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Reviews
Batgirl, Vol. 1: Batgirl of Burnside by Brenden Fletcher, Irene Koh, Babs Tarr, Cameron Stewart
iffer's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't bad, just not my thing. This Batgirl started off REALLY annoying at first, and I almost abandoned the trade paperback. The beginning just screams annoying fake cool/hipster millenials, and it felt like the title was trying too hard. To Cameron Stewart's credit, the script improved, and while this still reads like a shojo manga title that features 20-something-year-olds but appeals to tweens and teens (like an old WB show), it came together nicely in the end with positive messages about social media self-absorption and friendship. I also thought that the recap of Barbara's past was done pretty well.
merlin_reads's review against another edition
3.0
In my quest to read more graphic novels this was dropped on my lap. Batgirl rebooted. And it was fun. I really loved the look of the comic. The artwork was so vibrant and colorful and I just loved it. The story however, seemed a little meh. It's almost like the authors didn't know what age group they were trying to reach. They put Barbara in these adult situations (as she's in college), but the villains seemed very childish. I don't know, it just felt a little off. But I will most likely continue the series if given access to it. It was a fun one to read.
rbccawrnr's review against another edition
2.0
This may be more rant than review, but this book really upset me.
Barbara Gordon is a character that's been around for a while; almost since the beginning. As Oracle, she became one of the greatest disabled superheroes in comics. She led the Birds of Prey, an awesome group of all women superheroes. She also did not let a wheelchair prevent her from kicking serious ass when necessary.
As Batgirl, she was a hero in her own right. She entered the arena without Batman's permission, and earned his respect. She is smart, capable, mature, and pretty fucking awesome.
In Gail Simone's run, she was recovering from PTSD. She was rusty, and imperfect. She was dark, and when she confronted the Joker, she almost killed him. This was a moment that I (and probably quite a few other women) felt strongly about. Seeing the survivor of a sexual assault (no matter how you interpret TKJ I think what he did qualifies) beat the royal crap out of her abuser was vindicating.
My point here is that she was a person. A damaged person, an imperfect person, but still a person.
This new run? She's become a ridiculous caricature, a cliche, and yes, a MARY SUE. She's 21 again (never mind the fact that she's supposed to be several years older than Robin I, Dick Grayson), she's in college again, and she's this super awesome, wicked smart, pretty girl (oh but she doesn't think so, of course), soy latte drinking, thrift store buying HIPSTER.
Ew. Anyway. Everyone loves her (for reasons I don't really understand; she's super selfish and immature). She's navigating the treacherous waters of online dating (she needed help setting up a profile? 20 years in canon of being a hacker and she can't set up a Tinder/Hooq?). And she's just a typical 20something who parties, hooks up, and does it all on social media (is this how the world sees women my age?! God help us).
It just feels like an insult to the character. If DC wants to pander to young women (not that this bullshit is what brings in female readers...we like action and darker stories too!), fine. Use another character.
Here's my bottom line; this is a story written by a man. He writes a female character how he sees women. Simone is a woman; she writes female characters as we are. We're just people.
Barbara Gordon is a character that's been around for a while; almost since the beginning. As Oracle, she became one of the greatest disabled superheroes in comics. She led the Birds of Prey, an awesome group of all women superheroes. She also did not let a wheelchair prevent her from kicking serious ass when necessary.
As Batgirl, she was a hero in her own right. She entered the arena without Batman's permission, and earned his respect. She is smart, capable, mature, and pretty fucking awesome.
In Gail Simone's run, she was recovering from PTSD. She was rusty, and imperfect. She was dark, and when she confronted the Joker, she almost killed him. This was a moment that I (and probably quite a few other women) felt strongly about. Seeing the survivor of a sexual assault (no matter how you interpret TKJ I think what he did qualifies) beat the royal crap out of her abuser was vindicating.
My point here is that she was a person. A damaged person, an imperfect person, but still a person.
This new run? She's become a ridiculous caricature, a cliche, and yes, a MARY SUE. She's 21 again (never mind the fact that she's supposed to be several years older than Robin I, Dick Grayson), she's in college again, and she's this super awesome, wicked smart, pretty girl (oh but she doesn't think so, of course), soy latte drinking, thrift store buying HIPSTER.
Ew. Anyway. Everyone loves her (for reasons I don't really understand; she's super selfish and immature). She's navigating the treacherous waters of online dating (she needed help setting up a profile? 20 years in canon of being a hacker and she can't set up a Tinder/Hooq?). And she's just a typical 20something who parties, hooks up, and does it all on social media (is this how the world sees women my age?! God help us).
It just feels like an insult to the character. If DC wants to pander to young women (not that this bullshit is what brings in female readers...we like action and darker stories too!), fine. Use another character.
Here's my bottom line; this is a story written by a man. He writes a female character how he sees women. Simone is a woman; she writes female characters as we are. We're just people.
carolynf's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read, with very little blood. Mostly about Batgirl struggling with using self-promotion without becoming completely narcissistic. Eventually questions are also raised concerning whether or not there is such a thing as justifiable vigilantism. I was curious about her revamp as a completely mobile character. While I think this was handled okay in the story, I would have rather had Barbara Gordon continue her role as the wheelchair bound Oracle and have someone new take over as Batgirl.
ericawrites's review against another edition
3.0
Would've been higher, but super offensive transphobia in one issue. I'm glad the creators apologized though.
kjboldon's review against another edition
4.0
A reboot of the character from DC's new 52 event, this has Barbara Gordon as a college student living in the hip neighborhood of Burnside. The art is manga-influenced, colorful and bright, and both it and the story are lighter and younger than they've been before. This is a fun read, but a big departure from the previous character. I like it, but I also miss Oracle.
ashleymarieval's review against another edition
4.0
I loved everything about this the writing the art student everything was so nicely done and the story flowed so perfectly. I will 100% continue this series
hitmanmunkey's review against another edition
2.0
I don't feel I was the intended audience, and it didn't really compel me in terms of story or artwork. Not bad, but not for me
isabelisalright's review against another edition
4.0
I knew when I saw the new Batgirl art I would most likely love this relaunch. I adored Gail Simone's batgirl too though so I was hesitant, but left feeling confident about the new team.
This feels like the Ms Marvel for DC. Not only is the art amazing, but the story is fresh and not some outdated overdone tale. I really loved this arc in the comic. It had a great twist at the end along with great characters.
Really excited for more issues and Black Canary!
This feels like the Ms Marvel for DC. Not only is the art amazing, but the story is fresh and not some outdated overdone tale. I really loved this arc in the comic. It had a great twist at the end along with great characters.
Really excited for more issues and Black Canary!