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Batgirl (2016)
Batgirl, Vol. 5: Art of the Crime
Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, is heading home to Gotham City, ready to confront her personal life. But the villainous art thief, Grotesque, has other plans for her.
During a high-speed chase with the murderous Grotesque, the villain K.O.s Batgirl with a souped-up stun gun that temporarily fries the device implanted in her spine. (That thing that helps her, you know, walk and be Batgirl?) Babs finds herself in for a whole new world of hurt now that old wounds have been opened up—and so does Grotesque.
Writer Mairghread Scott (Transformers) takes the reins of this best-selling series with artist Paul Pelletier (The New 52’s Aquaman) as they immerse Batgirl in the midst of a thrilling murder mystery in Gotham!
Collects Batgirl #26-29, Batgirl Annual #2 plus an 8 page story from Batgirl #25
During a high-speed chase with the murderous Grotesque, the villain K.O.s Batgirl with a souped-up stun gun that temporarily fries the device implanted in her spine. (That thing that helps her, you know, walk and be Batgirl?) Babs finds herself in for a whole new world of hurt now that old wounds have been opened up—and so does Grotesque.
Writer Mairghread Scott (Transformers) takes the reins of this best-selling series with artist Paul Pelletier (The New 52’s Aquaman) as they immerse Batgirl in the midst of a thrilling murder mystery in Gotham!
Collects Batgirl #26-29, Batgirl Annual #2 plus an 8 page story from Batgirl #25
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2019
9 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 8, 2019
This is the best Batgirl has been since Gail Simone left. It actually references a lot of what she did on the title with the return of James Gordon Jr. and Grotesque. Mairghread Scott put these two stories together really well. It's so nice to have the Batgirl of old return and no more hipster Batgirl. All the cutesy elements are gone and the stakes are real.
Paul Pelletier is an unsung artist in comics. He's a great artist who keeps on schedule. I've loved his work since his days on Ex-Mutants. It was nice to have a DC comic where one artist illustrated the entire arc.
Paul Pelletier is an unsung artist in comics. He's a great artist who keeps on schedule. I've loved his work since his days on Ex-Mutants. It was nice to have a DC comic where one artist illustrated the entire arc.
July 11, 2019
This has a great annual issue and a decent enough main story.
The annual, which is super big, focuses on James and Barbara's relationship. It's really weird, really creepy, and really well done. If you didn't know, Black Mirror is my favorite Batman story probably ever. This relies heavily on the fact James is the main villain. He's the villain in this annual and he's still as terrifying. The rest of the volume focuses on Batgirl's villain Grotesque. Who's that? A dude who likes to make art out of his victims.
Overall, the annual is great. I loved almost every moment. The art is pretty solid throughout and Batgirl gets a new costume which is ten times better than the last one which looked awful. So all positives there. The negative? Grotesque is a boring villain. The pacing of the story also gets a bit slow and the idea of Barbara being ashamed of her disability or thinking her father does was...weird.
So it's pretty good. I hope we get more like the annual in the future. A 3 out of 5.
The annual, which is super big, focuses on James and Barbara's relationship. It's really weird, really creepy, and really well done. If you didn't know, Black Mirror is my favorite Batman story probably ever. This relies heavily on the fact James is the main villain. He's the villain in this annual and he's still as terrifying. The rest of the volume focuses on Batgirl's villain Grotesque. Who's that? A dude who likes to make art out of his victims.
Overall, the annual is great. I loved almost every moment. The art is pretty solid throughout and Batgirl gets a new costume which is ten times better than the last one which looked awful. So all positives there. The negative? Grotesque is a boring villain. The pacing of the story also gets a bit slow and the idea of Barbara being ashamed of her disability or thinking her father does was...weird.
So it's pretty good. I hope we get more like the annual in the future. A 3 out of 5.
August 6, 2019
I was a fan of Gail Simone's New52 Batgirl run and wanted something similar to that book ever since, but DC kept churning out that weird YA-ish Burnside thing until I completely lost interest. Then I heard that Mairghread Scott's newest run was the book that brought Babs back more in line with Simone's vision, so I immediately wanted to check it out. But while the book definitely feels closer to that dark and gritty tone, I really wasn't a fan of the actual story here. Art theft, a villain called Dark Web (*snort*), the conflict between Babs and Jim Gordon, the fake danger of Barabara losing her ability to walk again? Yeah, none of those were even remotely interesting to me. The book felt silly trying to mesh its darker tone of storytelling with such a campy villain (how many more computer and internet-based villains do we have to get through before modern writers realise it's a stupid idea?), and there was no intrigue — every plot development was predictable and boring, nothing we haven't seen before. And damn, I am so tired of Babs hiding her Batgirl identity from Jim Gordon — what purpose does it even serve at this point? Most of the volume's drama and casualties could have been avoided if they could just talk like normal people and be prepared for what's coming to them. As a result, I was struggling to finish the volume despite how relatively short it was, and I can't say I'm eager to read more of Scott's run in the future. Guess it's goodbye to Batgirl for now once again, at least until another creative team takes over the book.
