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Batgirls (2021)
Batgirls, Vol. 3: Girls to the Front
Two Batgirls are better than one!
Batgirls Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown have been masked vigilantes in the scary, gritty city of Gotham for a while now, so what happens when you move them to a whole new sunny neighborhood and make them roomies with Barbara Gordon? A whole lot of love, friendship, parenting…and homicide detective work?
Batgirls Vol. 3 collects issues #13-19 and Batgirls Annual 2022!
Batgirls Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown have been masked vigilantes in the scary, gritty city of Gotham for a while now, so what happens when you move them to a whole new sunny neighborhood and make them roomies with Barbara Gordon? A whole lot of love, friendship, parenting…and homicide detective work?
Batgirls Vol. 3 collects issues #13-19 and Batgirls Annual 2022!
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2023
20 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Becky Cloonan
521 books396 followersBecky Cloonan is an American comic book creator, known for work published by Tokyopop and Vertigo. In 2012 she became the first female artist to draw the main Batman title for DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 28, 2024
This third volume of this series does a great job of highlighting the relationship between Cass and Stephanie. The art is a visual treat as well.
October 15, 2024
As visually striking and vibrant as ever, Batgirls bows out as it started: goofy fun with little consequence and distinctive but consistent characterisations. Steph and Cassie's dynamic carry the series, and whilst it never fully explores the depth of their relationship, the gist is there. The strongest entry and a good way to close, it is a nice expansion to the Batfamily world and is better than it may look on the tin.
December 2, 2025
Loved the whole series!
November 17, 2023
"Don't cry because it is over. Be happy because it happened!!"
This has been my favourite Bathirls' book, and of course, it is the last of the series. I enjoyed this book so much. I can't even be mad about that. If a series is cancelled, the last few issues are either rushed or stopped abruptly in the middle of a storyline/arc. I don't think this is the case here.
Some magical mischief to start the book, and a whole new meaning to meet the parents.
Then stories of how the Batgirls fit into the new Gotham, with the people, the police and of course the criminals.
I think each of the girls had their time yo shine in each story, getting out of their comfort zones, earning respect, and kicking butt. The reason I love this as a finale is that most of the loose ends were tied up, but left me interested in where the series could go from here us it was ever started again. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
This has been my favourite Bathirls' book, and of course, it is the last of the series. I enjoyed this book so much. I can't even be mad about that. If a series is cancelled, the last few issues are either rushed or stopped abruptly in the middle of a storyline/arc. I don't think this is the case here.
Some magical mischief to start the book, and a whole new meaning to meet the parents.
Then stories of how the Batgirls fit into the new Gotham, with the people, the police and of course the criminals.
I think each of the girls had their time yo shine in each story, getting out of their comfort zones, earning respect, and kicking butt. The reason I love this as a finale is that most of the loose ends were tied up, but left me interested in where the series could go from here us it was ever started again. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
October 3, 2023
Absolutely love this book, as well as the series! The art style is one of my favorites. And the plot twists were so good, I didn’t see some of them coming!
February 15, 2024
3.5 Stars.
This Volume divides into two stories:
1) With a wish on a coin, Cass and Steph switch bodies... and on the day they are supposed to meet their parents? LOL Lady Shiva knows Steph-in-Cass isn't right, and Cass-in-Steph ends up getting abducted by her dad Cluemaster. They do end up getting saved, but then they find Mad Hatter was involved....what I thought might have been a really drawn out story, was actually pretty good, though I wish they could keep an consistent artist for the issues.
2) Snipers are trying to take out both a reporter and the Batgirls. They are eventually discovered to be Gunbunny (getting revenge for the death of Gunhawk) and Gunhawk (who had faked his death and was holding a grudge).
Apparently, this is the end of the title, though they work so well, I'm sure we will see the Batgirls (however many of them there are at the time) again soon enough.
Recommend.
This Volume divides into two stories:
1) With a wish on a coin, Cass and Steph switch bodies... and on the day they are supposed to meet their parents? LOL Lady Shiva knows Steph-in-Cass isn't right, and Cass-in-Steph ends up getting abducted by her dad Cluemaster. They do end up getting saved, but then they find Mad Hatter was involved....what I thought might have been a really drawn out story, was actually pretty good, though I wish they could keep an consistent artist for the issues.
2) Snipers are trying to take out both a reporter and the Batgirls. They are eventually discovered to be Gunbunny (getting revenge for the death of Gunhawk) and Gunhawk (who had faked his death and was holding a grudge).
