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Batgirl (2024) #7
Batgirl (2024-) #7
Spinning out of “Mother,” the first arc’s world-shattering finale, Lady Shiva unveilsher true, secret origins to Batgirl for the very first time. Courtesy of special guestartist Isaac Goodhart, don’t miss the definitive history of Lady Shiva.
Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 8, 2025
I know that exploring Cass further means that exploring her relationship with her parents and therefore delving into who Lady Shiva really was is relevant here. Unfortunately, this is a Batgirl book, and Cass is only in about four pages. What we learn about Shiva is compelling thus far, albeit a bit predictable.
May 7, 2025
It's not that I don't like Shiva. It's the fact we're still focused on her more than Batgirl. I wish this series gave us a more focused Batgirl story for her own growth. Growing through her mother's legacy isn't my favorite. Saying that, I do love the moments we get with Cass. And Shiva backstory is interesting enough even if cliche. Good but not great.
May 9, 2025
Wow what a brilliant Segway from the tragedy of the last story arc featuring Shiva’s death to this new storyline. We immediately set our sights on Cass, and of course who is she talking to on her train ride back to Gotham? None other than Steph, who else could it be. Somehow Cass received a mysterious package, and it’s not ticking so it must be safe to open. Once she boards the train, and finds her seat, she opens the package to find a journal and a Walkman with a cassette tape and headphones. And that’s when we begin to understand the next storyline, the journal is the book of shiva and the tape is shiva narrating the book and her life. But it’s not exactly Lady Shiva’s life, it’s the life of the woman she was before…the woman who no longer exists. And only through Cass will her life live on.
As we now journey through Shiva’s life we go back to some of her earliest memories, trekking through the Himalayas with her Father, Mother, and Sister. She remembers the stories her mother used to tell them by the fire, and she imagined the pain her father endured to revive the scars on his body. Their parents wished to spare them from violence so they ran. Mei is Shiva’s older sister and her only friend, and she shone brighter than anyone. Allowing Shiva to exist within her shadow and reflection. But despite their parent’s wishes…violence always found them. Interrupted in their attempted escape, they were surrounded and stopped by the blood. Their parents sent them running while they stayed behind to fight off the attackers, and as Mei dragged Shiva away…Shiva looked back and watched as her parents died.
With only each other they found themselves on the doorsteps of a temple, where they were taken in by the monks and where they trained for the next 10 years. We open 10 years later to find Shiva training and we see as her sister comes to retrieve her for fun in the town before they perform in the festival that night. But one part of this that peaked my curiosity is the contents of the speech the monk leading the training gave. He spoke of suffering, how it has a cause and an end and how every moment gives birth to the next. He spoke of Karmic truths that apply to their mortality but also to the gods themselves. He spoke of Mahākāla, their protector who helps put them on the path to enlightenment. He postponed his ascension in a vow to liberate humanity from suffering, but when his methods didn’t inspire the world to abandon their vices…he turned to wrath instead. He realizes without obstacles (such as suffering), humanity lacked motivation to pursue enlightenment. To face challenges and inspire them to face their flaws and better themselves. I find the concept of suffering to better yourself very relevant to Shiva’s story.
But as I mentioned Shiva was soon retrieved my Mei to venture into the town. At this point they are going by Mei-Xing and in Shiva’s case: Ming-Yue. Looking back Shiva expressed that these were the happiest days of her life. But things would come to a head on this day, the deaths of their parents looking over them would finally take shape, and it would all start with Shiva trying to play the hero. While in the town they came across debt collectors that work for the mob, known as the blood, that control these lands. They were trying to extort an old medicine woman who they claimed had forbidden medicines. Mei was the first to step in and tell them to back off, and in return she received a slap. This cause Shiva to act immediately, as she promptly kicked down the two collectors and sent them running. Later Mei expressed how much of a mistake that was, that she had it handled and taking one weak slap in order to save others was nothing. But she needs to work to calm the storm inside of her that has existed since their parent’s death. Not everything is a battle, and she will not even realize the consequence of her actions until the peace is breaking in front of her.
