This issue features a quartet of stores that tries to encapsulate everything that we love about Barbara Gordon.
The Reason; (w) Mairghread Scott, (a) Tom Derenick, (i) Sean Parsons, (c) Stephen Downer
First up is a story of lost hope driven by the idea that no matter what she does, Batgirl doesn’t really affect anything. Case in point, she saves a guy that ends up being killed by the Joker. Whilst this idea may seem a little self-absorbed, it’s not unusual for a range of heroes to feel this way. So step forward a wise civilian to put the hero back on the road of righteousness. Mairghead Scott delivers a tale that, despite its oft used trope, does create genuine emotion. Tom Derenick’s art is slightly more mature in its overall look. The panel structure works well across the action scenes as well as the more obvious conversational pieces. The colors from Stephen Downer work well in the various elements on show.
Hopeless Romantic; (w) Marguerit Bennet, (a) Dan Panosian, (c) Jordie Bellaire
This story is a direct follow on from part one, with Babs getting access to Bruce’s Honeymoon suite in the Gotham Gaslight hotel. Fans relax, she is sharing comfy pj’s with Dick Grayson. The pair get to share some time putting the world to rights, without the need to label themselves, which may seem a little disappointing for the hoards of shippers out there, but in reality proves the fact that not everything needs to be put into a nice little box. Dan Panosian’s art is a dramastic (my word, I created it!) change of pace from what has been seen before, and I have to say I totally enjoyed it. Sure the perspectives might seem a little off and there are a lot of angles on show, but this is a character piece and the whole story is dripping with the affection that these two have for each other. The big question is how Bennett can write Babs so well yet at times her Batwoman can flounder. Jordie Bellaire proves yet again to be a colourist at the top of her game.
Value; (w) Mairghread Scott, (a) Paul Pelletier, (c) Jordie Bellaire
This story is pure setup, being as it continues into Batgirl #26. The premise is solid enough, Pelletier’s art does the job, again using a style that for the majority of the time, seems to give Batgirl an older look. Maybe its the fact that he doesn’t see the need to show his character, head to toe in the whole panel. This leads into, for those who have checked out Previews or Twitter, the changes that are heading Babs way. Bellaire shows her flexibility with a totally different scheme in story than seen at the Gaslight.
March Madness; (w) Paul Dini, (a) Emanuela Lupacchino, (i) Ray McCarthy, (c) Jordie Bellaire
The final story is, at first reading, a piece of zany which is brought to you by Paul Dini. Its a story of lost dignity, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and of love lost. Throw in some revenge and viola, now we have a story. At least that’s what is supposed to happen. For me, the story is just too madcap for it to work. Maybe this was a dusted off Harley story; I don’t actually know. But when I look back over the Rebirth Batgirl series, there are too many stories like this, with a villain that wouldn’t cause any of the other Bat people this much trouble. The art by Lupacchino fits the tone of the story well, even if the feel of it isn’t my cup of tea. Bellaire is at it again, devolving into cartoon styles to match the flow Dini’s tale. With the last page, it seems that we are going to get another villain added to Babs ever growing Rogue’s Gallery.
If you look at the book as a celebration of the various styles that Batgirl can possess, then you may feel its a resounding success. For me, whilst I totally applaud the efforts, that fact that there is an iteration that I could happily live without kind of wanes (no pun intended) my overall enthusiasm. Hopefully with a new creative team jumping on, this book can start to get out the unintentional funk that I think it has been in for a while.
The Reason – 4 Stars
Hopeless Romantic – 5 Stars
Value – 4 Stars
March Madness – 3 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Marguerite Bennett, Mairghread Scott, Paul Dini
Art by; Dan Panosian, Paul Pelletier, Emanuela Lupacchino, Tom Derenick
Colors by; Stephen Downer, Jordie Bellaire
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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