Forza Alberto! Forza Stephanie! ... Batgirl #21 Reviewed

So, I'm back from my holiday and the 2011 Giro d'Italia - and the pile of comics I'd planned to read during this time away is just as large as it was a week ago! I did read just one comic - the latest issue of Batgirl - and as I finished my review where I wonder what direction some of my favourite characters are heading the DCU looks like it's about to go through a renumbering/reboot/ reimagining/refresh* (*delete as appropriate) that may make my thoughts and wishes redundant.

I'm naturally a conservative person so my first impression is not positive I have to say ... but over time I'm learning to hold back and reserve judgement. I'm not going to say much more until more facts are known but in the meantime I'd refer you to The Batman Universe and Batgirl to Oracle for information about how these changes may/will affect the Bat-books and to Newsarama and CBR and, of course, DC Comics themselves for news about the extended DCU.

As always, my review contains spoilers - if you don't want to know what happens in this issue of Batgirl then stop reading now!

Batgirl #21

Seemingly skipping ahead from the previous issue, 'Batgirl: The Lesson - Unchained Melody' opens with Stephanie Brown - aka Batgirl - in a whole heap of trouble.

Buried under a pile of rumble and masonry Steph reminds herself how she finds herself in such a situation: 'adopted' by the well-intentioned Clancy Johnson, who goes by the name The Grey Ghost, she's come face to face with another of the Reapers ... and clearly she's come off worse following their initial encounter.

Wriggling her arms free Steph looks up to see the mysterious 'Harmony' above her closing in to finish the job off. Brushing aside accusations of murder Harmony lets loose with a smash across Steph's face followed by a deafening sound-wave as Steph realises that despite the attacks on her over a period of time, the Reapers are under instruction not to kill her.

As Harmony closes in for another round she's almost immediately stopped in her steps ... "Deet ... Deet ... Deet" ... she realises that Steph has planted a series of explosive charges that take out a row of pillars in the abandoned convent, bringing down the vaulted ceiling onto her head.

With Harmony down - but apparently not out - Steph's comms unit crackles into life: it's The Grey Ghost Clancy Johnson, and he's in need of Steph's help.

Elsewhere, back in Gotham City under a blood red sky a reflective and rather downbeat Wendy Harris - Proxy - looks across the city skyline, the Bat-signal lighting up the sky. Wondering out loud, and to herself, just why she's such an angry young woman, she's taken aback to see her brother - her deceased brother - stood behind her.

On the verge of a breakdown Wendy asks whether Marvin had sacrificed himself to save her and expresses just how much she misses her brother. In this issues first example of 'tough love' Marvin urges Wendy to honour his death by doing something with her own life - something that makes her happy.

With his advice dispensed Marvin's job, for now, appears to be complete.

Back at the abandoned convent Steph has located Grey Ghost and, after splinting his injured leg, helps her 'partner' to his feet. Questioning quite how he knew where she'd be Steph appears to accept Grey Ghosts explanation that he happened to be out looking for his "Violet Avenger" when he heard Harmony on her comms unit arguing about "the plan".

With an unidentified figure looking on Steph dismisses Grey Ghost's comments as she realises that Harmony is once again on the move ... and it doesn't appear that she's now a threat to them. Questioning his motives Steph challenges Grey Ghost to explain whether he's working for the benefit of the city or for himself: questioning that isn't appreciated.

Realising perhaps that this particular partnership isn't working it's Steph's time to dish out some tough love as she warns Grey Ghost that if their paths cross again ... he'd better beware.

Elsewhen, at The Thompkins Clinic, we find Dr Thompkins studying Wendy Harris's x-rays while pointing out to Wendy that while she isn't as badly injured as their friend Barbara Gordon she suspects that it's her ego - as much as her wounds - that is standing in the way of her physical rehabilitation.

Turning her shoulder on her Doctor Wendy explains that she need more than a workout and a pep-talk - what she feels she needs is "peace".

Doctor Thompkins reveals that she knows where Wendy could find that peace.

Back at the abandoned convent and Steph has, unnoticed, crept up behind Harmony who appears to be taking some sort of sample from the remains therein. Amid a flurry of batarangs the two engage once again ... back and forwards fists and feet fly as both woman spill blood until one final blow from Steph secures the victory.

Another time, another place and Barbara Gordon and Wendy - along with brother Marvin - are enjoying a meal at a local diner as Wendy clumsily, reluctantly, finally plucks up the courage to ask Babs for her help, and financial assistance, to help her get away from Gotham to find the peace that she needs ... in Nanda Parbat.

Choking back her coffee Babs challenges Wendy as to whether she really - really - wants to make the dangerous journey to Nanda Parbat: and Wendy is in no doubt that she does indeed.

Later on, on the Gotham University grounds, Stephanie and 'Professor' Gordon - Barbara of course - are taking stock of their situation. Having taken care of Harmony - student Tracey Graham - and Slipstream - Xane Swift - there are 3 more Reapers somewhere across the campus ... and as we all know they are in need of a large amount of money. Reminding herself that rather than grave robbing Harmony was 'harvesting' DNA from the remains of a nun who herself had an ability to "remove maladies from the accursed" Steph suggests to Babs that they get Wendy working on monitoring campus communications for more information.

Ah yes, "About Proxy ..."

As this instalment of the story closes we witness Grey Ghost handing over his weapon and striking a deal with a very, very, surprising partner ...

First things first, let's look at Dustin Nguyen's striking, eye-catching, colourful cover. Taking the form of a stained-glass window - complete with stone surround with ornate decoration - I thought this was an inspired composition.

Stephanie looks almost regal posed as she is in a familiar crouched position, her "violet"-accented cape billowing out behind her; her long golden hair wrapping itself around the cowl of her costume; staff in hand; carefully surveying her environs.

Looking beyond Stephanie onto the window itself - a riot of colour; a visual kaleidoscope of symmetrical panes of glass with, at its centre, The Grey Ghost: the figure of Clancy Johnson looking as sombre and faded as the surrounding sunburst and flower garland look warm and inviting.

Quite simply, beautiful.

Contrary to the billing on the cover this issue saw Mr Nguyen - as always wonderfully complemented by Derek Fridolfs inks and Guy Major's colours - returning to interior artwork duties. I know I've said this before, probably several times in fact, but haven't we been fortunate with the wonderful artists that have worked on this title?

Credit must go to 'the powers that be' (presumably the editorial team) for ensuring that when the books 'main' artist - be it Lee Garbett or Dustin Nguyen - have for whatever reason not worked on an issue or issues their replacements - Pere Perez and Ramon Bachs spring readily to mind - have done a fantastic job and the book hasn't suffered.

What is there to say about Nguyen's artwork that I haven't said before - with their invariably simple, even plain, backgrounds his panels serve as a springboard as the characters almost leap off the page. A sense of movement is, I'm told, notoriously difficult to capture in a comic book panel and yet, for me, that's very much one of Nguyen's strengths.

From a visual point of view a couple of my favourite pages from this issue don't feature Batgirl/Stephanie Brown and feature Wendy Harris and her brother Marvin. For me these pages stand out from the [beautiful] others largely because of the rich, warm colouring of Guy Major that accentuates Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs wonderful pencils and inks.

Having experimented with one or two different looks over time I think the creative team may have found the definitive Wendy Harris. Here she appears as an older younger woman, perhaps in her early to mid twenties and, in contrast to her sharp features, there appeared at a times a warmth in her appearance, no doubt aided by the warm dark red colouring.

A close second favourite scene featured Stephanie and Babs at the university campus - again the talented art team delivered two or three fresh, eye-popping pages that were in complete contrast to the earlier deliberately darker tones of the preceding pages.

As I started reading this story I had a sense that I'd in fact missed an issue - we left issue #20 with the introduction of the mysterious Harmony and by the first page of issue #21 Batgirl and Harmony had said their hellos, introduced themselves and spent some time getting to know each other. Now, I for one would have liked to have actually seen this happen - I think it would have given us plenty of 'yikes!' moments - although I accept that with the limitation of just 20 story pages ("drawing the line at $2.99") something has to give.