Apparently, this is the end of the title, though they work so well, I'm sure we will see the Batgirls (however many of them there are at the time) again soon enough.
Recommend.
May 30, 2025
I loved this installment, if it wasn't obvious by the fact that I consumed it in a matter of hours. This run of Batgirls has been so much fun to follow and read.
This volume was a great follow-up picking up right where a logical story would from Vol. 2. There was something about the beginning issues and their ties to the familial relationships both Cass and Stephanie have. They're families don't define the work that they do now, they built its foundation but not its outcome.
The closing story tying up Assisi and that part of this three volume arc was loved and a great way to tie in the less focused on police v Batgirls plot.
I hope that there will be another installment, but the last issue didn't leave any breadcrumbs. I hope that I will be surprised though.
This volume was a great follow-up picking up right where a logical story would from Vol. 2. There was something about the beginning issues and their ties to the familial relationships both Cass and Stephanie have. They're families don't define the work that they do now, they built its foundation but not its outcome.
The closing story tying up Assisi and that part of this three volume arc was loved and a great way to tie in the less focused on police v Batgirls plot.
I hope that there will be another installment, but the last issue didn't leave any breadcrumbs. I hope that I will be surprised though.
June 21, 2023
so pissed that yet another batgirl project has been cancelled! this is not the year to be batgirl obsessed! 😭
but this third volume was fire! at least our finale was good! 💜🖤🩶
but this third volume was fire! at least our finale was good! 💜🖤🩶
January 5, 2024
I had a great time with this; this one’s definitely my favorite out of the three. The three batgirls are so fun together!
May 28, 2025
could’ve been 5 stars if they had kissed
December 20, 2024
This was a darn near perfect read and an excellent conclusion for the Batgirls series 👏😊!!
Was this series without flaws? No, not at all, but I will say that the writers and illustrators honed in on their craft to create a truly beautiful and compelling story arc.
Our story begins with Alysia and Barbara fixing up the soon-to-be grand opening of the Boba bar and Cafe in a wear house with potential while Cass is searching for some reprieve at the Gotham museum when she catches a glimpse of her mother. Steph is cementing her feelings with Kyle, which is to remain as close friends as neither wants to move forward with a relationship.
Kyle shares that a murder happened near his home, and Stephanie takes this to heart; wanting to protect her friend. She and Cass do some investigating. What follows is a clue from the League of Shadows prompting Cass to force Stephanie to move swiftly out of the home to avoid being targets. Along the way, Stephanie helps an elderly woman with a cat stuck in a tree, and in return, the old woman gives Stephanie a coin. The Batgirls return home to rest, but before they do so, Steph tosses the coin in good fun with the promise to switch places as each other if it lands on heads or act as Barbara if it lands on tails.
The next day, the girls wake up but are revealed to have switched consciousness and bodies with each other. In a desperate need of assistance to rectify what is done, they run to Barbara in the newly constructed Clock Tower for help. Barbara promises to look into it but sends the girls to investigate the ongoing murder case with Officer Brooks, who shares a sketch of Lady Shiva revealed by the daughter who survived the attack. The Batgirls return on patrol, now fully aware of their threat, and come across a shady deal between a LOS protege and the Saints. After a beatdown of the Saints occurs, Lady Shiva arrives, killing the Ninja and asking for her daughter (who is now Steph in Cass's body) to ride with her. Meanwhile, Stephanie (who is now Cass) drinks to a truce with the Saints over Gingerale and is drugged, resulting in her passing out and then waking up in the back of a car bound and gagged by her father,r, Arthur Brown.
What follows is a devious cold shoulder dinner between Lady Shivia and Cass (Stephanie), which results in a hand-to-hand fight when Shiva realizes that whoever is inside her daughter is not Cass. Stephanie reveals some similarities between her and her daughter and shares how Cass is trying to become her own person. Lady Shiva asks that the girl who claims to be her friend tells Cass that she is proud of her. Meanwhile, Barbara spent some time with Bruce searching for details on the coin, which revealed demonic origins thanks to the help of Zatanna. It's revealed that Madam Zodic is behind it and that the coin's curse only has power over the girls for a day. Cass then swiftly jolts back into her rightful body at midnight and takes off to search for Stephine. This leads Cass to search for clues via a letter Stephanie wrote for her, sharing the hard personal details of her life with her trusted friend these letters, as well as the note left by ClueMaster, reveal that Stephanie was taken to Fence Lane on the outskirts of upper Gotham. In a desperate rush, Cass rides up there to free Stephanie, who is revealed to have been shocked and tortured by her father.
