New 52 Review – “Batgirl #1”

This is easily one of the most controversial titles announced with the New 52.

General Information

Title: Batgirl #1

Author: Gail Simone

Illustrator(s): Ardian Syaf (pencils), Vincente Cifuentes (inks), Ulises Arreola (colors)

Cover Date: November 2011

Cover Price: $2.99

Buy the digital edition.

Premise

Barbara Gordon has regained the use of her legs, and has but the Batgirl tights back on to start fighting crime in a more public forum again. Unfortunately, the events of “The Killing Joke” are not easily forgotten.

High Point

Barbara’s former injury is far from ignored. She’s walking under her own power again, but her past has a definite impact on her performance.

Low Point

The questions I’ve had for months still aren’t answered. It looks like the answers are coming, but they aren’t here yet.

The Scores

As with much of the New 52 line, we’ve got a familiar take rather than an original take in many ways. This one differs, though, in that Barbara Gordon’s history remains intact, so we’ve got brand new emotional baggage for our hero to deal with. I give it 4 out of 6.

The artwork is very good, right down to the mood-shift colour palettes. No qualms here at all. I give it 6 out of 6.

The story is very well done. Again, I’d still like to know about the “miracle” that got Barbara out of the chair, but I suspect that’s coming later. The events of “The Killing Joke” are clearly not being ignored, so I’m sure it’s coming. Gail Simone is the right person to handle this title. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization of Barbara, her father, and her new roommate are all excellent. The villain is a bit of a mystery at this stage, but that’s likely intentional. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is strong. Batgirl is a capable underdog hero, never quite reaching the heights of Batman, and that still comes through. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is smooth once again. There seems to be a trend toward rapidly advancing plots with the New 52, and it’s a trend I can support completely. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, this is a strong enough title to get added to my already full pull list. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Batgirl #1 receives 36 out of 42.

The New 52

Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:

  1. Action Comics
  2. All-Star Western
  3. Animal Man
  4. Aquaman
  5. Batgirl
  6. Batman
  7. Batman and Robin
  8. Batman: The Dark Knight
  9. Batwing
  10. Batwoman
  11. Birds of Prey
  12. Blackhawks
  13. Blue Beetle
  14. Captain Atom
  15. Catwoman
  16. DC Universe Presents
  17. Deathstroke
  18. Demon Knights
  19. Detective Comics
  20. The Flash
  21. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
  22. The Fury of Firestorm
  23. Green Arrow
  24. Green Lantern
  25. Green Lantern Corps
  26. Green Lantern: New Guardians
  27. Grifter
  28. Hawk and Dove
  29. I, Vampire
  30. Justice League
  31. Justice League Dark
  32. Justice League International
  33. Legion Lost
  34. Legion of Super-Heroes
  35. Men of War
  36. Mister Terrific
  37. Nightwing
  38. O.M.A.C.
  39. Red Hood and the Outlaws
  40. Red Lanterns
  41. Resurrection Man
  42. The Savage Hawkman
  43. Static Shock
  44. Stormwatch
  45. Suicide Squad
  46. Superboy
  47. Supergirl
  48. Superman
  49. Swamp Thing
  50. Teen Titans
  51. Voodoo
  52. Wonder Woman

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