In terms of story and character progression the two stand out themes for me in this issue were Steph and Clancy's ongoing fractured relationship alongside Wendy's potentially life-changing decision to get away from all that she knows and travel.

Aside from wondering exactly what the consequences of Clancy's betrayal might be I enjoyed, if that's the right word, seeing Steph finally lose her patience and warn him that he needs to leave her alone. The look on both Steph and Clancy's faces during their exchange was priceless: "tough love" indeed.

The Wendy Harris 'journey' story interests me I must say. She's a character that's been largely on the periphery of Team Batgirl and I suspect I've not been alone in assuming that at some point everything in her life would fall into place as she became the new 'Oracle' ... and maybe it will but for now she's off on her very dangerous journey to Nanda Parbat for a "system reboot".

Aside from anything else I find myself wondering just how this story might play into the pages of our monthly Batgirl fix or whether it'll be told in a spin-off series (I hope the former).

There we have it, another enjoyable issue of Batgirl.

Batgirl #21
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, pencils by Dustin Nguyen, inks by Derek Fridolfs, colours by Guy Major, letters by Carlos M. Mangual, cover by Dustin Nguyen
Published by DC Comics, July 2011

Batgirl #20 Reviewed

As always, my review contains spoilers - if you don't want to know what happens in this issue of Batgirl then stop reading now!

Batgirl #20

With a flashback to the last university semester 'Batgirl: The Lesson' continues and concludes with the second part of a two-part story-arc entitled, somewhat ambiguously perhaps, 'Tunnel Vision'.

First at Gotham University, then the Theta-Kappa-Gamma house, and finally a fast-food restaurant we witness a young student making his way through his academic life with just about as little effort as possible before, somewhat out of the blue, he receives an email that could just give the student some direction and focus.

Fast-forward to present day and we discover that the young man in question is a member of the mysterious 'Order of the Scythe' - except on this occasion he's not demonstrating much in the way of team work or togetherness.

Angered that he hadn't been told that his speedster suit had an off-switch the student - named Xane - has to be restrained by fellow 'Reapers' as he learns that this feature is standard for the group: aside from anything else it ensures they don't deviate from the groups' plan.

Quite what that plan is none of the Order know - only 'The Client' is aware of the bigger picture.

Meanwhile, over at Firewall, "Batgirl's (excitingly remodeled) base of operations", Stephanie Brown - Batgirl - seems to be struggling with a puzzle while Wendy Harris - Proxy - asks her friend to demonstrate a little focus.

Thanks to 'Batman, Inc's' recent generous investment Steph has a number of new 'toys' to distract her: and she's currently distracted by a high-tech batarang-maker that allows her to manufacture the most elaborate - and unlikely! - array of gadgets.

Positioned in front of a vast bank of computer displays Wendy and Steph mull over what they currently know about Slipstream and the Reapers recent activities - large amounts of money have been 'tagged' with a tracking spray prior to its movement - and bemoan what they don't know - namely where the money is headed once the banks move it.

Later on, at Gotham U, Steph is explaining, without giving everything away!, the situation to her friend and mentor Barbara Gordon. It seems the transfer of large amounts of cash is not that unusual and every few years the banks will transport soon to be defunct notes to an unknown destination - and until they know where, when and how the money is being moved they are forced to play a waiting game.

A little out of the blue Steph laments that she feels things aren't the same since Barbara stepped away from her role as her 'handler' and is reminded by her friend that, be that as it may, that's the way things have to be for now - the Batgirl/Oracle partnership may be a thing of the past but Babs does her best to gee-up Steph and reminds her that she, and she alone, is Batgirl.

Later on we find Steph sitting a "bonus" night class - although she's clearly distracted as it's been fully six hours since she last heard from Proxy. Steph's anxiety and nervousness finally gets the better of her as she shouts out loud at a fellow student - named Swift - who for some unknown reason has been mumbling directions to himself for some while.

As Swift receives a phone message - "You're on" - Steph notices that her fellow student has again been studying a map: a map of Gotham as it happens. As she herself receives a telephone message from Wendy, Steph deduces that she's been sat alongside Slipstream all this while - and now he's got away.

Racing out of class, across the campus grounds, Steph links in with Wendy before arriving at her new, Batman Inc-funded car, named by Steph “The Compact”. It seems that a convoy of trucks transporting the bank notes in heading towards "The Tube" - an emergency tunnel carved deep beneath the city. Engaging "Combat mode" The Compact transforms into an armoured vehicle as it enters the tunnel and Steph - now in Batgirl costume - races towards her destination.

Across the city at Kord Tower, and in line with her earlier comments that she wouldn't be around to help her out of a jam, Barbara passively, pensively, watches events unfold.

Overtaking the convey and screeching to a halt Steph leaps from her vehicle and reassures the armed guards that she's there to help - perhaps, on reflection, not her smartest move as the guards don't take on board her comments and open fire on her. At that moment Slipstream arrives on the scene knocking the guards from their feet with his speedblur before turning back to confront Stephanie.

Goading Slipstream into attacking her Steph skilfully evades his charge with a "swoop!" of her cape and as the pair once again turn to face one another Slipstream's suit starts to malfunction - a victory for Batgirl's combo-batarangs!

Later on, with Slipstream grounded and the Gotham City Police Department on the scene Stephanie - still in her Batgirl guise of course - and Detective Nick Gage - reflect on the days events. Gage comments that Swift doesn't appear in the least bit concerned that he was heading back to Blackgate while Steph responds that their problems aren't behind them as The Reapers are clearly planning something bigger.

Regretting her fellow student's role in recent events Steph wonders aloud just how Swift became involved with the cult in the first place - and is shocked by the response she receives from Gage.

Elsewhere, the issue closes back at the Reaper base with confirmation that Swift's capture and incarceration are indeed part of a much bigger plan ... and the introduction of a menacing new adversary for Batgirl called, ironically, Harmony.

This issue had everything I've come to expect from Batgirl - a fun, engaging storyline; enjoyable, charming dialogue, fantastic interior art; a bold, eye-catching cover with amazing colours throughout and yet in several respects this felt like a different type of issue: not better than usual, certainly not worse ... definitely different.

For me, the book has a somewhat darker tone than I've grown used to - as the story progressed I developed a real sense of foreboding, as if all wasn't quite as it at first seemed, culminating in Steph and Gage's rooftop heart-to-heart that something much bigger than a robbery was around the corner, coupled with the Detective's cryptic confession.

Having created and developed a credible opponent for Batgirl in Slipstream I was just a little surprised how easily Steph finally captured her opponent - and I'm certainly not a fan of long, drawn-out fights. That said this all too brief scene was wonderfully written and left me with a genuine sense of joy as Steph delivered an immediate return on Batman Inc's investment in her.

Once again the exchanges between Stephanie and Barbara Gordon were really quite touching and I found myself thinking just how their own relationship has developed over the past 18 months or so - at times almost parent and child and never less than sisterly. That Bryan Q. Miller writes a superb Stephanie Brown/Batgirl cannot be disputed - credit should also be given for the voice he has nurtured for Barbara.

Aside from the ease of Slipstream's capture I know that some will suggest that the convenience of young Xane Swift being Steph's classmate was just a little too ... well, convenient. Not me: while the baddie being known to the hero is not an original plot device - see any number of episodes of Buffy, Charmed or Scooby Doo! - I appreciated Swift's subtle introduction to our story and that his involvement was allowed to grow slowly over a couple of issues.

The somewhat darker tone I sensed with this issue was supported, I felt, by a shortage of the hugely enjoyable 'one-liners' that the series has garnered a reputation for. That said, there was still enough fantastically flippant dialogue to satisfy me: "... the most bad-assingest not-tortilla press batarang-maker ...", "And then you did a touchdown dance?" and my favourite when Steph stopped the convoy - "Don't worry! I'm Batgirl!".