December 27, 2018
Wow...what happened.
World: The art by Pelletier is solid, I like the facial expressions and they are expressive and convey great emotions. The best part of the art is the quiet moments with Babs and Dad and Pelletier nails that part. The world building here is okay. There is the Dark Web stuff which I was not a fan of from Nightwing and them being in this book makes me feel like a rehash on a boring and uninteresting villain. The past that the book pulls from is good but it is also one of the biggest problems with this book as it is essentially retreading all the ideas from previous books (more below). Aight.
Story: The story is janky and contrived and not very original at all. As I said above this is a retread on familiar themes and stories for Babs. We don’t really need another story about her implants and her being in a wheelchair, why are we doing this again. This is a rehash of Gail Simone’s New52 run and then the Burnside run with Mind Games why are we doing this again? Bringing back Grotesque is also a weird choice as he’s such a boring villain. In the end this story is cliched, boring and unoriginal. Sure the best parts were the quiet moments between Dad and Babs but the rest was sooo forgettable.
Characters: Babs losing her legs...are we doing this again? Are we retreading this again and again and a new writer comes in and tries to add to energy to the series by doing this again? The villain was also stupid and contrived and cliched, we knew he was a villain and after these issues no one will remember him ever again, that’s how unimportant an unimpressive these characters were.
I did not like this arc, it’s pointless, and unoriginal and a waste of time.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The art by Pelletier is solid, I like the facial expressions and they are expressive and convey great emotions. The best part of the art is the quiet moments with Babs and Dad and Pelletier nails that part. The world building here is okay. There is the Dark Web stuff which I was not a fan of from Nightwing and them being in this book makes me feel like a rehash on a boring and uninteresting villain. The past that the book pulls from is good but it is also one of the biggest problems with this book as it is essentially retreading all the ideas from previous books (more below). Aight.
Story: The story is janky and contrived and not very original at all. As I said above this is a retread on familiar themes and stories for Babs. We don’t really need another story about her implants and her being in a wheelchair, why are we doing this again. This is a rehash of Gail Simone’s New52 run and then the Burnside run with Mind Games why are we doing this again? Bringing back Grotesque is also a weird choice as he’s such a boring villain. In the end this story is cliched, boring and unoriginal. Sure the best parts were the quiet moments between Dad and Babs but the rest was sooo forgettable.
Characters: Babs losing her legs...are we doing this again? Are we retreading this again and again and a new writer comes in and tries to add to energy to the series by doing this again? The villain was also stupid and contrived and cliched, we knew he was a villain and after these issues no one will remember him ever again, that’s how unimportant an unimpressive these characters were.
I did not like this arc, it’s pointless, and unoriginal and a waste of time.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
May 18, 2019
New writer Mairghread Scott takes Batgirl back in time as she dons a new costume and battles an old foe in this first volume of her run. When Grotesque returns with a new, murderous MO, Barbara has to pull out all the stops to make sure his crime spree's body count doesn't get even higher.
Scott makes everything old new again in four short issues - the Art Of The Crime story feels like classic Batgirl action, while also feeling like a logical step forward. Barbara makes a bit of a break from some of her previous commitments like Gordon Clean Energy, but they remain a presence in her life and inform how she moves forward. A certain plot point involving her spinal implant throws back nicely to the beginning of the New 52, as does the choice of Grotesque as the villain, even if the mystery behind him gets a little convoluted. It's a solid first arc that sets the tone for what we can expect going forward.
Also included and easily the highlight of the volume is Batgirl Annual 2, which brings James Gordon Jr. back into Barbara's life. He's one of the best Bat characters created in recent(ish) years, and his dynamic with Barbara always makes for good drama; this over-sized issue is no exception, and the visceral reactions she has to him really sell a good brother/sister dynamic, with the added hero/villain edge too.
I don't understand why DC don't get Paul Pelletier on their 'big name' books more often. Not that Batgirl or Titans before this aren't big, but Pelletier is such a solid, reliable, and consistent artist that it surprises me that his last big DC run was probably Aquaman at this point. Still, it means that he gets to turn it out here instead, while Elena Casagrande shows up for the annual story.
New writer, new artist, new costume, old foes, but a bright new horizon for Batgirl.
Scott makes everything old new again in four short issues - the Art Of The Crime story feels like classic Batgirl action, while also feeling like a logical step forward. Barbara makes a bit of a break from some of her previous commitments like Gordon Clean Energy, but they remain a presence in her life and inform how she moves forward. A certain plot point involving her spinal implant throws back nicely to the beginning of the New 52, as does the choice of Grotesque as the villain, even if the mystery behind him gets a little convoluted. It's a solid first arc that sets the tone for what we can expect going forward.
