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anthroxagorus's review
5.0
At this point, I'm going to have to talk with the spoilers on. If you're this far in, and you can see my 5 stars, then you can see that this series is still body-slamming amazing.
I heard a lot about Death of the Family. Seeing it happen, good god, it was INCREDIBLE. It was a perfect use of some literacy device I don't know the name of. Surprise? The unveiling of Batman at the table. That was perfect. So few comics got me asking "Batman, how the hell are you going to get out of this?" but he did. Good lord, he did.
And can we talk about her roommate, Alysia? That secret that she had been meaning to say, because I am SO EXCITED FOR SOME GODDAMN REPRESENTATION. As to how it came about was a little weird. Was Alysia saying "I'll be okay, because I'm trans* and not a weak little girl" (And they said transgender, but I think they meant transsexual or something else.) I want to say, ugh who cares, there's finally SOME representation.
Now the whole thing with Danny/her brother has been one of my favorite things about this series. I don't know if that's been a thing before but holy cow is it interesting and dark and awesome. It's like everything I wanted out of the Dexter show to have happened. (Well, idk, did it? I only got to season five).
I'll cut this babble short here to turn to the next volume. *deep breaths*
I heard a lot about Death of the Family. Seeing it happen, good god, it was INCREDIBLE. It was a perfect use of some literacy device I don't know the name of. Surprise? The unveiling of Batman at the table. That was perfect. So few comics got me asking "Batman, how the hell are you going to get out of this?" but he did. Good lord, he did.
And can we talk about her roommate, Alysia? That secret that she had been meaning to say, because I am SO EXCITED FOR SOME GODDAMN REPRESENTATION. As to how it came about was a little weird. Was Alysia saying "I'll be okay, because I'm trans* and not a weak little girl" (And they said transgender, but I think they meant transsexual or something else.) I want to say, ugh who cares, there's finally SOME representation.
Now the whole thing with Danny/her brother has been one of my favorite things about this series. I don't know if that's been a thing before but holy cow is it interesting and dark and awesome. It's like everything I wanted out of the Dexter show to have happened. (Well, idk, did it? I only got to season five).
I'll cut this babble short here to turn to the next volume. *deep breaths*
sailor_rain's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
doctorwoofwoof's review
2.0
Man, I have no idea WTF happened here, but I am the minority, as I just wasn't feeling it here!
Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine, as well as a sizable number of comic readers. I don't pick up everything she writes, i.e. Dynamite's RED SONJA series, but I do try to keep a lookout when a new series, or new writing assignment from her, is out. And, generally, she is all aces, except here!
This was a re-read for me, as I was reading BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY (which was AWESOME, btw!), and I wanted to get the whole story. I don't know what happened, but it just started to get on m nerves! I really, truly wanted to enjoy the second time, but just felt like bland potato salad!
Daniel Sampere's art, on the other hand, was flawless. All the characters, as well as the backgrounds, looked hella tight! I found myself more into the art that the actual story!
I am not 100% sure why I didn't like it. Mostly, I felt some of the characterizations were off, leaving to not give a fart about any of them! That right there is what makes a book, regardless of whether a comic or an actual prose work, the characters have to stand out and make you actually interested in them! Without factor, you have a book that will fail to attract attention, and ultimately, will fail, falling quite flat!
Ok, this is my closing part. This is where I give my final grade, as well as recommending, or trashing, the book being reviewed. Not gonna do it this time round! I want to say that you, yourself, should read this trade, seeing if you like it as much as the others seemed to, k'?
Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine, as well as a sizable number of comic readers. I don't pick up everything she writes, i.e. Dynamite's RED SONJA series, but I do try to keep a lookout when a new series, or new writing assignment from her, is out. And, generally, she is all aces, except here!
This was a re-read for me, as I was reading BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY (which was AWESOME, btw!), and I wanted to get the whole story. I don't know what happened, but it just started to get on m nerves! I really, truly wanted to enjoy the second time, but just felt like bland potato salad!
Daniel Sampere's art, on the other hand, was flawless. All the characters, as well as the backgrounds, looked hella tight! I found myself more into the art that the actual story!