Some of the closing pages of this issue are amongst the finest in the series as a whole I'd say. I'm referring to Batgirl and Detective Gage's rooftop liaison: fantastic collaborative storytelling. The story simultaneously seems to take a breath and yet race away - just what is the "something bigger" and just what was Gage referring to with his revelation to Steph? I felt these pages in particular where quite beautifully drawn by Ramon Bachs - again, simple panel composition allowing the reader to focus on the emotions of the central characters - and very sensitively coloured by Guy Major.

Mr Bachs seems an artist who is ideally suited to the Batgirl title: to my eyes he has an ability to capture a character's personality perfectly: be it Steph's youthful exuberance mixed with at times over-confidence, Barbara's strength and caring, even the reluctance and sadness of a new character such as Swift/Slipstream.

There are subtleties to his work that I don't always, on first viewing pick-up on - for instance, on first read I felt that one or two of the panels set in Barbara's office tended to be just a little flat, lacking in life or movement. It was only on second read that I realised that I suspect that's how they were meant to be seen - almost as if Barbara's words were hanging in the air, with time, momentarily, standing still.

Likewise, the portrayal, on the final page, of the mysterious 'Harmony' seemed just a little comedic - in a similar way that Steph's Ricochet looked a little comedic when I first saw it - until I reminded myself that 'she' - like Ricochet - is entirely in keeping with the overall tone of the series.

Aside from the 'roof-top' pages I particularly enjoyed how the tunnel heist scenes were drawn - clean, clear and uncluttered by unnecessary background interference yet they appeared full of movement and chaos.

Speaking of movement and chaos - top marks to Dustin Nguyen for delivering another bold, beautiful, eye-catching cover: The Compact on its roof, wheels spinning wildly; Slipstream sliding beneath the vehicle, seemingly in total control of his situation; Batgirl, upside down, eyes half closed and yet with a smile (or maybe a grimace!) on her face: all fantastically coloured and complemented by the title Batgirl symbol.

In summary, for me a different type of issue this month for sure and every bit as enjoyable and satisfying as ever. As with the series as a whole this is an example of sequential storytelling at its finest.

Batgirl #20
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Ramon Bachs, colours by Guy Major, letters by Dave Sharpe, cover by Dustin Nguyen
Published by DC Comics, June 2011

Batgirl #19 Reviewed

As always, my review contains spoilers - if you don't want to know what happens in this issue of Batgirl then stop reading now!

Batgirl #19

'Batgirl: The Lesson' continues with the first of a two-part story entitled 'Tunnel Vision'. As the issue opens we find our heroine, Stephanie Brown, sitting at the breakfast table across from her mother, prodding, poking at her morning waffles, recounting her recent academic studies.

"And chaos, my dear mother, is a sticky mistress".

Yet Mrs Brown isn't really paying her daughter much attention as she's distracted by the lead story in the Gotham Gazette that focuses on yet another mysterious bank robbery the night before. Perhaps Steph - as Batgirl - knows more than she's letting on as she announces to her mother that it was time she opened up a savings account.

Across the city at the Gotham Bank and Trust - branch 19 to be precise - GCPD have the crime scene locked-down. Detective Nick Gage is the officer in charge and, realising that a friend is also on the scene, he asks his fellow officers to clear the room.

Turning and glancing up he greets Batgirl - who's hanging from the ceiling - with the news that this is the third such crime this week where the only physical damage appears to be to the building's front door and the door to the vault - and it was only this physical damage - rather than the intruder or intruders - that set off the pressure-censor alarms.

Revealing some photographs taken from the bank's closed circuit television both Batgirl and the detective immediately recognise the image of a “speedblur” from their earlier encounter with the mysterious gang known as The Reapers. Even more surprising than the return of an old foe ... inside the vault Gage reveals that while the 'speedster' may have stolen a couple of thousand dollars they left behind over a million dollars in cash.

So on top of the murder of a former colleagues son - Newton Flitwick - the authorities are now investigating a very unusual robbery. Refusing to reveal just why he's so interested in The Reapers Gage makes his excuses to Batgirl and leaves. Outside the bank a new 'friend' of Batgirl's - known as the Grey Ghost - listens intently to their conversation ...

Later on, at Gotham University, a tired Stephanie accompanies her friend and mentor Barbara Gordon - 'formerly' Oracle - across the campus grounds. With her new base Kord Tower in the distance Babs explains that she hasn't in fact quit being Oracle, it's just that things have changed. She goes on to explain that while she is indeed very busy, revealing that Bruce Wayne has tasked her with building a new internet - something Steph doesn't even pretend to understand - she always has time for her young 'student'.

In which case, retorts Stephanie, if time isn't really an issue shouldn't Barbara spend a little with Wendy Harris - Proxy, Batgirl's new handler - and explain the situation to her? After all, the young girl with the 'complicated' family history already has "abandonment issues" we are all reminded.

Now in class - Intro to Dynamic Systems no less! - it seems Steph's night-time activities have caught up with her as she is sharply woken from a nap by her Professor. Along with Mr Swift, a fellow snoozing student, Steph acknowledges that she's fallen behind with the lecture and offers to share notes with her 'sleeping neighbour' who, somewhat to Steph's puzzlement appears to have a building schematic on his laptop rather than anything to do with the subject at hand.

Later still, over at The Thompkins Clinic Barbara interrupts Wendy Harris during her physical workout, taking her to task for using the fact that she's in a wheelchair to get her out of a jam when gathering information on the university campus. Refusing to take the comments on-board Wendy makes it quite clear she feels differently - Barbara in turn leaving Wendy in no doubt that she considers her behaviour, and her attitude, unacceptable.

Taking Wendy further to task Babs issues something of an ultimatum - 'Firewall', the 'Team Batgirl' base of operations, has been upgraded, there's no doubting the young woman's ability, she just needs to make a decision about what she wants to do with her life ... and commit that decision.

As Babs turns and makes her way to the exit Wendy tries to call her back - but Babs doesn't want to hear it.

That same evening The Grey Ghost - Clancy Johnson - is scanning the Gotham City skyline, searching for his "black and purple angel', his "beautiful bruise". Moments later, Johnson's expensive, night-vision binoculars smash to the floor as Batgirl takes him by surprise and demands to know why he has been tracking her for the past week.

Fearing for the welfare of her somewhat heavy-handed new friend Batgirl suggests to Johnson that he needs help - and I suspect she isn't simply meaning with surveillance. Before they can discuss this any further Batgirl receives an incoming transmission from Proxy: it seems that her earlier confrontation with Babs did indeed force her to consider her future.

Proxy goes on to explain that she's been able to track "someone" who has ran a toll booth and nineteen sets of red traffic lights in a matter of seconds to their ultimate destination. As Batgirl listens on it seems that The Grey Ghost is also listening - electronically - to their conversation before disappearing: much to Batgirl's surprise and frustration.

Across the city we witness a speedblur cross the street, climb the stairs and burst through the doors of another bank. Inside the vault, now at 'regular' speed we catch sight of Slipstream, the super-speedster, who appears to be marking piles of banknotes with a fine, misty spray.

Upon hearing that he isn't alone Slipstream turns to find himself at gunpoint - The Grey Ghost has reappeared! However, before introductions can be made Slipstream sends The Grey Ghost crashing through a window and falling to ground. An instant later the two are reunited in the street and joined by Batgirl, who demands to know her adversary's name.

Introductions taken care of Batgirl springs into action ... only to discover that Slipstream is just too quick to respond to her movements. Just as quickly Batgirl learns that her opponents suit offers him ample protection to pretty much anything she can fire or throw at him - and that she, in turn, has no response when Slipstream activates his speedsuit ... and sweeps her off her feet, knocking her to the ground.

Back on her feet Batgirl is taken aback when The Grey Ghost speaks to and name-checks Proxy ... leaving Steph wondering just how Clancy knows so much. As Slipstream circles back around the pair are once again sent flying before receiving a chilling threat - "Time to die, Batgirl".