Also included and easily the highlight of the volume is Batgirl Annual 2, which brings James Gordon Jr. back into Barbara's life. He's one of the best Bat characters created in recent(ish) years, and his dynamic with Barbara always makes for good drama; this over-sized issue is no exception, and the visceral reactions she has to him really sell a good brother/sister dynamic, with the added hero/villain edge too.
I don't understand why DC don't get Paul Pelletier on their 'big name' books more often. Not that Batgirl or Titans before this aren't big, but Pelletier is such a solid, reliable, and consistent artist that it surprises me that his last big DC run was probably Aquaman at this point. Still, it means that he gets to turn it out here instead, while Elena Casagrande shows up for the annual story.
New writer, new artist, new costume, old foes, but a bright new horizon for Batgirl.
February 22, 2025
Uma HQ que começou morna, com algumas histórias one shot bem oks, com destaque apenas para uma que aparece o James Gordon Jr. e a história possui semelhanças com Silêncio dos Inocentes, esse encadernado tinha tudo para sem mediano. No entanto, na metade da edição, um arco com o antagonista Carrasco se inicia e a qualidade da HQ começa a melhorar.
Nesse arco supramencionado, a Batgirl encara o vilão Carrasco, que está roubando obras de arte da população rica de Burnside e assassinando os donos burgueses dessas obras, alegando que os mesmos são criminosos que "apodrecem" Gotham.
Ao que tudo indica, a Batgirl já enfrentou o vilão no passado, mas as investigações indicam mudanças no modus operandi do Carrasco e a heroína fica pensativa sobre isso.
Por consequências do embate entre eles, o chip da coluna da Bárbara sofre avarias e a personagem começa a ter problemas que afetam não apenas seu chip e os movimentos de suas pernas, mas começa também a interferir em seu cérebro, afetando suas memórias e seu raciocínio.
A história desse arco começou a me ganhar após toda essa complexidade envolvendo o vilão e os dilemas que a Bárbara começou a enfrentar a respeito de sua coluna. A combinação de uma história de investigação, somado aos problemas da Bárbara, resultaram em um arco bem desenvolvido, que apela para o lado heroico de histórias de heróis que já estamos acostumados, mas também o drama envolvendo a família Gordon.
Nesse arco supramencionado, a Batgirl encara o vilão Carrasco, que está roubando obras de arte da população rica de Burnside e assassinando os donos burgueses dessas obras, alegando que os mesmos são criminosos que "apodrecem" Gotham.
Ao que tudo indica, a Batgirl já enfrentou o vilão no passado, mas as investigações indicam mudanças no modus operandi do Carrasco e a heroína fica pensativa sobre isso.
Por consequências do embate entre eles, o chip da coluna da Bárbara sofre avarias e a personagem começa a ter problemas que afetam não apenas seu chip e os movimentos de suas pernas, mas começa também a interferir em seu cérebro, afetando suas memórias e seu raciocínio.
A história desse arco começou a me ganhar após toda essa complexidade envolvendo o vilão e os dilemas que a Bárbara começou a enfrentar a respeito de sua coluna. A combinação de uma história de investigação, somado aos problemas da Bárbara, resultaram em um arco bem desenvolvido, que apela para o lado heroico de histórias de heróis que já estamos acostumados, mas também o drama envolvendo a família Gordon.
June 17, 2019
This is the kind of Batgirl that I like
Mairghread Scott looks promising and a perfect fit as a continuation of Gail Simone Batgirl take before the DC You changes. What I specially liked about this is how the author has opted for a more narrative take than having the characters with a lot of conversations. She uses conversations only for necessary points and lets the image take care of the action.
I love the new Sean Murphy suit, and the style of Paul Pelletier on the art wastes no space. Overall I'm really excited to see that James Gordon Jr. is back and I have always wanted him to comeback since his appearances in Death of the Family and Batman Eternal. The detective style in which (so far) Mairghread is taking Batgirl stories.
The main plot againts Grotesque doesn't really offers nothing really new in Batgirl stories, but I see this book more as an introduction on what to expect in the future. But I really need to highlight her work in the James Gordon Jr. story and Batgirl #25 short story, they really good and took Batgirl in a way I haven't seen in a long time.
Mairghread Scott looks promising and a perfect fit as a continuation of Gail Simone Batgirl take before the DC You changes. What I specially liked about this is how the author has opted for a more narrative take than having the characters with a lot of conversations. She uses conversations only for necessary points and lets the image take care of the action.
I love the new Sean Murphy suit, and the style of Paul Pelletier on the art wastes no space. Overall I'm really excited to see that James Gordon Jr. is back and I have always wanted him to comeback since his appearances in Death of the Family and Batman Eternal. The detective style in which (so far) Mairghread is taking Batgirl stories.
The main plot againts Grotesque doesn't really offers nothing really new in Batgirl stories, but I see this book more as an introduction on what to expect in the future. But I really need to highlight her work in the James Gordon Jr. story and Batgirl #25 short story, they really good and took Batgirl in a way I haven't seen in a long time.