In the next scene, we see Stephanie as she tries to fight her abusive father, who berates her with trivia questions like when she was a girl and reveals that he died but was revived 3 days later by the MadHatter thanks to Lazarus serum. Cass then bursts in to save Stephanie, but after fighting Steph's father, a fire breaks out, and Arthur threatens to shoot Cass with an heirloom gun. But his aim is off as Stephanie stands in front of Cass, saving her friend's life while sacrificing her own. Cass tries to keep her friend alive and talking until help can arrive, but it's no use, that is until Cass pulls out the Lazarus serum and brings her friend back to life. Arthur Brown is a wreck because of his actions that hurt his daughter, but he is happy to know she's alive. Finally, the arc settles with Arthur being arrested by Officer Brooks and Stephanie and Cass riding away.
The next arc centers on the Batgirls going after the MadHatter with the reveal that he brought back Arthur Brown and is now on the loose with a note left behind to reveal the where/when of his tea party. The Batgirls intervened by crashing the party and taking down a bunch of mannequins, but Stephanie once again hit in the crossfire and turned into a giant Girl-Bat via the Man-Bat serum. Cass manages to take down MadHatter with the help of Stephanie upon walking her through their friendship, compelling her to believe Cass. Barbara is on the case to create the Man-Bat antidote and is poised to shoot Stephanie with it, but Cass rejects promising to give her friend the serum before bed.
In the last and final arc, we focus on a sniper who begins to raid bullets at innocent civilians at a Hills block party, and this injures Roky, who is filming for Grace O'Halloran. Stephanie and Cass control the crowd out of costume, but then Cass swiftly changes to search for the snipper but fails to find the culprit, only the base. What follows is the G.C.P.D. taking arms against the Batgirls when a note from the snipper terrorists is left on their door. While Stephanie and Cass try to investigate the Saints' old base but run into the Hills Angels in the cemetery when Bullets once more rain down. Cass tries to go after the snipper but fails to catch them once more. The case begins to tighten as Officer Brooks meets up with the 3 Batgirls to share what he knows and that Commissioner Montoya wants them to turn in their cowls. Barbara's stance disagrees and then leaves. What follows is the Batgirls are trying to lay low upon talking with Batman, who informs them to lay low and that he trusts their judgment. Meanwhile, Barbara creates a deepfake video of Cass and Stephanie getting arrested by the G.C.P.D. with the confirmed agreement by Montoya to make it seem real. What follows is Grace O'Halloran starting a parade protests in favor of the Batgirls the next day as he dear friend Roky remains in critical care. With a target on Grace's chest and the cover of people in costume around the Batgirls spring into action when a bullet hits Grace. In a mass hysteria, the citizens run for cover as Stephanie goes after the led sniper, who is revealed to be GunBunny. What follows is a swift hand-to-hand fight, but Grace intervenes, wanting to shoot GunBunny for having hurt Roky, but Steph convinces her not to do so. However, it is all for nothing as GunBunny is killed by the 2nd snipper, GunHawk, who is Arsti (The saint gun who got away in the last volume). Cass goes after him and is successful. Our Saga ends with Barbara, Alysia, and the neighborhood pooling in with support to Grace and Roky for all that they've been through. Our adventure comes to a close with Stephanie and Cass promising to fish Bando out of the lake and words of wisdom from our writers about the difference we all make as people in others' lives.
Overall, this was a fantastic volume that really highlighted the sister-like bond between Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. I also really loved the moments shared between Barbara and Bruce, bringing to light the idea that Batman views Batgirl as a capable, intelligent crime fighter and a worthy leader of the Batgirl legacy. I loved the arc surrounding Cass and Stephanie's parents the most as it focuses on their shared childhood trauma inflicted by their parents and their ultimate alliance as friends, which leads them to overcome their own P.T.S.D. emotional and physical pain. 10/10 🌟!!
Was this series without flaws? No, not at all, but I will say that the writers and illustrators honed in on their craft to create a truly beautiful and compelling story arc.
Our story begins with Alysia and Barbara fixing up the soon-to-be grand opening of the Boba bar and Cafe in a wear house with potential while Cass is searching for some reprieve at the Gotham museum when she catches a glimpse of her mother. Steph is cementing her feelings with Kyle, which is to remain as close friends as neither wants to move forward with a relationship.
Kyle shares that a murder happened near his home, and Stephanie takes this to heart; wanting to protect her friend. She and Cass do some investigating. What follows is a clue from the League of Shadows prompting Cass to force Stephanie to move swiftly out of the home to avoid being targets. Along the way, Stephanie helps an elderly woman with a cat stuck in a tree, and in return, the old woman gives Stephanie a coin. The Batgirls return home to rest, but before they do so, Steph tosses the coin in good fun with the promise to switch places as each other if it lands on heads or act as Barbara if it lands on tails.