Seconds later, with Batgirl and The Grey Ghost at his mercy, Slipstream lets out an agonising cry as he receives what appears to be an electronic shock ... "Override activated" ... "Not yet, Slipstream. Not yet".

As Slipstream Leaves the scene as quickly as he arrived Batgirl and The Grey Ghost look on incredulously and wonder just what happened - and who came to their rescue. It wasn't Proxy, it wasn't The Grey Ghost. It certainly wasn't Batgirl.

Soon after we find Steph in a lift, on her way down to see Proxy - who warns her to expect a "bit of a ... shock". During their earlier encounter Steph had managed to lift the spray canister that Slipstream had been using at the bank and Proxy explained that thanks to the new equipment that Bruce bought them she'd been able to analyse it.

New equipment?

Welcome to the new, and vastly improved, Firewall, high-tech home of Team Batgirl.


Fantastic storytelling, great dialogue and eye-catching artwork - qualities I've come to expect from this series and this issue meets, and arguably exceeds, the usual high standards. After a couple of very enjoyable standalone issues I was pleased that our story returned to the ongoing 'speedster' puzzle and by the end of issue, as is so often the case with Batgirl, I found myself desperate for the next instalment.

Ramon Bachs was a very welcome addition to the creative team I must say - I've long since been an admirer of his work, most recently his run on Red Robin. The quality of art on the Batgirl book has been one of the stand out features of the series and, as each new artist has portrayed their own unique take on the rich cast of characters I've appreciated just how sensitive and respectful to their predecessor's interpretations they have been.

Mr Bach draws a Stephanie Brown that I could instantly recognise and yet one with some slightly different characteristics than I've come to expect. As Batgirl she appears a strong, confident young woman and yet as a student she gives the impression of being just a little out of her depth, as if she's struggling to keep up.

Likewise the visual portrayal of Barbara Gordon suggested a softer, dare I say less bossy, maybe even more vulnerable woman than I've come to know. I'm not sure how long Mr Bach's will be with the Batgirl creative team but I'm going to enjoy his work I know.

As I do every month I'd like to highlight Guy Major's colouring throughout the issue - as expressive, subtle and yet rousing as ever: I think it's high time Mr Major's name was featured on the front of this title. Speaking of which, I wonder why Ramon Bach doesn't get a credit on the cover?

After those couple of months of largely standalone tales it's credit to Bryan Q. Miller's storytelling I think just how effortlessly we picked up with the current ongoing thread - the mysterious "Order of the Scythe" and the first proper introduction of Slipstream.

If there was one highlight in this issue for me it would be the deliciously rich dialogue: there were so many great one liners and any number of memorable exchanges between characters. The tone of the issue was set on the first page with Steph's line about "chaos" - charming and funny in equal measure, through the clumsy back-and-forth between Detective Gage and his fellow detective and then the awkward exchange between Gage and Batgirl to The Grey Ghost's old-fashioned, melodramatic language - which provided us with a couple of wonderful moments during which Batgirl went from being described as an "angel" to a "bruise" in a matter of seconds!

Having previously said that 'student Stephanie' had the look and feel of someone at times a little out of her depth I certainly appreciated that it was she that was able to point out to Barbara that, with so much going on in the world of Oracle, it would probably be a good idea to spend some time with Wendy and let her know that despite all the changes some things were just the same.

I also enjoyed how, it appeared to me, Barbara didn't really appreciate the advice - but she certainly acted upon it. The short scene between Babs and Wendy was fantastically played out I thought - from pretty much her first introduction Wendy has come across as a difficult, troubled, 'hard' character and I enjoyed watching Babs trying to break through that tough veneer as much as I enjoyed the reaction from Wendy when it seemed that she had done.

As an addition to Batgirl's gallery of rogue's I must say I'm enjoying the introduction of Slipstream alongside the aforementioned Order of the Scythe and I think we'll be seeing a little more of Steph's fellow sleeping student "Mr Swift" - a nice touch I thought - in the months to come.

With another eye-catching cover from Dustin Nguyen - once again the final, printed image appearing far more striking to me that the unlettered solicitation preview - this was another fantastic issue.

With a thought-provoking and engaging ongoing storyline that is starting to take shape, complimented with a cast of characters as rich and varied as any book can offer at the moment I'd suggest, Team Batgirl is unbeatable.

Batgirl #19
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Ramon Bachs, colours by Guy Major, letters by Dave Sharpe, cover by Dustin Nguyen
Published by DC Comics, May 2011

Batgirl #16 Reviewed

"Fugitive!" screams the cover as our hero Batgirl - Stephanie Brown - finds herself accused of murder, on the run, quite literally, through Devil's Square and away from the pursuing GCPD.

With beads of perspiration on her brow Steph's caught in the police spotlight as she wonders just how she's found herself in this position - she 'knows for a fact' that the murder was committed by a mysterious group of students dressed like the Grim Reaper but the officers just aren't giving her the opportunity to explain this.

At the other end of her comms unit Steph's friend and mentor Oracle - Barbara Gordon - calmly and matter-of-factly advises that, first things first, they need to get her away from the police before they turn their attention to clearing her name.

Leaping from roof-top to roof-top, and once again narrowly avoiding capture, Steph thanks her good fortune that Bruce Wayne is currently away from the city: no doubt still feeling a little insecure about her position she's sure the situation wouldn't reflect favourably on her in Bruce's eyes.

Now isolated on top of one of the derelict buildings in Devil's Square Batgirl finds she has few options as a police helicopter equipped with spotlights looks on. Following events via the comms link Oracle advises that she's dispatched 'The Ricochet' but that it'll take a few minutes to reach the pick-up point.

Making her move Batgirl makes an unusual, and yet somehow typical for her, gesture in the direction of the helicopter as she disappears through a broken window ... and in turn tumbles down through the building shell, bouncing from beam to beam until she finally crashes onto the floor.

Picking herself up off the floor and dusting herself down Batgirl doesn't seem particularly surprised to find Detective Nick Gage - alone - on the scene. Revealing that while he knows Stephanie is innocent Gage does his best to explain why the police force are chasing her - the victim's father was a police officer and the force takes attacks on 'family' very seriously.

Handing her a batarang that he'd removed from the murder scene Gage notices that Steph whinces as she tests her shoulder - the look on her face is nothing however, compared to when he pops her dislocated shoulder back into place. Fearing that there are other officers close by Gage offers to divert them and gain Steph some time ... and what starts as a potentially embarrassing moment ends with a firm handshake.

Under cover of darkness Steph makes her escape thanks to The Ricochet.

Next day at Gotham University, and following Oracle's advice, it's 'business as usual' for Stephanie. On her way from class, and despite having her arm in a sling, Steph's doing her best to blend in as her friend Francisco catches up with her and wonders about her speedy exit from their study group a few days earlier. Wondering whether another of their friends Jordanna is still angry with her Francisco looks on in some embarrassment as Jordanna, with megaphone in hand, is taking part, possibly even leading, a demonstration against the 'murderer' Batgirl.

Confronting her friend to protest Batgirl's innocence Steph simply has to concede defeat as Jordanna reveals that her motivation is not justice but rather to use the shocking events that have taken place on campus to slide through some of her school work.

Later that day, and now back at Firewall, their base of operations, we find Steph and Babs discussing the events of the last few days - under a microscope Babs analyses blood from the recovered batarang believing it was added after Newton's death. As Steph puzzles just why anyone would want to frame her for murder Babs explains that she now believes it was by way of a distraction - and the trace of radiation that she's discovered on the batarang may well help them explain why.

Using Firewall's advanced technological resources Barbara is able to isolate the potential origins of the radiation - an abandoned warehouse across the city.

As Steph's determination and good humour turns to frustration and anger Barbara reminds her young friend that there's a bigger picture in front of them than simply proving her own innocence ... followed by further affirmation that she's not alone - "Team Batgirl all the way".

