Babs

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"Batgirl" #1 Reviewed

By Babs 7 Comments

 

 
 
Batgirl #1
Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Lee Garbett 
 
If you know me, then you know that Cassandra Cain is a character that is very close to my heart. I'll admit, I had been skeptical when I first heard that DC had planned on giving the title of Batgirl to another character; however, it all makes so much sense. I know there are many people who were probably very upset with the fact that Cassie only physically appeared in the comic book for two panels, but I felt that it was just enough time to really explain why she had given up the cowl. Casandra has never been one on dialogue, nor had she really felt the need to justify her decisions to anyone (except maybe for Bruce, and being that he's gone now...).
 
Cassandra giving up the cowl makes sense because the sole reason she wore it was to represent and fight for the man who she considered to have saved her, Bruce Wayne. Being that she does not get along with Dick Grayson, and that he is now the man behind the cowl, Cassie can not fight and wear the bat symbol knowing that the identity of Batman has changed. My only fear is that Cassandra will fall under the ranks of DC's expired and untouchable characters, and never to be heard from again. Cassandra is too incredible a character to just fall off the face of the DC Universe and I for one will be very upset to see that happen. Having said that, it was still a good book and it is because of the writing that I really feel it is worth taking a look at.
 
The book is a chance to give Spoiler a breath of fresh air (she surely needs it). Whether she is a character that deserves her own title is debatable, but a lot of what makes a comic good is the life that a writer breathes into a story; and the breath that Brian Q Miller breathes into Stephanie Brown is certainly worth a look.
7 Comments
7 Comments
Posted by NightFang

What I want to know is whats next for Cassandra after begin Batgirl for so long.

Posted by Icarusflies

I've never been a Spoiler fan, and I really don't think she should get her own book. Plus, it was the predictable choice for the new Batgirl. :p 
 
Hopefully Cassandra Cain will still play a major role in either the Bat Family or the rest of the DC Universe.

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Edited by .Mistress Redhead.

as a fan but someone who has not read anything about BG for a long time this comic yet again puzzled me and I was lucky I had Arrow to fill me in! lol I have a couple of questions for you though Babs, why do you think Oracle is there to talk to Stephanie at the end? Is it her business? or should we have had Batman come talk to her? 
 
Also should i read back or can i keep going on this one as is? 
 
Other than that i didnt love the art, the story was a little bit all over the place but i was hooked and wanted to know more! I do agree with you though, if what you have said about Cas and also what Arrow filled me in, it was fine for her to just walk off.. i mean it makes sense, if she was really only doing it for Bats and not for herself anymore then his death and the change of Cowl then she would of course move on! I like the idea that Stephanie is the fresh batgirl it allows for a new generation of the Bat family to come forth!

Posted by Babs
@.Mistress Redhead.: Since this is issue #1, it's a whole new beginning and a completely new Batgirl; so there really aren't any back issues to go look into unless you want to read Cassandra Cain's run as Batgirl which is fantastic, (but irrelevant to this series...). If you want to understand Spoiler, you might want to pick up back issues of Robin since she appears several times in that series. 
 
Stephanie Brown is known for being a really crappy vigilante. She's often found complaining and she doesn't live up to the standards of most superheroes (basically she really just sucks at fighting crime, but she insists on doing it anyway). Dick really has no place there because it was Bruce and Tim that told her not to fight crime. 
It makes SO much sense that Oracle is there because she was the one that trained the last Batgirl, Cassandra Cain. Barbara is the first Batgirl, and she knows and understands the dangers of the title and the job which is why it makes so much sense that she is there. I think what will end up happening is she will wind up training Steph to be the next Batgirl.
 
Remember, Stephanie is a young kid. She's a freshman in college and really stubborn. She's not good at being a Superhero. She might not be in the position to make good decisions for herself which is why it kind of makes sense for Babs to be there. Since Babs is the first Batgirl, she's sort of entitled to dictate who can take up the mantle.
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Posted by .Mistress Redhead.
@Babs: I agree with you about Oracle, I think if she manages to train Stephanie well it could be a great new phase in Batgirls storyline, I think I will pick up some of the history of Cassandra, I like what you and Arrow have both told me about her storyline and I think I would love it.. God im behind!! 
 
My confusion if Stephanie is that bad why would Cassandra hand her the mantle? As I said i think i need to read more of what happened with Cassandra to really try to find out what the story is for her.. I got the impression from those two panels that she simply did not care anymore.. i want to know why lol! The only thing I think I find a bit wrong with it all is it seems Batman family have lost the darkness.. I dont know a great deal about Dick but he does not seem to have the charisma of Bruce.. and from what Arrow tells me Cassie bought a new level of bad ass to the batgirl crew... anyway just thoughts in my head!! 
 
Loved your review though it was exactly what i thought so i figured i was on the right track with it lol ;-)  
 
look forward to the next issue, when is it do you know?
Posted by Babs
@.Mistress Redhead.: Cassandra explains why she gave up the mantle on that page. She indicates that she fought for BRUCE BATMAN, not Dick; so she sees no reason in continuing to be Batgirl if the only reason she was Batgirl in the first place was to make Bruce Wayne proud. 
 
Cassandra and Dick fought both in her last series which was written by Adam Beechen (I believe it was the first issue,) as well as in Nightwing's books AND the The Outsiders. 
Staff
Posted by .Mistress Redhead.
@Babs: oh no I get why she gave it up totally but why would she give it up to Stephanie if she is a weak fighter.. they said they were friends so i assumed it was that!  That whole part was perfect for me because it answered all my questions at once and gave me an understanding of Cassandra as a character. 

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