Batgirl #3 - A reunion we've (Well, I have at any rate) been waiting for

[icon_uk]

As Babs meets Dick


Following the events on the train seen in the preview (Which doesn't end terribly well), Babs has to go through the slightly embarassing process of reclaiming her motorcycle from the Gotham City Vehicle Pound. There she runs into a certain well known acrobat, who seems to just want to see how she is. Babs is instantly on her gaurd in such situations...





Good to know that even in the DCNu, Dick hasn't changed THAT much; Kory,,, Babs,,, Roy!

And so the chase continues... it's quite cute and rather fun, though it's sort of easy to see where it's heading, and the staging and art of the chase and fight, both mock and real (you'll see) is excellent. Dick gets a little overprotective, Babs is maybe pushing away people who care about her. There is still no actual indication of how she's walking again I might add.

There's also a slightly random seeming (and not terribly clearly delineated) flashback scene where a younger Babs and Dick demonstrate their chase technique, it's... sort of appropriately athletic. I include this scan mostly because seeing a slightly younger Dick Grayson casually performing acrobatics whilst in a immaculate dinner jacket makes a little part of my hindbrain go "Hnnnnnnrg!" :) (Yes, I know this is Batgirls title, and I am sorry but I've still not been able to find a copy of Nightwing #2 at my LCS and I'm risking Dick-withdrawal here!*)



* What do you mean, double entendre?

Comments

[shadowpsykie]

okay scrolled down to ther very bottom without looking, i don;t get my issue till tomorrow. is it good.... no don't tell me, yes tell me. i am not even looking up from my keyboard.... oh why did i click this... why

[darkknightjrk]

I thought it was--the highlight and focus of the issue is definitely the Babs/Dick stuff, though there's some good stuff with her and Jim as well.

[nezchan]

Well, Gail managed to pull this off at the last minute, far as I'm concerned. I decided I was gonna give it three issues to decide if I was going to keep going, and the first two didn't grab me at all.

This one, though. This one's fun. It's still annoying that the tease about her walking is still going on without a word of explanation, but I'm finally buying the idea that this Barbara Gordon is as fun and interesting as she was as Oracle. Or at least has the potential to be, and I get the feeling that there's a bit of momentum starting to build.

I will say I'll be happy when she stops being reactive and starts setting the pace. That, and I can't see the legs thing going for more than a couple more issues before it gets too annoying to put up with.

[akodo_rokku]

I was actually pretty sold after last issue, I liked Mirror's backstore and modus operandi a lot. But this issue left me cold because of the terrible, "I have to do this alone," scene. It's basically Babs putting her emotional baggage ahead of saving lives, and that's terrible.

[celestialchild]

It just seems really weird to me when Nightwing calls her Batgirl.

Maybe it's because I'm just used to reading Barbara Gordon as a mature, sophisticated woman, but here it just feels like she's trying to be... a teenager? more silly? Stephanie Brown?

[espanolbot]

Yeah, although I do get that she's meant to be SLIGHTLY younger than she was pre-reboot, midtwenties as opposed to late twenties, I don't even think that she acted this young even when she WAS that young.

If that makes sense.

It does seem darkly amusing that they cancelled Steph's series, only to start a new one with an older character who is written the exact same damn personality, only with more angst over her (short term) disablity.

Yeah, I KNOW that she's the most recognisable Batgirl. I KNOW that her being back in the costume is bringing in readers.

I just get depressed over the reality of making money over writing consistant stories.

[darkknightjrk]

I think the thing is this: Gail is writing a modern-day take on Barbara when she was Batgirl in the Bronze Age, where she was lighter and less adult; and part of what made Stephanie such a success was that she had a similar tone.

[kenn_el]

There already is a Batwoman.

[aeka]

Babs and Dick just like old times = ♥

Yes, I know this is Batgirls title, and I am sorry but I've still not been able to find a copy of Nightwing #2 at my LCS and I'm risking Dick-withdrawal here!

Heh, I know how you feel, though it was a whole month of Helena withdrawal in my case. Also, Helena doesn't appear in other books. ;_;

[aeka]

I just realised something...has Babs made it a habit to refer to her friends by their whole names? o.O

Dinah LAUREL Lance? Richard JOHN Grayson?

[rordulum]

What's this? Babs and Dick interacting, and she's not being shrewish and intolerant of his laid back approach to life and his disregard for personal safety?

In fact, she actually seems to be having fun and enjoying his company?

Huh. I guess the DCnU was good for something after all.