I am not 100% sure why I didn't like it. Mostly, I felt some of the characterizations were off, leaving to not give a fart about any of them! That right there is what makes a book, regardless of whether a comic or an actual prose work, the characters have to stand out and make you actually interested in them! Without factor, you have a book that will fail to attract attention, and ultimately, will fail, falling quite flat!
Ok, this is my closing part. This is where I give my final grade, as well as recommending, or trashing, the book being reviewed. Not gonna do it this time round! I want to say that you, yourself, should read this trade, seeing if you like it as much as the others seemed to, k'?
quinnster's review
4.0
I read this along with the rest of the non-Batman issues. My review for this arc can be found on my blog:
http://knowitnotsomuch.blogspot.com/2014/01/death-of-family.html
http://knowitnotsomuch.blogspot.com/2014/01/death-of-family.html
dr_matthew_lloyd's review against another edition
4.0
Batman and the Joker are a classic pairing. If one were to name a Batman villain, or any superhero and their rival, Batman and the Joker would almost certainly be one of the first - if not the first - to spring to mind. As such, decades of stories have built on this relationship, to the extent that Alan Moore could comment on his famous Batman/Joker story, [b:Batman: The Killing Joke|96358|Batman The Killing Joke|Alan Moore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346331835s/96358.jpg|551787], that it's only relevance was to two licenced DC characters (I disagree, slightly). As a consequence of this long-lasting relationship, the "Death of the Family" storyline is left with too many good plates spinning in the air. For the volume in question, Barbara Gordon's relationship with the Joker is most pressing as this encounter is the first they have had since the night he crippled her. But Jason Todd, whom the Joker "killed", is also present in this volume; presumably, as his series is written by the terrible [a:Scott Lobdell|14461|Scott Lobdell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212359051p2/14461.jpg], it carries none of the emotional weight of Gail Simone's Batgirl storyline, but it could have, with a competent writer at the helm. Add to these conflicts that between Bruce and Damien Wayne about whether or not it's OK to kill villains as dangerous as the Joker, and the Joker's taunts along those same lines to Batman, and you have at least four compelling narratives for a Batman family/Joker encounter. The ultimate failure here is that the payoff is entirely Batman's. Batgirl, Vol. 3 includes the comic book Batman #17, "The Punchline", Scott Snyder's resolution to his Batman storyline. Barbara's story does not conclude. It's a real shame, as the set-up is great for a meaningful conflict between Batgirl and the Joker which simply fails to appear, because Batman is considered more important.
One would have hoped that Gail Simone would have responded to this undermining of an emotional conclusion with the following storyline; indeed, the conflict set up between Barbara and James Jr feels like a surrogate psychopath from the past storyline. Unfortunately, we are presented with a series of stories not by Simone, but by Ray Fawkes, a considerably less talented writer. Fawkes has the James/Barbara conflict largely narrated from the perspective of James Jr, focusing more on his mind-games and plotting than on Barbara's emotional turmoil or inner monologue. The absence of this turmoil is especially apparentwhen Barbara is informed of the death of Damien Wayne, presumably because Fawkes knew Damien would be resurrected (I think?) so there was no need to show any sadness . Simone returns to give us the conclusion of the long-running storyline, but a lack of notable backstory to the conflict means that Barbara's fight with her brother cannot pack quite the punch as her conflict with the Joker.
Indeed, the best conclusion in the collection comes at the very start, with the story "The Blood that Moves Us". In [b:Batgirl, Vol. 2: Knightfall Descends|15798408|Batgirl, Vol. 2 Knightfall Descends|Gail Simone|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381694616s/15798408.jpg|21521334], Barbara's encounter with a Talon as part of [b:Batman: The Night of the Owls|15784159|Batman The Night of the Owls|Scott Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344000972s/15784159.jpg|21501850] comes out of nowhere and has no conclusion; here, we see what happened next with the Talon she fought and are given an opportunity to follow the development of a new character.
