Batgirl #17: Preview & Discussion

[batGRRRl4ever]

Yes, the conclusion is only in Batman #17. The crossover books will then ignore what happens there apparently so Snyder can have his climax in Batman.

[Godlike13]

Did it continue somewhere else?

Ya, Batman 17.

[psynetrix]

The issue covers a lot of ground. Wrapping-up Joker's arc, continuing with James Jr's crazy game, and even finding time to re-introduce Firebug, Fawkes did a good job here. The narrative feels a tad strange, though. And did Batgirl stop a rocket with a bag?

.

[Bookem Danno]

I was hoping for a smooth transition between writers, but right now I'm not optimistic. Not only is Fawkes a lot wordier than Simone, but he uses third person narration while she only uses first. Also Barbara Sr.'s reaction to Jim Jr is different. I feel like whatever Simone was setting up with Jim Jr will have an unsatisfying conclusion, which is a shame because as Ed Sizzers said the end of DOTF here is jarringly disconnected, so one would want good follow through on the other story.

I'll read the whole thing and maybe revise my opinion.

Don't bother revising, it was awkward reading for the reasons noted all through.

And interesting that you find that the characterization is more complex, for me it's just the opposite. The depiction of character is simplistic at best, Gail does a much better job of finding a characters emotional voice in a mature manner.

Agreed.

PLUS: Mr. Fawkes is good with his pacing, things move along steadily for not too short or too long.

Okay.

Secret Six > Birds of Prey > Wonder Woman > Batgirl > Firestorm.

Is Gail writing Firestorm? I should give it a look if so.

Yes, the conclusion is only in Batman #17. The crossover books will then ignore what happens there apparently so Snyder can have his climax in Batman.

Well let BATMAN have the spoiler month but next month BATGIRL should give proper aftermath coverage of DEATH IN THE FAMILY for those exclusively following Babs only, if not respect to her title in it's ownright.

[Robotman4]

I was expecting the Gail haters to praise this issue to no end.

It was an ok issue. Definitely more wordy than Gail's stuff. I love that Babs now has her own arch villain and doesn't just have to barrow from Bruce's rogues. She already has a better rogues gallery than Nightwing. Sad.

[batGRRRl4ever]

I was expecting the Gail haters to praise this issue to no end.

What I find laughable is the all around praising ignoring atrocious lines like THIS:

"Batgirl answers that question by leaping into the thundering air.
No. She doesn't leap. She dances.
She will never surrender. Never."

How can anyone praise lines THAT bad?

I love that Babs now has her own arch villain and doesn't just have to barrow from Bruce's rogues. She already has a better rogues gallery than Nightwing.

I like how Mirror, Gretel, and Grotesque are being formed into a terrible trio by Knightfall. Batgirl's already getting a TRIO group of past villians banding together to take her on! It's taken a moment to see the forest for the trees, but it was really smart of Gail that those three separate stories had been meant to create a trio group all along. At this rate, given a few more years, Batgirl should have a pretty interesting rogues gallery, and that's saying something to Gail's talent since both Superman and Wonder Woman more or less both only have two each to speak of that the general public have an awareness of with Luthor & Brainiac, & Cheetah & Giganta with over a half century plus under their belts in publishing.

[Godlike13]

I was expecting the Gail haters to praise this issue to no end.

It was an ok issue. Definitely more wordy than Gail's stuff. I love that Babs now has her own arch villain and doesn't just have to barrow from Bruce's rogues. She already has a better rogues gallery than Nightwing. Sad.

Nightwing's rogue gallery has always been rather lacking, and the relaunch definitely didn't help there any (using that stupid weird Shiva instead of Deathstroke ). That being said Babs arch villain as u call him did originate as Dick's. Oh, and btw Babs did have an arch villain before, Calculator. Though that was as Oracle. Personally i think it be cool if Gail gave Killer Moth the Calculator/Catman treatment for Batgirl.

[Ed Sizzers]

Finally picked up this issue. Much like Gail's recent work on the book, Fawkes first issue was very much in the not-awful-not-amazing category. Having James narrate the story made sense, in a meta kind of way; Different writer, different voice. This was someone observing Barbara, rather than being Barbara.

Ultimately, Fawkes couldn't make Jimmy Jnr any more interesting than Gail has managed so far. Although, to be fair to Fawkes, he can only write the character as it's already been established. If James had developed an actual personality in this issue, it would have been a bit jarring.

Sampere's art was solid without making any real waves. It's there, it looks alright, but it doesn't really pop.

[The_Greatest_Username]

Personally i think it be cool if Gail gave Killer Moth the Calculator/Catman treatment for Batgirl.

It needs to happen. Killer Moth is the DEFINITIVE Babsgirl villain.

[batGRRRl4ever]

Really? Just because he was first? Killer Moth was frankly quite forgettable, IMO, and as equally BAD as Calculator. Gail's already made her mind up though to create her own rogue's roster, with Knightfall clearly at the top of the heap (at least currently).

Oh yeah of historical note, did Gail create Calculator, or was that another writer?

[Godlike13]

Gail recreated Calculator, like she also did Catman.

[The_Greatest_Username]

Really? Just because he was first? Killer Moth was frankly quite forgettable, IMO, and as equally BAD as Calculator. Gail's already made her mind up though to create her own rogue's roster, with Knightfall clearly at the top of the heap (at least currently).

She can always re-envision him to make him more menacing. I think it would be cool if she returned him to his roots of not having a name.