Batgirl #10 Reviewed

When I discovered that regular, and one of my favourite, artists Lee Garbett was being joined by a second artist - Pere Perez - for this issue I was, I have to be honest, a little concerned. No sooner had I recognised and acknowledged that Batgirl was pretty much everything I could want from a comic book along came change - issue #8 featured a new artistic team and left me disappointed and while the last issue saw a return to form I still had reservations.

Thankfully I needn't have worried.

Batgirl returns with the second part of a four-part story arc - Batgirl Rising: The Flood. With the rain still falling the issue opens deep in Slaughter Swamp, Calculator's deceptively spacious base of operations, where in the shadow of a huge satellite dish and transmitter Calculator himself is chatting away - partly I suspect to himself but also to the lifeless body of his late son Marvin - about his plans to, as he sees it, teach Oracle a 'lesson in humility'.

On the roof-tops of Gotham City, meanwhile, an unsettled Batgirl - Stephanie Brown - is on patrol. She's unsettled because Barbara Gordon, working back at the Batcave while in constant communication with Steph, is herself unsettled - neither woman is too sure quite what's unfolding before them, just that something bad is just around the corner.

As their conversation continues, Stephanie intervenes to break up a gang of motorcyclists who are harassing some young women. In between delivering kicks and punches it becomes clear to Steph that the history Barbara shares with the Calculator is at the heart of her concerns. Conscious that she's a target Barbara urges Stephanie that for her own safety she ought to keep a low profile - maybe underestimating Steph's abilities to look after herself. Maybe sensing the scale of the danger ahead.

Later, at Gotham City University, Detective Nick Gage has called on Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon: trying the door and realising that Babs isn't around Gage lets himself in. As curiosity gets the better of him he inspects a file that's open on the desk - and realises he and Barbara have a mutual friend as he discovers a newspaper cutting featuring some of Stephanie's recent exploits as Batgirl.

Lost in his thoughts for a moment Gage doesn't realise that he's no longer alone in the room and Stephanie surprises him as she introduces herself. When the two had met previously Stephanie was in Batgirl mode and she's relieved that Gage clearly doesn't recognise her. Given that she - as Batgirl - and Gage had been flirtatious towards one another previously Steph becomes more than a little embarrassed as Gage hints at his burgeoning friendship with Barbara and she quickly changes the subject.

Across the city Wendy Harris has entered the lift in Barbara's apartment building and, with the help of a laptop computer has overridden security protocol and is heading for the sub-basement. As the lift heads down Wendy finds herself musing over the curious things she's encountered recently - Professor Gordon is up to something, 'that Stephanie girl', Tim 'Wayne ... or Drake', 'ninjas' and as the doors open she discovers she's been led to Firewall - the new Oracle control-centre.

Back in Slaughter Swamp the clock ticks down ... three, two, one ... and Calculator ignites his plan to teach Oracle a lesson.

Returning to the Computer Science Lab at Gotham U. and with her back turned towards the class, with her students concentrating on their computer screens and mobile phones Barbara is unaware of the strange zombie-like behaviour that's overcome her audience ... 'target acquired'. In the hallway Stephanie passes an equally strangely behaving Jordanna ... 'target acquired'.

The order is given: 'detain the target'. Turning to discover that she's under attack Barbara strikes out to protect herself as Stephanie - now in uniform - joins the fight before fleeing from the building with Barbara. As they make their way towards the car park they realise that they're outnumbered and surrounded. As the zombies engulf them Barbara is knocked to the ground and urges Batgirl to save herself and run - Batgirl of course refuses to do any such thing as she continues to fight back. As the issue closes we see Barbara's 'frozen' body lifted high above the heads of her attackers and carried away as Batgirl loses her footing, falls to the ground before discovering that she and Barbara have been fighting with some very familiar faces.