The next day, the girls wake up but are revealed to have switched consciousness and bodies with each other. In a desperate need of assistance to rectify what is done, they run to Barbara in the newly constructed Clock Tower for help. Barbara promises to look into it but sends the girls to investigate the ongoing murder case with Officer Brooks, who shares a sketch of Lady Shiva revealed by the daughter who survived the attack. The Batgirls return on patrol, now fully aware of their threat, and come across a shady deal between a LOS protege and the Saints. After a beatdown of the Saints occurs, Lady Shiva arrives, killing the Ninja and asking for her daughter (who is now Steph in Cass's body) to ride with her. Meanwhile, Stephanie (who is now Cass) drinks to a truce with the Saints over Gingerale and is drugged, resulting in her passing out and then waking up in the back of a car bound and gagged by her father,r, Arthur Brown.
What follows is a devious cold shoulder dinner between Lady Shivia and Cass (Stephanie), which results in a hand-to-hand fight when Shiva realizes that whoever is inside her daughter is not Cass. Stephanie reveals some similarities between her and her daughter and shares how Cass is trying to become her own person. Lady Shiva asks that the girl who claims to be her friend tells Cass that she is proud of her. Meanwhile, Barbara spent some time with Bruce searching for details on the coin, which revealed demonic origins thanks to the help of Zatanna. It's revealed that Madam Zodic is behind it and that the coin's curse only has power over the girls for a day. Cass then swiftly jolts back into her rightful body at midnight and takes off to search for Stephine. This leads Cass to search for clues via a letter Stephanie wrote for her, sharing the hard personal details of her life with her trusted friend these letters, as well as the note left by ClueMaster, reveal that Stephanie was taken to Fence Lane on the outskirts of upper Gotham. In a desperate rush, Cass rides up there to free Stephanie, who is revealed to have been shocked and tortured by her father.
In the next scene, we see Stephanie as she tries to fight her abusive father, who berates her with trivia questions like when she was a girl and reveals that he died but was revived 3 days later by the MadHatter thanks to Lazarus serum. Cass then bursts in to save Stephanie, but after fighting Steph's father, a fire breaks out, and Arthur threatens to shoot Cass with an heirloom gun. But his aim is off as Stephanie stands in front of Cass, saving her friend's life while sacrificing her own. Cass tries to keep her friend alive and talking until help can arrive, but it's no use, that is until Cass pulls out the Lazarus serum and brings her friend back to life. Arthur Brown is a wreck because of his actions that hurt his daughter, but he is happy to know she's alive. Finally, the arc settles with Arthur being arrested by Officer Brooks and Stephanie and Cass riding away.
The next arc centers on the Batgirls going after the MadHatter with the reveal that he brought back Arthur Brown and is now on the loose with a note left behind to reveal the where/when of his tea party. The Batgirls intervened by crashing the party and taking down a bunch of mannequins, but Stephanie once again hit in the crossfire and turned into a giant Girl-Bat via the Man-Bat serum. Cass manages to take down MadHatter with the help of Stephanie upon walking her through their friendship, compelling her to believe Cass. Barbara is on the case to create the Man-Bat antidote and is poised to shoot Stephanie with it, but Cass rejects promising to give her friend the serum before bed.
In the last and final arc, we focus on a sniper who begins to raid bullets at innocent civilians at a Hills block party, and this injures Roky, who is filming for Grace O'Halloran. Stephanie and Cass control the crowd out of costume, but then Cass swiftly changes to search for the snipper but fails to find the culprit, only the base. What follows is the G.C.P.D. taking arms against the Batgirls when a note from the snipper terrorists is left on their door. While Stephanie and Cass try to investigate the Saints' old base but run into the Hills Angels in the cemetery when Bullets once more rain down. Cass tries to go after the snipper but fails to catch them once more. The case begins to tighten as Officer Brooks meets up with the 3 Batgirls to share what he knows and that Commissioner Montoya wants them to turn in their cowls. Barbara's stance disagrees and then leaves. What follows is the Batgirls are trying to lay low upon talking with Batman, who informs them to lay low and that he trusts their judgment. Meanwhile, Barbara creates a deepfake video of Cass and Stephanie getting arrested by the G.C.P.D. with the confirmed agreement by Montoya to make it seem real. What follows is Grace O'Halloran starting a parade protests in favor of the Batgirls the next day as he dear friend Roky remains in critical care. With a target on Grace's chest and the cover of people in costume around the Batgirls spring into action when a bullet hits Grace. In a mass hysteria, the citizens run for cover as Stephanie goes after the led sniper, who is revealed to be GunBunny. What follows is a swift hand-to-hand fight, but Grace intervenes, wanting to shoot GunBunny for having hurt Roky, but Steph convinces her not to do so. However, it is all for nothing as GunBunny is killed by the 2nd snipper, GunHawk, who is Arsti (The saint gun who got away in the last volume). Cass goes after him and is successful. Our Saga ends with Barbara, Alysia, and the neighborhood pooling in with support to Grace and Roky for all that they've been through. Our adventure comes to a close with Stephanie and Cass promising to fish Bando out of the lake and words of wisdom from our writers about the difference we all make as people in others' lives.
