March 19, 2024

It’s no secret to comic fans that in the last few years, DC has been hard at work rebooting just about every major character you can think of. The New 52 line focused on staple characters and groups, but now we’re being treated to the emergence of new characters along with the resurgence of old, less common names. Amongst them is Batgirl from Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, and Babs Tarr. In this fresh take on the most recognizable female member of the Bat family, Barbara Gordon leaves Gotham for Burnside, a town like any other, full of hip young professionals and students.

What initially drew me to Batgirl is what draws me to most comics: the art style. Thick, dark lines are filled in with bold colors that pop off the page, making you pay attention to each and every detail. Next was the dialogue, which feels authentic and helps flesh out each character’s unique personality. This was one of those strange instances where I wasn’t reading the comic in my own voice, but trying to come up with voices for each person. Finally, the story. I wouldn’t say it reaches mind blowing proportions, but the team working on Batgirl knows how to make a plot modern while paying homage to Batgirl’s history as a character. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil it, but her first major villain is a tatted up, stereotypical douche type who uses his social media site to ruin lives and at the end of it all, Batgirl ends up fighting herself in a very strange, sci-fi kind of way.

Volume 2 of Batgirl will be available on February 23rd so if you haven’t checked out the first issue, you’ve still got plenty of time.