Batgirls, Vol. 2: Bat Girl Summer

Batgirls (2021)

by Ruby Varghese (Editor), Michael Conrad, Neil Googe (Artist)

Two Bats are better than one! Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown team-up for the adventures you've been waiting for! Of course, under the mentorship of Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl!

With the Batgirls’ damaged reputation still on the line and repairs on the Clock Tower well under way, Babs just might have finally found the key to their redemption. Meanwhile, serial killer the Hill Ripper is still on the loose! The girls receive their first major break in the case from an unlikely source-unfortunately for them, the main suspect is among the most enigmatic and dangerous villains in all of Gotham!

Collects Batgirls #7-12!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, it is nice to read a comic that is just fun. I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, but as I enjoyed it all the way through, I decided that it deserved a roundup. I did like that Barbara spent more time as Oracle and let Steph and Cass do most of the fieldwork.

The book covers two story arcs, the first is some clean-up from the Fear State, then the other is the Batgirls re-establishing themselves to Gotham's people and the GCPD whilst solving the case of the Hills Ripper.

Some comedy and good bits about the friendship between Steph and Cass. I don't particularly like the artwork it is a bit too cartoony. I think this suits Steph, but I think Cass being more serious would be better with darker (I might be a bit biased as Cass is my favourite Batgirl). The book finishes with a varient cover gallery with full-page artwork of the covers and a sketch book.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batgirls rule!

[Molly™☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, it's alright, but nothing overly special. Even though some parts of the characterisations feel off, you get used to them at this point as they've stayed consistent throughout this interpretation. The new art gives the run a fresh coat of paint and helps it to stay afloat amongst the competition. However, for those who aren't invested by this point, it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of improvement, instead settling for more of the same.

[Vinicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Que título divertido e legal de se ler, a dinâmica da Steph com a Cass, sendo mentoradas pela Barbara, cria uma relação de amizade e vinculo entre as duas, que consegue passar para o leitor um sentimento bacana de que ele também está fazendo parte dessa família Batgirls. Tudo isso corroborado ainda com a personalidade das personagens, que são bem individuais e se completam de maneira que criam uma sintonia absurda.

O volume se inicia com reverberações do período que o Magistrado dominou Gotham, sendo que 3 ex-soldados da equipe e uma das vilãs da época, em específico da Oráculo, estão tendo problemas e as Batgirls precisam intervir.

Esse segundo volume também continua a obsessão da Steph com seu vizinho, e aproveita para dar inicio a um arco mais longo no encadernado, que inclusive foi o ponto alto para mim, pois envolve as 3 Batgirls em uma trama de assassinato e investigação, destacando muito bem as habilidades de cada batgirl e elas se completando, sem perder a essência delas como pessoas sem o traje e mostrando o desenvolvimento delas como civis.

Batgirls é um titulo muito legal e infelizmente durou apenas 3 edições, faltando apenas 1 volume para ser publicado no Brasil, mas é bem divertido acompanhar as aventuras dessas personagens, pois não são focadas apenas em mostrar heróis contra vilões, a HQ se proporciona a mostrar também o desenvolvimento pessoal das personagens e suas relações sociais, o que é muito legal para quem e fã do universo, podendo conhecer ainda mais dos personagens.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first volume, Bat Girl Summer is a bit frantic and overly wordy, but the Batgirls themselves are just charming enough to pull it off. This is a breezy, low stakes read. It's also the rare Bat-read that includes a little character building alongside all the punchy-punchy dark nights.

The art is...not always great, though. Jorge Corona is very much missed. And the villains are silly and forgettable (hello, Mr. Fun?). I'm not exactly eager to pick up a third volume, but I'd grab it if it shows up at the library.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shake off those lingering 'Fear State' connections and enjoy a title about three women sharing the name BATGIRL....

Having read the first 6 issues, you get the feeling that these characters just went through a HUGE life event that was scary as all hell. Of course they're going to take some time to regain their balance in life...and work. Becky Cloonan nails it yet again. She's giving these characters time to breathe and just...be. This series has a spirit and lightness to it, that just settles on you.

It's just....fun.

I stand by my review of the previous collection. They had a few misfires, but now they've found their footing. Becky Cloonan brings out the best in these characters. There's been a LOT going on in Gotham and all the adjacent cities. There's a place for this in the grand scheme of things.

Bonus: MAPS! Arguably the best thing to come out of 'Gotham Academy' is Mia Mizoguchi
Bonus Bonus: What do you do when two villains share the same M.O.? Riddle me that...