As I've already indicated I certainly enjoyed this book. Whereas the series as a whole so far has focused quite heavily on characters and their development this issue featured a lot more action than we've been used to and as such the book felt faster-paced and a little darker - menacing even.

For what is a fun, even light read, the Batgirl title demands commitment from me as a reader I find. I enjoy Bryan Q. Miller's 'layered' approach to storytelling - by layered I'm referring to the practice of overlapping narration and dialogue from one scene to the next - and it works particularly well in this issue as we jump about from location to location.

The artwork styles of Garbett and Perez complemented one another - different enough to be distinctive without being so different that the book felt disjointed. Maybe had they both been drawing the same same characters then a lack of consistency might have been exposed but (if I've followed the artwork correctly) with Perez drawing the 'middle third' of the book this pitfall was neatly avoided.

Once again Stanley Lau delivered a superb cover for this issue - although I generally prefer a 'cleaner', less busy look and did appreciate what I saw as a nod towards those great comic book covers of the 50's and 60's that screamed drama and excitement at the reader.

Although a fairly low-key scene I enjoyed the early exchange between Barbara and Stephanie. It's clear from Babs words and demeanor that she knows how much she hurt Calculator and, of course, how much he hurt her and the Birds of Prey.

In a similar vein I enjoyed the scenes between Detective Gage and Stephanie where Steph so nearly let on that the two had previously met. I thought the panels where we saw a shy and blushing Steph were particularly sweet - another reminder that she's still a young girl - and I also enjoyed the 'coded' conversation that the two enjoyed where Steph told Gage that it wasn't just Babs that was looking out for him.

The appearances of Wendy Harris continue to tease - just what have the creative team got in store for her? I'm convinced she's got a role to play in the book - I think I've said before that I suspect she's being lined-up as Stephanie's handler - but we'll just have to wait and see.

What I do know is it was nice to see her smiling for once!

As an aside, I enjoyed the appearance of a couple of 'notes from the editor' in this book - while such notes might be considered a little unnecessary by some for me it's an acknowledgement that every comic is someones first comic and an indication that the creators value their new and old readers alike.

Another excellent issue from the Batgirl team - if there's a better combination of great characters, strong writing and distinctive, eye-catching artwork being published at the moment then I've not come across it: highly recommended.

Batgirl #10
Written by Bryan Q. Miller with art by Lee Garbett and Pere Perez, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99

Note:
DC have published an eight-page preview along with the solicitation for Batgirl #10 at their website.

My reviews of Batgirl are also published at The Batman Universe Editorials blog - part of The Batman Universe network, and over at The Batgirl to Oracle Podcast message board.

Batgirl #9 Reviewed

Following one or two reservations - okay, I'll say it, disappointments - with the previous issue I'd really been looking forward to seeing the return of a more familiar Batgirl with this release. 'Batgirl Rising: The Flood' marks the start of a new four-part story-arc that begins aboard a train screeching along the tracks through Gotham City. From the conversation between the driver and his Control it's clear something is amiss, that the driver isn't able to stop the train. Inside one of the carriages a middle-aged man - Johnny C - with a clear grudge against Gotham City wears explosives strapped around his waste as the passengers look on in fear.

As the train dashes in and out of the next station without stopping we see Batgirl - Stephanie Brown - desperately hanging on to the last carriage as she communicates with Oracle back at the Batcave. Having pulled herself up onto the roof of the train Stephanie surveys the situation inside the car, courtesy of thermal vision, and for the first time appreciates the scale of her task.

Rejecting Oracle's suggestion that she call in backup, Steph 'tools up', asks for the train to be plunged into darkness and ... CRASH ... swings through a window, knocks Johnny C from his feet amid a flurry of one-liners, calmly disarms the man and, with the lighting restored, receives - and accepts - the appreciation of the grateful passengers.

Soon afterwards, with the dramatic events behind them, Commissioner Gordon approaches Stephanie with a word of thanks, a warm hand on her shoulder and a reminder to be cautious. Stephanie seems a little taken aback by Gordon's comments, and as she reflects on a job very well done, it begins to rain before, almost immediately, catching her in a downpour.

