BATGIRL #5 Solicits

[Nick Soapdish]

Originally Posted by Lorendiac

It is? How many lethal gang wars has Kate clumsily triggered thus far? I admit that could have happened when I wasn't looking, since I have paid virtually no attention to her thus far. (I haven't even read any of "52" yet.)

Seriously -- I used to like Steph as a supporting character in the Robin title in the 1990s, and I thought "War Games" was terribly plotted when I got around to reading it in the TPB collections, so I don't brood about that gang war all day if I'm thinking about Steph's strengths and weaknesses. But as far as I know, her blunders which set it off are still "in continuity," so I can easily imagine Batman and Robin (whoever they are on any day of the week) saying to each other: "We can give a new female costumed crimefighter a reasonable benefit of the doubt -- until she makes a complete fool of herself and gets a bunch of people killed! At that point, it becomes painfully obvious that she has no business meddling in life-and-death matters!"

I find it kinda hard to completely blame Steph for that. The worst bit about the plan was that Batman didn't delete all the files related to the plan right after scribbling it on a napkin, but instead left it on a computer that somebody with no history of computer skills could hack into while jerking around said person in order to get the other Robin back. Steph's biggest flaw was her blind faith that something by Bats would work and ignoring all the wishful thinking behind the plan.

As you might guess, I agree about it being terribly plotted, but I think the characterization of Bats, Steph and Dr. Thompkins was even worse.

[Lorendiac]

Originally Posted by Nick Soapdish

As you might guess, I agree about it being terribly plotted, but I think the characterization of Bats, Steph and Dr. Thompkins was even worse.

As near as I can recall, Leslie Thompkins was handled okay in the actual "War Games" event. Working frantically to patch up the damaged bodies of people who'd been shot or tortured or whatever -- I mean, what else would you expect a concerned physician to do?

The following year we had the separate "War Crimes" story arc, which -- although I haven't read it -- included an incredibly bad retcon to the effect that Leslie basically just walked away from Steph and let her finish dying as a result of what Black Mask had done to her; working on the very weak theory that the death of Stephanie Brown would somehow "teach Bruce a lesson." But that shouldn't be held against "War Games" per se as a matter of terrible plotting; it only came later.

(Come to think of it, a few years ago I saw someone post a link to a lengthy commentary from Bill Willingham, writer of "War Crimes," talking about his reactions to angry fan's reactions to "War Crimes." I posted my own spur-of-the-moment reactions to Willingham's reactions -- he had said some very, very strange things in that piece!)

[Nick Soapdish]

Originally Posted by Lorendiac

As near as I can recall, Leslie Thompkins was handled okay in the actual "War Games" event. Working frantically to patch up the damaged bodies of people who'd been shot or tortured or whatever -- I mean, what else would you expect a concerned physician to do?

Yeah, I think you're right. I'm conflating the two. Although I left out the Black Mask's new super thespian abilities. Did that ever get explained later?

[Godlike13]

Last time Steph decided to play superhero she brought Gotham to its knees, it would be more weird if they were ok with her being Batgirl.

[invisiboy]

Originally Posted by Godlike13

Last time Steph decided to play superhero she brought Gotham to its knees, it would be more weird if they were ok with her being Batgirl.

I believe it's all editorially mandated by Didio, and I suspect that he, as a professional, doesn't really care all that much about "Batgirl" and what's done with her.

(If anyone finds this remark to be a personal attack against Didio, please let me know. It is not meant as such.)

[muimi]

Huh -- I may actually have to read this issue. :rolleyes: I don't like Stephanie as Batgirl but I am interested to see what Bab's defense of Stephanie is, much as I want to see Dick's argument against it.

[Godlike13]

Hell, I just want to see Dick and Babs talking.

[invisiboy]

Originally Posted by Godlike13

Hell, I just want to see Dick and Babs talking.

I have a feeling they'll talk in Batman: Blackest Night #3. Have you read issue #2? It has a few good Babs/Dick moments. Babs is possessed at the time, but it's still pretty cool.

[Choppa]

I think the logical thing would be for Dick to allow Steph to help and then deal with her after they've cleaned up the problems in Gotham. If he just tells her to quit then he might as well be Bruce. This is a good chance to highlight some differences between them. I don't think has the same hangups Bruce does about having help.