April 13, 2019
Basic plot: Batgirl chases down an art thief and murderer.
This was a good arc. It took its time to build the layers of the story, giving a good amount of suspense and some great character moments. The art was also really well done. I am really enjoying this series.
This was a good arc. It took its time to build the layers of the story, giving a good amount of suspense and some great character moments. The art was also really well done. I am really enjoying this series.
June 22, 2019
Everything old is new again for Batgirl. New costume inspired by her classic design. Gruesome villain revamped from an earlier foe. And another story that threatens Barbara Gordon's mobility and photographic memory. Good grief, the photographic memory. Sigh.
The book starts out strong, with a self-contained bat-'n-mouse murder mystery by new writer Mairghread Scott with stunning artwork by Elena Casagrande. I enjoyed this story the most, partly because of the artwork (not that Paul Pelletier doesn't do a fine job later on - but there's a boldness in Ms. Casagrande's work that knocked me out!) and partly because the story feels fresh and intriguing. This is Batgirl at her best! Where the book falls down is the main storyline, "Art of the Crime," which doesn't really send Batgirl in a new direction as much as it recalls her past woes. DC brought Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl because they felt she was iconic, but in doing so they left behind a very special and beloved version of the character, Oracle. And since then, the writers continue to tap dance around the idea that Batgirl could once again lose her ability to walk. It is an ever-present danger. But it's been done before. Also, I did not care one bit about this villain who has also been done before. However, the inner dialogue/narration is quite good and makes me think Ms. Scott has potential to take Batgirl to smart new places. Just please stop saying, "Gordons never give up." It's been done before.
One final note about the new costume. I really like it. I was so over the hipster motorcycle jacket costume. I think the new old look could be simplified a bit, like maybe there are a few too many spikes and embellishments. But I hope the grey and yellow sticks around. It's been done before, but it's classic.
The book starts out strong, with a self-contained bat-'n-mouse murder mystery by new writer Mairghread Scott with stunning artwork by Elena Casagrande. I enjoyed this story the most, partly because of the artwork (not that Paul Pelletier doesn't do a fine job later on - but there's a boldness in Ms. Casagrande's work that knocked me out!) and partly because the story feels fresh and intriguing. This is Batgirl at her best! Where the book falls down is the main storyline, "Art of the Crime," which doesn't really send Batgirl in a new direction as much as it recalls her past woes. DC brought Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl because they felt she was iconic, but in doing so they left behind a very special and beloved version of the character, Oracle. And since then, the writers continue to tap dance around the idea that Batgirl could once again lose her ability to walk. It is an ever-present danger. But it's been done before. Also, I did not care one bit about this villain who has also been done before. However, the inner dialogue/narration is quite good and makes me think Ms. Scott has potential to take Batgirl to smart new places. Just please stop saying, "Gordons never give up." It's been done before.
One final note about the new costume. I really like it. I was so over the hipster motorcycle jacket costume. I think the new old look could be simplified a bit, like maybe there are a few too many spikes and embellishments. But I hope the grey and yellow sticks around. It's been done before, but it's classic.
July 3, 2020
5 🌟
Barbara goes to see her brother at Blackgate after murders are committed. She also deals with the reappearance of Grotesque.
Barbara goes to see her brother at Blackgate after murders are committed. She also deals with the reappearance of Grotesque.
May 27, 2019
3.5
LOVED Annual #2 at the beginning, but wasn’t a fan of the art in that issue. Loved the art in the rest of the issues, but didn’t really feel like the story stuck the landing at the end. Nevertheless, I’m excited to see where this new teams takes Batgirl.
LOVED Annual #2 at the beginning, but wasn’t a fan of the art in that issue. Loved the art in the rest of the issues, but didn’t really feel like the story stuck the landing at the end. Nevertheless, I’m excited to see where this new teams takes Batgirl.
May 28, 2019
Batgirl: Art of the Crime picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting the next four issues (Batgirl #26–29) of the 2016 on-going series with a short comic from Batgirl #25 and Batgirl Annual #2. It collects the following stories: "Value", "The Art of the Crime", and "The Brightest Star in Heaven".
"The Art of the Crime" is a three-issue storyline (Batgirl #26–28) with a one-issue finale (Batgirl #29), which has Barbara Gordon as Batgirl facing off a familiar yet new opponent in Grotesque, who has seemingly returned to Burnside.
"Value" is a short-story from Batgirl #25, which is a lead-in storyline for the storyline "The Art of the Crime" as Barbara Gordon as Batgirl has returned to Burnside only to discover a series of murders committed by an art thief – Grotesque. "The Brightest Star in Heaven" is a one-issue story (Batgirl Annual #2) that has Barbara Gordon as Batgirl investigating murders that emulated popular slasher films and goes to the one person that may help her – her murderous brother James Gordon, Jr.
Mairghread Scott penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, her take on Grotesque is rather interesting as the bulk of the trade paperback focused on him. I liked the trade paperback had a singular focus and story, but I wished that it was better executed as it was quite the forgettable story.
With the exceptions of Batgirl Annual #2 which was penciled by Elena Casagrande the rest of the trade paperback was penciled by Paul Pelletier. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, his penciling style was done extremely well, which I think saved the trade paperback. The new Batgirl uniform echoes back to her earlier uniforms and get some time to get use to.
All in all, Batgirl: Art of the Crimes is a somewhat good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
"The Art of the Crime" is a three-issue storyline (Batgirl #26–28) with a one-issue finale (Batgirl #29), which has Barbara Gordon as Batgirl facing off a familiar yet new opponent in Grotesque, who has seemingly returned to Burnside.
"Value" is a short-story from Batgirl #25, which is a lead-in storyline for the storyline "The Art of the Crime" as Barbara Gordon as Batgirl has returned to Burnside only to discover a series of murders committed by an art thief – Grotesque. "The Brightest Star in Heaven" is a one-issue story (Batgirl Annual #2) that has Barbara Gordon as Batgirl investigating murders that emulated popular slasher films and goes to the one person that may help her – her murderous brother James Gordon, Jr.
Mairghread Scott penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, her take on Grotesque is rather interesting as the bulk of the trade paperback focused on him. I liked the trade paperback had a singular focus and story, but I wished that it was better executed as it was quite the forgettable story.
With the exceptions of Batgirl Annual #2 which was penciled by Elena Casagrande the rest of the trade paperback was penciled by Paul Pelletier. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, his penciling style was done extremely well, which I think saved the trade paperback. The new Batgirl uniform echoes back to her earlier uniforms and get some time to get use to.
All in all, Batgirl: Art of the Crimes is a somewhat good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
July 19, 2019
"Gordons never give up."
This phrase is uttered many times throughout this Volume, and it applies to many instances. It is the tenacity of Barbara Gordon (and a well needed costume change) that brings this Volume back to heights that it hasn't had for quite a while.
After an issue dealing with the psychotic nature of her brother and his murdering female admirers, Babs finds the murder continuing, and from an unlikely source. Grotesque is back, but has graduated from petty art thief to "artistic murder" (think almost like Hannibal Lecter). Tracking him down and catching him is simple, but a fight between the two of them goes south when Grotesque uses a shock stick right on the electronic implant that allows her to walk. Waking in the hospital, she finds her mind a bit scrambled too. The doctors tell her she needs to rest until the surgery can be done.
but... "Gordons never give up"...
Recovering at her father's house, she gets access to a prototype suit she made long ago, and gets a much more mature look (which goes with her age... come on DC!). She finds out that Grotesque is working for Wrym and the Dark Web, who she has tangled with before. Freeing Grotesque from Wyrm's influence, she discovers that he is a Gotham City detective, before he dies... and Wyrm gets away to fight another day.
As Babs goes under the knife to get her implant fixed... Commissioner Gordon is approached by the FBI. What's going on there?
Overall, a well written Volume, getting Batgirl back on track. Recommend.
This phrase is uttered many times throughout this Volume, and it applies to many instances. It is the tenacity of Barbara Gordon (and a well needed costume change) that brings this Volume back to heights that it hasn't had for quite a while.
After an issue dealing with the psychotic nature of her brother and his murdering female admirers, Babs finds the murder continuing, and from an unlikely source. Grotesque is back, but has graduated from petty art thief to "artistic murder" (think almost like Hannibal Lecter). Tracking him down and catching him is simple, but a fight between the two of them goes south when Grotesque uses a shock stick right on the electronic implant that allows her to walk. Waking in the hospital, she finds her mind a bit scrambled too. The doctors tell her she needs to rest until the surgery can be done.
but... "Gordons never give up"...
Recovering at her father's house, she gets access to a prototype suit she made long ago, and gets a much more mature look (which goes with her age... come on DC!). She finds out that Grotesque is working for Wrym and the Dark Web, who she has tangled with before. Freeing Grotesque from Wyrm's influence, she discovers that he is a Gotham City detective, before he dies... and Wyrm gets away to fight another day.
As Babs goes under the knife to get her implant fixed... Commissioner Gordon is approached by the FBI. What's going on there?
Overall, a well written Volume, getting Batgirl back on track. Recommend.
June 13, 2019
Mairghread Scott and Paul Pelletier team-up to provide Batgirl a new costume in this Batgirl volume. The collection opens with the annual issue, as Barbara recognizes a serial killer’s M.O. A trip to see her incarcerated brother reveals he is not the killer - but one of his legions of letter-writing fangirls is. The following arc reintroduces the thief Grotesque, who has now turned to staging murders in the pursuit of stealing art. Batgirl tracks him down, only to have her spinal implant damaged and be framed for murder by the newest man wearing the Grotesque mask. Determined to beat both obstacles, Barbara pulls out a prototype costume and swings into action. Scott attempts to show Babs as a fighter, willing to get up after the entire world knocks her down. However, revisiting the classic storyline of her inability to walk just makes fans wish for the Oracle days once again. Pelletier does fine with what he is given, but still has issues capturing facial expressions outside of the resting/natural look. The editorial decision to go to the White Knight-inspired costume for Batgirl does little to help drive the book along either. Batgirl : Art of the Crime seems hellbent on committing fashion atrocities rather than tell a good story.
November 2, 2022
This was my favourite arc back when I was reading the solo issues, so I was super excited to re-read this. But honestly, I was kinda disappointed.
The art is good, and I really loved the disability/mental issues/struggles/fear/pushing through more than you should part. The parts concerning Babs mentality towards her own physical and mental well being as well as her fathers love were the highlights of the issue for me. Very relatable too as someone who struggled for years with chronic pain and brain trauma.
On the other hand, the crime itself is really weak. The whole Grotesque thing is just a setup, and not interesting enough by itself. which makes the parts that focus on that feel shallow. The fights aren't great and the final conclusion (of the case, not the comic) also wasn't that good. Since Batgirl was pretty much what got me into comics, I feel like maybe I was just easier impressed because I had less to compare it too than I do now, and it just doesn't hold up.
It's still a decent comic, the character centered parts are incredible and I loved the family bonds in it too. I'm glad I re-read it, but also kinda sad it wasn't as good as I remembered.
The art is good, and I really loved the disability/mental issues/struggles/fear/pushing through more than you should part. The parts concerning Babs mentality towards her own physical and mental well being as well as her fathers love were the highlights of the issue for me. Very relatable too as someone who struggled for years with chronic pain and brain trauma.
On the other hand, the crime itself is really weak. The whole Grotesque thing is just a setup, and not interesting enough by itself. which makes the parts that focus on that feel shallow. The fights aren't great and the final conclusion (of the case, not the comic) also wasn't that good. Since Batgirl was pretty much what got me into comics, I feel like maybe I was just easier impressed because I had less to compare it too than I do now, and it just doesn't hold up.
It's still a decent comic, the character centered parts are incredible and I loved the family bonds in it too. I'm glad I re-read it, but also kinda sad it wasn't as good as I remembered.
July 4, 2023
Art of Crime is a reboot during this Batgirl Rebirth line. Thankfully, she gets a costume change, and the artwork and storytelling are more serious.
However, on that note about the storytelling:
This story assumes you know who the villain Grotesque is, and there could have been some backstory on him. The storyline concerning Grotesque also jumps in w/o backstory, so you're doing some of the author's work.
James Gordon, Jr. shows up again in 'The Brightest Star in Heaven,' Whenever he makes an appearance, which happened in The New 52 and stories in this rebirth, he pleads to Barbara and Gordon, Sr., to believe his sincerity in changing, which he never does.
The story involving him is no different.
Barbara, as Batgirl takes beatings and works to take down opponents bigger than her, is more realistic than many TV shows and movies depicting heroines without superpowers.
Too, Barbara doesn't immediately recover after brawling with these opponents.
The variant cover for issue #28 by Joshua Middleton is my favorite out of the bunch, seen with other variants at the end of the book. I own the issue mainly due to the variant cover.
However, on that note about the storytelling:
This story assumes you know who the villain Grotesque is, and there could have been some backstory on him. The storyline concerning Grotesque also jumps in w/o backstory, so you're doing some of the author's work.
James Gordon, Jr. shows up again in 'The Brightest Star in Heaven,' Whenever he makes an appearance, which happened in The New 52 and stories in this rebirth, he pleads to Barbara and Gordon, Sr., to believe his sincerity in changing, which he never does.
The story involving him is no different.
Barbara, as Batgirl takes beatings and works to take down opponents bigger than her, is more realistic than many TV shows and movies depicting heroines without superpowers.
Too, Barbara doesn't immediately recover after brawling with these opponents.
The variant cover for issue #28 by Joshua Middleton is my favorite out of the bunch, seen with other variants at the end of the book. I own the issue mainly due to the variant cover.
December 29, 2019
A really excellent Batgirl graphic novel. The annual, starring her brother, was as chilling as any story with James, Jr. should be. Honestly... he's kind of an underused Batman villain. Every story I've read with him has me turning the pages eagerly as chills run up my spine. Terrifying stuff. Marry all of that with his sibling relationship with Barbara... and you get a story that is as compelling as it is creepy. The main story arc, with Barbara chasing an art thief who leaves his victims behind in his own grotesque art, while also grappling with the malfunctioning chip in her spine, was as much crime drama as it was journey of the self. Barbara learned more about who she was while also fighting this grisly criminal--and while also connecting even more with her father. There were some wonderful father/daughter moments between the two of them. All in all, I'd say this is probably one of the best Batgirl graphic novels I've read in a while. They're almost always good, but this one took it to a new level. It was much darker than most, but it also delivered a much bigger punch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2020
This volume starts promisingly with Annual #2 which focuses on Barbara's relationship with her serial killer brother James Jr. but it quickly devolves into a frighteningly ableist story involving the villain Grotesque. Scott can't seem to decide how to portray Barbara's time as a paraplegic and this is the crux of the problem with DC's retconning her from being the disabled hero Oracle to returning to being Batgirl - it is, at its core, ableist. It doesn't matter how many platitudes Scott writes in a seeming attempt to prove she does not think Babs was lesser when she used a wheelchair because at the end of the day the story demands that she continue to look down upon that time as inferior and choose to continue using her spinal implant. And what does Batgirl really do here that Oracle would not be able to accomplish using her hacking expertise? It's a shame because it's clear that Scott has talent and I would like to see her on a book that doesn't require her to employ ableist rhetoric.
September 1, 2022
I'll be honest, a big part of why I liked this one is because it's finally moving Batgirl back to more serious stories and threatening villains. It's not as good as Gail Simone's work, but it's a step in the right direction. But if you liked the Batgirl of Burnside stuff, this sudden departure probably won't appeal to you.
Not sure about the costume, though. I liked it more before I saw it from the side and realized her bat symbol wraps around her back. It looks like a bat-shaped bra. Then again, I guess it's not unusual for superheroes to wear underwear on the outside of their costumes.
It has flaws, and the latter storyline was a bit confusing at times. But it's nice to have Babs back to her more mature self, battling her inner demons and some terrifying baddies instead of the low-stakes, relationship-heavy, "hip with the kids" stuff from previous issues.
Not sure about the costume, though. I liked it more before I saw it from the side and realized her bat symbol wraps around her back. It looks like a bat-shaped bra. Then again, I guess it's not unusual for superheroes to wear underwear on the outside of their costumes.
It has flaws, and the latter storyline was a bit confusing at times. But it's nice to have Babs back to her more mature self, battling her inner demons and some terrifying baddies instead of the low-stakes, relationship-heavy, "hip with the kids" stuff from previous issues.
July 19, 2019
Batgirl goes grim! I feel like previous Batgirl volumes contained no death, only low-key hipster mysteries. Right off the bat, though, in Art of the Crime dead bodies abound. The first issue, an annual, features Batgirl, her murderous older brother, and a copycat killer. It's really excellent! A dark, twisty read.
The following issues aren't as memorable, though still solid. Batgirl sorta loses her legs (again) as she takes on an art-obsessed killer, Grotesque. The twists are predictable, the narration overbearing. It seems like each page features Babs grumbling to herself, "Gordons never give up!" Great, fine, whatever. The art is consistently great throughout the volume (Batgirl art never lets me down).
The following issues aren't as memorable, though still solid. Batgirl sorta loses her legs (again) as she takes on an art-obsessed killer, Grotesque. The twists are predictable, the narration overbearing. It seems like each page features Babs grumbling to herself, "Gordons never give up!" Great, fine, whatever. The art is consistently great throughout the volume (Batgirl art never lets me down).
September 25, 2019
This begins with the annual story for the year, featuring Batgirl tracking down a serial killer connected in some way to her brother. This is followed by the main story, which also involves a serial killer, although he's not described as such. In both cases, this leads to an often dark story, something of a contrast with the bright and optimistic tone of recent releases. There's also an emphasis on Barbara's family life, although we've left the characters from the Burnside iteration of her adventures behind. Add to that Batgirl struggling with both physical and mental weaknesses and Scott is certainly shaping up for a different take on the character than her immediate predecessor, one which, from this offering, shows potential.
November 5, 2022
This was a fantastic read!! I loved the callbacks to the previous Rebirth and New 52 series featuring Batgirl as well as Barbara Gordon's personal battle regarding her self-worth when her disability threatens to return. Barbara Gordon/Batgirl really is an inspiring character who has endured much over the years so to encounter a book that doesn't just seize the reader by presenting a murderer/mystery plot but also captures the family dynamic/shared trauma that both Barbara and Commissioner Gordon endured...wow 😳😁.
I was legit crying while reading some of the difficult scenes that displayed all of the physical and health-related challenges that come with being a disabled/paraplegic individual. It was so refreshing to see Barbara revisit this part of herself while also having the internal strength and drive to overcome the physical/mental obstacles designed to impede her path. This was a triumph for disability representation in graphic novels!! I loved it all from the touching moments between father and daughter to the kick-ass plot and desolation of Grotesque/the dark web 😁👍❤🦇!!
