Batgirl #6 review (Spoilers)

This issue of Batgirl seemed more like an old issue of Batman Family (yes, Mr. Analog is old and dating himself) as everyone in the Batman universe stopped by more a visit. While Stephanie definitely had her moments in this issue, she was almost squeezed out of her own book by all of the cameos. I was thinking I might drop this book with the announcement of the Bird of Prey return, but Bryan Q Miller kept me interested with a great choice of villain. Stephanie is still being portrayed as screw-up, and I really wish they’d let her succeed at something by herself. She does at least get in a few digs at the obnoxious new Robin. So warm up the Bat signal for some spoilers and let’s head to Gotham.

We pickup where we left last issue with Stephanie shot in the head, oh boy this girl has worse luck than Mr. Analog maybe that why I’m starting to like her. Luckily the bullet just grazed her temple, but she is in an ambulance in civilian clothes on her way to her mom’s ER. Whoops that’s sound like trouble but Oracle is listening in via emergency medical service link that she set up with her clock tower company awhile back. Stephanie uses her codename word of Fay Wray (wow, that’s Analog) that signals she’s a “compromised blonde under duress”. Oracle triggers an accident that frees Steph from her predicament while Steph mentions she thinks she has a concussion. These Bat people are made on stern stuff since she pretty much shakes that off and continues the rest of story uneffected. The concussion seems unlikely.

Commissioner Gordon and Detective St Nick summon Batman via the Bat signal while Steph now suited up as Batgirl spies for Oracle. This leads to another battle with the new Robin. Batgirl and Robin seem to be the prefect foils for each other and continue their battle verbally and with fists until Batman puts them both in time out. During the time out, Steph finally get a in a good verbal shot on Damien after a mountain of trash talk from him by telling him at least “Bruce trusted he enough to operate on her own, did he trust you Robin?” Zing! That quiets Damien and a truce is formed temporarily. Dick and Barbara again talk about their new charges and make a comparison between the old Batgirl and Robin and the new ones that leaves them and the reader gagging. Safe to say new pair won’t be hooking up. Dick is still giving Barbara the cold shoulder but the two agree to work together.

Steph and Damien grill Jordanna the girlfriend of missing Francisco by playing Bad cop, Worse cop as Steph reminds Jordanna of Damien’s love of stabbing things. Maybe the kid is useful. Jordanna spills her boyfriend’s father gambling problems. While this is going on Roxy Rocket and some multiple man rip-off named Riot attack Batman in mid air in the flying Batmobile. Which causes him to crash. We cut to Francisco and his father and we find out that the kidnap is all a ploy to draw out Batman and surprise! Roulette is involved. She is taking bets on Batman killing killed by the duo plus Dr Phosphorous to clear the family's gambling debts. Lee Garbett gorgeously renders Roulette and every detail is included right down to her cigarette holder. Props for remembering that and to writer Bryan Q Miller for using this very underused villain. This issue ends with Oracle and the rest of team finding out via the Internet that Roulette is at it again, while Batgirl wonders what Oracle wants her to do next? Should be a fun next issue, although why Roulette thinks those three can kill Batman is beyond me?



Comments

[TalonSoulbender]

I like it! Nice work Max!

[fishmilkshake]

Cool review Max. Not buying Steph as Batgirl though