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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Another re-read as I'm presently on a Nightwing/Oracle kick because of the Convergence release. I went back to the retconned beginning of these two and their burgeoning relationship.
This one picks up a few years after Year One: Robin, with Babara trying to find her way. I appreciate how it's about the same size of writing, but it was broken into 9 issues (more gorgeous cover-art if admittedly costs more all across the board to the customer).
I do love this book so much. Barbara comes at this life from a completely different place, not mired in despair and death, and she's all pro-female power which is glorious to see. I loved all of it. I love the burgeoning romance, and the ups and downs of the bat family, and the importance of Jim & Gotham's cops. All around a glorious read.
This one picks up a few years after Year One: Robin, with Babara trying to find her way. I appreciate how it's about the same size of writing, but it was broken into 9 issues (more gorgeous cover-art if admittedly costs more all across the board to the customer).
I do love this book so much. Barbara comes at this life from a completely different place, not mired in despair and death, and she's all pro-female power which is glorious to see. I loved all of it. I love the burgeoning romance, and the ups and downs of the bat family, and the importance of Jim & Gotham's cops. All around a glorious read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not a huge batman fan but the story felt pretty familiar to me. Rather classic feeling Art as well. It was a quick read and it certainly wasn't bad, there just wasn't much that made it stand out.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Batgirl: Year One takes place after Robin: Year One and is Barbara Gordon’s introduction as Batgirl. I’m not sure why but I found myself hazarding a guess that this takes place around two years after Robin: Year One? It’s never directly said but based on context clues (like the fact that Robin has grown taller and Barbara is in college) I feel like that’s accurate. I never really knew how Barbara got her start except for mentions here and there in other stories, so it was cool to see the full arc.
I have no idea why they chose Killer Moth to be Batgirl’s first villain. I suppose because she’s operating on her own and needs to get her feet wet? But the guy is such a bumbling dope half the time I was having a hard time taking him seriously. I mean they had just made fun of him in Robin: Year One too!
Sadly, many of Barbara’s inner thoughts were rather whiny; expecting permission from other heroes to be a vigilante as though everyone had received it but her. I found her thoughts on what she presumes others to be thinking of her or actions that they are taking are surely because they don't think much of her own abilities to be rather annoying, especially since they were usually unfounded. A prime example was with her whole inner battle with Batman and how she thought he was treating her, which turned out to be the complete opposite of what he was really doing.
Overall though, I would recommend this as a pretty good origin story for Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. I really enjoyed all the nudges to her future and her first meeting and working with Black Canary. The art was well done. Even though I’ve always thought Barbara’s character is better served to do the most good to those around her when she’s Oracle, for it’s a spot that no one else can fill, it was nice to see where she began.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Took me a bit to get into and was confused in parts but overall I liked the story. The art was great too. Barbara is quite annoying at the beginning but she (sort of) grows on you.
Starts off slow but picks up in both art and pacing toward the end. It changes some details of Batgirl’s origin, making her older when she takes up the title, as well as bitter, impulsive and reckless. It reads kind of like Kick Ass but less ultra-violent. One relief is that it doesn’t dumb down the supporting characters to make her seem smarter, like Batgirl of Burnside does. But the character herself is difficult to like. Aside from a one-off team up with Black Canary (who is already in the Justice League post-watchtower construction), Batgirl is surrounded by men and constantly seeks their validation, while mentally belittling them to puff herself up.
All in all, the poses and composition and incredible fight scenes are worth studying, especially toward the end, and the writing is at times clever, but one read-through is enough.
All in all, the poses and composition and incredible fight scenes are worth studying, especially toward the end, and the writing is at times clever, but one read-through is enough.