Batgirls (2021-2023) #2

Batgirls (2021) (Single Issues)

by Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad, Jorge Corona (Penciller)

Bondo! Bondo! Bondo! With their new secret muscle car and their new secret patrol route, Batgirls Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown find moving to their new neighborhood—thanks to Oracle instructing them to “lay low”—that much easier to bear because they have each other. Steph begins witnessing some strange actions through the window of the building across the street and can’t help but investigate if the recent murders are connected to them! Meanwhile, Oracle realizes the most effective way for the girls to wear her newly upgraded comms is by piercing their ears, and Cass freaks out!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

Becky 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.

Reviews

[sage (semi-hiatus)]

not to be dramatic but i would die for stephanie brown

[Marius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Threats Everywhere

In this second issue the Batgirls continue to explore the Hill while six villains at the same time! are introduced. The three Saints Tarsus, Valentine and Assisi serve "Simon Saint" and are loyal enthusiasts of the Magistrate. They're introduced with tragic and forceful backstories yet they appear rather silly (especially because of their looks) - not my type of villain but we will see. The Seer is still present but a mystery so far. Not much intel is given on her. The Ripper is a serial killer in the Hill. Steph and Cass suspect their grim neighbor but that's speculative. This concept of a little murder mystery is intriguing to me - I hope the author builds up on it further. Finally we have the Tutor who is an ominous street artist with hatred against all authorities (the Bat family as well). He seems to posess a method of mind-control. Cloonan presents an innovative idea here. The art in this seems to be another level of goofiness- sometimes very fresh, sometimes too childish. 3/5

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the pacing and writing of this issue better than the first one. I'm still undecided about the art. On the one hand, I absolutely love the backgrounds and scenery/city shots. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the way the people are drawn. It's just not a style I like very much.
I liked the way Barbara's disability was handled. I liked her relationship with Dick.
I feel like all characters have very little personality in these two issues. I know Barbara because I read Batgirl (2016-), Vol. 8: The Joker War, the whole series. I don't know the other two Batgirls at all, and I still know nothing about them.
The plot feels rather weak atm.
The ear piercing scene was rather disturbing to me, especially because this comic seems aimed at a young audience, and I don't think promoting piercing your own ears is a good idea. Please let a professional handle it, okay?
Why does Babs suddenly feel so old. I guess that's just the new normal now? She feels so much older here, and in The Joker (2021-) #1, it's really jarring to me. The ages were so confusing to me, I decided to look it up and apparently Babs is supposed to be 24 (which is about what I would have guessed, somewhere in her twenties, while in this series she feels at least in her 30s or 40s) with Cass and Steph being 18, but they feel more like 12 in this series. (source:https://www.cbr.com/grant-morrison-ba...)
This series is still disappointing, but this issue is definitely better than the rest. I'll give issue 3 a shot, but my expectations are low.

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am LOVING this series! This was better than the first issue, now that we’re able to finally move into the plot.

The writing and the humor was great, loved Babs narrating who their enemies are and why they shouldn’t approach them head on from the discarded walkie as we see Cass and Steph in battle. So funny, I could see that as a movie scene!

The Star Wars “hive of scum and villainy” reference was unexpected but well-used! And the possibly serial killer neighbor that they keep not being able to investigate I feel like will be a funny background thread (that possibly will tie in later?).

I am eager to read the next issue after that ending plot twist.

This series is really refreshing and fun!

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially started up with this book on a whim but I’m pretty hooked after a strong first couple issues. The art is super cool, which is the real selling point — but Cloonan and Conrad are doing interesting things with the Batgirl character and bringing in some interesting social themes (gentrification, urbanity) in actually pretty subtle ways. The only critique is that the main story (people get hypnotized by street art) is a little shallow. BUT this story ties in to the graffiti feel of the illustration in an interesting way. I’m definitely in for the next arc or so of this book and maybe the long haul.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm quickly losing interest in this series. Two of my favorite batgirls together but not a great plot to go with it...and the art is shifting to really great scenery to I can't tell what the hell is happening in a fight.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looove the slice of life aspects to this story! Another good issue, last page got me hooked if I wasn’t already before

[Ellie Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

(66)

[Burton Olivier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything that's happening in this book kinda feels like a jumbled mess but it does have an incredible vibe, it's fun.

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already love this trio lmao.

Low 8.4

[WormOn AString · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda felt like I was going through the motions with this one.

[rafaela (taylor's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2, 75

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I'm still not sure about this series. It's just not that interesting story wise.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty nice. Well written. The characters are well differentiated which I appreciate. I'm interested in the villains but for now they're easily the weakest part of this.