posted
I like Steph and I like the idea of her being the new Batgirl. The book so far has done an interesting job of mixing her personal life with her life in the suit.
It's been a pleasant read, but not one that's grabbed me. It does have potential, filling a spot that ROBIN held before the Batverse shake up.
Babs hasn't shown the same level head she kept during her time as Cassie's mentor, or her time with the Birds.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
After the first four issues, Batgirl was squarely on the bubble as to whether I was going to keep picking up this title, but after having just read issue 5, it's now on the precipice of making my official pull list (as opposed to me just buying it off the display as I have been). What a great, fun issue #5 was!
It appears that as of this issue write Bryan Q. Miller has officially found his voice on this series. Did anything really Earth-shattering happen? Well, no, but the banter between Steph and Babs combined with the interplay of their thought captions was just hilarious and nailed both characters just so incredibly spot-on. It was some of the best writing of this nature that I've seen and was just so suitable for a book which is about two women trying to carve out a niche for themselves in a realigned Batverse.
The plot of this issue centers around an arson in an especially crime-ridden Gotham slum. Steph is dealing with the arsonist when Dick and Damian intervene. Steph unintentionally does something to Damian to stop the arsonists that sets off Damian against Steph and Dick against Babs. The stuff between Dick and Babs is just pitch-perfect from my point of view for two former lovers that still harbor hurt and unresolved feelings.Seeing Babs fume afterward when her dad sets her up with a cop on a poorly timed surprise blind date was just poetic in its hilarity. the interplay between what she's thinking and what she says is just a perfect example of what I mentioned in the previous paragraph. And the Steph/Damian stuff is LOL funny!
From that point, Steph pursues the son of the property owner whose building was burned. The son is a fellow student at Steph's college, and things are complicated by the fact that Steph is attracted to him. All of which leads to a series of events that ends in a bit of a cliffhanger. The cliffhanger's a bit obvious, but doesn't really derail what was a fine issue and the anticipation of what will hopefully be another fine issue.
The Lee Garbett art now seems less of a Barry Kitson/Alan Davis mesh and more its own thing, except maybe I'm detecting a little Rick Leonardi influence now. This may have something to do with there being two guest inkers. In any case I felt the art hit all the right notes and delivered the proper facial expressions for the situations. It was quite lovely, and I can see Garbett improving with each issue.
If this issue is any indication Batgirl is becoming the successor to the salad days of the Robin title with its light, breezy tone and overall sense of fun. It didn't hit me over the head as quickly as Sterling Gates's Supergirl did, but it may end up going toe-to-toe with that title in its acclaim.
I'd freely recommend Batgirl #5 to anyone who would like to try this title. I'm pretty sure no one who gives it a shot will find themselves disappointed...unless they just don't like any fun in their funny books! If issue 6 continues this way, Batgirl makes my pull list!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
After #2, I stopped picking up issues of the new series. While it wasn't bad by any means, there wasn't enough there drawing me in. To be completely fair, that might have to do with my general distaste for the current Bat-status quo. Which is unfair to Batgirl (I also gave up completely on Sirens and Streets of Gotham and never even gave Azrael a chance). I'm finding the whole thing other than Batwoman in Detective to be rather annoying.
What that means is that maybe I owe it to Batgirl to give it a second look if you're enjoying it as much as you say Lardy. I could always pick up #5 and back-track if I want. I'm glad that by #5 Babs and Steph's relationship has grown somewhat so they're not in constant conflict. I've gotten very tired "always angry Babs" so hopefully Miller is going in another direction.
For me its a classic case of being disenchanted enough with the current Bat-direction that I've kind of hit the point where I'm burnt out on talking about it and reading anything Bat-related. I also can't get the idea out of my head that Steph will eventually lose the Batgirl moniker and become the Spoiler again--I just don't have any faith that DC would make any meaingful change. Like I said, not the fault of the Batgirl series at all but really my own distaste with the DC bat-books. Perhaps I'll give Batgirl another chance...
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: I'm glad that by #5 Babs and Steph's relationship has grown somewhat so they're not in constant conflict. I've gotten very tired "always angry Babs" so hopefully Miller is going in another direction.
Babs is still kind of on the rag (no offense intended, ladies ) this issue, Des, but under the circumstances shown here with Dick, it works and is understandable. Babs really stands up for Steph here while Dick is striking his very best Bruce pose, so that shows how her and Steph's relationship is evolving. There's a respect between them and a rapport underlying their interaction that isn't stated outright but comes through. They're getting to know each other and to anticipate what the other is thinking.
There's just a snap to all the dialogue and captions that recalls what really made me fall in love with the writing on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. If I could write natural, exciting dialogue like that, I would be 200% happier with my own writing!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Ok well we get a new issue of Batgirl, and things have turned for the better. Batgirl and Robin team up like in the days of old, but in no way is this a cheery, flirtacious pairing ala Dick and Babs.
Babs is a little more relaxed, and the interplay between her and Dick is a little mix of their past as well as the new dynamic. It's a great example of that snappy dialogue you referred to, Lardi.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
How does Gail Simone's return to Birds of Prey affect Babs's appearance in Batgirl? I think I saw a cover for an issue with Barbara, LadyHawk, Huntress, Black Canary and a caped figure in the background who is shaded out. Perhaps Steph is joining the Birds?
