Review: Batgirl #20

There is always something interesting about the Bat-family of characters that the other related superheroes lack. They are a real family, but unlike the Super-family of characters they aren“t related by blood and marriage. They are a composite family of lost souls who come together because they are all trying to overcome their own personal weaknesses and fears.

In this issue, Barbara is not only fighting the Penguin and his son, Blacksun, she is fighting for the person that she“s become since moving to the Burnside section of Gotham. As she is putting together the clues of the case, she is also reliving her times as a student and the events that forced Barbara Gordon, not Batgirl, to grow into an adult.

She discovers the Cobblepotts have stolen technology that will make them seem trustworthy. Her first run in with the technology happens when she discovers that The Penguin is giving food and shelter to people who have lost all heat and power in their homes during a winter blackout. At first, Gordon accepts the unreasonable excuses for what is happening, until she figures out that she was under the influence of the technology.

She investigates further and discovers The Penguin is going to use this technology to get himself elected to Congress. Even though he is the bigger threat, The Penguin is a secondary villian in this story. The main bad guy is his son Ethan, Blacksun, who has recovered from crippling injuries Batgirl inflicted on him in their last encounter.

This is a fun quick adventure for Batgirl, but I really feel that Hope Larson (Penny Dory and the Wishing Box, Goldie Vance) missed a real opportunity. Ethan had to recover from nearly paralyzing injuries to come back for his revenge on Batgirl. But when he doesn“t realize is that his injuries parallel her spinal injuries. I really think it would have been interesting to draw out the similarities and difference in their injuries and recoveries.

Sami Basri“s artwork is really great in this issue. I like how her views of Burnside show a different face of Gotham. It is safer and more prosperous than the gloomy downtown where Batman patrols. Basri (God Complex, Teen Titans) also does a great Penguin — not as fat as some version, but still just as threatening. He also makes sure that there is some resemblance between father and son.

All in all, this is a fun Batgirl adventure. Not too slight, but it won“t go down as one of her all time great storylines. If you are following the character all the time, you won“t be disappointed and even if you are starting with this issues, it isn“t too hard to get into the swing of the story.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Writer: Hope Larson
Artist: Sami Basri
Colorist: Jessica Kholinne
Cover Artist: Dan Mora

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Andy Hall

Sent from the future by our Robot Ape overlords to preserve the timeline. Reading and writing about comics until the revolution comes. All hail the Orangutan Android Solar King!