DCU Comic Book Reviews

BATGIRL #8

Batgirl Rising: Robins Are Red

May 2010

Written by Bryan Q. Miller

Art by Talent Caldwell

End Sequence by Yvel Guichet and John Stanisci

Cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau

Synopsis

In the batcave, Stephanie Brown (aka Batgirl) is training when Tim Drake (aka Red Robin) interrupts.  Their reunion is cut short by a priority alarm warning of danger to Leslie Thompkins.  At Caroline’s Diner, Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) is sharing a meal with Nick when they both realize something weird is happening to cell phone service.  They decide to take off at the same time.  At Thompkins Clinic, Red Robin encounters a group of Ra’s al Ghul’s assassins.  Tim learns they were trying to access Leslie’s patient files. He also learns that Leslie is the first.  Meanwhile, Leslie is a fundraiser for her clinic.  Stephanie tells Tim he is going to need her help.  Together, they crash the party.  They spirit Leslie away, then prepare to face and defeat Ra’s al Ghul’s assassins.  Later, the two are about to share an intimate moment when they are interrupted by Prudence.  [continued in Red Robin #10]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

There is too much going on in this issue for this story to work as it should.  This story should be about them, about who they are and how they have changed, as shown by their different costumes and different paths they have taken.  Ever since Bruce Wayne died, these two have changed and I think a story showing them discussing/realizing these changes would showcase who they are in a meaningful manner.  This, however, is not that story.  We get a little bit of that in the form of Stephanie’s narration and some dialogue, but mostly this issue mainly exists to sell readers on the idea of their reunion before continuing the overarching story in Red Robin.  This all about Ra’s al Ghul, his revenge, and Tim’s efforts to stop him. Batigrl just so happens to be along for the ride.  Really, this issue could easily be re-written to exclude Batgirl and it wouldn’t change that much.  Having said that, this wasn’t a bad issue.  It is fast paced with some nice interaction between Tim and Stephanie and some funny moments.  But, ultimately, it feels like just another chapter in the ongoing Ras’ al Ghul saga rather than any meaningful reunion between two characters who haven’t seen each other in long time and have changed since that last meeting. 

I am curious to know where the romantic interest for Barbara is going to lead.  There is something about the guy that suggests there is more than meets the eye (a meta with hero identity, perhaps or maybe an informant spying on the Commissioner).  Is this something that will involve Batgirl or will Barbara have to involve Batgirl to deal with it.  I also wonder how (or if) this title will match up to the second volume of Birds Of Prey that was recently announced. 

In my last review, I commented on how idiotic and funny Batgirl looks inside the Ricochet.  Looking at this cover, it just confirms that feeling.  That is just silly. 

The initial encounter in the batcave between Tim and Stephanie is different than what was shown in the ending to Red Robin #9.

 

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