In the meantime, with the rain getting heavier and forecasts suggesting that the weather is set in for the next 24 hours, over at the Computer Sciences lab of Gotham University Barbara Gordon is at work in her office accompanied by student Wendy Harris.

While Wendy works to repair some electrical equipment Barbara is reminiscing about a previous encounter with Wendy's father - The Calculator - in which she foiled his attempts to cure Wendy of her paralysis using a dangerous procedure and ground-breaking technology.

Recounting the events that led to her brother Marvin's death and her own physical condition, Wendy's emotions get the better of her and she snaps back at Barbara's well-meaning words of encouragement, before pushing Barbara further away with some harsh words. The mood changes somewhat as the two are joined by Stephanie - now out of uniform of course - who is reminded that she and Wendy have met once before, at the fundraiser for the Thompkins Clinic. As Wendy leaves the office Barbara asks Steph to follow her ...

Across the city, at the offices of Elysium Tech, Commissioner Gordon and Detective Nick Gage look on bemused at the blood-soaked body of an Elysium employee who had been discovered in very mysterious circumstances - it appears at first inspection that the individual had locked himself in the room and taken his own life, however it's not at all clear how or why. With blood covering the floor and the walls around the body Detective Gage identifies an unusual smell in the air around the deceased ... curious!

Returning to the space beneath Barbara's apartment building we are introduced to the 'Team Batgirl' new secret base in the making - Firewall! In a fantastic, fun panel, amid the high-tech workstations we see a number of buckets and pans catching drops of water as we are reminded of the atrocious weather conditions outside. As Barbara works to establish network connectivity and discusses her concerns and frustrations about Wendy with Steph she receives an alert that there's another incident underway at the offices of Elysium.

A coincidence?

As Stephanie makes her way to the Elysium facility Detective Gage is already on site investigating the earlier suicide when the alarm sounds. Drawing his weapon, and making his way to the source of the security breach, he asks one of the staff members who had been assisting him to call for GCPD back-up - with alarming consequences for the young employee.

Arriving at the scene - level 38, Restricted Research - Gage is swept off his feet as he runs into a large security guard. As he soon realises that the man is behaving suspiciously Nick finds himself at gun-point as the guard reels off a puzzling string of binary code. As the trigger is about to be pulled the weapon is knocked to the ground by a well-aimed batarang thrown by Batgirl. As Gage and Stephanie engage in clumsy verbal flirting the guard turns, runs, leaps through a window and falls towards his death. Stephanie immediately races after the man and does her best to catch him, but she just can't hold his weight.

Later that day both Stephanie and Detective Gage are at the West Mercy mortuary, collecting the results of the security guards autopsy. As the two wait, Barbara is back at the Batcave analysing the mans blood sample ... and she comes to a startling discovery.

Ordering Stephanie to return to the Batcave Barbara explains that the sample contains a colony of nanites that are transmitting a subtle wi-fi trace - technology that Barbara has seen before.

The issue closes at a property out in Slaughter Swamp as the rain continues to fall: sat in front of a bank of displays is none other than the aforementioned Calculator. Viewing pictures of his daughter Wendy, he turns to the lifeless, decaying body of his son Marvin and declares that they are going to 'save' the girl.

'And you won't want to miss the best part' ...


Following last issues 'dip', in my opinion, this issue felt like a real return to form. With Lee Garbett back on pencil duties and Guy Major taking care of colours, the art returned to a quality and style I've come to expect with this series and this, is turn, gave the book a much more confident and familiar feel.

I commented after reading issue #8 of Batgirl that Stephanie just didn't seem like ... well she didn't seem like Stephanie: I've grown very fond of this cheeky, self-believing while at the same time self-deprecating young woman and in the last issue I just didn't see enough of her. Thankfully, throughout the pages of this issue I feel 'my' Steph returned with a healthy dose of wise-cracks, confidence, inner strength and physical comedy - none more so than during the opening pages of the book as Stephanie is towed at high speed behind the speeding train!