That night we witnessed the festival and watched as the sisters performed their own dance show. We are able to see how bright Mei shown and Shiva describes to us how she is drawn to her sister and can see every one of her through the through her motions and reactions…although Mei could never see the darkness that festered in Shiva. But only moments later their dance is interrupted when a flaming arrow descended and notched itself right into one of their drums. Suddenly everyone was running as a storm of flaming arrows descended onto the city. Soon the blood ninjas began slashing through the town, and even though the sisters stood strong and attempted to fight against them…they were soon faced with challenges they could not handle. Before them stood Wu Feng, the leader of the blood at that time. They have come because of the two men who were attacked earlier, but Shiva recognizes him immediately as the man who killed their parents. The monk leader who trained them tells them to run immediately, the blood ninjas are not just debt collectors, but have forged deals with dark spirits that even allow them to wield their own blood as weapons. The sisters fear that they are the ones who led the blood to their village, but Akhu quells their fears as the blood have threatened their people for decades and this day was always near. But right as Akhu began to talk to them further about the true origins of their parents…he is struck down by the leader of the blood. He approaches them with his own recognition as it turns out his is their UNCLE!! Their father was his brother and they were born out of forbidden love, but he does not see the sins of their parents as their own and does not wish to kill them…but to offer them their birthright. But upon seeing the death the blood has brought, Mei outright denies him. But he looks further to Shiva, and Zee’s the darkness and desire that flows through her that Mei does not see. But he is not allowed another moment to try and turn them as Akhu comes back and strikes him with a fury as he tells them to run. Once again the sisters decide that they exist for each other alone and will flee until they are free. Violence found them once again, and the village could rebuild…but it would not be safe while they called it home. They escaped and never returned, but after all they still had each other. But from what we know that day will not always last, and this issue concludes with Shiva teasing violence catching up with them again…especially as she meets Shiva’s father.
As we now journey through Shiva’s life we go back to some of her earliest memories, trekking through the Himalayas with her Father, Mother, and Sister. She remembers the stories her mother used to tell them by the fire, and she imagined the pain her father endured to revive the scars on his body. Their parents wished to spare them from violence so they ran. Mei is Shiva’s older sister and her only friend, and she shone brighter than anyone. Allowing Shiva to exist within her shadow and reflection. But despite their parent’s wishes…violence always found them. Interrupted in their attempted escape, they were surrounded and stopped by the blood. Their parents sent them running while they stayed behind to fight off the attackers, and as Mei dragged Shiva away…Shiva looked back and watched as her parents died.
With only each other they found themselves on the doorsteps of a temple, where they were taken in by the monks and where they trained for the next 10 years. We open 10 years later to find Shiva training and we see as her sister comes to retrieve her for fun in the town before they perform in the festival that night. But one part of this that peaked my curiosity is the contents of the speech the monk leading the training gave. He spoke of suffering, how it has a cause and an end and how every moment gives birth to the next. He spoke of Karmic truths that apply to their mortality but also to the gods themselves. He spoke of Mahākāla, their protector who helps put them on the path to enlightenment. He postponed his ascension in a vow to liberate humanity from suffering, but when his methods didn’t inspire the world to abandon their vices…he turned to wrath instead. He realizes without obstacles (such as suffering), humanity lacked motivation to pursue enlightenment. To face challenges and inspire them to face their flaws and better themselves. I find the concept of suffering to better yourself very relevant to Shiva’s story.
But as I mentioned Shiva was soon retrieved my Mei to venture into the town. At this point they are going by Mei-Xing and in Shiva’s case: Ming-Yue. Looking back Shiva expressed that these were the happiest days of her life. But things would come to a head on this day, the deaths of their parents looking over them would finally take shape, and it would all start with Shiva trying to play the hero. While in the town they came across debt collectors that work for the mob, known as the blood, that control these lands. They were trying to extort an old medicine woman who they claimed had forbidden medicines. Mei was the first to step in and tell them to back off, and in return she received a slap. This cause Shiva to act immediately, as she promptly kicked down the two collectors and sent them running. Later Mei expressed how much of a mistake that was, that she had it handled and taking one weak slap in order to save others was nothing. But she needs to work to calm the storm inside of her that has existed since their parent’s death. Not everything is a battle, and she will not even realize the consequence of her actions until the peace is breaking in front of her.
