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:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman
So, they’re rebooting, but some events (especially if they involve Bat-characters or Green Lanterns) are still in continuity?