The appearances of Wendy Harris through previous issues of this series have puzzled and intrigued me in equal measure and, with the introduction of The Calculator into this story we get quite possibly the first indication of her true intended role. She's felt a little superfluous to the cast of characters up until this point so I'm glad for the opportunity to see her in a different context and I'm looking forward to seeing this particular theme develop.

Our first glimpse of the 'firewall' - the base of operations for Barbara and Stephanie - was something I also enjoyed. There was a nice sense of humour throughout these couple of pages - I thought the 'Now you're talking my language' exchange between Barbara and Stephanie was particularly charming. It'll be good over the coming months to see Barbara and Stephanie create their own home ground rather than relying on others 'cast-offs': it's a small but important step towards Batgirl - the character and the title - becoming more self-sufficient I think.

Throughout the early issues of this series Phil Noto produced some quite exceptional covers and new artist Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau has continued the tradition with his contribution to this issue - portraying Batgirl looking wind-swept, rain-soaked and sitting atop the sort of roof-top architecture of Gotham City that Bat-books are famous for, this cover is quite beautiful.

In summary, this was a very good first part of a new story arc - with themes continued from previous issues, 'new' characters introduced, a number of clues indicating the direction the story could be heading and an ending that leaves me keen for the next issues.

Welcome back Batgirl.

Batgirl #9
Written by Bryan Q. Miller with art by Lee Garbett, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99


My reviews of Batgirl are also published at The Batman Universe Editorials blog - part of The Batman Universe network, and now, I'm delighted to say, over at The Batgirl to Oracle Podcast message board.

Batgirl #8 Reviewed

As you'll have noticed, it's been a quiet week from me this week as far as updating this site is concerned - a very busy work schedule and family commitments has meant that I've not had much time for the computer - 'cave time' as a very wise person I know refers to it! I'm hoping that things will settle down by the weekend - in the meantime, here's my review of the latest issue of Batgirl ...

Batgirl #8
A new story-arc - 'Robins are Red ...'; a new cover artist - Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau; a new interior artwork team - Talent Caldwell with Yvel Guichet and John Stanisci; plus a distinguished guest-star - Red Robin himself, Tim Drake: and maybe because there was so much 'new' about it Batgirl #8 felt just a little unsatisfactory. An enjoyable read? Yes, for sure, but just a little unsatisfactory nevertheless.

Following a brief - indeed very brief - appearance in Red Robin #9 this issue of Batgirl opens about 60 seconds or so before Red Robin #9 closes: Stephanie is in full combat mode, feverishly engaged in physical training.

Pounding the training droids, who in turn scream motivational messages at her, Stephanie is very much 'in the zone'. Moments later, as she discovers she's not alone, she snaps out of the zone and we're back where Red Robin #9 ended -'Stephanie?!?', 'Tim'.

Stephanie and Tim, Batgirl and Red Robin, come face to face - the occasion catching both of them by surprise leading to some puzzled looks, sharp exchanges and barbed comments. No sooner had the former 'couple' calmed down and each taken a deep breath than they receive a warning that the Thompkins Clinic has been broken into, at which point Tim seizes control of the Bat computer - much to Steph's irritation! - and prepares to set off for the city - but not before sarcastically calling Steph 'Batgirl' and mocking her vehicle, the Ricochet that was revealed in issue #7.

In the meantime, we cut to a city centre diner where we witness Barbara Gordon and Detective Nick Gage flirting shamelessly over a cup of coffee and a 'simple meal' - certainly not a date apparently! - as Babs does her best to apologize that their last get-together didn't go particularly smoothly. The two are getting along famously when they, and other diners, realise that despite being on a variety of networks none of them is able to get a mobile signal. At the very moment Steph and Tim race past the restaurant, both Barbara and Detective Gage realise that something is amiss, make their excuses and leave.

