A review by belle_fiction
Death of the Family by Gail Simone

5.0

My God, I LOVED this Volume! *swoons*

Death of the Family really cranks up the tension with plenty of action, hard-hitting graphics and punchy dialogue. We see Batgirl face the bastard who paralysed her for three years (Mistah J) and are once again reacquainted with his psychosis and the depths of his depravity.
We also learn that Barbara's brother, James Gordon Jr. is actually pulling the strings behind these hideous attacks and forcing his sister to relive nightmare after nightmare after nightmare.

This volume is brilliant for sooooo many reasons: firstly, it comes across as more mature (both in tone and the topics discussed), we learn a lot more about the extremely complex family Gordon dichotomy which is key to understanding why James Gordon Jr. became a homicidal maniac, we also learn the true relationship between Batman and the Joker which can also be extended to Batgirl and her brother (kind of) - the Joker knows that Batman will never kill him because without him, Batman would be nothing (Batman needs an arch-nemesis, someone who justifies him wearing the Bat-cape, the Joker gives him a sense of purpose, and both know it).

I always love these little insights into their characters because it forces you to reconsider their position on the superhero/villain spectrum - is Batman really so heroic after all? Are they actually on the same side and is it just a case of the Joker being at the extreme end? They actually do have a lot of things in common and I loved to see this facet of their characters explored.

Going back to the title character - Batgirl is as kick-ass as ever, and I really do empathise with Barbara and all of the shit she has endured. I think one of the most harrowing details concerns her paralysis, and with the Joker and her own brother threatening to put her back in the wheelchair, I am rooting for Batgirl on every single page. She is such a likeable, wonderful and inspiring character. I hope there are many more Batgirl volumes to come because she is simply an extraordinary creation!