Reviews

Batgirl, Vol. 1: Batgirl of Burnside by Babs Tarr, Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Irene Koh

haileyq's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

cmaestephens's review against another edition

5.0

There are no words for how much I loved this trade.

nathanaeljs's review against another edition

3.0

I've been following the New 52 Batgirl series off and on for awhile now. Barbara isn't my Batgirl (Steph all the way), but I've mostly enjoyed Gail Simone's work on the series. So I was a bit leery about this new take, despite really loving the new uniform (really, really love it). While it's only a soft reboot, it most definitely is a reboot. The tone, setting, and even the characterization is different. This is a more youthful, less angsty take on Barbara and the problems and villains she faces in this volume reflects that. Ultimately, I likeddd it, but the characterization changes were a bit uncomfortable and it's mainly for that reason (as well as some minor quibbles about the plot) that I gave it three stars. Writing aside, the art is really fantastic. It's a bit on the cute side, but it suited the tone of the book and I liked that each character felt like a distinct individual. Comic book art can have a tendency to make characters look same-y (especially the women), so I enjoyed this.

On a side-note, I appreciated the effort to diversify Barbara's supporting cast without turning the story into some sort of Very Special Episode or making the characters feel like checkmarks on the diversity token list.

booksnarks's review against another edition

1.0

No. No. No. No. Just… no.

So long story short, they rebooted the Batgirl run and changed her costume and made her this “hip” and “cool” and “trendy” Batgirl who moved to a nicer neighbourhood and became viral on social media. No, I am not kidding about the last bit. I guess, I understand what they were going for, but it miss the target by a LONG shot.

I would have been fine with it if this were a special, or an Elseworld or something, but I do not accept this as part of the mainstream continuity. I just don’t. I don’t want it as part of it.

This character and portrayal and life situation of Barbara just doesn’t fit. Her shooting, her assault at the hands of the Joker, her paralysis, becoming Oracle, those things that happened to her do not add up to the Barbara we got here. And yes, her accident does not have to dictate who she is, but Oracle was such an important part of who Barbara became, you cannot just do away with that and say ‘oh yeah, it’s part of the continuity, but you know, whatever, this is a hip and cool Barbara.” Bullshit.

Which brings to the question: what are they reducing Batgirl to? This is the women who has faced down some of the most notorious criminals in the DC universe, and now you have her tracking down laptop thefts and delusional artists? What.The.Hell. They moved her character backwards. Nothing made sense in this. The Burnside side didn’t even feel like it was part of Gotham. And no, calling it trendy doesn’t excuse that. And what was that nonsense with “the masks stay on the other side of the bridge.” So what, are you telling me that if the Joker crosses over the bridge Batman’s just gonna be like “not my division, he crossed the bridge.” Just, UGH. See the problem I had with this?

And the art! Do no get me started on the art! It’s just not my thing. Like, ok, I wanna see Batman get rebooted with this type of art. Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. Know why? Because Batman is supposed to be dark, and gritty and complex and realistic, but eh, you can do this for Batgirl because you know she’s a collage student and happy and just wants to date and go to parties and have a normal life. I do not accept this. I don’t.

Which brings me to: HOW LONG WILL THEY KEEP BARBARA IN COLLAGE FOR!!? I feel like she’s been in collage since the 90s. And I am so sick of that. Enough with the youngster Barbara. We need a Barbara in her mid twenties. We need a time skip or something. We need something that is not this!

I don’t wanna say this is what happens when a man writes Batgirl, but well, this is what we got. However much Gail Simone’s Batgirl run started annoying me towards the end, well I’d rather have her back than this.

And look, I realize in grand part that is a question of perspectives, and maybe some people loved the book and that is fine. However, for me, who prefers a darker, more realistic portrayal of Batgirl, this wasn’t it. At all. And this better not be the Batgirl we are getting with the Rebirth re-launch, because if it is I will riot. Mark my words, I will riot!

onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition

3.0

Sort of a warm and fuzzy followup to The Killing Joke. I feel slightly squicked out for thinking that.

webtheweeb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

amyjoy's review against another edition

5.0

SO GOOD. I need the second volume RIGHT NOW. And I need to buy a second copy of this one for the library. I love Babs and all the side characters, and I'm really excited to see where this series goes.

vroodles's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

plants_and_bees's review against another edition

Honestly I'm already in love, this is great and I can't wait to read the other volumes!

britterization's review against another edition

2.0

This one just did not do it for me. The villains were a little cheesy for my taste, and Babs (I would NEVER call her babes, gross) kept making stupid/weird decisions. The romance plot with the cop was groan inducing. The art was cool, though, and I liked the last issue in the volume. It was ok - 2 stars.