Arriving at the Thompkins Clinic Tim immediately engages a couple of tech assassins who he discovers had broken into the offices - as Stephanie watches on she reflects how they have each changed and wonders what's happened in Tim's life to change him.

Discovering that the assassins were trying to access Leslie's patient files, with a menacing threat that 'Leslie's the first' and with electronic communication - internet, mobile phone and the comms link to Oracle - down, Steph realises it's up to the two of them to intervene as Tim in turn, reluctantly it must be said, accepts that he needs her help.

Out of their costumes, Stephanie and Tim attend the Gotham Metropolitan Museum of Art where there is a fundraiser for the Thompkins Clinic taking place. Concerned for Leslie's safety Tim decides this would be a good moment for his public return to Gotham City high-society - with the hope of creating a distraction that will allow Steph to 'extract' Leslie.

At the Batcave, meanwhile, and still struggling to access any form of electronic communication, Barbara is surprised to discover the Ricochet - minus it's owner/driver (pilot perhaps?) - labelled 'return to sender' with an accompanying hand-written note from Stephanie explaining what she and Tim are planning.

Returning to the fundraiser, Leslie and Wendy Harris are having a 'heart to heart' - Wendy feels she's being used to promote the work of the Thompkins clinic while Leslie reminds Wendy that she's an attractive, strong, young woman who needs to start believing in herself a little more - when Stephanie interrupts, takes Leslie by the hand and leads her away, explaining that she's in danger.

Reunited with Tim in a museum storeroom, and with Leslie concealed, the two come under attack from a dozen or so of Ra's assassins. With a reminder of past encounters as Spoiler and Robin, Stephanie and Tim engage the assassins and as the last assailant hits the ground Stephanie - in something of a daze at this point - inadvertently punches Tim! With the immediate danger averted Barbara reveals that she's managed to overcome the communication problems that the city has been experiencing thanks to a little help from 'a little bluebird'.

Later that night, back in costume and high up on the rooftops of Gotham City, Stephanie tells Tim that she wants him to know that she's a different woman that the one he used to know; that she's changed. As Tim takes her hand, Steph pulls back - and the two discover they are not alone ...

With the previous story-arc in Batgirl #7 ending very much on a high - for me at least, I know not everyone felt the same - this issue, as a whole, delighted and disappointed me in equal measures.

On the face of it I thought the story was excellent - who couldn't enjoy Stephanie and Tim versus The League of Assassins? Scratch beneath the surface though and I felt that the story flattered somewhat to deceive. I enjoyed the overall look and feel of the book although I felt it suffered somewhat from a lack of consistency.

The relationship between Stephanie and Tim was, quite naturally, a core theme throughout and was written, I thought, very nicely - interactions between the two had an 'awkward' feel that I sure many of us can relate to from our own personal or professional lives: a sense of 'we ought to talk about it, but I really don't want to talk about it'. Likewise, I enjoyed the Spoiler/Robin flashback panels and thought these were used very well.

I felt we saw a different Stephanie, and a different Batgirl, as a result of Tim's involvement in the issue and having seen her grow into a confident, head-strong young woman through previous issues she seemed to lose some of her self-belief and independence while working with Tim - she almost became his 'sidekick' at one point when she stood and watched on through a window while Tim fought the assassins at the clinic. This isn't a criticism as such, it's just that I've enjoyed seeing Stephanie grow and through this issue she appeared, to me at least, to have taken a couple of steps backwards - many would say that's a true reflection on life, and I couldn't disagree.