Overall, this was a fantastic volume that really highlighted the sister-like bond between Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. I also really loved the moments shared between Barbara and Bruce, bringing to light the idea that Batman views Batgirl as a capable, intelligent crime fighter and a worthy leader of the Batgirl legacy. I loved the arc surrounding Cass and Stephanie's parents the most as it focuses on their shared childhood trauma inflicted by their parents and their ultimate alliance as friends, which leads them to overcome their own P.T.S.D. emotional and physical pain. 10/10 🌟!!
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November 17, 2025mmmh idk how I feel about this series, the art most of time has been spectacular, some of the best I’ve seen, and even when the art wasn’t my fave the colors were still a 10/10. The issue about cass (#14) was probably the most beautiful one and one of my all time faves. The story tho idk, it feels definitely for a young teen audience specially at the start which isn’t bad on itself but at the same time it’s so common to “tone down” the stories about female characters when they are “for women”, it only stays on the same tone as the males one when it comes to portraying violence, specially sexual violence, against women and there for “for men”. So this isn’t the worst I’ve read at all, specially for female characters, they’re treated as actual human beings (yes, the bar is in hell) but the stories, specially the so incredibly millenial narration, could have been somewhat better but it was good enough ig and the art again was great.
June 16, 2024
oh WOW did this book get insanely good very fast. the first two were alright but nothing to write home about in my opinion, but this one really knocked out of the park what i’d really wanted from a batgirls book all along; a chance to let steph and cass’s dynamic shine.
first half was the easiest 5 ever, and though i believe the second half was a 4, i was so blown away by the sharp improvement that i think this book has earned the round up to a 5. i really started to enjoy steph’s writing, though i think cass’ left something to be desired. if i was disappointed in this book getting cancelled so early before, i’m even more devastated now that it occurred as the story found its height.
stephcass i will miss you forever.
first half was the easiest 5 ever, and though i believe the second half was a 4, i was so blown away by the sharp improvement that i think this book has earned the round up to a 5. i really started to enjoy steph’s writing, though i think cass’ left something to be desired. if i was disappointed in this book getting cancelled so early before, i’m even more devastated now that it occurred as the story found its height.
stephcass i will miss you forever.
August 2, 2025
Giving this three stars (even though I enjoyed it the most out of the 3 volumes) because of inconsistent art and Cass and Steph are sometimes depicted as older than I think they are intended to be (first volume made them to be early teens, and sometimes here they come off as old as early 20s). I continue to enjoy the characters, and the villains felt better utilized in this volume than the other 2. The ending felt a little rushed, but pretty feel good as the entire neighborhood ends up on the side of the Batgirls so I guess that’s a nice send off.
January 9, 2024
I'm going to miss this series so much it hurts my heart. Beautiful art, great stories, and maybe the purest friendship DC has ever offered us.
August 19, 2025
As of now, 'Batgirls, Vol. 3: Girls to the Front' concludes Becky Cloonan's run on DC's modern 'Batgirls', starring all three of the Batgirls - Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, and Cassandra Cain. And that's okay. The final issues themselves are okay. The story isn't important, nor is the action - though those are nonetheless entertaining and exciting as hell.
It's all about the girl power. It's about the sisterhood, and the female solidarity, support, and bonding. It's the Batgirls' shared experiences and connection.
The Batgirls are a family. A family of arse-kicking femmes, each going through her own personal trauma, who will always get right back up again, and will never die. They will always have each other, after all.
I swear, Cloonan is a hardcore Steph Brown and Cass Cain shipper. They are so close in this volume, barely platonic! Steph's relationship with whatshisname is like, literally whatever! He's barely present.