I was legit crying while reading some of the difficult scenes that displayed all of the physical and health-related challenges that come with being a disabled/paraplegic individual. It was so refreshing to see Barbara revisit this part of herself while also having the internal strength and drive to overcome the physical/mental obstacles designed to impede her path. This was a triumph for disability representation in graphic novels!! I loved it all from the touching moments between father and daughter to the kick-ass plot and desolation of Grotesque/the dark web 😁👍❤🦇!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book but its not without its flaws. Its a transition from hyper burnside babs back to a fairy regular batgirl, not dark, just not hyper teeny.
As it is a transition, we get a lot of recapturing old moments and stories for the new readers coming in hut also some new stuff.
I really enjoyed the tech element and how it tied to Nightwing but wish they would be less scared to have her solve a whole crime without having to break in or punch someone. She is Oracle dammit and should not need to keep resorting to brawler tactics.
I hope we get a nice blend of classic Oracle meets Batgirl going forward. Just don’t bring that burnside stuff back and I will keep reading.
As it is a transition, we get a lot of recapturing old moments and stories for the new readers coming in hut also some new stuff.
I really enjoyed the tech element and how it tied to Nightwing but wish they would be less scared to have her solve a whole crime without having to break in or punch someone. She is Oracle dammit and should not need to keep resorting to brawler tactics.
I hope we get a nice blend of classic Oracle meets Batgirl going forward. Just don’t bring that burnside stuff back and I will keep reading.
August 6, 2019
The opening issue (annual) was really fun, but then we get a lot of OoC/odd choices like Babs' thought processes on her injury and her dad, her dad's treatment of her, and the overall complete bullsh*t villain you can guess in the first issues of the arc. A large part of Babs' storyline that bugged me was it was almost borderline victim blaming, and that Babs' was internalizing all of these thought processes and stressors and reacting to them negatively.
It's not quite Steve Orlando's Supergirl levels of bad, but it is not great either.
Oh, I guess the new suit looks cool?
It's not quite Steve Orlando's Supergirl levels of bad, but it is not great either.
Oh, I guess the new suit looks cool?
December 4, 2019
It's Batgirl, my superhero of choice, so I enjoyed it. I think I hold batgirl up to an impossibly high standard though, and I didn't love this collection as much as usual.
It was darker and more mainstream than I remember, with obvious twists, very little character development, and no real glimpses into her personal life.There were a few overly sexualized illustrations of her. Even one where you could see her ribcage through her skin tight suit, which was creepy.
I liked it, but I wish I had fully loved it, since it is the 100th book I finished this year!
It was darker and more mainstream than I remember, with obvious twists, very little character development, and no real glimpses into her personal life.There were a few overly sexualized illustrations of her. Even one where you could see her ribcage through her skin tight suit, which was creepy.
I liked it, but I wish I had fully loved it, since it is the 100th book I finished this year!
November 1, 2020
An excellent start to Mairghread Scott's run of Batgirl.
I really liked the return to Gotham & actually discussing Babs' dis-ability, her feelings & everything around that.
This Batgirl (2016) run is one of my favourite series in comics - even outside of DC. It was the one that got me into reading them and I think it continues to be both an excellent series & a great into series into DC comics.
I really liked the return to Gotham & actually discussing Babs' dis-ability, her feelings & everything around that.
This Batgirl (2016) run is one of my favourite series in comics - even outside of DC. It was the one that got me into reading them and I think it continues to be both an excellent series & a great into series into DC comics.
June 2, 2019
+1 star for Mairghread Scott bringing the real Batgirl back!
Honestly, I was so tired of the millennial drama and Babs being a jetsetting CEO and all the lame stuff from the Larson run. Finally, we get more detective work, more crimefighting, and more plot that doesn't revolve around roommate trouble. Thank goodness!
Honestly, I was so tired of the millennial drama and Babs being a jetsetting CEO and all the lame stuff from the Larson run. Finally, we get more detective work, more crimefighting, and more plot that doesn't revolve around roommate trouble. Thank goodness!
April 4, 2021
Breezy storytelling, with efficient dialogue and crisp art. It’s a very sold Batgirl story, in which Barbara is put through the wringer a bit. A lot less angsty than similar comics, but no worse for it. The emotions are clear, and you feel for her. The story’s resolution is a little daft and rushed, though I suspect it’s going to come up again.
December 2, 2021
This one goes dark, very dark, but that’s not a bad thing! At least she’s not worried about who she’s trying to date or kiss in this one… 😏
The story gets chaotic at the end and it kind of loses itself, but overall this book has a lot of heart and is a much better book than all the other ones leading up to it. Glad to see her using her mind, fighting skills, and her heart!
The story gets chaotic at the end and it kind of loses itself, but overall this book has a lot of heart and is a much better book than all the other ones leading up to it. Glad to see her using her mind, fighting skills, and her heart!
May 22, 2019
Pelletier's art was good as all always (beyond the new costume which he didn't design), but the story had a been there done that feel. Probably because Babs losing control of her legs and/or her eidetic memory has been done to death by this point.
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