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batgirls is one of my favorite ongoing series right now. I loved volume 1 so much that I started following the series monthly as of the 2022 annual, so this volume filled in the story I was missing. The writing is so fun and inviting. There’s so much personality in it, including the narration boxes and the editor’s notes from Jess. I look forward to them in every issue. Barbara, Stephanie, and Cassandra are each so interesting and different and I love the dynamic between them. I’m also obsessed with the colors. They give the series such a distinct signature look, even if the art style doesn’t always feel consistent.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this better than the first volume and this is maybe the first time I have ever liked DickBabs! (It's totally logical to multiship another one of the characters in your preferred pairing but not the other, I don't know what you're talking about.) Looking forward to getting volume 3 in a couple weeks.

[Jos Trinidad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never would've thought that it would come to something like that, but this volume had such a fitting ending. Not only was the content of this completely in-line with what was set up in Vol. 1, but also came to a great conclusion. The follow through with the funny B plot turned out great though felt a little short. However, its brevity is definitely explained by the use of it as a lead into the next arc around Steph.

So excited for the next volume!

[Ming · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reading experience improves slightly for me from Vol 1, although whether that's a result of writing or art, I'm not sure. I'm still not 100% buying the tone, which sometimes reduces threats like KGBeast to a punchline...

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for the various Batgirls but when Maps Mizoguchi is added to the mix, I’m in heaven.

[Bryan Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who the fuck are you!? I’m a bat when I’m bumpin that

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

uh oh I’m becoming a Steph x Cass truther

[Gerry Sacco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as fun as the last trade paperback. Not as good, but just as fun. Art still awesome. Also really liked the Boba tea. Good stuff.

[rima · Rating 4 out of 5]

if he doesn’t treat you the way dick grayson treats barbara gordon then he’s not the one

[Batgirl_ALT_21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes!! The Batgirls are back, baby, and this time, with a far more interesting arc and villains to boot!! Thank you, DC, for improving upon our favorite Gotham Batgirls 😊👍❤️🦇.

The art style was improved for the better after ditching the ultra 90s cartoonish prints with a new twist that is more reminiscent of a modern DC with a touch of colorful, vibrant designs.

Our plot begins where we left off, with Seer being kidnapped by Saints for her crimes of making these devout followers of the Magistrate believe that Simon Sims was alive. Cass and Steph are on the case but swiftly drop it upon confronting the Saints, or at least that is what they have the gang of terrorists believe, as Barbara is actively tracking Seer, who is being used as bait. It is then revealed that the Saints plan on having Seer code a computerized Simon Sims to make everyone in Gotham be tricked into believing their leader is alive, thereby reaffirming the Magistrate They then plan on killing the girl after their bidding is done.

Cass and Steph are ready to swoop in to save the day but are placed on hold as Seer is taken to none other than the Iceberg Lounge Casino, aka Mob Boss Central. Barbara comes up with a more tactical plan to infiltrate the lounge by teaming up with Dick Grayson to take down the Saints and free the girl... Seer. A swift fight cent commences whereby Batgirl and Nightwing take on two villains down below while Cass and Steph deal with the roof sniper. That is until communication goes dark and the girls crash in through the window as a backup but run into Penguin and a sword swallower in the mix-up and decide to leave Penguin be. Meanwhile, Nightwing had already taken the two villains when Steph and Cass arrived in style, having destroyed the elevator on their way down. Barbara makes the executive decision to destroy Seer's computer to allow the girl a clean slate while also removing the girl as a threat. Seer doesn't take kindly to this and stabs the main leader of the Saints, Tarus, in the neck, then kicks Barbara out of the hatch to the sewers, closing the door behind her. Nightwing does the gentleman's deed by wrapping up loose ends for the Batgirls, allowing them to return to base.

What follows the next summer day is a brief catch-up amongst old friends the next day as Babs meets with Alysia, who is the new prosperous owner of a bar downtown and soon a café. While the Batgirls try to escape the heat with Cass hanging out in the neighborhood bookstore (she purchases Poe), and Steph is on the rooftop in a kiddie pool stalking Mr. Greene, who she is convinced, is the Hill Ripper (ongoing unsolved murderer from last arc).