Included in 'Girls to the Front' (even the title is on the nose in its feminism!) are: Cass and her mother issues; Steph and her father issues; Cass and Steph swapping bodies (bound to happen eventually, wasn't it? At least there is an original origin here in that the body switching is initiated by Steph saving a cat up a tree); callbacks to the previous two volumes; Commissioner Renee Montoya; Batman cameos; the Mad Hatter; robots of Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Huntress, Batwoman, and the rest of the Bat Family; Steph-Batgirl turning into a Girl-Bat (she gets better); reporter and podcaster Grace O'Halloran receiving a bigger - and more tragic - role; Batgirls support groups and protests against their coerced arrests; and sharpshooters.
Oh, and the best part - Alysia Yeoh, Babs's trans POC bestie and former roommate, is back, and she has her own boba bar and café now. She is part of the comic's sisterhood theme. I'm beyond glad she is still around, carried on from Gail Simone's New 52 'Batgirl' run.
Goddesses, DC'S New 52 reboot was nearly fifteen years ago...
Admittedly Babs Gordon, my all time favourite Batgirl and DC heroine, has a lesser role, as the focus is on the other two, younger and more active Batgirls and their relationship. But as Oracle, she is as important as she ever was. She remains a wheelchair user, which is respectful and vital for disability representation. She's her own heartfelt, women-supporting, tech genius star, as well as a big sister to Steph and Cass.
The ending of the run is a little rushed, but who cares? The Batgirls are back, and stronger together than ever. Plus, their adventures are fun!
We are all Batgirls.
We should aspire to be like them.
That concludes my final review of Becky Cloonan's 'Batgirls' comic volumes.
For my additional thoughts on the series, read:
My review of 'Batgirls, Vol. 1: One Way or Another'.
My review of 'Batgirls, Vol. 2: Bat Girl Summer'.
Final Score: 3.5/5
It's all about the girl power. It's about the sisterhood, and the female solidarity, support, and bonding. It's the Batgirls' shared experiences and connection.
The Batgirls are a family. A family of arse-kicking femmes, each going through her own personal trauma, who will always get right back up again, and will never die. They will always have each other, after all.
I swear, Cloonan is a hardcore Steph Brown and Cass Cain shipper. They are so close in this volume, barely platonic! Steph's relationship with whatshisname is like, literally whatever! He's barely present.
Included in 'Girls to the Front' (even the title is on the nose in its feminism!) are: Cass and her mother issues; Steph and her father issues; Cass and Steph swapping bodies (bound to happen eventually, wasn't it? At least there is an original origin here in that the body switching is initiated by Steph saving a cat up a tree); callbacks to the previous two volumes; Commissioner Renee Montoya; Batman cameos; the Mad Hatter; robots of Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Huntress, Batwoman, and the rest of the Bat Family; Steph-Batgirl turning into a Girl-Bat (she gets better); reporter and podcaster Grace O'Halloran receiving a bigger - and more tragic - role; Batgirls support groups and protests against their coerced arrests; and sharpshooters.
Oh, and the best part - Alysia Yeoh, Babs's trans POC bestie and former roommate, is back, and she has her own boba bar and café now. She is part of the comic's sisterhood theme. I'm beyond glad she is still around, carried on from Gail Simone's New 52 'Batgirl' run.
Goddesses, DC'S New 52 reboot was nearly fifteen years ago...
Admittedly Babs Gordon, my all time favourite Batgirl and DC heroine, has a lesser role, as the focus is on the other two, younger and more active Batgirls and their relationship. But as Oracle, she is as important as she ever was. She remains a wheelchair user, which is respectful and vital for disability representation. She's her own heartfelt, women-supporting, tech genius star, as well as a big sister to Steph and Cass.
The ending of the run is a little rushed, but who cares? The Batgirls are back, and stronger together than ever. Plus, their adventures are fun!
We are all Batgirls.
We should aspire to be like them.
That concludes my final review of Becky Cloonan's 'Batgirls' comic volumes.
For my additional thoughts on the series, read:
My review of 'Batgirls, Vol. 1: One Way or Another'.
My review of 'Batgirls, Vol. 2: Bat Girl Summer'.