Onto the 'look' of the book and I've said many, many times that probably more than anything else art is very much a subjective thing: who hasn't looked at a painting or sculpture at some time and thought 'very nice, but is it art?'. If I was coming to this book afresh I'd be very happy with how it looked but I'm not, and following Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott's superb art throughout the first seven issues, I couldn't help but make comparisons - I like the artwork in this book, I just didn't like it as much as in the previous issues. Furthermore, as I say, it felt inconsistent at times, never more so than with what I think the credits are referring to as the 'end sequence': I'm not sure why it was necessary, or desirable, to have guest artists but the change of style mid-story jarred with me.

In summary, did I enjoy this book? Absolutely. Did it leave me feeling a little dissatisfied? Yes, it did somewhat.

Would I recommend picking the book up? Yes, 100% yes.

Batgirl #8
Written by Bryan Q. Miller with art by Talent Caldwell, end sequence art by Yvel Guichet and John Stanisci, cover by Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99

My reviews of Batgirl are also published at The Batman Universe Editorials blog - part of The Batman Universe network: a great source of news, reviews and discussion for all Bat-fans.

Batgirl #7 Reviewed

With delivery of my order of last weeks (17/02) new books delayed until later this week I've had plenty of time this weekend to read through some of the bargains I picked up at the Exeter Comic Expo recently, including Daughters of the Dragon, Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame, Mice Templar ... all good stuff that I'll touch on in time.

In the meantime my ongoing review of the current Batgirl series continues today with issue number seven.

Batgirl #7
Reviewing this title each month is becoming increasingly difficult - I'm finding there are only so many ways to say 'good story', 'great dialogue', 'fun characters', 'superb art', 'striking covers' ... that said, I'm enjoying the challenge nonetheless as Batgirl continues to be my most looked-forward-to book each month.

This issue, the third and final part of the Batgirl Rising: Core Requirements story-arc, picks-up just where the last issue left-off: Batman is in trouble.

Batgirl and Robin are rushing to his aid before his hunters - Roxy Rocket, Riot and Doctor Phosphorus, each fuelled by a mix of infamy and Roulette's wealth - can kill him.

As Stephanie and Damian race across the roof-tops of Gotham City the bickering - such an enjoyable feature of recent issues - continues: 'What the hell is wrong with you?' asks Stephanie as Damian charges ahead refusing, as he sees it, to be hampered by his companion - 'And you swing like a girl' he counters before disappearing, quite literally, in a puff of smoke to pick up his motorbike.

At the Batcave Barbara Gordon is monitoring the web-feed of Roulette's performance as she tries to locate the source of the broadcast. Aware that Dick is injured and that he needs BOTH Stephanie and Damian if he is going to survive she directs Steph to her private garage, where she's been saving something for a 'special occasion' - and Batman's plight certainly qualifies as just such a special occasion.

As we see Damian, now on his bike, weaving in and out of the Gotham traffic we catch sight of Stephanie advancing rapidly in her own vehicle that's not quite a car, not quite a motorbike ... as we find out later on in the story!

Meanwhile, back in Devil's Square, Batman - weak but not yet beaten - is barely one-step ahead of Phosphorus with Roxy Rocket not far behind. Stephanie and Damian, join forces and work together as Dick, now close to being overwhelmed, sees that help from his young companions is just moments away. Wrestling himself free from his assailant Dick jumps to safety as Damian leaps from his bike ... moments before it impacts on Phosphorus.

With Phosphorus temporarily out of the picture Roxy Rocket sees her opportunity and swoops low for an attack - as she does Stephanie positions herself beneath Roxy's rocket, hits her vehicle's 'eject' button and fires herself skyward towards Roxy, where the two women fight for control of the aircraft.

With Riot - several Riots in fact - now beating on Dick, Damian positions Phosphorus for a very painful meeting with Roxy. Two down, one to go. As Stephanie leads Dick to safety the young boy - 'little Lord Fauntleroy' - confidently confronts around a dozen Riots ... and it soon becomes obvious that he's out of depth: Batgirl to the rescue!