Later that night, the Batgirls are sent on a mission to track down KGBeast and arrest him while also gaining some justice for what happened to Nightwing (Batman Rebirth Vol 10 or 11, I believe, where Nightwing was shot and gets amnesia). However, upon arresting their perp, the girls find Mr. Greene dead behind a dumpster and begin searching for clues when Steph is knocked off the roof by a rapid missile-like object (later revealed to be Killer Moth keeping tabs). The Batgirls then dip before the cops arrive but take a few key pieces of evidence, including a fake eye from Mr. Greene. Steph feels bad as she believes Mr. Greene is the murderer, but Babs helps to clear up her guilt by reaffirming big sister's words of advice and ice cream. The girls open up the eyeball to find a cipher code and are on the case to determine its meaning while Barbara does some investigating of her own by trying to find a way to gain intel from the G.C.P.D without hacking the system (Spoiler she meets up with the new Commissioner Renee Montoya, and she agrees to turn a blind eye, but Barbara ultimately decides not to hack the system).

Cass and Steph go to the library and take out every book on the topic of eyes. In the process, they make a friend named Kyle, and Steph becomes smitten with him as he gives her his number. Barbara's dead end causes the girls to work harder, but while on patrol, they encounter Killer Moth and are thwarted by his evasive skills. The next day, they hack the code and learn the Bat exhibit at the zoo is their next target. Cass and Steph invite Kyle and his little sister Maps. In the process, Cass runs into Killer Moth, who is hung upside down in the Bat exhibit for disobedience towards his boss, but Cass frees him and plants Robodog on his uniform. Robo dog leads the Batgirls to the address of a townhome belonging to Hattie Elwood, who is revealed to have been the first victim by her corps, being left to rot in the attic. Upon returning to the two encounters, Riddler claims part credit for the work done via clues but reveals himself to not be the Hill Ripper. The next victim is set to be Grace O'Halloran (post-GC52 T.V. reporter now Podcaster, who has followed the events of this case, thanks to Barbara, slipping her some details obtained by Officer Brooks). Cass immediately departs with an injured Killer Moth, flying to Grace's report studio while Barbara calls back up to Officer Brooks for help. Meanwhile, Stephanie fights off Riddler, who offers a proposal for her to be with him as partners, given that she is the daughter of Clue Master. Stephanie refuses and says that her father is dead to which Riddler reveals that this may not be the case. Their fight ends with Riddler and Stephanie falling out the window into a river where Riddler escapes.

Our arc comes to a dramatic conclusion as our perp, Mr. Fun, pulls out a dagger on Grace, injuring her eye, but Grace manages to stall by asking him questions as to what his motive is, where he reveals that he discards garbage like people who are a stain on society. Officer Brooks is first on the scene, but Mr. Fun uses Grace as a hostage when Batgirl (Cass) intervenes by crashing with Killer Moth on Mr. Fun, thereby ending the standoff. All parties receive adequate medical and police care they need, and the conflict ends with Batgirl leaving the scene. Our arc comes to a close with Commissioner Montoya praising the efforts of Officer Brooks and confirming that the Batgirls are on their side. Back at the loft, Dick, Alysia, and Babs catch up and provide praise to Barbara for her hard work in mentoring the girls. While Cass and Steph are on the roof soaking up the sunset where Stephanie reveals her fears that her dad may be alive, but Cass calms her by promising to protect her friend. Finally, we see a panel set up for our next adventure with MadHatter in a therapy office with the plan to bring father and daughter together again at a tea party (references Arthur and Stephanie Brown) before murdering his therapist.

Overall, this was a fantastic and greatly improved arc than the previous Batgirl Volume. I greatly appreciate seeing a cohesive arc focused on the resolution of the Hill Ripper as well as the tie-ins to the greater Gotham landscape by seeing familiar villains and heroes alike. I'm also a sucker for a good Barbara and Dick side romance, and this arc did not disappoint 😏👍❤️🦇. 9.0/10 🌟 Great Work DC. I can't wait to read the third and final volume of this series 😁🙌🎉💯🌟🦇!!

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
This book is so colorful! With the usual darkness of Gotham, it is nice to see how vibrant the city actually can be. I wish the art (specifically how the characters look) was a little more consistent across the issues.
Highlights:
- Finishing up the story from the end of the last Volume, the Batgirls work together to take out the last of the Saints, a group of mercenaries addicted to the mission of Simon Saint (who died during the Fear State event). They have captured Seer, a hacker who was working against Oracle, but changed sides. Infiltration disguised as date allows Barbara and Dick to get inside the Iceberg Lounge, and Cass and Steph approach from above. While they shut down the Saints, Seer is able to get away through the underground.
- A Serial killer begins to plague Gotham and both the Batgirls AND Grace O'Halloran, host of the Times of Grace podcast are dedicated to catching him. Leaving a trail of riddles at the crime scene seems to lead towards Riddler being responsible, but interference from Killer Moth shows that Riddler was leaving the riddles for the Batgirls to lead them to the true culprit, a guy known only as Mr. Fun.
- Looks like the Mad Hatter is up next Volume. Does he really have something to do with Stephanie's father?

