DCU Comic Book Reviews

BATGIRL #7

Batgirl Rising: Core Requirements, Part Three

April 2010

Written by Bryan Q. Miller

Pencils by Lee Garbett

Inks by Trevor Scott

Cover by Phil Noto

Synopsis

To erase gambling debts of the Garcia family, Roulette has set up bets on who will kill Batman, featuring Roxy Rocket, Riot, and Dr. Phosphorus as the attackers.  Robin sets out to help Batman.  Batgirl offers help, but Robin declines.  However, Batgirl, with the help of Oracle, decides to help anyway.  While Oracle attempts to hack into Roulette’s computers to get her location, Batgirl joins Robin as they rush to Batman’s aid.  With their help, Batman is able to defeat the villains.  Then they track down Roulette based on Oracle’s work.  Later, Barbara asks Dick to let her mentor Stephanie.  Dick agrees.  Batgirl is ready for whatever happens next.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Yet another comic that is released out of order compared to other comics.  The end of the most recent issue of Red Robin features Red Robin confronting Batgirl in the batcave, which we don’t see here.  Basically, this issue of Batgirl occurs before the events in Red Robin, released a week earlier.  Now, we do get “next issue” blurb so we know its coming.  Is too much to ask DC to switch the Batgirl and Red Robin issues so that the events line up a little better? 

Anyway, the good news is that the attack on Batman ends quickly.  The bad news is that the attack was against Batman.  I think it was a mistake to make Batman the focal point of Roulettes little bet.  This is Batgirl and thus the title needs to be at the center of plot, not on the sides.  A story needs to have the heroine trying to overcome some conflict.  And while Miller makes sure to show us her rescue efforts to protect Batman, those efforts don’t really provide much tension or suspense to the story.  In how many other stories in which Batigrl is not the center has she done something similar?  Again, and I hate to repeat myself, but the high stakes betting should’ve been on Batgirl and she needs to be the one to overcome the obstacles and save the day.  Instead, we get Batman with Batgirl (and Robin) confronting Roulette at the end.  It just seems like Batgirl got lost along the way.  I get the idea that Batman gives his consent based on what she did, but Batman should’ve been on the sidelines watching her rather than the center of attention.  Okay, rant over.  Other than what I just pointed out, this was okay.  I liked Miller’s portrayal of Damian and his relationship with Stephanie.  I also like the ending dialogue between Dick and Barbara.  And the way Robin and Batgirl handled the villains was nicely done. 

Just my two cents, and hey it is my review site so I’ll pay that money to me, but that batpod (or whatever it is called) of Barbara’s?  Stupid.  I don’t like it, at all.  It has a design feature reminiscent of the recent Christopher Nolan Batman movies, so I like that.  But placing her flat as she drives it not the best idea, nor is the idea to have that bubble show her face. 

 

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