Final Score: 3.5/5
March 27, 2024
I really wanted to like this series. The Batgirls are great characters. I especially love Cassandra, though I have basically only read her debut series. I didn't trust anyone else to handle her story until Becky Cloonan started this one. But it just never clicked with me. The casual, jokey style wasn't right for me, the emotional beats usually felt phoned in, and the plots rarely went anywhere interesting. But it seemed to find its footing in this final volume. There were a few stories. The first one started out awkwardly ("oops, we switched bodies by acting stupid!"), but it ended up developing Cass' and Stephanie's characters in great ways, and it had an all-silent issue that was actually good. It's followed with a Mad Hatter one-shot which hits exactly the notes I wish more superhero stories did. It was good without trying to feel like an earth-shattering event. Then the final story tried to wrap things up meaningfully, but it was a return to the writing that didn't connect with me. A sniper terrorizes the neighborhood, the citizens are scared, the sniper turns out to have a grudge against the Batgirls, and in the end everyone comes together to show support for the heroes. None of those concepts felt real to me. Still, this volume wrapped the series up on a satisfying note, and it leaves me feeling good about the heroes and the status quo.
July 6, 2023
This is a great end to a great book. We have growth for all the characters tied into the Batgirls history/mythology. The Hill has been fleshed out as a promising part of Gotham. Think of it as the Batgirls version of Bludhaven. They've got their autonomy to protect the neighborhood and make a difference in their small patch of land. We've also got major character development with the Batgirls themselves. Cassandra Cain is opening up, at last, and isn't just a former assassin. Stephanie Brown is getting past (FINALLY!) her own chaotic history and villain-father origins.
PLUS, we have continuing (and now growing) ties to the Gotham Academy cast of characters (yea, Maps!)
This is a fun title with a great story of everybody finding their way and charting new paths to their future. Highly recommended. Read all of Becky Cloonan's stuff.
---
Bonus: Lazarus Resin? Did EVERY comic have this plot device at this part of 2022/23?
Bonus Bonus: Still cleaning things up from the Magistrate times. Tie up those loose ends!
PLUS, we have continuing (and now growing) ties to the Gotham Academy cast of characters (yea, Maps!)
This is a fun title with a great story of everybody finding their way and charting new paths to their future. Highly recommended. Read all of Becky Cloonan's stuff.
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Bonus: Lazarus Resin? Did EVERY comic have this plot device at this part of 2022/23?
Bonus Bonus: Still cleaning things up from the Magistrate times. Tie up those loose ends!
October 27, 2023
This makes a decent, if not remarkable, conclusion to the series. The initial story sees the two Batgirls swapping bodies but doesn't do much with the idea beyond using it as a vehicle to get into a plot about the characters' relationships with their respective parents. Which mostly works well, even if the resolution feels a bit uninspired. We do get a regular bat-villain turning up, albeit not one of the more famous ones, as an opponent, and Batman and other allies also get involved in the background.
Mostly, though, it's the story of Cass and Steph, as it should be, and there's a focus on their friendship and the way that they complement each other that makes for a positive vibe. That's nicely offset by the second part of the plot, which deals with the plausibly real-world threat of a hidden sniper stalking the neighbourhood. The artwork is variable, but never truly bad, and there are certainly some well-written sequences here and there. It's a decent send-off for the characters, for anyone who enjoyed their teen camaraderie, and possibly the strongest of the set.
Mostly, though, it's the story of Cass and Steph, as it should be, and there's a focus on their friendship and the way that they complement each other that makes for a positive vibe. That's nicely offset by the second part of the plot, which deals with the plausibly real-world threat of a hidden sniper stalking the neighbourhood. The artwork is variable, but never truly bad, and there are certainly some well-written sequences here and there. It's a decent send-off for the characters, for anyone who enjoyed their teen camaraderie, and possibly the strongest of the set.
June 27, 2023
The rating is high here, but I want to point out that for its 19 issue run this was a good series and concept. The concept of Barbara Gordon taking other Batgirls under her wings, and providing guidance in the field and as mentor is nice change from typical super hero titles.
And, I like Barbara when she's more in her Oracle mode. She does go into the field, but it not her primary role.
Stephanie and Cassandra are the odd couple who truly bond during the series. Stephanie with the constant ongoing dialogue and the taciturn Cassandra, They mesh well togethers as Batgirls and friends.
Really, the crimes/murders, well that's part of living in Gotham City. I kept reading this book for the relationships.
And, I like Barbara when she's more in her Oracle mode. She does go into the field, but it not her primary role.
Stephanie and Cassandra are the odd couple who truly bond during the series. Stephanie with the constant ongoing dialogue and the taciturn Cassandra, They mesh well togethers as Batgirls and friends.
Really, the crimes/murders, well that's part of living in Gotham City. I kept reading this book for the relationships.