Not my favorite DC title, but still fun. Recommend.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll give Volume 2 of Batgirls this—it’s better than Volume 1. But that’s not saying much. The futuristic vibe of the series continues to feel jarring and out of place. What really pulled me out, though, was how Stephanie is written here. She’s constantly breaking the fourth wall in this awkward, “Deadpool-lite” way that just doesn’t land. It’s cringey and completely out of character.

Barbara fares a bit better this time around, largely thanks to the moments she shares with Dick, those scenes were actually kind of sweet. But even that can’t carry the volume.

Cass, heartbreakingly, is just... dull. And that’s tough to admit because she’s one of my all-time favorite characters. The storyline lacks stakes and momentum. Even when a villain gets stabbed in the neck, it somehow feels tame and undercut by more of Stephanie’s forced, meta commentary.

In the end, the Dick and Babs chemistry barely nudges this up from a 1.5 to a 2. Still a big miss for me.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great art and colours. Enjoyed the storyline between Babs and Dick but the rest of the plot fell a little flat.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden, adorable, and full of heart from start to finish. These girls are an absolute joy, and the side characters keep getting better as well.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vast improvement over the first 'Batgirls' volume in terms of pacing, exposition delivery, natural and less clunky dialogue, and just a lighter, breezier execution to the action and mystery superheroine adventures of Barbara "Babs" Gordon, Stephanie "Steph" Brown, and Cassandra "Cass" Cain in Gotham.

'Batgirls Vol. 2' is gritty and gruesome, but not too much, and there are plenty of cute and colourful moments. Even the various cartoony artwork is easier on the eyes this time. There remains a strong emphasis on sisterly love and female friendship, and while the storyline does include a main hetero romance (and it's not the only one), it's Babs/Batgirl and Dick Grayson/Nightwing, so I'm not complaining. They're adorable together.

Do I ship Babs and Dick, or Starfire and Dick? I really don't mind.

'Batgirls Vol. 2' picks up and resolves most of the plot threads that the previous volume seemingly forgot about. It's still far from perfect; still messy, with discarded new side characters and other plot threads and details left up in the air for future issues. The resolution to the serial killer mystery plot driving everything ends up being underwhelming, too. Also, is there any point and significance to the summer setting? Other than having characters complain about the heat, make bad puns, and eat ice cream? But it's an enjoyable comic all the same.

One side character who isn't sidelined and forgotten about carelessly is Alysia Yeoh! Babs's bestie! I've missed her! Trans rep FTW! (Steph and Cass are a clear bestie pair, too.) Plus reporter and crime podcaster Grace O'Halloran is a major key player in the second volume, as is Commissioner Renee Montoya. And remember Seer, the anti-Oracle? While she only appears in the first two issues, she's an important part in the Batgirls' new lives, for sure.

The girl power is strong in this book, and none of the women have any powers! Them and a cute, smart, precocious, useful little girl called Maps, and a sword-swallowing henchwoman called Lulu Laroux.

And spoilers but I don't care: Killer Moth is in this. So is the Penguin, but he's a sidelined cameo, sadly.

Adorable, funny, dark, violent and action-packed, with bright colours unperturbed by the aforementioned serial killer mystery plot. 'Batgirls Vol. 2: Bat Girl Summer' is a good continuation of the Gotham girls' current storyline.

It's a shame that Batwoman isn't actually in it, though, despite what the comical covers show. Nor is Black Canary present. Or Catwoman.

As of writing, I am interested in checking out only a couple of DC comics: Josie Campbell's 'The New Champion of Shazam!' and G. Willow Wilson's 'Poison Ivy' run. More women power! Two series left, then I may be truly done with the company for good. Wish me luck.

Final Score: 3.5/5

[cauldronofevil · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Batgirls volume 2 starts with an unidentified narrator. I’m not sure I like this technique.

Yeah, you heard us! We’re so tight we use the same name.

Unfortunately new artists rather mar the effect of pretty good start. It feels like a classic bait-and-switch. Cover artist is fantastic, inner artists are ‘Meh’.

Wow! These mopeds actually rule.
Itold you!

Honestly while this is a fun read, you wouldn’t be wrong for thinking it smells like an old Adam West Batman episode!

Batgirls #9 has a new artist which actually works pretty well. Too bad they don’t tell you who it is!

Look for clues, I said. It’ll be fun, I said.

I hope these artists get a long stay! They capture both the anime silliness and the Gotham grittiness in a weird package that really works.

BGS continues with all the BG’s trying to decipher a numeric clue at the public library. Figuring that if they check out all the books with “Eye” in the title they might figure out why their creepy neighbor had his eyes removed. Hey, I’m not a detective so what do I know?

While heading home they are attacked by Killer Moth, a supervillian with a known hatred for Batgirl (BG).

Meanwhile Batgirl (BG) meets with Renee Montoya, the new Commissioner of Gotham City (and former new Question. Why can’t these kids stay focused?). They agree to share information but Renee wants a much less cooperative agreement that Jim Gordon did with Batman.

As a martini fan I love that Grace O’Halloran the reporter/pod-caster not only is always drinking a martini but always in a martini glass!

Well, they fight the Riddler and beat the Riddler, (cause Riddler) and then end it with Stephanie wondering if her father was really dead?

This was okay and had a couple of cool moments but honestly did not need to fill a whole book. Lesser art and lesser story gives this 2 stars.

I’ll pick up the next cause it’s still Batgirls, but even if you were a fan you could skip this entire book without missing much.

[Kristen Flock-Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this volume 4 stars because I’m really enjoying the main characters and their relationships (I’m a Dick/Babs shipper so bonus points for this too). But what brings it down for me are the underdeveloped villains. We get the barest background on Seer and barely any insight on what drives her to seek the Batgirls’ help. Riddler is thrown in here kinda willynilly to help finally wrap up the Hill Ripper storyline (another baddie we get almost no insight into). The journalist Grace is also a weird character to me; she’s played as a joke to the audience, but is well liked and regarded by the Batgirls? Weird story decisions I think, but very nearly almost balanced out by the fun dynamics between the Batgirls.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second volume collects Batgirls #7-12 and features the same writing duo but with a change at artists. Neil Googe and Robbi Rodriguez take over art duties. As much as I love Jorge Corona, I believe the art style change does the series well. The art in this is a little less busy and so therefore I think allows the story more space to breathe. The first volume directly tied into the Fear State story going on in the Bat Universe. This volume seems freed from those shackles. KGBeast and Killer Moth appear as well as some of what I would consider Batman’s A List villains (I will spoil no surprises). I will say I like this volume more than volume 1 and still hold out high hopes for the series.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robbi Rodriguez does a good job drawing the first two issues with a little cleanup from Fear State. Then Neil Googe has switched up to a really cartoony, goofy looking art style that looks awful. The Ripper is FINALLY caught but it's a real bore getting there. Maps and Kyle from Gotham Academy make an appearance. I'm not here for Steph dating a high school boy though so I hope that little plot goes nowhere like most of the plots in this book. Cloonan and Conrad are just not very good writers.

[Niche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting better

I liked this more than the previous book, it felt like it had a more consistent tone, sort of a younger and sillier Birds of Prey. This covers the end of Seer's story and the serial killer arc. It also had a sibling cameo from Gotham academy. All-in-all I liked it, but it still hasn't sold me yet as a series. The killer story felt both busy and kind of slapped together.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a significant step-up from vol.1 in every way, funnier, better character moments, and a more interesting plot. I love the character interactions between the cast and the appeance of Dick Grayson and Allyia as supporting characters. Killer Moth made for a fun and flamboyant villian, and we even get to meet up with the character of Maps from Gotham Academy (which is fantastic).

If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted superhero book this is definitely one to pick up.

[this_eel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to love the three-batgirl teamup and the art is really fun. It will never ascend above three and a bit stars while they aren't allowed to take on any big name villains (their villains are: bad, so the main joys of the series are mostly hijinks and batgirl interpersonal dynamics) and while cass and steph aren't canonically dating.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as much fun as the first volume as the Batgirls face down the remnants of a mercenary cult and a serial killer hidden in the shadows. Cloonan and Conrad balance the darkness of Gotham with the youthful fun of our core trio, and a shifting set of artists bring the adventure to life with bold color and dynamic action--with Googe's art being a consistent standout visual style.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series, and I absolutely love Cas. I was a little disappointed that the art style wasn’t the same as the first book, not that that’s a bad thing! I just really loved the style from the first book, so it being different isn’t bad. The art is actually pretty good! Can’t wait for the third volume to come out!