Batgirl #41: Papa's Got a Brand New Bat

[zapbiffpow]

Jim Gordon's tenure as Batman continues as those closest to him struggle to deal with the tragic loss of his moustache. • 32 pg, FC • $2.99 US • RATED T

Also, what's your favorite superhero "secret identity-reveal" moment? I've always liked the Ultimate Spider-Man/Mary Jane one.

(Cameron Stewart/Brendon Fletcher on script, Babs Tarr on art)




The ex-Commissioner demonstrates how to tell your loved ones that you're suddenly a Batman:

The secret ID confession plot point is kinda scarce these days for a few reasons, but nice to see an golden oldie once in a while.

To wrap up, should Babs have admitted she was Batgirl? That was probably as good an opening as she was ever going to get.

Comments

[glprime]

"I can't grow it back, sweetheart[...] It's because... It's because I'm BATMAN."

Those three panels are the funniest I've read in about a week. Dear god.

[zapbiffpow]

Glad to...I'd say 'put a smile on your face', but, y'know. Heh.

[bradygirl_12]

Nice art.

I guess we're all conditioned to see Jim in mustache and glasses. That just doesn't look like him. He's just some random guy in a trench coat. Sheesh!

[crimsonmoonmist]

It's true. It's the classic Comissioner Gordon costume after all.
It's like how Spidey's black costume is sleek and intimidating and all, yet it'll never truly replace the classic red and blue duds.

[zapbiffpow]

It's really hard to reconcile the man in these pages with the trademark Groucho Gordon look. But let's examine a simulation of-



Dear God. It's like one of those whitespace optical illusions.

[glprime]

xD

Come on. How can anyone keep a straight face at that?

[thenicochan]

It weirds me out that I find Jim really hot now. Like really, really hot.

Still goin' with "he knows who she is" and is trying his best to protect her. Lying by omission.

[zapbiffpow]

It's the clean-shaven look, I suppose. I don't expect this development to last, but I like it. Same with the secret ID thing.

[thenicochan]

I suppose so. He looks a bit younger. I dunno, he just looks so good.

I tend to not trust in major changes to the status quo and just enjoy the ride. (Or in the case of Clark/Diana, grip the sides of car and scream as it, and I, are immolated)

[alicemacher]

My favourite secret identity reveal? Easy: Batman revealing himself to Joe Chill in "The Origin of Batman," Batman #47 (June 1948; Finger/Kane/Charles Paris).





Why? First and foremost, a superhero revealing his civilian identity was a rare, indeed almost unheard-of phenomenon in the Golden Age. Not like today, when (especially in movie adaptations) capes pull off their masks--or get them pulled off--so often it's lost its impact. So although I can't ever know what it must've been like to read this story back in 1948, I have to give Finger serious points for originality.

Second, Batman in this story doesn't get unmasked; he unmasks himself, with full awareness beforehand that he's risking the end of his crimefighting career. Nevertheless, he feels it's the best way to scare the shit out of the now-professional mobster and thus get him to mess up such that Batman will have hard evidence to bring him in. And it works, though not quite in the way Batman intended.

Third, the art and pacing, especially by Golden Age standards, are excellent. In the panel I've posted, and subsequent ones, Chill's terror is palpable. And this terror is reinforced by the earlier flashback in which young Bruce already manages to make Chill figuratively shit himself:





This identity reveal is one of the classic moments in Batman history.

[punisher007]

Batman TBATB essentially did that exact same "reveal" in their "Chill of the Night" episode. Not surprisingly, it was one of that show's best.

[zapbiffpow]

Awesome! I too read the BTAS adaptation of this story (and I think the Grant Morrison one, though I don't know if that's right).

The 'impact' thing is a good point: it was this big thing not only because it was scarcely done, like you said, but also because the readers were able to invest enough time into their heroes that by the time something like this came up it would really hit them hard. Bigger dividends and all that.

Thanks for sharing! I don't have scans of my USM issue but I remember it was great because it ended on a high note: no villains, no foreshadowing, just Peter and MJ. The last page was just Peter in his bed, happy.

Are you thinking of Fear Itself?

[chortles81]

Because I liked its different take: Batman and Joe Chill were just 'some guy' to each other, it was Bruce Wayne that had power to strike fear in Joe Chill's heart -- his continued survival being a Damocles' sword -- but Batman/Bruce would never have picked Joe out of a lineup.

Re: Are you thinking of Fear Itself?

[zapbiffpow]

Yeah, that's the one. Great read. I think I actually read it first here on s_d, even: https://scans-daily.dreamwidth.org/4019215.html

[punisher007]

I actually quite liked the Spider-Man unmasking during CW (the reaction shots sell it for me). I wish that they'd kept that as the permanent status-quo honestly.

And YES, she SHOULD have told him that she was Batgirl. You know that the only reason she didn't was so that the writers can milk it for DRRRAAAMMAAA/conflict down the road.

[zapbiffpow]

The first thing I remember whenever that comes up is Jameson collapsing when Peter said his 'since I was fifteen' line.

Also, Babs not telling him is also one of bones I'd have to pick with this issue. I mean, once Jim had his say she could've jumped right in and said it.

She tried that once under Simone's run

[chortles81]

Only for him to shy away for plausible deniability ("If I'd wanted to know who was under all those capes, I would make it my business.")... then ordered Batgirl of out his house; this was the issue before the Gothtopia tie-in.

Re: She tried that once under Simone's run

[zapbiffpow]

Ohhh...so maybe that's why he interrupted her here. New game, same reason.

Re: She tried that once under Simone's run

[shadowpsykie]

yeah that's what i got from it as well.

[glprime]

I *love* that moment. "Mr. Jameson...?" it's so good. And then we get hardly any follow up. Ugh.

[trooper924]

This reminds me of that episode of Batman Beyond where Terry tried to tell his family he was Batman and they just laughed at him. I think this would be slightly improved if-at least at first-Barbara thought Gordon was joking.

"Alright then, 'Batman'. I'm going to get some more ice cream. Want me check to see they have any popsicles shaped like the Bat Signal?"

It's probably be too out of character from the Commissioner's POV

[chortles81]

Or maybe she's too "in the life" to see it as completely implausible that he's the guy in the armor.

[jekylls_salvation]

Secret identities exist so the joker doesn't show up at your front door and shoot your daughter in the spine. Among other things. Heads up buddy.

Oh and take a look at that redhead in the flashy bat costume. You were a detective, remember?

F+

[zapbiffpow]

He probably knows who Babs is, he just doesn't want her to say it out loud because of...reasons.

[q99]

Ah yes, 'reasons' :)

[zapbiffpow]

Heh.

[shadowpsykie]

James:Your hair is red as flame... She showed up the same time you started walking again...

Barbara: say it... out loud....

James: Batgirl!

[jekylls_salvation]

Because he's a bad parent?

Well, from last time she was about to reveal herself

[chortles81]

He pulled a gun on her to arrest Batgirl for the death of James Jr., but he'd also just found out that Barbara had been dating the guy he'd shot not too long ago... their relationship wouldn't have survived the reveal, I'm sure.

Note that his Injustice counterpart had figured her and Bruce out long ago and just never mentioned it.