Returning to Gotham U we join Wendy Harris - Proxy - working by torchlight in one of the universities server rooms. Muttering away to herself - or more to the point her deceased brother Marvin - Oracle, once again via the comms link, interrupts for an update on her task. That task, we learn, is to piece together as much of the data as possible that was contained on the USB flash drive stolen from Newt at the time of his murder. Confirming that she's at the terminal that Newt first accessed when uploading the contents of the drive Wendy is further interrupted by a security guard who firmly asks her to finish up her work and leave so he can lock up behind her.

To Barbara's frustration and dismay Wendy makes reference to her disability and asks if she really needs to leave before asking how the guard knew she was there in the first place. A look of relief and excitement sweeps her face as she discovers that the rooms are monitored by closed-circuit cameras. Over to Oracle ...

In the meantime Batgirl has gained access to the previously believed-abandoned warehouse where she observes four of the group known as 'The Reapers' loading packing crates into a van. Wondering how they managed to overcome the guards - and why indeed an abandoned warehouse needs guards in the first place - Steph leaps into action knocking one of the crates to the ground in the process.

As she engages 'The Reapers' Steph notices that the lid of one of the crates is loose, takes a peak and is understandably surprised to find some hi-tech equipment inside. As the fight continues Steph takes out one Reaper after another until they are all either unconscious or disarmed. As she reaches down to remove the mask from one of her mysterious opponents Steph finds herself caught in a flood of torch light ... Detective Nick Gage and officers from Gotham PD.

As the officers rush in it's immediately obvious that Batgirl is no longer their target - privately Gage explains that Oracle had supplied his department with footage of a group of the Reapers chasing poor Newt across the campus. As the police take their prisoners away Gage realises that one of them appears to have disappeared, Oracle warns of an isotope spike ... and everyone except the Reapers are knocked from their feet.

Having recovering their position just a few moments later, Batgirl, Gage and his fellow officers realise that the prisoners have somehow escaped and taken some of the tech with them. This isn't over.

Returning to Firewall and Stephanie and Barbara realise that to have escaped so quickly the Reapers must have a 'speedster' as part of their group. Analysing some of the data that Wendy recovered Barbara explains that she's uncovered designs and information for just such a speed suit. Questioning just why the warehouse was filled with high-tech equipment and what the Reapers could want with it all Stephanie vows to find Newt's murderers and bring them to justice.

Elsewhere, in an unidentified location, the Reapers are 'debriefing'. As well as their plans are going they realise that they need to do better - and with Batgirl onto them that's not going to be easy - and that if their paths cross again they'll have to 'take care' of her ...


"Fugitive!" felt so right for this issue - as with the classic 'Fugitive' Doctor Richard Kimble himself Steph knew she was innocent, her closest friends and associates knew she was innocent and we, the readers, knew she was innocent. And just like Dr Kimble Steph's challenge doesn't stop with proving her own innocence - she needs to prove others guilt: this is a storyline that I can quite happily see running for some time yet.

From a character development point of view I thought Stephanie's early references, which at the time felt almost incidental, to Bruce thankfully being out of town and, she assumes, unaware of her predicament were really quite telling. Coupled with Steph's later 'heart-to-heart' with Barbara about her apparent need for validation quite beautifully reminded me of the journey that she's been on - and the jolt that she's received with Bruce's return. As readers we know that Bruce has been, on the whole, hugely impressed with what he's seen from Stephanie in the role - her role - of Batgirl but we possibly forget that she's not nearly so convinced of his total support.

Through just a few panels, I felt writer Bryan Q. Miller gave us the shortest of glimpses into the mindset of young Wendy Harris - resisting the urge to think of herself as merely the "other" member of the team I was reminded that she's been through an awful lot in her own short life in recent times and beneath the obvious tough veneer there's a gentler, softer side to her. Having initially been a little confused when she was pictured talking to her late brother Marvin, on second and even third reading I felt this gave us quite a touching, if somewhat brief, glimpse at a more vulnerable Wendy than we've seen so far in this wonderful series.

The relationship between Stephanie and Detective Nick Gage was, for me at least, another important feature of this issue. Switching effortlessly from the enjoyable verbal indiscretions - "I could kiss you right on your ... cheek!" - to a sense of real trust and belief in one another, maybe even more so from Gage himself, and back to the playful one-liners.

The mysterious group known as The Reapers have so far proved to be an effective and, at times, quite puzzling, foil for Stephanie. At first they appeared to me to be little more than a group of misguided students up to no good and I've a feeling there's more to then than perhaps I've so far given them credit for. We shall see!

Switching focus onto the art - I have to say that as much as I appreciated Dustin Nguyen's illustration throughout issue #15 I enjoyed the art in this issue so much more. No doubt as much down to my familiarity with Mr Nguyen's unique style the cast of characters in this issue felt familiar (there's that word again), approachable even - I took a sense of warmth from each and every page that I didn't always feel with the previous issue.

Without doubt one of Mr Nguyen's great strengths is his ability to capture movement. I've written before about the feeling of dance that he's already managed to impress on his rendition of Batgirl and this was further evident throughout this issue - I felt I could almost hear Stephanie's cape billowing out behind her as she ran from the police and, later, leapt to surprise The Reapers.

Once again I found my admiration for the cover grew the more I considered it: initially I felt the city skyline surrounding Batgirl was rather too dark and lacking in detail for my taste but after reading the issue I appreciated the sense of Stephanie being captured in the spotlight which in turn cast shadow on her surroundings. Once again the cover image is offered as something of a 'bonus scene' from the interior story. "Fugitive!" indeed.

I've said it many times before and I look forward to saying it many times again: Team Batgirl are fantastic!

Batgirl #16
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, pencils by Dustin Nguyen, inks by Derek Fridolfs, colours by Guy Major, letters by Travis Lanham, cover by Dustin Nguyen
Published by DC Comics, February 2011

Batgirl #15 Reviewed

This new chapter in the life of Batgirl opens with Wendy Harris recounting to Barbara Gordon an earlier conversation she'd had with Stephanie Brown during which the two young women explored the history of the Bat family ... Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Steph herself, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne - Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, Spoiler, Red Robin: in fact(almost) everything you could possibly need to know about the world of Batman in 10 minutes and 3 pages.

As Wendy and Barbara - Proxy and Oracle - continue their conversation we see them studying a large illustrated whiteboard located, as they are, in Team Batgirl's base of operations known as Firewall, deep in the basement of Barbara's apartment building.

'Grass Before The Scythe' is the first of a two-part story-arc entitled, quite appropriately 'The Lesson'.

Another time, another place. Gotham University and Stephanie is in something of a day-dream: idly sketching herself - in her guise of Batgirl - defiantly remembering the earlier history lesson with Wendy while showing little or no interest in her academic studies before being shaken from her thoughts by the intrusive, not to mention barbed, comments of fellow student and study partner Jordanna.

Struggling to defend her own reliability and contribution to the group - she may not have brought along her study materials but she did bring donuts! - Steph's grateful for the support of the female students' mutual friend Francisco as he attempts to calm the situation.

As the two women step back from one another - Jordanna with head in hands pondering the consequences of failing and Steph genuinely questioning what it is that she does actually bring to the ground - the 'friends' are distracted by another student running along the corridor, papers in the air screaming for help.

With more insults from Jordanna a curious and concerned Steph excuses herself and leaves the room.

Outside the university buildings the panicked student - Newton, who we'd met in a previous issue of course - desperately tries to catch his breath hoping that he's shaken off his pursuer. Sadly, for Newt he'd done no such thing as, under cover of darkness, he finds himself surrounded by a number of cloaked and hooded figures. With the young student begging for his own safety the mysterious figures tighten their circle while threatening their target - 'Join or die', 'Pay the toll' ...

With Newt at this point close to tears his saviour arrives: Batgirl launches an aerial assault on two of the figures while suggesting that she'd already identified clues as to the identities of the 'hunters' - history major? English major? Leader?