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Anyone else notice the wave of blond locks flowing from our second generation of the Trinity? Supergirl, Wonder Girl and the new Batgirl would strike quite a golden maned cover.
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Owl Lad: Anyone else notice the wave of blond locks flowing from our second generation of the Trinity? Supergirl, Wonder Girl and the new Batgirl would strike quite a golden maned cover.
Second? Even if you say that Steph is of the same "generation" as Cass, we're talking third at the earliest.
-------------------- My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
posted
I stand corrected. I guess the same goes for Cassie. She's the second Wonder Girl after Donna Troy.
Speaking of Cassandra Cain, what has become of her? I didn't pick up the series when she wore the cowl, but I was always intrigued by her. What do you think it was about her that didn't resonate with fans?
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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Set
There's not a word yet, for old friends who've just met.
posted
quote:Originally posted by Owl Lad: Speaking of Cassandra Cain, what has become of her? I didn't pick up the series when she wore the cowl, but I was always intrigued by her. What do you think it was about her that didn't resonate with fans?
I think that she, Ravager, Bombshell and a couple of other characters were all competing for the same 'angry teenaged girl against the world' niche, and they couldn't all succeed...
It was like angrychickapalooza over there in the Titans title for awhile.
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Let's be honest here - Cassandra had a 73 issue series (plus an Annual, an issue of "DC First" and a few other side bits) which was cancelled for non-sales reasons as part of the whole Infantile Crisis/One Year Later fiasco, plus that six-issue Beechen series we all try to forget after he'd already done his level best to sink the character for good in Robin.
I hardly think that sort of run counts as the character "failing" or "not resonating" as a whole.
What is, I think, true though is that she's a character not many writers have a good handle on - look back at the first 25-30 issues of her series and it's all very low-key, "small" stuff (the issue where she finds a dying man and the whole issue's about trying to get his letter to his widow - whose reaction to the letter leads to her trying to learn to read - leaps to mind). The further away she got from that sort of stuff, the less well she worked.
-------------------- My views are my own and do not reflect those of everyone else... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Liked the bit about Dick and Babs reminiscing over their butt-heading days as Robin and Batgirl while Steph and Damian go at each other. I do not follow the Bat-books, so I don't know anything about this Damian and how he came to be under Dick's wing, but he's written like some caricature of a little brat in these 2 issues.
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
It's not just these two issues... he's been written that way since the start. It's sort of his thing
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Just read Batgirl #9 yesterday and felt compelled to post since my good buddy Des wanted an update awhile back on the inclusive Batman thread.
Basically, I'm still enjoying the book quite a bit! It's fun, energetic and full of terrific chemistry between Steph and Babs!
Number 9 begins a new story arc called "Flood". The issue begins with a nice action scene involving a suicide bomber on a train. What's awesome is that, for once, Steph pulls off the win without a hitch! (She even comments "no collateral damage") It's not that Steph's been a complete mess throughout the series, but it's understandable that she would have some growing pains, given her spotty history as Spoiler and Robin. It's a fun sequence, and the best part was how Babs showed confidence in Steph to get the job done with all those lives at stake.
The rest of the issue is devoted to building up the arc's primary threat. We slowly understand that some people are being controlled by nanites and being forced to kill themselves after they've accomplished certain tasks. Interestingly, it turns out the tech involved is from Apokalips. But the villain behind it is revealed not from the New Gods milieu but someone who has in recent years become a nemesis for Oracle. And Babs seems a little afraid! (This villain also has a relationship to another of the series' supporting characters.)
I found the issue and the series pretty much thoroughly enjoyable. The main snafu was that Red Robin crossover. I wasn't about to buy Red Robin to see how that crossover played out! Otherwise, the first arc and especially the second (featuring Batman & Robin) were highly enjoyable. Miller and Garbett are doing at least as good of a job as Gates and Igle on Supergirl without having the limitation of constantly having to fit in with a larger storyline as the Supergirl team has constantly had to.
I'm a little concerned that Gail Simone and BoP may pull Babs away from this title at some point. I hope not because Babs shines as well here as Steph does, and I'd hate to lose that chemistry and mentoring relationship.
This is a quality, fun comic to read that I'd recommend to anyone who likes a book with good chemistry. It has a light, breezy feel to it usually but is also capable of broaching more serious themes. I think this team has really nailed how this book needs to be done, and I'm on board for as long as they are as long as the quality stays up!
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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Cheif, I think you may be right on with your call of Oracle and the Birds. The latest issue pairs Steph with Wendy. It's a different kind of interplay between them, but one that I can't say doesn't work.
If Miller pulls it off, this could be a great bait and switch.
From: Denver, CO | Registered: May 2004
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![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) this issue, Des, but under the circumstances shown here with Dick, it works and is understandable. Babs really stands up for Steph here while Dick is striking his very best Bruce pose, so that shows how her and Steph's relationship is evolving. There's a respect between them and a rapport underlying their interaction that isn't stated outright but comes through. They're getting to know each other and to anticipate what the other is thinking.