That night we witnessed the festival and watched as the sisters performed their own dance show. We are able to see how bright Mei shown and Shiva describes to us how she is drawn to her sister and can see every one of her through the through her motions and reactions…although Mei could never see the darkness that festered in Shiva. But only moments later their dance is interrupted when a flaming arrow descended and notched itself right into one of their drums. Suddenly everyone was running as a storm of flaming arrows descended onto the city. Soon the blood ninjas began slashing through the town, and even though the sisters stood strong and attempted to fight against them…they were soon faced with challenges they could not handle. Before them stood Wu Feng, the leader of the blood at that time. They have come because of the two men who were attacked earlier, but Shiva recognizes him immediately as the man who killed their parents. The monk leader who trained them tells them to run immediately, the blood ninjas are not just debt collectors, but have forged deals with dark spirits that even allow them to wield their own blood as weapons. The sisters fear that they are the ones who led the blood to their village, but Akhu quells their fears as the blood have threatened their people for decades and this day was always near. But right as Akhu began to talk to them further about the true origins of their parents…he is struck down by the leader of the blood. He approaches them with his own recognition as it turns out his is their UNCLE!! Their father was his brother and they were born out of forbidden love, but he does not see the sins of their parents as their own and does not wish to kill them…but to offer them their birthright. But upon seeing the death the blood has brought, Mei outright denies him. But he looks further to Shiva, and Zee’s the darkness and desire that flows through her that Mei does not see. But he is not allowed another moment to try and turn them as Akhu comes back and strikes him with a fury as he tells them to run. Once again the sisters decide that they exist for each other alone and will flee until they are free. Violence found them once again, and the village could rebuild…but it would not be safe while they called it home. They escaped and never returned, but after all they still had each other. But from what we know that day will not always last, and this issue concludes with Shiva teasing violence catching up with them again…especially as she meets Shiva’s father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
Parecería que tras ese gran arco argumental que reencontraba a Cass con Lady Shiva y el desenlace de esta, podría darse una mejor oportunidar argumental para que un comic de BATGIRL se sienta por cuenta propia como tal. Pero tate Brombal no quiere enterrar tan fácilmente a Shiva (y eso que Tom King la está utilizando en esa serie con Canario Negro) y aprovecha que Cass ha terminado aceptando mejor su tosca relación con su madre para que aparezca el medio para narrar una historia de origen de esta letal guerrera y asesina.
No sé si esta idea será de un número a mayores para motivar una trama más centrada en Cass. Pero desde luego Tate no ha ayudado en mantener el entusiasmo con esta oportunidad editorial para el personaje.
No sé si esta idea será de un número a mayores para motivar una trama más centrada en Cass. Pero desde luego Tate no ha ayudado en mantener el entusiasmo con esta oportunidad editorial para el personaje.
May 8, 2025
not sure how i feel with it being a backstory of Shiva. issue 8 continues the backstory but it seems to end when issue 9 starts, so hopefully the backstory wont go on too long. I think Tom King ruined that kind of writing for me because of his 19 Sovereign voiceover issues in Wonder Woman.
May 12, 2025
Impressive.
It gotten even better! The art was the highlight here. The writing was a marked improvement from the last couple of issues. Wonderful storytelling. The artist compliments the writer and vice versa. Good combo. This issue was straight fire!
It gotten even better! The art was the highlight here. The writing was a marked improvement from the last couple of issues. Wonderful storytelling. The artist compliments the writer and vice versa. Good combo. This issue was straight fire!
May 15, 2025
This was a good start to the new storyline. I like the route it’s taking so far. Curious about what’s going to happen next. I would like to focus more on Batgirl in future issues rather than Shiva over and over again. But idk maybe that’s how it just is 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
I am loving seeing more of Cassandra and Shiva’s family history and I need more. Why must this update month by month??
June 9, 2025
I liked the backstory of her mother, but I can't wait to read more about Batgirl herself.
November 11, 2025
3 stars. This whole issue is about Shiva. Listen, I like Shiva as a character a lot but I picked this series up for Cass and she feels like a side character in her own series so far.
November 11, 2025
Lady Shiva’s background story. I love it.
December 1, 2025
Lady Shiva has an interesting backstory. I know very little about her, so it was fun to read, but it wasn't as compelling for me as the first arc, so far.
January 25, 2026
interesting lore, this felt fine because it was intentional and purposeful just an expose into someone vs clawed out.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews