title: Batgirl #21
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
• Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Batgirl faces off with another Reaper as “The Lesson” continues. However, what’s more important is what’s happening with her supporting cast. Proxy is leaving Gotham for Nada Parbat directly on the heels of Oracle pulling back her involvement in “Team Batgirl.”

One of the strengths of Bryan Q. Miller’s run is the interpersonal relationships of Stephanie Brown with these characters. It seems the comic is moving into high-gear in putting Batgirl on her own island, but I’ve got to say I’m going to miss the interplay these other supporting figures provided. Maybe Miller could borrow the underutilized Lady Blackhawk from Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey to help liven things back up? At least next month’s team up with Squire should provide some fun.

The latest issue also shows us how far the new Grey Ghost is going to go in order to protect Batgirl, even if that means betraying her to her enemies. I’m sad that with everyone else leaving this is the character who seems to be sticking around, but we’ll have to wait awhile to see how this storyline plays itself out. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: Batgirl #20
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
• Artist: Dustin Nguyen

This issue marks the end of “Team Batgirl” as we’ve known it. Oracle pulls back, trusting that Stephanie Brown and Proxy can stand on their own and take down Slipstream and solve the mystery of the Reapers.

I understand the idea of Barabara stepping away to let Steph stand on her own two feet, but I have to say I’m disappointed that the relationship between the two Batgirls, which has been central to the comic’s success, seems to be going away.

On the positive side, we do get a good wrap up to “The Lesson: Tunnel Vision” and Stephanie learns she can stand on her own without relying on Oracle. Good for her, but is it wrong of me to still want her to?

Even if the central relationship to the comic seems to be going away, it’s tongue-in-cheek humor is still very much in display here (including an impatient Steph struggling to get through class). Batgirl also creates some new super-duper Batarangs and takes her new ride, “The Compact,” out on its first mission. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: Batgirl #19
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
• Artist: Dustin Nguyen

After last month’s magical romp with Klarion the Witch Boy (that sounded way dirtier than I meant it to), Batgirl returns to the streets to track down the speedster thief (Slipstream), try and lose her biggest fan (The Grey Ghost), and get used to the improved digs (thanks to a generious contribution by the Wayne Foundation).

We also get more of Stephanie’s unsuccessful juggling of her school life, home life, and nighttime activities, as well as a couple of great panels (like this one) showcasing the humor of the character.

On the negative, I’m not sure the reveal of Slipstream’s big plan makes more sense than simply emptying the various bank vaults he’s hit. That said, I’m still willing to wait and see how things play out. I also thought the Barbara/Proxy showdown (i.e. here’s your lesson kiddos) was a tad forced for my tastes.

Even with these minor quibbles Batgirl continues to deliver yet another good story. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

• Title: Batgirl #18
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
• Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Here’s something you may have not known: Stephanie Brown tastes like Christmas. Not surprising mind you, just food for thought. This Valentine’s issue pairing of Batgirl and Klarion the Witch Boy out to stop his familiar from a murder spree while it searches for true love isn’t exactly you average Batgirl tale. It’s not every day our heroine finds herself shrunk and trapped in a magic snow globe.

What works here is how Stephanie Brown is immediately put on the defensive by dealing with a magic user – not something that comes up regularly in her patrols on the streets of Gotham. Still, Stephanie adapts and agrees to help the Witch Boy after Klarion returns her to normal size (dashing her dream of fighting lice alongside the Atom in what would surely be an epic team-up).

Of course this includes dimension jumping, trying to prevent herself from being burned at the stake, fighting off a Witch Boy’s cat (which turns out to be a man-sized vicious were-cat), and even kissing Witch Boy in front of her friends. Weird, but also worth a look.

[DC $2.99]