Like the preceding Batgirl volume, Death of the Family suffers in order to facilitate larger Gotham based narratives, but does manage to offer something worthwhile of its own. I remain underwhelmed by the (serviceable) art and eagerly await the new art team coming in [b:Batgirl, Vol. 1: Burnside|23164970|Batgirl, Vol. 1 Burnside|Cameron Stewart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1411333465s/23164970.jpg|42710991] (even if I'm a little worried about the new writing staff, despite reassurance to the contrary by absolutely every review I've seen of it). I wish she spent more time talking to Alysia, whose very minor role in the whole story is much more interesting than that of some of the other minor characters especially Ricky). I hope that, with [b:Batgirl, Vol. 4: Wanted|18404437|Batgirl, Vol. 4 Wanted|Gail Simone|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400624700s/18404437.jpg|26038340] the story will focus more on Barbara than Gotham or the Bat-family.
One would have hoped that Gail Simone would have responded to this undermining of an emotional conclusion with the following storyline; indeed, the conflict set up between Barbara and James Jr feels like a surrogate psychopath from the past storyline. Unfortunately, we are presented with a series of stories not by Simone, but by Ray Fawkes, a considerably less talented writer. Fawkes has the James/Barbara conflict largely narrated from the perspective of James Jr, focusing more on his mind-games and plotting than on Barbara's emotional turmoil or inner monologue. The absence of this turmoil is especially apparent
Indeed, the best conclusion in the collection comes at the very start, with the story "The Blood that Moves Us". In [b:Batgirl, Vol. 2: Knightfall Descends|15798408|Batgirl, Vol. 2 Knightfall Descends|Gail Simone|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381694616s/15798408.jpg|21521334], Barbara's encounter with a Talon as part of [b:Batman: The Night of the Owls|15784159|Batman The Night of the Owls|Scott Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344000972s/15784159.jpg|21501850] comes out of nowhere and has no conclusion; here, we see what happened next with the Talon she fought and are given an opportunity to follow the development of a new character.
Like the preceding Batgirl volume, Death of the Family suffers in order to facilitate larger Gotham based narratives, but does manage to offer something worthwhile of its own. I remain underwhelmed by the (serviceable) art and eagerly await the new art team coming in [b:Batgirl, Vol. 1: Burnside|23164970|Batgirl, Vol. 1 Burnside|Cameron Stewart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1411333465s/23164970.jpg|42710991] (even if I'm a little worried about the new writing staff, despite reassurance to the contrary by absolutely every review I've seen of it). I wish she spent more time talking to Alysia, whose very minor role in the whole story is much more interesting than that of some of the other minor characters especially Ricky). I hope that, with [b:Batgirl, Vol. 4: Wanted|18404437|Batgirl, Vol. 4 Wanted|Gail Simone|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400624700s/18404437.jpg|26038340] the story will focus more on Barbara than Gotham or the Bat-family.
nancyotoole's review
3.0
Volume three of Batgirl ties into the Death of a Family crossover event, which focuses on the return of the Joker, and how it impacts the Batman universe at large. This volume also contains a one shot involving Catwoman, and ties up the James Jr. storyline. The results are pretty entertaining. Personally, I found the Death of a Family crossover to be very strong, probably the best of Simone's run so far. Batgirl must face the man responsible for putting her in a wheel chair, an event that puts her in family in danger and brings Babs to a very dark place. The collection then transitions over to the final issue in the Death of a Family event, which is a little confusing as it's actually a Batman issue, but it's completely worth reading it to see how the story ends.
Personally, I found the James Jr storyline to be a little weak. It was worth my time to see Babs face off against her sociopath younger brother, but, given how many issues are dedicated to the joker, the two issues that really focus on James Jr make the story feel a little rushed. Also, there I found the use of voice over in one of the issues to be a little annoying. There's an issue that seems to be told from James's perspective, yet there are times when the narration feels more like third person, which is really weird. Still, this storyline is worth reading, especially given where it leaves Barbara by it's end.
If you've enjoyed Gail Simone's run on Batgirl so far, then I would recommend picking up volume three, Death of the Family.