Repelling her attackers with some ease Steph is surprised to hear a familiar voice over her comms unit - from Kord Tower it's Oracle. After a brief catch-up - during which Babs assures Steph that it's probably best that she doesn't know all of the details regarding her recent activities - Steph distracts the hooded attackers long enough for Newt to make a break for safety. With the situation apparently manageable - if not totally under control - Steph is surprised and confused to find the group the focus of a most curious character who introduces himself as The Grey Ghost and proclaims that he is Batgirl's 'guardian angel'.

Revealing that the weapon he used to floor one of Steph's attackers was 'merely' firing rubber buckshot the Grey Ghost goes on to explain that if the pair are to form a partnership then he'll need to maintain a degree of anonymity. Closely monitoring events from back at base Barbara has managed to identify the man as none other than Johnny C. - real name Clancy Johnson - previously seen attempting to blow up a city-centre train and more recently seen in jail curiously declaring his support for Batgirl.

Explaining that the last thing she needs - wants even - is a sidekick Stephanie finds herself momentarily blinded by a flash of white light as Grey Ghost issues a warning that at some point he will be needed.

Regaining her vision moments later Steph discovers that not only has Grey Ghost disappeared but so have the hooded figures. Realising that Newt is still in danger Stephanie asks Barbara to try to locate his whereabouts 'before it's too late'.

Sadly, it seems it's already too late as the young man once again finds himself surrounded by the mysterious hooded group. Protecting what Steph had earlier identified as a USB flash drive hanging from around his neck Newt again begs for his safety while refusing to give the group what they are demanding because, we learn, the 'price' would be too great.

Next morning Gotham City police - led on this occasion by Detective Nick Gage - have the regrettable task of shielding the young mans lifeless body from onlookers while trying to figure out what caused his death. Noticing lacerations around the neck of the deceased Gage figures that the victim had an item stolen from him ... and that item might help explain why he had died.

Barbara joins the Detective at the crime scene and, not wanting to reveal too much about Stephanie's overnight encounter - reveals that she'd heard that 'guys in robes' had apparently been chasing the victim ... words that seem to hit home with Gage.

Saying his goodbyes and getting back to work a fellow police officer interrupts Gage, as the officer in charge, with news that new evidence has just been discovered - evidence the officer is sure wasn't there a moment ago.

Switching locations to the Brown household an understandably upset Stephanie reads the morning newspaper as her mother prepares breakfast - waffles of course! Concerned for her daughters well-being as, the newspaper reports, students face tremendous stress, Mrs Brown asks Steph for reassurance that if ever she felt under that sort of pressure she'd let her know. Explaining that her grades - nicely described as a 'B-hive' - are proof that she's not unduly troubled by the pressures of school life Steph nearly chokes on her morning juice when her mother reveals that she'd been thinking about moving the family home.

Recovering her composure, and while mopping spilt juice Steph goes on to explain that moving would mean leaving university and that going to school has been one of the best things she's ever done and, furthermore, for the first time in her young life she actually feels accepted.

As the two women embrace Steph goes on to say that she finally feels in control of her life and she's got her mother to thank for that.

Later on, at Firewall, Wendy and Barbara are hard at work when Steph reports in for an update. Babs reveals - using Steph's own layman's terms - that she's currently scanning wifi routers around the university campus to see if she can detect any trace of the data from Newton's flash drive. Explaining that she's so far failed to find any information about the hooded figures - referred to as the 'reapers' - that she'd previously encountered Steph is distracted by the Bat-signal illuminating the night sky.

Making her way across the city skyline Steph brushes aside suggestions - suggestions turn to orders - from Barbara that she return to Firewall immediately. Watching the evening news bulletin Babs and Wendy look on in horror as news of new evidence in the investigation regarding the death of the son of a retired GCPD veteran - Newton of course - are announced.

Arriving at the Bat-signal rendezvous point Steph turns as she hears her name ... and she finds herself at gunpoint and under arrest for Newton Flitwik's murder.

Next: Fugitive!


After something of a short break - last months excellent Batgirl issue being part of the 'Bruce Wayne: The Road Home' series - my favourite monthly title returns: and once again the creative team hit all the right notes.

This being Dustin Nguyen's first issue on art duties let's start there. I've said before - "numerous times" I hear you say! - just how much I've been enjoying the art through this series and, being very much a conservative when it comes to change, I have to admit to being a little ... apprehensive about there being any such change. That's certainly not intended to be disrespectful to Mr Nguyen, who's work I've certainly admired for some while now - I'd have felt that way no matter who was taking over.

Aside from seeing the cover when the issue was first solicited I'd avoided any 'sneak peak' previews of the interior art preferring instead to wait until I could absorb the issue as a whole. Long before I'd reached the fantastic final splash page of Batgirl being arrested at gunpoint any apprehension I'd felt about change had been laid to rest - and then some.

Not only did the art 'fit right in' with the tone of the series but by opening the issue with three pages of the cute and charming 'mini Bat's' it felt like the creators were making something of a statement to me and other 'conservatives': "new season, new look - but everything you love about the book will continue just as before".

The 'mini Bat's' were superb I thought - I've seen the concept before (it was on Dustin Nguyen's DeviantArt site I believe) and they suited the book perfectly: fun, endearing ... in a word - unique. Combined with Bryan Q. Miller's fantastic writing these pages made for an ideal introduction to the book.

Since it was first solicited I've come to really appreciate the cover of this issue - the more I look at it the more I see: the Gothic roof-top architecture, the imposing Gotham skyline, the detail and colours on Steph's costume, her flame-like cape, the look in her eyes ...

For me the series has been notable for, amongst many other things, some fantastic splash pages and we get another couple in this issue - the early page of Wendy and Barbara looking at the whiteboard in the cavernous basement space was certainly a treat I thought.

Mr Nguyen draws a beautiful Batgirl - elegant, flamboyant, graceful - who almost dances her way through her encounters with the 'reapers'. By the same token, his interpretation of Stephanie Brown as an awkward, clumsy yet caring young woman is one I can appreciate.

Turning to the story and once again we're treated to an engaging, humorous, at times touching tale.

Part of the reason why the 'mini Bats' pages worked so well is, for me, the context they were used. I've read elsewhere suggestions that all Bat-family books should start with such 'recap' pages but for me this suggestion misses something of the point. The commentary was simple, child-like even, precisely because they were written from the position of Stephanie explaining to Wendy rather than Mr Miller, the writer, explaining to us the readers.

Some of the dialogue used during these pages was an absolute treat and had me laughing out loud - 'No, you shut up!', 'I'm a criminal!', 'I wet the bed!' - as did the discussion between Steph and Wendy - 'And everything was great ...', 'Because I'm paraphrasing. Now shush', 'And Damian became Robin-Robin'.

Again, I'm enjoying reading the distinctly different personalities of Stephanie and of Batgirl. In costume, Batgirl has become a self-confident, focused, controlled individual while Steph, at times at least, feels somewhat younger than her 19 years - certainly lacking confidence and still very much still a dreamer.

I'm intrigued by the 'Reapers' I must say - who are they and what do they want with the data on Newt's USB drive? If they are indeed a group of university students as Steph identifies I'm wondering just what's driven them to these lengths. Likewise, the 'Grey Ghost' seems a fun character and I'm curious just what it is he knows when Steph tells him she doesn't need a sidekick and he tells her 'you will!'.

The return of Detective Nick Gage was a welcome one - last seen if I remember correctly wandering away, deep in thought, at the end of issue #13 I'm looking forward to learning more about his background and, just possibly, a secret or two!

The book ended on a genuine cliff-hanger - one that I just didn't see coming to be perfectly honest. I'm now eagerly awaiting the next issue to discover just how is Steph implicated, how does she make her escape - Fugitive! - and how does she clear her name.

Great writing, super art and throughout this series I've come to appreciate the scale of the contribution that a good colourist can make to the look and feel of a book and once again Guy Major makes a massive contribution here - subtle tone changes create a visual soundtrack as scenes and moods change from one page to another.

In closing, this was another wonderfully enjoyable issue of Batgirl from a simply fantastic creative team - beautifully written and complemented by some fantastic art: what more could we ask for?

