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labunnywtf's review against another edition
5.0
I never read comics as a kid. Which is a shame. But my parents and older sister weren't into them. My father watched the Christopher Reeves Superman movies, and I loved (LOVED) Helen Slater as Supergirl, but that was the extent.
Then when I got older, and became friends with the best kinds of people, the nerds, there was too much history for me regarding comics. How do you delve into, what, 60 years of mythology? Where do you start?
Cod bless [b:The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy|22926684|The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy A Handbook for Girl Geeks|Sam Maggs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416432620s/22926684.jpg|42495858], and books like it, for showing me to look for "The New 52!". This wasn't one of the series' recommended, but my library had just gotten in the newest volume, so I requested them all in one fell swoop.
And I went in excited, because I'd heard fantastic things about Gail Simone. Nervous, because comics are not my genre, but excited.
And dear god, I was not disappointed. Barbara Gordon is the woman. I love her. LOVE HER. I have volume 2 in my hand, and am speeding through this review so I can jump back into the fray.
Trouble is now, though...I want her backstory. I want to read everything ever written about Batgirl, and my resources are limited, to say the least. I really need to learn how to jump into the comic book world with both feet, as opposed to dipping my toes in.
Also, does Commissioner Gordon know his daughter is Batgirl?! Will I find that out in the next few volumes?! He can't have, or he wouldn't have sent Detective Loose Cannon after her, right?
Damn my need for an origin story.
probertoj's review against another edition
2.0
Psé. Simone alterna momentos buenos con algunas de las líneas más ridículas que ha escrito.
twig_cat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This is the sort of thing I read comics for. Taking a concept that people weren't fully happy with (Barbara getting stuck in a wheelchair to motivate Bruce & Gordon in Killing Joke), and turning it into the instigator for a whole storyline.
Seeing Babs return to her role while still carrying the psychological strain of what happened to her, and how that affects her interactions with Gotham's criminals, is a great insight into the character
Seeing Babs return to her role while still carrying the psychological strain of what happened to her, and how that affects her interactions with Gotham's criminals, is a great insight into the character
serafim's review
1.0
i'll admit i came into this book predisposed to dislike it cause i think shoving barbara back into the batgirl suit was a dumbfuck decision, but it was just so bad. barbara's less-than-witty one-liners, the incessant cop bootlicking, the incredibly boring villain, the lackluster art, it was all just.....sigh
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
Wasn't a massive fan of this. Too wordy and rather serious.
natopotato's review against another edition
5.0
¿Cómo no amarla? Siendo Barbara Gordon en su traje de batgirl cualquier comic seria asombroso para mi. La adoro. Sin embargo, al ver como lucha contra el panico luego de la tragedia entregada por Moore la hace ser un poquito más especial.
murphyc1's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading through some of the New 52 Bat books lately (as I have been collecting them for the past couple of years; whenever I see a bargain-priced hard copy of interest, I scoop it up for later consumption)--a risky proposition, to be sure--and Gail Simone's Batgirl is undeniably some of the best material of the lot. These first six issues pack a lot of story (as well as a lot of necessary retconning) into two arcs, the initial four ishes serving as a reintroduction and a sort of soft reboot for Barbara Gordon's Batgirl, who has spent the previous couple of decades (or 3 years, thanks to that necessary retconning I mentioned) as a paraplegic, and finds a shaky, rusty Batgirl facing a mysterious and dangerous new villain out for her blood. The second short arc comprises the fifth and sixth issues, and gives us a more confident Batgirl dealing with yet another rookie supervillain, this time carrying out an intricate mind-control scheme which involves none other than Bruce Wayne!
The Darkest Reflection was a lot of fun, fast-paced, and interesting, three general characteristics of a "good" comic. My only criticism of this comic is its art. Ardian Syaf's artwork isn't terrible, but such good writing deserves equally proficient illustration, and there Batgirl, vol. 1 falters. Specifically, I think that the colors are too dark and many of the anatomical figures are disproportional.
However, despite my henpecking over artwork that is still far better than any I might accomplish myself, this book is well worth your time!
The Darkest Reflection was a lot of fun, fast-paced, and interesting, three general characteristics of a "good" comic. My only criticism of this comic is its art. Ardian Syaf's artwork isn't terrible, but such good writing deserves equally proficient illustration, and there Batgirl, vol. 1 falters. Specifically, I think that the colors are too dark and many of the anatomical figures are disproportional.
However, despite my henpecking over artwork that is still far better than any I might accomplish myself, this book is well worth your time!
fishgirl182's review against another edition
3.0
Babs is back in an new series from Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf. Three years ago Barbara Gordon was shot in the spine by the Joker. She survived but lost the use of her legs. Years later, an experimental neural surgery gives her the use of her legs back. In The Darkest Reflection, Babs regains her independence and takes up the helm of Batgirl again. However, she is not the same person that she was before and feels that she has prove herself. A new villain appears with a very personal mission that includes getting rid of Barbara and she must overcome her doubts in order to defeat him.
I wasn't in love with the artwork in this run. Some of it was great but it was inconsistent. I loved the covers by Adam Hughes though. They were all gorgeous and set the tone of each issue well.
Full review to come...
I wasn't in love with the artwork in this run. Some of it was great but it was inconsistent. I loved the covers by Adam Hughes though. They were all gorgeous and set the tone of each issue well.