Much later, having put an end to Roulette's plans, Dick, Damian and Stephanie join Barbara back at the Batcave. As the two youngsters eat, and recommence their bickering that had been largely abandoned while they worked as a team, Barbara and Dick take time-out to talk about where they've come from, where they are, and where they are going - and, perhaps more importantly, why they are going there.

When discussing 'creativity' I'm always quick to acknowledge there's no such thing as good or bad, rather something that is to my personal tastes or otherwise. The Batgirl title very much falls into the former category.

Throughout the series so far the stories themselves have been largely uncomplicated and beautifully told through strong narration and some great dialogue - and this issue continues that tradition.

As regular readers will know I'm enjoying the lighthearted bickering between Stephanie and Damian but it wouldn't take much for this fun relationship to cross the line into silly: it's credit to Brian Q. Miller's writing that I'm confident that particular pitfall will be avoided.

I've long-since been a fan of Lee Garbett's art and feel his work gets better with each passing issue - as I've said before, this clean, sharp, confident style of artwork is VERY much to my personal taste and therefore credit also goes to Trevor Scott and Guy Major for their inks and colours.

As the concluding issue of a story-arc featuring no less than four villains, it would have been easy for this issue to have turned into nothing more than a 22-page 'chase-and-fight': needless to say it didn't, as moments of high drama were interspersed with moments of quiet reflection, none more so than the scene, late in the issue, with Barbara and Dick in the Batcave.

I was genuinely touched as the two discussed their past - and their futures - and I have a feeling that in time we'll look back to these five panels as something of a turning-point for the two characters.

While I'm not saying the Batgirl title is perfect I can't, in all honesty, identify any flaws and I'm not sure what else I'm looking for to consider it perfect - it makes me smile, at times it makes me feel a little sad, it makes me think. It makes me want to read and then re-read the issue and makes me look forward to the next.

Batgirl #7
Written by Bryan Q. Miller with art by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott and cover by Phil Noto
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99

My reviews of Batgirl are also published at The Batman Universe Editorials blog - part of The Batman Universe network: a great source of news, reviews and discussion for all Bat-fans.

Out Today - Batgirl #7

My highlight of this weeks new releases is ... no surprise - Batgirl #7.

The situation is dire as Batgirl and Robin must venture into Devil's Square in an attempt to save Batman before Roulette's "most dangerous game" turns deadly. Guest-starring Dr. Phosphorus, Roxy Rocket and Riot, and more!

[Source]

Over at The Source DC have published a number of fantastic preview pages including another fantastic Phil Noto cover.







The preview also gives us a chance to appreciate Lee Garbett's artwork pre and post colours - Guy Major - and lettering - John J. Hill: speaking as someone with no artistic talents whatsoever I'm always very interested - and full of admiration - when I see the process in it's various stages.

Batgirl #7
Written by Bryan Q. Miller with art by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott and a cover by Phil Noto
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99, on sale 10 February 2010

Batgirl/Red Robin Crossover

At the risk of appearing like I only read the Bat-books ('too late' I hear you cry!) another quick post to point you again in the direction of Newsarama where they interview Brian Q. Miller and Christopher Yost about the forthcoming Batgirl and Red Robin crossover.

Beginning with Batgirl #8 and continuing into Red Robin #10, the crossover will see the two against Ra's Al Ghul as the Bat-titles head toward the return of Bruce Wayne.

Christopher Yost sets up the cross-over: "Red Robin dealt the League of Assassins a major blow by crippling their world-wide computer network and doing a fair amount of damage to Ra's al Ghul's real estate holdings globally. And Ra's isn't so happy about it. So he's going 'eye for an eye' with the Bat-family. As Red Robin attacked Ra's world, Ra's is going to attack Gotham.

He's not even being coy about it. He flat out tells Red Robin that he's coming after everything and specifically everyone that Bruce Wayne ever cared about. He's going to assassinate key figures in Bruce and Tim's lives. And Tim knows he could use some help. And who does he find in the Batcave?"

Read the interview in full by clicking here.