Batgirl #15
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, pencils by Dustin Nguyen, inks by Derek Fridolfs, colours by Guy Major, letters by Sal Cipriano, cover by Dustin Nguyen
Published by DC Comics, January 2011

Batgirl #13 Reviewed

With the events of 'The Flood' firmly behind her, Stephanie Brown has most certainly grown - both as a young woman and, just as importantly, as a member of the Batgirl 'team'.

Our story - appropriately entitled 'Trust' - begins with Stephanie, sweat dripping from her brow, facing her opponent who in turn stares back and throws down a verbal challenge. Moment later, it's game on as Steph lets loose a tremendous shot ... much to the surprise of her opposite number.

We're at Gotham U, it's the second half of the academic year and Stephanie is playing table tennis with Padma, a fellow student - and she's winning. It's Tuesday, the one day a week when Steph doesn't have any classes, and we get the impression that she usually - maybe always - wins at table tennis!

Just as the contest looks like it might be getting out of hand Stephanie's phone rings and, excusing herself from the game, she answers her caller Oracle with a cheeky greeting only to be instantly reminded that - again - it's not Oracle on the line but her new handler Wendy 'Proxy' Harris. Moving past this awkward exchange Wendy advises Steph that the police have trapped a man who's suspected of killing his wife and she believes that they could use a hand.

Across the city in the Gotham financial district the police, led by Detective Nick Gage, have their prey - a Mr Griswald - trapped inside his mini van. Attempting to talk their target out of the van and into custody the officers come under fire and as the situation escalates the SWAT team announce that they're taking over. As they rush the van Griswald launches a petrol can into the air which turns into a blanket of flames under fire. Amid the confusion Gage spots Griswald running from the scene and sets off in pursuit.

Never more than a few steps behind Gage tries to talk Griswald around but he'll have none of it - eventually coming face to face on a roof-top Gage pulls his gun as his target challenges him that he couldn't possibly know what it feels like to lose a wife, could he?

As rage gets the better of him Griswald explodes ... into a torrent of clay and sends Gage flying off the building top and plummeting to the ground. As he mumbles what may be his final words he surprisingly receives help: Stephanie - Batgirl - swoops in and grabs him and the pair safely make their way to the alleyway below.

After a flirtatious exchange with Gage Batgirl takes her leave as Wendy reveals that she has located Griswald - Clayface of course - entering Gotham Bank & Trust through a roof-top service unit. Following him into the building Batgirl makes her way through a maze of ventilation shafts before finding herself with a view of the banks main floor, filled with customers, tellers and security guards.

Sneaking behind the service desk Steph activates the banks security measures and locks down the building. Believing that she is attempting to rob the bank the security guards rush at Steph and as they draw their weapons she unleashes a couple of 'gooperangs' that disable the guards allowing her the opportunity to explain that she's trying to help, not trying to rob the bank.

One of the tellers replies that she ought to speak with the banks manager Mrs Griswald who, in the event of a robbery, in required to make her way to safety in the vault.

Did he say Mrs Griswald?

Moments later, at the entrance to the vault, Mrs Griswald realises that she is just moments away from achieving her objective as Batgirl challenges her - 'Clayface!'. Turning and changing from human form Clayface targets Steph who only just manages to leap to safety. Responding with batarangs Stephanie is momentarily overwhelmed by the shear size and power of her opponent. Swept up by a column of clay Steph finds herself transported back to the banks main floor and, as Detective Gage looks on Batgirl fights ... Batgirl.

'You have got to be freakin' kiddin' me'.

Turning to Gage, Batgirl - one of the Batgirls - orders him to shoot her. Gage takes aim and fires ... on the 'other' Batgirl and as the bullet pierces her costume she 'bleeds' clay. As the detective continues to fire Clayface begins to take his more familiar form and Stephanie lets lose with the contents of her utility belt.

Out of ideas Steph turns to Wendy for advice - 'use your surroundings' she's told. With water pouring from the banks sprinkler system Batgirl lets fire with a freeze-batarang - and Clayface is frozen, overcome and neutralized.

With Clayface on his way to Arkham Asylum Batgirl and Nick get to the bottom of why he targeted this particular bank: it seems that the vault contained a picture of himself - Basil Karlo - and his wife, his dead wife that he wanted to look at.

As Batgirl questions Clayface's actions - Detective Gage seems frozen by the moment, turns and walks off down the street ... alone.


The first issue of the second year of Stephanie Brown's Batgirl certainly didn't disappoint - the writing, the interior and cover art were great, everything I look for from a comic book, and then some.

The issue felt as if it was set a little time after the events of The Flood story-arc as Stephanie appears to be settling quite nicely into her multi-faceted life: daughter, student, Batgirl ... and by the same token Wendy Harris seems to be getting to grips with her role as Proxy - but not without one or two enjoyable 'what do I do next?' moments.

Following the events that saw The Flood conclude - which as I said at the time felt like something of an anniversary or 'coming of age' issue for Steph and, to a lesser extent Wendy - I was curious how Bryan Q. Miller would choose to progress the immediate story and with his 'some time later' approach, for me, Mr Miller really hit the mark.

I liked the sense that Stephanie and Wendy had developed their relationship - that both women were becoming more and more comfortable and confident in their roles while at the same time not being afraid to ask the other for help. One of my favourite moments in the whole book was when, having frozen Clayface Batgirl suggests to Proxy that she sends someone to clean up ... as Wendy frantically thumbs through the pages of a phone directory!

The scenes that opened the book - set in a recreation room at Gotham U. - were particularly timely I thought: it was nice to see the spotlight return to Stephanie as student as much as Stephanie as Batgirl. After the heavy(ish) events of Steph's encounter with Calculator it was good to start this issue on an altogether lighter note.

Clayface isn't one of my favourite DC characters I have to say but I thought this story portrayed him in a much more personal and human way than many that I've read - I was actually quite touched by the thought that his actions were motivated by a burning desire to see his wife - albeit a photograph of his wife - one more time.

Throughout the Batgirl series so far one of the recurring themes has been friendly, and at times not so friendly, 'banter' - Steph and Damian, Barbara and Steph, Wendy and Barbara, Steph and Barbara and Nick Gage - and this issue was no different. I found the exchanges between Batgirl and Detective Gage really very charming with their clumsy puns, Steph's endearing thoughts - 'please be less attractive', 'squee' - and Gage's comments that 'for whatever reason' he trusts her.

While the tone of this title has always been light it's never lacked the ability to stimulate my thoughts and as I reached the last page I found myself intrigued by Detective Gage's story - as he fell from the roof-top early in the book we heard him saying 'sorry, babe' and as he and Steph discussed Clayface's actions at the end of the story I got the sense that the events had touched a nerve - I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops for sure.

Throughout recent issues I've become a fan of Pere Perez's artwork - it's both complimentary to the excellent work of Lee Garbett while at the same time he has a distinct style of his own and I'd have been happy to see him take on Batgirl art duties on a permanent basis. Although we now know this isn't going to happen I'll be interested to follow his work on other titles.

Although not his best in this series in my opinion I enjoyed Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau's eye-catching cover - once again it had a somewhat 'retro' feel about it and felt it really set up the issue very nicely.

If I say this felt like a 'bridging' issue that'll immediately sound like a negative and it's certainly not meant that way - but that's what this was for me: 'we've' been on an amazing journey over the past year and I sense that journey is only going to get more incredible over the next 12 months. This issue was a chance for us all to catch our breath, remember where we've come from, where we've been and anticipate where we may be going.

A simple story, beautifully told. Fantastic.

Batgirl #13
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Pere Perz, colours by Guy Major, letters by Travis Lanham and cover by Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau
Published by DC Comics, October 2010

Batgirl #12 Reviewed

This issue of Batgirl has very much a 'coming of age' feel about it as we witnessed the concluding part of the 'Batgirl Rising: The Flood' story-arc and with it the end of Stephanie Brown's first year in the role of Batgirl.

