Batgirl #1: Initial Reaction

Not bad, actually. I picked this up on a whim - I've never been a big Batgirl fan, in any of her incarnations. Never was against the character, just not a big fan. Never read nothing by Simone before, either.

As I say, this wasn't one of the books I intended to follow - and may not yet, we'll see. But, to my mind, at least, they've gotten this one off to a good start. I don't think it's a huge spoiler to say that the big issue - "How is Barbara up and about and being Batgirl again?" - is mentioned only obliquely and is not yet explained, really. Instead, we see a still-somewhat-rusty Barbara going into action against some home invaders. We also see that "The Killing Joke" is still definitely part of continuity, and we have a potentially interesting new supporting character introduced. The whole story is leading to a confrontation with a new (to me, at least) heel called "The Mirror", who is apparently on a mission of vengeance that may have personal repercussions for our heroine, and ends with a cliffhanger that certainly leaves one wondering what will happen next.

So, pretty well-written, I'd say.

And the art's real nice, too.

Replies

Dagwan September 7, 2011 at 9:17pm

Yeah, three thumbs up on this one from me.

(One thumb may be plastic.)

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

Check out the Secret Headquarters (my store) website! Comics and Games for Everyone!

I used to listen to WOXY.com; It was the future of rock-n-roll! RIP WOXY
Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) September 8, 2011 at 12:37am

I liked it a lot. It's most likely going to make the cut -- it's a really well done superhero book. The question is, will I want another well-done superhero book more than I'll want a book with a different tone & subject altogether? Books like Men of War and I, Vampire have a leg up in that regard.
Jeff of Earth-J September 8, 2011 at 11:06am

I am a big Batgirl fan (i.e., Barbara Gordon Batgirl), and so is my wife, but I didn't bother with this one because I assumed that, in this new universe, Barbara Gordon was never crippled. Learning that The Killing Joke is still in continuity somehow makes this series more interesting to me.
Don Collett September 8, 2011 at 11:15am

This book will likely make the cut for me. The question I have is: Since it's only been three years since Barbara was shot, and she seems to be having money troubles here...was she ever Oracle in the DCnU?
Cavaliere (moderator emeritus) September 8, 2011 at 11:55am

My impression is that she was Oracle, Don. I, too, was impressed by the issue. This isn't a title I was planning on buying regularly but #2 is now in my "buy" list based on this first issue. Great stuff.
Dagwan September 8, 2011 at 12:31pm

Don Collett said:

This book will likely make the cut for me. The question I have is: Since it's only been three years since Barbara was shot, and she seems to be having money troubles here...was she ever Oracle in the DCnU?

I suspect there's a big difference between what Barbara Gordon can afford and what she can appear to afford, but it's too early to say.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

Check out the Secret Headquarters (my store) website! Comics and Games for Everyone!

I used to listen to WOXY.com; It was the future of rock-n-roll! RIP WOXY
Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) September 8, 2011 at 2:01pm

I suspect there's a big difference between what Barbara Gordon can afford and what she can appear to afford, but it's too early to say.

The $20,000/yr millionaire? We have a lot of those around here.
KSwolf September 9, 2011 at 1:31pm

A fun issue, with the great characterization that you usually get from Gail Simone. I'll miss Gail's Birds of Prey and Secret Six, but having her on a Barbara solo book makes for a nice consolation prize.
ClarkKent_DC September 9, 2011 at 2:02pm

KSwolf said:

A fun issue, with the great characterization that you usually get from Gail Simone. I'll miss Gail's Birds of Prey and Secret Six, but having her on a Barbara solo book makes for a nice consolation prize.

What he said. I wouldn't have even considered Batgirl had it been someone other than Gail Simone wielding the pen.

This reply was deleted.