Full review to come...
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Story
In these first six issues of Batgirl we get reintroduced to Barbara Gordon. Don’t worry if you no nothing about her, you’re given a general sweep of her background story, her recovery from paralysis and start fresh with her readjusting to “regular” life. I think Simone has done a fabulous job demonstrating the challenges Gordon would now face after years in a wheel chair – such as survivor’s guilt – while also demonstrating the rebirth of Batgirl. She doesn’t waste any time getting back on the horse and I appreciated the fast paced the comic moved at.
In this collection she comes head to head with a villain named Mirror. The mystery surrounding his character was very well done, as you only received bits and pieces as Gordon herself gleans them, and I found it kept me guessing right until the last issue or so about his motivations.
Characterization
LOVE Barbara. She is such a fantastic complex character. If you’re expecting a female superhero stereotype, look elsewhere. Simone is a fabulous writer, and she doesn’t give Gordon any easy outs. She’s struggling with a lot of personal demons and we see a range of emotions from her character – from happiness, to depression, to genuine fear and guilt. I loved that even though she got right back out there, wanting to protect the citizens of Gotham, she is still haunted by the memory of the Joker’s assault – sometimes at the expense of successfully completing her goals.
In a similar vein, I also appreciated the way Mirror was portrayed. He’s not your average comic book psychopath. He has very real reasons for doing what he’s doing. And even though you don’t agree with him, you can see his inner torment and pain. It’s easy to find complex protagonists if you look, but it’s the complex villains I’m always dying to read about.
Finally, I never thought I’d say this about someone who used to be Robin – but Dick Grayson as Nightwing is dreamy. He makes an appearance in one issues and I want more! Will definitely be picking up his series soon.
Artwork
This is some gorgeous artwork. The love the vibrant colours. It’s so beautiful to look at.
And I adore that Batgirl is fully clothed. Nothing bugs me more then when female superheroes have bare midriff. That is where most of you essential organs are! And Barbara especially has reasons to want to protect her torso and back. But my fears were thrown right out the window when I saw the kick ass costume they have designed for her. She looks as prepared and protected as Batman – and that’s the way it should be.
Final thoughts
Fantastic start to the series. Love the story and the powerful female character. And I like that in this case powerful means more than just physical strength. I excited to see how Barbara grows as the series continues and what other Batman regulars may make an appearance. As a bonus I found this comic was really disability positive and puts a strong emphasis on the father-daughter relationship. I’m really excited to see where this series go and loved how easy it was to get acquainted with her. Would highly recommend this series to any Batman fans, new and old comic readers and both male and female readers. It definitely has a WIDE appeal.
Story
In these first six issues of Batgirl we get reintroduced to Barbara Gordon. Don’t worry if you no nothing about her, you’re given a general sweep of her background story, her recovery from paralysis and start fresh with her readjusting to “regular” life. I think Simone has done a fabulous job demonstrating the challenges Gordon would now face after years in a wheel chair – such as survivor’s guilt – while also demonstrating the rebirth of Batgirl. She doesn’t waste any time getting back on the horse and I appreciated the fast paced the comic moved at.
In this collection she comes head to head with a villain named Mirror. The mystery surrounding his character was very well done, as you only received bits and pieces as Gordon herself gleans them, and I found it kept me guessing right until the last issue or so about his motivations.
Characterization
LOVE Barbara. She is such a fantastic complex character. If you’re expecting a female superhero stereotype, look elsewhere. Simone is a fabulous writer, and she doesn’t give Gordon any easy outs. She’s struggling with a lot of personal demons and we see a range of emotions from her character – from happiness, to depression, to genuine fear and guilt. I loved that even though she got right back out there, wanting to protect the citizens of Gotham, she is still haunted by the memory of the Joker’s assault – sometimes at the expense of successfully completing her goals.
In a similar vein, I also appreciated the way Mirror was portrayed. He’s not your average comic book psychopath. He has very real reasons for doing what he’s doing. And even though you don’t agree with him, you can see his inner torment and pain. It’s easy to find complex protagonists if you look, but it’s the complex villains I’m always dying to read about.
Finally, I never thought I’d say this about someone who used to be Robin – but Dick Grayson as Nightwing is dreamy. He makes an appearance in one issues and I want more! Will definitely be picking up his series soon.
Artwork
This is some gorgeous artwork. The love the vibrant colours. It’s so beautiful to look at.
And I adore that Batgirl is fully clothed. Nothing bugs me more then when female superheroes have bare midriff. That is where most of you essential organs are! And Barbara especially has reasons to want to protect her torso and back. But my fears were thrown right out the window when I saw the kick ass costume they have designed for her. She looks as prepared and protected as Batman – and that’s the way it should be.
Final thoughts
Fantastic start to the series. Love the story and the powerful female character. And I like that in this case powerful means more than just physical strength. I excited to see how Barbara grows as the series continues and what other Batman regulars may make an appearance. As a bonus I found this comic was really disability positive and puts a strong emphasis on the father-daughter relationship. I’m really excited to see where this series go and loved how easy it was to get acquainted with her. Would highly recommend this series to any Batman fans, new and old comic readers and both male and female readers. It definitely has a WIDE appeal.