November 7, 2023
How dare DC cancel this series? With parents and pasts emerging from the shadows, Batgirls takes a darker turn as Cass and Steph reckon with the things they've tried to leave behind. Only this time, they don't have to do it alone. With body swapping and an appearance from the Mad Hatter, things are gonna get weird. And when a very real threat begins terrorizing the people the Batgirls are sworn to protect, it will test the Batgirls and their community as the decide what they are going to stand for.
With great art and fantastic writing full of humor and rich storytelling, Cloonan and Conrad have helmed a fantastic series. Along with everything else that has made these characters fun to read, every issue is brimming with heart--and that's what really makes this special.
With great art and fantastic writing full of humor and rich storytelling, Cloonan and Conrad have helmed a fantastic series. Along with everything else that has made these characters fun to read, every issue is brimming with heart--and that's what really makes this special.
December 22, 2024
of the 2023 batgirls run, this was the one that felt the most “comic-y” to me in a way that I recognized from the comics I read as a kid. enjoyed it a lot, good character moments!! confident in saying it’s the best of the bunch
I loved how the Cass pov parts were wordless but really visually vivid. cameos from Bruce, Z, and Shiva, love it. also this goes for the whole Batgirls run, but Steph will NOT stop talking about how incredible Cass is.
I loved how the Cass pov parts were wordless but really visually vivid. cameos from Bruce, Z, and Shiva, love it. also this goes for the whole Batgirls run, but Steph will NOT stop talking about how incredible Cass is.
May 19, 2025
would be a 4.5 because i really am not a fan of robbi rodriguez's art. i usually try not to let art styles affect how much i enjoy comics but it's Distracting at this point. the art's not all bad (to me) though. jonathan case my soul is yours. i am seriously obsessed with the whole bodyswap story and what follows it. it's so fun (& eventually devastating) and definitely what made this comic great to me :-)
November 8, 2025
I really think this series only got better with each issue, in particular issue #14 has to be my favourite of the entire series. As Cass silently works to track down her stolen friend.
The friendship between Cass and Steph has been the heart of the book since the beginning, and thats never been more true than in this volume, as they deal with their villianous parents, body-swap shenanigans, and a violent sniper attacking the citizens of Gotham.
The friendship between Cass and Steph has been the heart of the book since the beginning, and thats never been more true than in this volume, as they deal with their villianous parents, body-swap shenanigans, and a violent sniper attacking the citizens of Gotham.
December 6, 2023
I really enjoyed Batgirls! I don't think the interiors of the final volume reach the heights of Jorge Corona's run on the series but Robbi Rodriguez was an excellent choice to close out the series. I also really liked Jonathan Case's issues, especially his color work. Maybe it does reach the heights of the Corona run, I donno, it's good! Read Batgirls!
December 31, 2023
Batgirls was such a fun series! Barbara, Steph, and Cass are 2-4 in some order for my favorite Batfamily members (Dick Grayson will always be number one). My biggest complaint about this volume is there wasn’t a single Maps appearance which was a huge missed opportunity. Excited to read more of each Batgirl in the future!
January 3, 2024
Easy 4 out of 5. Quippy dialogue, compelling story, fun.
I really hope more people read this now that you can grab all the trades. This is such an underrated comic series. The story is fun, the characters are easy to care about, and the art is awesome. Please, more people have to pick this up, it deserves the sales.
Really great team all around.
I really hope more people read this now that you can grab all the trades. This is such an underrated comic series. The story is fun, the characters are easy to care about, and the art is awesome. Please, more people have to pick this up, it deserves the sales.
Really great team all around.
March 13, 2024
Lot of heart
Two main arcs: a Freaky Friday bodyswap with parent drama and a sniper terrorist demanding the Batgirls' arrest. There's a fair bit of drama in the first part as well as a little romance, but the amount of friendship made up for both. Lots of bestie found-family galentine sisterhood to it.
Two main arcs: a Freaky Friday bodyswap with parent drama and a sniper terrorist demanding the Batgirls' arrest. There's a fair bit of drama in the first part as well as a little romance, but the amount of friendship made up for both. Lots of bestie found-family galentine sisterhood to it.
October 5, 2025
Aww I gonna miss this series, if not for the stories themselves- but just the vibes and color palette. I love the core trio of the batgirls- and so it was great to get to see them shine a bit especially with that freaky Friday story(along with some killer art from Johnathan Case), even when the final arc felt phoned in.
October 6, 2023
What a fun series. Really loved the friendship between Steph and Cass, this volume could MAYBE have used a little bit more Barbara? But I also loved the Zatanna cameo because I am me. Very glad I picked this up and happy to have in my collection.
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