[icon_uk]

Well.... it's not all fun. She gets a more angry when she feels he's patronising her or being overprotective.

Dick has a counterargument though, which she admits she has a problem dealing with, but won't actually say it, and gets... I'm not sure if defensive is the right word, and his last line to her as he leaves might be seen as almost being cruel, or might be a deliberate attempt to make her realise that it's not true. It's uncomfortable for both of them though.

(I confess though in situations like this phrases like an unspoken "I'm sorry. Someday I hope you understand" always irk me slightly as it almost always seems calculatedly soap opera-ish)

[katya]

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Dick and Babs were both so fun and spot-on in this, and a repetition of theme (he with his acrobatics, and me with my ballet) worked really well.

The best part of this book, though? If you look at the front of the subway train from the second page, the graffiti in red says For a good time, call the Red Hood.

[icon_uk]

And you just KNOW Dick probably put it there, with Jason's actual cellphone number, just to mess with his head.

[star_of_airdrie]

"He with his acrobatics, me with my ballet..."

Ballet..? BALLET...? It's gymnastics!!! How can ballet really help crimefighting? I've studied ballet, I've been a competitive gymnast... Ballet would offer flexibility but gymnastics offers that and so much more...

Gail, why?

[icon_uk]

I assume it's just their personal fighting styles, Dick adapted his from his acrobatics, she adapted her's from her ballet. Certainly, she let's loose with a variety of kick-based attacks in this issue (Perhaps even a reference to Yvonne Craig's Batgirl, who nearly always attacked with her feet in the 1960s TV series)

[nightauditguy]

Damn, forgot this came out today. Didn't see at LCS,

I trust Gail

[capt_satellite]

I was disappointed when I heard Oracle was being retconned out, but only until I found out Gail Simone was attached to the new Batgirl book. Wherever Gail Simone will take We know she has a particularly strong love and affinity for this character and the people who surround her. Barbara Gordon, and all of us, couldn't be in better hands.

Screwed that up....

[capt_satellite]

meant to say, "Wherever she will take this, it will be compelling. We..."

[thefiretonight]

Meh. I don't really want Babs/Dick after what happened with the girl from the circus. Mostly because I don't want a repeat of anything like that horrible story where Dick hands Babs a wedding invite after sleeping with her. :/

[aeka]

Dick handing Babs the wedding invite after making love to her the night before didn't feel like it was in character for him, and it made him look, well...like a dick. Fortunately it doesn't appear like that story is still in continuity since Babs implies in the issue that they never had anything beyond friendship, or having a crush.

[bradygirl_12]

I like this! The vibe reminds me of pre-Killing Joke. I always thought they made better friends than lovers, but the teasing of romance just adds to their byplay. :)

Lovely art. I always liked the purple and yellow in Babs' costume, and Dick doing acrobatics in a tux? What's not to like? :)

[cyberxigbar]

Okay.... I just might pick this one up. This is the first issue that (to me) seems like it has something to offer than the fact that it's being written by Gail Simone. (Not that the other two issues looked bad, mind you, they just.... whelmed me.)

Also, it has to be said: Stupid Sexy Dick Grayson.

[lieut_kettch]

Good to know that even in the DCNu, Dick hasn't changed THAT much; Kory,,, Babs,,, Roy!

Not to mention Jason and Wally.

[star_of_airdrie]

I'm glad too, but I think he's also referring to the Mile High Club Circus gal from NW #2... plus Jason isn't a redhead any more and we are all playing where's Wally...

[maxisanacorn]

I just want a mention of Stephanie giving her back the cowl, is it too hard to ask for narrative that makes sense? Shouldn't Dick have even asked about Stephanie? My god. Sure Gail has said ( I think, could be wrong) intentionally hasn't mentioned Steph and Cass because it's "too much salt in the wound" but imo to ignore any lingering continuity of the two Batgirls that "filled in" for her in her three years as Oracle is just poor writing.

[kenn_el]

I seriously don't think the folks at DC have any idea what did/didn't happen in the 'new' Universe as of yet. It's the same approach they took immediately post-Crisis. A good rule of thumb is to look at sales figures. If it sold well enough, it's still in continuity, which is why the Bat and GL titles are largely untouched.

[eyz]

Babs also letting know her situation (... out of the wheelchair!) might be temporary.

Heard that, Steph? there's still room for you!

[kenn_el]

That appears to be DC's 'out', should sales tank.

[junipepper]

Is this selling appreciably better than Steph's run was?

[salinea]

Oh, yes. At least so far. All the DCnU books have been big success. (I'm afraid to say).