Book Review: Batgirl vol #2 (New 52)

Book: Batgirl volume #2: Knightfall Descends (issues #7-13 and #0) by Gail Simone

Illustrations by Ardian Syaf (#7-9, #11-12), Alitha Martinez (#7-8 and #10), Vicente Cifuentes (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13)

Inks by Vicente Cifuentes (#7-12), Alitha Martinez (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13), Color by Ulises Arreola (#7-13 and #0) and Letters by Dave Sharpe (#7-13 and #0)

Edition: Single Print Issues

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

In this volume, Barbara Gordon was dealing with insecurities and guilt over her recovery which at times was making it difficult for her to be effective as Batgirl. She was also still dealing with the realization that her mother (who is also named Barbara) has returned after she had left so many years ago. Barbara did receive a reality check from her friend and fellow superhero Black Canary about dealing with her issues.

And when she wasn't sorting out those internal issues, she was dealing with an array of deadly villains. First was Grotesque, a thief and murderer who only wants to steal the best things. While Batgirl was trying to stop him, she realized one of his henchmen was someone from her past. He was one of the guys who was there when the Joker had shot her (in The Killing Joke story).

Next she went toe to toe against one of the Court of Owls' assassins who was setting off bombs throughout Gotham City.

Last, she found herself dealing with Knightfall and her henchmen the Disgraced, together they are a dangerous group of vigilantes who plan to clean up Gotham City by killing all the criminals and anyone else who get in their way. She got some unexpected help from Batwoman and Police Detective Melody McKenna. Lois Lane also had a small yet interesting cameo in this story.

Throughout many of these issues, Barbara was unaware her younger brother James had escaped from Arkham Asylum and was focusing his obsession on her and Batgirl. Sometimes I get the feeling that he knows that Barbara is Batgirl. Regardless, he's certainly up to something. James has been using Barbara's roommate Alysia as a way to subtly insinuate himself into Barbara's life without her knowing it. So far he seems to be trying to attempt some sort of mind game possible as a way to dredge up old memories. He's also working with the leader of Knightfall perhaps as a way to get rid of Batgirl or to possibly gather more information.   

Issue #0 is yet another retelling of how Barbara Gordon became Batgirl and in what continues to be a New 52 norm the story continues to draw attention to The Killing Joke.

This was better than the first volume, I found the writing to be stronger and the stories flowed better. And unlike the first volume, Barbara actually had a personality. The one thing that has stayed consistent between both volumes is the illustrations which continue to be good.

Although I enjoyed this more than the first volume it still continues to be dark, grim and depressing. I never understood why the New 52 reboot was nothing but doom and gloom. And another issue I had was that the first two volumes (so far) can't seem to stop focusing on The Joker's attack on Barbara (from The Killing Joke). DC Comics went out of their way to reverse Barbara's paralysis and get her out of her wheelchair that it makes no sense why her attack keeps coming up. Throughout these issues (and the ones in the 1st volume) the subject is just so in your face making it impossible for the reader to ever forget the attack. Even the cliffhanger at the end of issue #13 makes yet another connection to it.

I'm interested in reading the next volume but I don't understand why The Joker's attack continues to be so heavily alluded to.

Currently Reading: Batgirl vol #2 (New 52) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I can't believe it's been four years since I read the first volume of the New 52 Batgirl series. Due to reading so many Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) books, I had gotten a bit behind with my own books which is why I decided to cut back on reading and requesting ARCs. With that said, I can't wait to start reading vol #2, it's most likely still as grim and dark as the first volume but I'm looking forward to reading it.

As for the second book I'm reading, I figure it's never too late to read a classic. I've watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but I've never read the book both movies were based on.

Book: Batgirl volume #2: Knightfall Descends (issues #7-13 and #0) by Gail Simone

Illustrations by Ardian Syaf (#7-9, #11-12), Alitha Martinez (#7-8 and #10), Vicente Cifuentes (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13)

Inks by Vicente Cifuentes (#7-12), Alitha Martinez (#8) and Ed Benes (#0 and #13), Color by Ulises Arreola (#7-13 and #0) and Letters by Dave Sharpe (#7-13 and #0)

Edition: Single Print Issues

Description:

Batgirl Barbara Gordon faces foe after foe now that she's back in the role of Batgirl. A deadly new gentleman killer, Grotesque, stalks the streets of Gotham City; The Court of Owls sets its sight on her father Commissioner Gordon; and an innocent woman sentenced to Arkham emerges more dangerous than the inmates she was locked up with!

Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket book #1) by Roald Dahl with illustrations by Quentin Blake

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Willy Wonka's Famous Chocolate Factory is Opening at Last!

But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

Book Review: Batgirl vol #1 (New 52)

Book: Batgirl volume #1: The Darkest Reflection (issues #1-6) by Gail Simone with illustrations by Ardian Syaf, inks by Vicente Cifuentes and colors by Ulises Arreola

Rating: 3 stars

Review:

I read the single issues and not the trade edition shown.

While reading this volume, I didn't think the first two issues were that strong especially since Gail Simone has been writing for the character Barbara Gordon for years now. It didn't quite feel like she knew exactly who this Barbara was supposed to be and she doesn't have much of a personality.

I thought the first two issues focused too much on Barbara dealing with the shooting that had left her in a wheelchair for three years and the first six issues as a whole didn't really show Babs at her best. It's only been a year since she's had this miraculous surgery that had her walking again and even though she was not at her best training wise, she was out there trying to take on criminals. She was easily knocked around and wasn't really sure of herself. I'm surprised Batman didn't make a point about her being out there when she's not quite ready.

It makes me wonder why Barbara's shooting was kept in the reboot? If this was supposed to be new, why keep it in there especially since this version of Barbara doesn't seem to have any of the strength of character that the old Barbara used to. The new 52 Babs is sort of weak (in both mind and body) and despite her constantly saying to herself as well as being referred to by others as being smart, she was rather stupid at times. Her intelligence seems to be lacking a bit.

This was not as well written and as interesting as Simone's pre-New 52 Birds of Prey series where Babs was such an amazing and wonderful character. This series has a struggling to find work Barbara moving out of her father's house into an apartment which she shares with Alysia whom she met on Greg's List. Why does it seem like everyone is struggling in the new 52? It's rare to find a character that isn't.

The first four issues had Batgirl dealing with a villain called the Mirror, who tries to right perceived wrongs in regards to those he thinks have cheated death. I couldn't help thinking the plot reminded me of those Finale Destination movies. After some detective work, Batgirl was able to figure out who the villain was behind the mask and set about trying to stop him before he can kill more people. The third issue included a rather nice Nightwing appearance. However Barbara some how turned a fun moment into something weird and awkward because she has this need to prove something to herself and everyone else. At the end of the fourth issue, a special surprise was in store for Barbara, the sudden appearance of her mother.

In the last two issues, Batgirl was trying to stop a new villain, Gretel who has the ability to control men. These issues also included Batman. While Bruce Wayne was trying to renovate a certain area of Gotham, it was not going over well with some of the citizens. It seems someone sent Gretel to take out Wayne but not without her having to deal with Batgirl first.

This was good but it truly could have been better, I do wish it wasn't so dreary. Well, at leas the illustrations were good.