Review: Batgirl #2

Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by Ardian Syaf

The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random, and an explosive confrontation between Batgirl and Mirror leads Babs to question wearing the cape and cowl at all!

The riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

The DCnU continues! Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf have come back to continue the adventures of the iconic redhead in a cowl, Babs Gordon! Check the cut for my thoughts on the Dominoed Dare-Doll*!

Note: There are Spoilers discussed in this review.

This book happens to be one of the most confusing books that came out of the new 52. Gail Simone was (and still is) one of my favorite writers, but the book rubbed me the wrong way initially. There was a big focus on her recovered use of her limbs, but not how it happened. It took me out of the book because if something this big happens to such a central character in the DC line, you’d think there would be a flashback or two! Alas, there isn’t. It caused the book to suffer more than I wanted it to.

Sadly, this still isn’t explained. Maybe Simone was planning to get us into Babs’ new world and then worry us with the details, and I look forward to that day. However, while the catalyst to our new status quo isn’t explained, the book still makes for a damned fine read. Simone has constructed a new villain for the story who almost works like a mirror for Barbara’s mentor Bruce Wayne, and even calls himself Mirror! While this has been territory explored before, Simone’s self-described twisted imagination made him a frightening new character in the DCnU.

Mirror’s circumstances are tragic. A freak accident killed his family and he watched helplessly as they burned to ashes. However, where Bruce’s circumstances made him focus and become a protector, Mirror decided that he was going to kill anyone who miraculously survived any catastrophes themselves, like our protagonist Babs and Batgirl! Of course, he doesn’t know they’re the same person, but that gives a certain parallel to the hero and the civilian identity, as they’re both back to what they were before. This approach hooks the reader who might not fully appreciate what Barbara went through during those three years.

Something else that that really works for the book is the supporting cast. A younger Jim Gordon appears in one scene of the book, and is shocked when he hears about Batgirl being back. He knows what they mean, and he’s frightened for his daughter.

Then there are the other supporting characters, from the detective who tries to arrest her at the end of the first issue (for reasons of which I’m still not sure, to be honest) to her new roommate Alysia, who I think will form a special bond with our hero in the coming issues. While it’s unlikely Barbara will tell her about the fact she’s Batgirl, one can assume she’ll be the confidant that Barbara needs, especially now that she’s dating her former therapist. Barbara dating her therapist was an interesting choice to make, but it’s not unwelcome. One wonders why they didn’t just put Dick in the book though, as he looks a lot like the former Boy Wonder. However, you could pose that question to the artist.

I’ve liked Ardian Syaf ever since I first saw his art on The Dresden Files Graphic Novel Adaptation from Dabel Bros and now Dynamite Entertainment. However, while I wasn’t the biggest fan of his work in the Superman Line during the New Krypton business, his stuff works really well here. One of the reasons Syaf works in Batgirl and The Dresden Files happens to be the gritty feel that both of those books portray. His sketchy, moody visuals are the perfect complement to the tone of the book, and his Babs is as beautiful as his Mirror is terrifying. His storytelling is as good as it ever is as well, which is proven by the origin of Mirror. The pain in the eyes of the antagonist as his family burns is palpable. There ARE some curious decisions as well, however, as Babs’ new love interest is a carbon copy of Dick, and a character whose death was averted is wearing the exact same outfit in a news article as he is later in the timeline. One wonders why this would be used save for some less than inspired visual storytelling.

As a nitpick, however, I wish the misconception that Kevlar will protect from anything other than bullets would cease. Kevlar is merely a fabric that can stop a bullet from penetrating soft tissue. However, it still HURTS to get shot while wearing Kevlar; and the same with a punch. Kevlar will not protect from the pain of being punched, and while we’re at it, stabbed. You’d think Babs would know that…

That being said, I would LOVE to see this guy Mirror end up in another Batman book eventually. He’s a great addition to one of the greatest rogue’s gallery in comics.

Overall, the book is a fun diversion, and is actually a blast to read. Simone and Syaf have great chemistry in the pages with only a couple gaffes on either side. Pick it up!

Final Verdict: 7.0 — Buy