Personally, I found the James Jr storyline to be a little weak. It was worth my time to see Babs face off against her sociopath younger brother, but, given how many issues are dedicated to the joker, the two issues that really focus on James Jr make the story feel a little rushed. Also, there I found the use of voice over in one of the issues to be a little annoying. There's an issue that seems to be told from James's perspective, yet there are times when the narration feels more like third person, which is really weird. Still, this storyline is worth reading, especially given where it leaves Barbara by it's end.
If you've enjoyed Gail Simone's run on Batgirl so far, then I would recommend picking up volume three, Death of the Family.
captwinghead's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I have no idea why they didn't/couldn't(?) get Gail Simone to write Batgirl and the Birds of Prey because she's the only writer aside from Dixon to truly give me a Babs to root for. Babs is not a Kate Bishop clone, she's a grown ass woman and she's better than smarmy one liners. (don't get me wrong, I adore Kate Bishop but lately comics have decided to clone her for every female led book. I have no idea why)
Babs is angry in this book.
Understandably so: she's still dealing with the trauma of the Joker shooting her, her crazy brother is running around hurting people, she's living a double life and on top of all of that, the Joker is after her again.
The first story about the random fires was a 5 star story for me. It was a true Batgirl story. I felt like I knew who Babs was and I understood where she was coming from. Solid, A+
The next part where the Joker kidnapped her mother was a 5 star story as well. Babs is clever and has a plan for anything the Joker might throw at her. The action was really entertaining and I loved Babs' characterization.
The next part was Death of the Family. As a Batgirl story, 1 star. Babs is barely in it. Like at all. As a Batman story, 4 stars but again, this is a Batgirl book.
The James subplot gets 3.5 stars. It didn't move me because I knew nothing about him outside of this series and the few moments of him in Batgirl Year One. As a villain he's fine but I just needed more history, there. He does all of this because he didn't get any attention? boo freaking hoo.
Anyway, there were some throwaway developments in the last part. Babs' decision to tell Alysia she's Batgirl seemed to come from nowhere.
This ends with Gordon chasing after Batgirl so that might be interesting.
3.5 stars.
I have no idea why they didn't/couldn't(?) get Gail Simone to write Batgirl and the Birds of Prey because she's the only writer aside from Dixon to truly give me a Babs to root for. Babs is not a Kate Bishop clone, she's a grown ass woman and she's better than smarmy one liners. (don't get me wrong, I adore Kate Bishop but lately comics have decided to clone her for every female led book. I have no idea why)
Babs is angry in this book.
Understandably so: she's still dealing with the trauma of the Joker shooting her, her crazy brother is running around hurting people, she's living a double life and on top of all of that, the Joker is after her again.
The first story about the random fires was a 5 star story for me. It was a true Batgirl story. I felt like I knew who Babs was and I understood where she was coming from. Solid, A+
The next part where the Joker kidnapped her mother was a 5 star story as well. Babs is clever and has a plan for anything the Joker might throw at her. The action was really entertaining and I loved Babs' characterization.
The next part was Death of the Family. As a Batgirl story, 1 star. Babs is barely in it. Like at all. As a Batman story, 4 stars but again, this is a Batgirl book.
The James subplot gets 3.5 stars. It didn't move me because I knew nothing about him outside of this series and the few moments of him in Batgirl Year One. As a villain he's fine but I just needed more history, there. He does all of this because he didn't get any attention? boo freaking hoo.
Anyway, there were some throwaway developments in the last part. Babs' decision to tell Alysia she's Batgirl seemed to come from nowhere.
This ends with Gordon chasing after Batgirl so that might be interesting.
3.5 stars.
ooomaddy's review
4.0
4.5 rounded down
best in the new 52 batgirl series yet. Every scene with joker had me on the edge of my seat, and while i didn’t care for james jr all that much, i was still excited to read his portion. SO SO SO GOOD, vol 5 pls hold up i beg
best in the new 52 batgirl series yet. Every scene with joker had me on the edge of my seat, and while i didn’t care for james jr all that much, i was still excited to read his portion. SO SO SO GOOD, vol 5 pls hold up i beg
eggly_glenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0