Batgirl #7

Cover by Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, Ulises Arreola

Batgirl #7 (March 13, 2012)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf, Alitha Martinez

Inker: Vicente Cifuentes

Colorists: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

While I believe that Animal Man and Swamp Thing are the strongest books of the New 52, I still adore Batgirl. It’s well written, exciting and character-driven. Also, I will always love Barbara Gordon. ALWAYS.

Batgirl #7 has been one of my favorite issues of this series, not merely because it has an awesome fight sequence, a genuinely creepy and intriguing villain, and a perfect balancing between the personal and professional life of Barbara Gordon BUT because there’s a cameo by one of my other top favorite female super heroes: Black Canary.

I know we have Birds of Prey, which I also adore, but I sort of wish Black Canary and Batgirl had a duo book: fighting crime and trading quips and just generally being awesome and dynamic female characters. A girl can dream.

Batgirl #5, #6

Cover by Adam Hughes

Batgirl #5 (January 11, 2012) Batgirl #6 (February 8, 2012)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf

Inker: Vicente Cifuentes

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

I’ve wanted to write about these issues for a very long time now but between work, graduate papers, and exams, I never felt like I had the time to fully sit down and express myself clearly.

Now that I do have some free time, I’m not quite sure what I wanted to say.

I know these issues are months old already but they’ve stuck with me from my first readings, which, what with my rapid consumption of comic books, is quite a feat. I’ve been rather lukewarm on the recent Batgirl run (most likely from still mourning the loss of Oracle) but I’ve noticed that the storylines have steadily improved with each issue.

Batgirl #4

Cover by Adam Hughes

Batgirl #4 (December 14, 2011)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf

Inker: Vincente Cifuentes

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

I have reacted indifferently to the majority of the re-launched Batgirl series and Batgirl #4 is no exception, sadly.

There has been very little about this series to pull me in and at this point, I genuinely miss Oracle. Barbara as Batgirl is still struggling with her identity and the miraculous use of her legs after being shot by the Joker over a year ago. Perhaps this is the reason why her characterization feels rather off. This Barbara Gordon never seems sure of anything and if there was one thing I could always rely on Barbara for, it was her steadfastness.

Batgirl #2

Cover by Adam Hughes

Batgirl #2 (October 12, 2011)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Inker: Vincente Cifuentes

Finally, a step in the right direction.

In order to celebrate Halloween as Batgirl, I’ve decided to read and review Batgirl #2 and I am very happy to say, it is a vast improvement over both my previous DC comic experience and Batgirl #1. 

This is my first Halloween in a store-bought costume. I feel weird.

Batgirl #1

Cover by Adam Hughes

Batgirl #1 (September 7, 2011)

Writer: Gail Simone

Penciller: Ardian Syaf

Inker: Vicente Cifuentes

Colorist: Ulses Arreola

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Like hundreds of other DC fans yesterday, I rushed out to my local comic book store and stocked up on several of the New 52. Also like hundreds of DC fans, I all but devoured Batgirl #1, written by the illustrious Gail Simone and penciled by Ardian Syaf.

There has been a lot of speculation and controversy surrounding the re-launch of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, mostly because after over 20 years as the wheelchair-bound Oracle, Barbara can now walk, leap and pummel bad guys. There’s been a really mixed and wary reaction from fans to this change, with some actually outraged that DC is abandoning one of the few disabled comic book characters out there. The loss of Oracle is quite a blow to diversity but it’s also a lot more than that.

Batman: The Cat and The Bat



I hated this comic SO MUCH. FLAMES. FLAMES ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE...