CBR REVIEW: Batgirl #0

[CBR News]

Gail Simone and Ed Benes deliver an incredible installment of "Batgirl" for zero month, taking readers back four years before the Joker came calling on Barbara Gordon.


Full article here.

[MarvelMaster616]

I agree completely with this review. Batgirl #0 was more than worthy of a 5 star review. I've been following Batgirl somewhat loosely lately, this issue reminded me of why I love this series so much. It really did a great job of creating a new backdrop for how Barbara became Batgirl and how these events linked up with the Killing Joke. I think Gail Simone gives Barbara the perfect voice in this issue. I would even go so far as to say that this is the best Batgirl comic to date.

[CmX]

Vincente Cifuentes is really hindering the artwork on this title.

Loved the story though, Simone is finally doing some good on this book. Just hope it's not too late.

[Flinkman]

this was a fine book but....5 star review? that's a little cray-cray. sure it was the one of the best of the series' run thus far, but c'mon...is that really a feat?

maybe 3.5 stars.

[Dr. Hurt]

Hahaha. 5/5

Someone needs to keep Arnoldo from seeing this. He's gonna pop an aneurysm. Me? I'm laughing my ass off. I knew CBR reviews were bad, but this time you guys have outdone yourselves.

[thwhtGuardian]

Hahaha. 5/5

Someone needs to keep Arnoldo from seeing this. He's gonna pop an aneurysm. Me? I'm laughing my ass off. I knew CBR reviews were bad, but this time you guys have outdone yourselves.

Yeah, it does seem over the top as a review. 5/5 means flawless to me and really Batgirl #0 just doesn't qualify as that, not many books do so that's no slap in the face. As someone said up thread 3.5 would probably be fair.

[batGRRRl4ever]

I agree completely with this review. Batgirl #0 was more than worthy of a 5 star review. I've been following Batgirl somewhat loosely lately, this issue reminded me of why I love this series so much. It really did a great job of creating a new backdrop for how Barbara became Batgirl and how these events linked up with the Killing Joke. I think Gail Simone gives Barbara the perfect voice in this issue. I would even go so far as to say that this is the best Batgirl comic to date.

Oh ok, I'll give my 2 cents. I've been quiet for a minute just to enjoy the comics, but this issue was just too good not to compliment! Complete agreement in that this issue is most definitely deserving of it's 5 out of 5 stars review This issue shows that this is a new universe and continues to show that for those that like this book there is a narrative jigsaw puzzle that is metted out over the issues that takes both time and patience to begin to fully understand this new version of Barbara's world.

It was interesting to meet this new Barbara in her earliest incarnation to date and see how idealistic and headstrong she is, as is any adolescent. Also interesting is how the Gordon's are "drawn to the darkness" as a collective family whole, and how this juxtaposes Barbara being a spirit of hope for the people of Gotham. What is facinating also is the new sibling dynamic between Barbara and James Jr. As adults I agree with what another poster stated on a separate thread that there is a most reminicent Thor/Loki dynamic present, which will become more apparent once Bab's is armored up as Batgirl and meets her brother for the first time specifically as Batgirl. This to me is a more interesting dynamic than Batman/Joker as the direct family relationship makes the stakes that much more emotionally raised. Barbara is the light of hope within Gotham for whoever interacts with her, and James is her antithesis as a force of darkness that only enjoys crushing hope.

Barbara dressed up in the pseudo-batman gear was awesome, as was her take down of Harry X. Another piece of the jigsaw was put into place when we see how impressed Batman was with Barbara's performance, referencing back to issue #1 or #2 where she stated she was once his star pupil. Also fun was to see an amalgamated costume of silver age Batgirl and all-star Batgirl.

More questions once again as to the now untold story as to why she temporarily decided to retire prior to this universes version of TKJ. Also reminding me again back to the costume is since it's indicated it did not come from Bruce from the conversation Bab's had with Dinah some issues back, then of course who made the new uniform for her during the year she was in physical rehab after her surgery in South Africa?

To summarize Benes is nothing but helping greatly in the book, although once again the coloring is washed out in a way and I would LOVE for all the colors in the book to simply be brighter. I like the new archnemesis in the form of Barbara's younger brother, this creates a villian on a personalized level that is uniquely her's (and enough already about James Jr. being Dick's villian, that was another narrative reality althogether before Batgirl got her own book and the new Gordon family narrative is now in effect). Great job Gail & Benes, can't wait to see what is in store for the 2nd year!

[Stevonicus]

I for one had a problem with the colouring on this issue. I didn't like the brassy colour used for all the Gordons' hair and there were several other minor instances of annoyance.

I'll echo the above opinion that it was around 3.5/5 and not the 5/5 given.

[Knight of DC]

Yeah. It wasn't bad. Personally, I don't care for number or letter grades in reviews because a complex opinion cannot be categorized in such a fashion. And perfect scores imply perfect product, which is a myth.

[batGRRRl4ever]

Yeah, it does seem over the top as a review. 5/5 means flawless to me and really Batgirl #0 just doesn't qualify as that, not many books do so that's no slap in the face. As someone said up thread 3.5 would probably be fair.

Why is it over the top? I'd be curious for you to specify why you feel it undeserving. Is it something actually an issue in terms of the writing, the art, the coloring, or the overall direction of the narrative for a new timeline? Or is it just a general dislike for this version of the character, as I recall your stating a week before this issue came out that you did not consider Batgirl to be one of the "bigger" members of the bat-family (I'm paraphrasing from my recollection). Is your point actually pertaining to an issue in the book or just an issue of personal preference? I think it would be fair to explain for those of us curious in terms of discussion.

[thwhtGuardian]

Why is it over the top? I'd be curious for you to specify why you feel it undeserving. Is it something actually an issue in terms of the writing, the art, the coloring, or the overall direction of the narrative for a new timeline? Or is it just a general dislike for this version of the character, as I recall your stating a week before this issue came out that you did not consider Batgirl to be one of the "bigger" members of the bat-family (I'm paraphrasing from my recollection). Is your point actually pertaining to an issue in the book or just an issue of personal preference? I think it would be fair to explain for those of us curious in terms of discussion.

It just seemed very bland to me, everything from the art to the villain himself. There was nothing terrible about any of it, there was just nothing to be excited about, nothing that grabbed you and made you want to uncover more.

[D.C. Edmonds]

I gave it 5/5 as well and chose it as the comic of the week. I agree with a previous poster who said that it was the best Batgirl issue to date ...

[catburgler_2100]

it was a good issue, but not 5 star good. i liked it but i read it based on the solicit:

How did Barbara first become Batgirl? What led to her to don the cape and cowl? • Witness Barbara Gordon’s shocking injury and her inspiring drive to recover and walk again! (via: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/batgirl-2011/batgirl-0 )

while it delivered on the first part (how she came to be batgirl), the part about her recovery, not so much (or at all really) and that was the part i was most interested in. so as people have said 3.5 at most from me.

[JasonTodd428]

A five star issue to me is one that is absolutely perfect in terms of story, art, and characterization and they are and should be something that rarely happens. It's all subjective of course. This was a good book but I would only give it a 3.5 /5 myself. The story was good as were the characterizations and art but the coloring was a bit bland and washed out to me. Also the villain here was a bit generic and the issue didn't really deal with her recovery at all like the solicit said it would (although it could be that Gail simply changed her mind about that after the solicit came out).

[ArnoldoAAD]

well, it was the best issue of batgirl so far and even I gave it a 6/10, which is technically a 3/5
but sole reason of that is cause its taken place in a completely different context than the rest of the entire book, and is a context that wont return soon

however a 5/5, thats just poor criticism, the issue was heavily flawed, the villain was lazy and unoriginal(like always) the dialog was unbearable to read and the whole motivation behind barbs becoming batgirl is not very clear which for me it makes it fail as an origin

its flawed, but it doesnt have the same flaws it usually has

now back to issue 13 to the same old incompetent and pathetic victim of batgirl of the last year