Having leapt from an aircraft piloted by Wendy Harris at the close of issue #10 this issue opens with Stephanie plunging towards Calculator's compound in deep in Slaughter Swamp. In the compound, she knows, is Oracle - Barbara Gordon - who's being held captive.

As Steph's parachute opens she reminds herself of the magnitude of the task in hand and her responsibilities to her friend Barbara - the one person who's ever really cared about her - and just as importantly to herself, as she reminds us who she is ... Batgirl!

Inside the compound, and more precisely inside Calculator's mind, we see a young Noah Kuttler imprisoned in a cage. As Babs - or a least Kuttler's impression of Babs - approaches the small child she's violently attacked from behind and sent tumbling to the floor.

Elsewhere, Stephanie has entered the compound only to be faced with some elaborate - and life threatening - security measures. Wendy meanwhile, is in communication with Steph from high above the compound. Bemoaning that she isn't able to help more Wendy wistfully recalls the motivation for her and her brother to run away from home and join the Teen Titans: to protect the world from men like her father, the Calculator.

As Steph skillfully evades the first of the deadly security measures she stumbles - literally - upon the lifeless body of Marvin, Wendy's brother. No doubt sensing the emotion in Wendy's voice Steph questions whether she ought to have said anything to Wendy at that time. Wendy meanwhile, with tears running down her cheeks, comes to a decision - she feels she can't help Steph while she's piloting the aircraft - and warns Steph not to touch anything for fear that her father has planned further deterrents.

Too late!

Elsewhere in the compound, and still in Kuttler's mind, he and Babs tumble through an apartment door - 'You stole my daughter from me' he accuses Babs, 'I saved her from you' she retorts. Moments later the physical and verbal tussle is interrupted by a crying baby - or more to the point two crying babies. Immediately realising what this 'vision' represents Kuttler discovers the bloodied body of his wife who had taken her own life. With her attacker momentarily distracted Babs seizes the opportunity to distance herself and begins the search for a way to separate her thoughts from those of the Calculator.

However, with their thoughts immediately rejoined Babs witnesses Calculator beating up on a bound and bloodied Kid Eternity, while moments later he's seated and calmly explaining that he can, and will, end their mental ordeal - and that he has no intention that either of them will survive the evening.

'Back in the real world' and Stephanie has discovered the device that will, in a matter of seconds, terminate Calculator's army of drones ... and in turn potentially destroy Gotham City. Unable to reach Wendy on the comms unit Stephanie takes aim with her grappling gun, fires into the device and yanks its core away.

Catastrophe averted? Sort of. With the device disabled Steph faces a second, altogether more challenging opponent - a giant 'creature' formed from power or data cables. As the creature targets Steph she's aware of tremendous crashing noise as Wendy plunges her aircraft into the compound, taking out the creature at the same time.

With nothing now to stop them Stephanie and Wendy set out to find Barbara and rescue her from the Calculator. Having done so Wendy - once again with streams of tears on her face - makes sure that her father 'won't be bothering anyone for a very long time'.

Later on, outside Gotham City University, Babs and Stephanie talk about their ordeal - Kuttler is in New Arkham, everyone who had been infected no longer remembers and Steph acknowledges that without Babs to lean on for support she was grateful for Wendy's backup. As Nick Gage arrives to meet Babs Steph excuses herself and joins Wendy who, while looking over a family photograph album, talks of needing a fresh start in life. Steph, clearly understanding where Wendy is coming from, offers her support.

Time passes and we find ourselves with Steph - again as Batgirl - in Devil's Square where she encounters a somewhat comedic villain named Blimp Master. Relaying this information back to their 'Firewall' base Babs reveals that Wendy - appropriately enough code-named Proxy - will stand in to help Steph on those occasions that she - Oracle - is unavailable.

Batgirl Rising concludes with a scene in a cell at Gotham Central Lockup where the occupant - Johnny C, last seen I believe in issue #9 - chillingly declares that he's looking forward to seeing Batgirl again because 'she's gonna need all the help she can get' ...


As I say, this certainly felt like a 'landmark' issue, in the same way that a 50th or 100th issue of a book feels different to a 51st or 99th, and as such I've found this a difficult issue to review in isolation and therefore found myself looking at it in the context of such a landmark.

Over the past year we've followed Stephanie and Barbara on what has been a challenging and, at times, uncomfortable journey. A year ago Steph and Babs set out without apparently knowing where they wanted to go - or even sure of their motivation for making the journey - and along the way there have been harsh words, any number of 'I'm out of my depth' situations, lots of bickering, plenty of laughter - to the point that through the pages of this particular issue it's clear that both women now have a clearer picture of what the future holds for them.

We've seen Steph's confidence in herself and her abilities grow and at the same time we've witnessed Barbara's willingness to trust and believe in the new Batgirl.

The inclusion of Calculator as the central villain in this story-arc felt to me, at first, just a little predictable but as the story unfolded I came to appreciate the opportunities his inclusion permitted - Barbara's complicated past, Wendy ultimately breaking out from under her father's shadow, Steph appreciating the parallels with her own father ...

Speaking of Wendy! With her initial, albeit at times brief, appearances in the series it became apparent that she was destined to play a more significant role in Steph and Bab's lives and sure enough, as predicted, she's set to become Batgirl's new 'handler' on those occasions when Barbara is 'unavailable'. I most definitely welcome her inclusion in the Batgirl team and I'm looking forward to seeing her character develop.

I can't say that I've particularly warmed to Wendy's personality so far but then I think it's fair to say that Wendy herself hasn't been particularly fond of herself. Through the pages of this issue I believe we've seen a change in Wendy's outlook on life and as she again learns to like herself the reader will have the chance to do likewise.

From the very first issue the books creative team - on this issue Bryan Q. Miller, Lee Garbett, Pere Perez and Waldon Wong - have consistently found the right tone: fun, funny, purposeful without ever taking itself too seriously and this issue maintains that tradition. I enjoy Mr Miller's writing technique of using of a few words of dialogue as scene transitions and, not for the first time, the 'I'm Batgirl' declaration at the start of the book gives us an insight into Steph's mindset. This time I felt the words were spoken with steel and determination whereas earlier in the series Steph appeared to use them as much to remind herself as inform the reader.

As with the previous issue I appreciated the 'thought' sequences - they may not have made for an easy read at times but they were in themselves quite thought provoking and I found them all the more powerful on second or third read.

I'm not too sure about the idea of Wendy crashing her jet into the compound to aid Stephanie - any more than I was sure about Barbara remotely crashing an ambulance in an earlier issue - but if these instances are the closest the book comes to 'silly' moments then I'm prepared to go with it.

The artwork throughout this issue is, as expected, magnificent: Lee Garbett, inked by Waldon Wong, and Pere Perez make a great team and I think we're lucky to have such talented artists working on the book. I particularly enjoyed the 'I'm Batgirl' splash page early in the book - I love the expression of determination on Batgirl's face - and I found the scenes with Wendy and Steph sitting under a tree getting to know one another really quite touching.

Continuing the theme, Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau provided another superb cover showing Batgirl bloodied, customer torn and yet with a smile that speaks to me of her determination and satisfaction. [Note to DC: this would make a fabulous poster!]

Once again we have been treated to a really great read from what has become a really great series. If there is a better, more enjoyable series being published at the moment then I've not seen it.

It's been a good year to be a Batgirl fan - here's to the coming 12 months.

Batgirl #12
Written by Bryan Q. Miller, pencils by Lee Garbett and Pere Perez, inks by Walden Wong and Pere Perez, colours by Guy Major, letters by John J. Hill, cover by Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau
Published by DC Comics, 32 pages, $2.99


As always when I review Batgirl I'd like to point you in the direction of a couple of great sites that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the Batman family. In addition to carrying my reviews of Batgirl and Birds of Prey you'll find all sorts of Batman and Batgirl-related news, commentary and conversation over at The Batgirl to Oracle Podcast message board and The Batman Universe Editorials - part of The Batman Universe network.