Review: Batgirl vol. 1 – Batgirl Rising by Bryan Q. Miller

How did I get it: I won a copy from Girls Read Comics, Too!

Why did I get it: I miss reading Bat-family comics and wanted to give this new series a try. Plus I’m very fond of all the Batgirls.

How I would rate it: 5 out of 5 stars.

Summary:

In the wake of “Batman R.I.P.”and BATTLE FOR THE COWL, Stephanie Brown, the vigilante formerly known as The Spoiler and Robin has taken on the identity of Batgirl as she begins her nocturnal crusade to take back the night from the underworld. Now she has become the target of both Gotham City’s heroes (who don’t take kindly to a new person wearing the cape and the cowl) and its villains (who want to see the entire Bat-family six feet under).

Review: A great start to what looks like a promising series. I really like that this isn’t just the story of Stephanie Brown who has been struggling to find her place for quite some time now, but that it’s also really about Barbara Gordon coming to terms with her own issues with her time spent as Batgirl while becoming a mentor to a girl who really needs one. And it’s definitely awesome to read about a college-aged woman kick butt and deliver hilarious lines of dialogue without dealing with romantic nonsense and being able to take out pretty powerful villains.

I also think it’s actually not a very hard series to get involved in even without having paid much attention to Bat-family events, which worked for me because I don’t really do a very good job of keeping up on anything major when it comes to DC comics. I knew who Damian was, but his interactions with Stephanie are hilarious regardless. I know about Dick and Barbara’s relationship, but it’s explained well enough that I think the sense of their history soaks through. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

All the elements of Phil Noto’s artwork as well as Bryan Q. Miller’s story were very well-executed and entertaining. There were so many great little touches and moments in regards to both the images and the dialogue. My favorites being Stephanie as the worst library work-study student ever and her witty banter with Livewire. I don’t want to spoil –n0 pun intended– any of Stephanie’s lines, but I will say that if you want some Bat-family fun, some action, and some laughs, this volume is totally worth buying or checking out.

In conclusion, awesome. And it’s a graphic novel about Stephanie Brown and Barbara Gordon working together. What’s not to love?