Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) Appreciation Thread

[atomicbattery]

I love Barbara Gordon, and most particularly as Batgirl.
I couldn't buy #7, however, because that art is the worst I've seen in a book that I want to buy.
On #1 through #6, the great Adam Hughes on covers compensated for what was going on inside. Gail Simone posted that DC was going to bring on a new cover artist- may I make a plea for Ryan Sook, who renders at a level of supernatural brilliance that is right there with Hughes, works for DC, and draws Barbara-as-Batgirl quite a bit on his own, which suggests some affection for the character on his part.

[Selphy]

So I was asking around in the Cass and Steph about their runs and I wanted to know what are the recommended reads to get into Barbara's run of Batgirl? I'm reading her new DCU stuff and am looking to get Batgirl Year 1 but I don't know what else to get.

[Sunbird]

So I was asking around in the Cass and Steph about their runs and I wanted to know what are the recommended reads to get into Barbara's run of Batgirl? I'm reading her new DCU stuff and am looking to get Batgirl Year 1 but I don't know what else to get.

The pre DCnU Batgirl stuff is all pre Killing Joke. There is a Showcase Presents Batgirl that collects a lot of the old stories. I haven't read it though the reviews on Amazon seem positive.

[The_Greatest_Username]

So I was asking around in the Cass and Steph about their runs and I wanted to know what are the recommended reads to get into Barbara's run of Batgirl? I'm reading her new DCU stuff and am looking to get Batgirl Year 1 but I don't know what else to get.

http://www.amazon.com/Showcase-Prese...2283582&sr=1-5
All the Batgirl you'll ever need. Seriously, Silver Age Barb is the best.
Year One is a very good story too, it does a good job of giving her a more sensical background for the Batman world.

[DarkKnghtJared]

Yeah, outside of the Showcase and Batgirl: Year One, there really isn't a whole lot of Babs as Batgirl out there. Another one that comes to mind is an arc of Batman Confidential called The Bat & The Cat, which featured Babs going after Catwoman after she steals something from Commissioner Gordon. It was controversial at the time of printing because of a sequence inside a nudist party were people thought it almost showed too much skin, but it's a great showing for Babs.

[Selphy]

I haven't read much of the older stuff, or any. Not to be rude but comics that are super old feel very dated in terms of writing. I try to stay within stuff from 2000 to now but I can't say I have much experience with older stuff. Does Showcase have that "dated" feel to it?

[DarkKnghtJared]

I haven't read much of the older stuff, or any. Not to be rude but comics that are super old feel very dated in terms of writing. I try to stay within stuff from 2000 to now but I can't say I have much experience with older stuff. Does Showcase have that "dated" feel to it?

To be honest...yeah, probably. It's been a while, so I can say exactly what's in it, but there are some wacky moments.

[Ed Sizzers]

I miss that costume.

[batGRRRl4ever]

I haven't read much of the older stuff, or any. Not to be rude but comics that are super old feel very dated in terms of writing. I try to stay within stuff from 2000 to now but I can't say I have much experience with older stuff. Does Showcase have that "dated" feel to it?

Other than BG:Y1 I would recommend the following 3:



Thrillkiller is an Elseworld's tale but is highly acclaimed and has one of the most kick-butt renditions of Babs/Batgirl ever.



Batgirl Adventures #1 (one-shot) was based off of the animated cartoon. If you liked the cartoon version you'll like this comic.



This July is the first trade paperback of the first 6 issues called 'The Darkest Reflection'


I'm not really a fan and wouldn't really recommend the Batgirl showcase books as frankly the stuff comes across as REALLY dated as they are pulls from stories from the 60's & 70's.

[spark627]

I haven't read much of the older stuff, or any. Not to be rude but comics that are super old feel very dated in terms of writing. I try to stay within stuff from 2000 to now but I can't say I have much experience with older stuff. Does Showcase have that "dated" feel to it?

Showcase does feel dated. The language is laughable at times and some of the plots are just stupid... but, you get to see a great portrayal of Babara. She is confident, strong and quite adorable. There is a strong sense of female empowerment throughout the stories also which is quite nice. I recommend the book. Also, the Batgirl: Greatest Stories Ever Told is pretty decent. You get a mix of every style of Batgirl. You get to read about her going to congress which I enjoyed a lot.

[carabas]

Showcase does feel dated. The language is laughable at times and some of the plots are just stupid... but, you get to see a great portrayal of Babara.

What exactly is the point of Babs being all girlpower if the stories she's in are laughable and stupid?

[spark627]

What exactly is the point of Babs being all girlpower if the stories she's in are laughable and stupid?

While the villians motives might be dumb, it is enjoyable to see Barbara piece the mystery together. I didn't say girl power, I said female empowerement. Seeing Barbara join the boys club, join Congress, outsmart Batman and Robin is fun to read.

[Fused]

I miss that costume.

I really like how Greg Capullo draws Babs in her Batman appearances. The lines feel more old school like this instead of the overly-teched and plated look that Syaf draws.

[X-23_1977]

I loved Babs time in Congress though it was retconned long ago as were so many great stories with Crisis, and same now with Flashpoint doing away with the post crisis Batgirl/post TKJ Oracle. Sadly there is not much out there in modern tales for Babsgirl.

[The_Greatest_Username]

For those familiar with the product, Heroclix is released a Batman themed set in October with an exclusive Batgirl-Nightwing duo figure.