Batgirl: Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, Alitha Martinez, Vicente Cifuentes, Ulises Arreola, Dave Sharpe

We start this issue with a very provocative image: Batgirl with her head being shoved underwater. What’s interesting about this series is how Simone isn’t afraid to really drag Babs through the mud. Put her through the ringer. Really let her have it. She’s human, and she’s not yet at the top of her game since the shooting. We’re also introduced right here to the villain of this next arc…and his name is Grotesque. And he’s probably my favorite villain of this entire series so far. This guy is FUNNY. It’s really unclear as to what his metahuman abilities are as well…but we quickly go back in time to trace the beginnings of this story. Babs spars with Dinah Lance, the Black Canary. She gets advice on how to deal with her mother being back, and then drops in on a party that’s under attack by this Grotesque guy. That leads to the chase into the sewer where we first saw her in this issue. Then…we see a really big revelation that leads into next issue…and it’s pretty incredible. I really liked this twist, and I talk about it a lot in the next issue’s review. So check it out there if you want to know what it is. Syaf’s art is really fantastic, as per normal, then we get Alitha Martinez in for the sparring with Canary. She does a good job of keeping the style consistent with Syaf’s. And his is a very unique style, I think. It definitely does this book justice.

Batgirl #7, the verdict: While I’m not super crazy about this title, it is good. I have seen very consistent results out of it with every issue. Every issue has delivered a solid story with great characters…and a really fantastic representation of Barbara Gordon. She’s even more real than Batman is. Even Nightwing. Those are still a little more fantastic. I’ve stopped collecting this series, though, so there may not be any more reviews on this title. I hope you continue to enjoy the book!

(Photo Source: Kotaku)

Batgirl: Gail Simone, Vicente Cifuentes, Alitha Martinez, Ulises Arreola, Dave Sharpe

So holy crap this was incredible. If you missed my #7 review (because I didn’t do it), then you may not know that one of the goons working for the new masked villain, Grotesque, is none other than Danny Weaver…one of the people who stood by and watched while the Joker shot Barbara through the spine. What a revelation…what a twist. This is excellent, and what’s better…is that Batgirl lets him go! She has him pinned down, but she doesn’t turn him in! We don’t quite understand why at first…but we get it by the end of the issue. Danny tried to turn over a new leaf after getting out of prison, but as we can see it didn’t work out quite that way. Before Batgirl goes after Grotesque again, she decides to face her mother - finally. We learn that she ran away in order to save the family from the even-then psychotic James Jr. (who would grow up to be quite the disgusting little killer). This whole aspect felt a little flat, mainly because we don’t learn why James Jr. wanted his mother out of the picture. Perhaps we’ll find out soon (especially what with what happens at the end of this issue!). Batgirl is still facing her demons concerning her devastating injury, and it comes out strong as she fights Grotesque and comes to terms with Danny. Her talk with Danny at the end was really heart-wrenching, actually. Very well-written. Also excellent in this issue is Cifuentes’s art. I love the panel of Batgirl snapping her arm back to strike the oncoming attacker while she holds Danny in the beginning of the issue. The book is so detailed, it’s great. I’m pretty excited to see what happens next!

Batgirl #8, the verdict: A surprising hit. I have to admit that I’ve stopped pulling this title every month, and I believe this is the last issue I have. But it’s issues like this - and a couple others so far - that really stand out with some powerful moments that make me want to read more. If only every issue could promise emotion like this…but that wouldn’t necessarily be fair to ask. Would it? In any case, the creative team on this book is pretty much killing it. Next issue is the Night of the Owls issue, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how Gail builds and handles her personal Talon.

(Photo Source: iFanBoy)