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Batgirl (2000) - Original TPBs
Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood
Cassandra Cain is Batgirl, Tim Drake is Robin. Together, they're dynamite! Now, in the aftermath of 'War Games', Tim - his father and girlfriend dead - relocates to Bludhaven for a fresh start. But no sooner has he met the local underworld than he's in dire danger - until Batgirl, who has also relocated, saves him."
Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
289 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,818 followersIn the late 1970s to early 1980s he drew fantasy ink pictures for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic and Expert game rulebooks. He first gained attention for his 1980s comic book series Elementals published by Comico, which he both wrote and drew. However, for reasons unknown, the series had trouble maintaining an original schedule, and Willingham's position in the industry remained spotty for many years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 12, 2021
This was a decent team up book, better character moments with a lackluster villain plot.
So with Tim losing a lot of important people he decides to split from Batman for awhile and try to do his own thing. Of course Cassandra sees he is hurt and decides to follow him. Together they talk it out some, and try to figure out who and what they are, and what they want to be. While this is happening Penguin is cooking up a new plan.
The main plot is just okay. Penguin is kind of a meh villain for me and he doesn't do much here to impress me. So there's that. But the stuff with Cass and Tim together, figuring it out, and trying to be helpful to one another was great. Also the art was solid, better in Batgirl's book.
A 3 out of 5.
So with Tim losing a lot of important people he decides to split from Batman for awhile and try to do his own thing. Of course Cassandra sees he is hurt and decides to follow him. Together they talk it out some, and try to figure out who and what they are, and what they want to be. While this is happening Penguin is cooking up a new plan.
The main plot is just okay. Penguin is kind of a meh villain for me and he doesn't do much here to impress me. So there's that. But the stuff with Cass and Tim together, figuring it out, and trying to be helpful to one another was great. Also the art was solid, better in Batgirl's book.
A 3 out of 5.
February 14, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Usually I review comics with a good points/bad points review format. I can't do that this time because there isn't really anything bad for me to say about it. Do you ever read something and like it, but not really feel blown away? That's how I feel about this.
This is my first real look at Tim Drake as Robin. I found him kind of annoying in the one issue of his origin story that was included in Robin: The Teen Wonder , but I liked him a lot more here. Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood picks up just after Stephanie Brown's funeral. Tim has buried three loved ones in as many days, including his father and girlfriend, so he does what all Gotham vigilantes do when they're disillusioned with Batman: he runs off to Bludhaven. He also claims that he isn't going to become like Batman simply because everyone he knows and loves has started dying. That's...not really working out for him. He's self-aware about a lot of things - like the fact that violence shouldn't make him feel good - but he doesn't seem bothered that he's being pretty ruthless. He plants a small-time purse-snatcher in a big-time gang and justifies it by saying that the man chose that life. Oddly, he still manages to come across as quite a caring person: he's very bothered about Dick's current situation, and the first thing he does after him and Cass turn the tables on the bad guys is ask if she's okay. He also has a really dorky inner monologue at times. Oh, and he's apparently lawful good. Who wants to point out to him that he's an illegal vigilante?
It's also my introduction to Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. She's awesome. She's an ex-child assassin (Gotham appears to have almost as many of those as it does orphans) whose (supervillain) father never taught her to talk so that she would learn how to read people, and she's damned good at it. It's really cool to read. She can talk now (she's still learning), and she's also teaching herself to read. One of the books she tried was A Tale of Two Cities. Girl's nothing if not determined. Having had her whole life shaped by her father, she's now looking to Batman to be her driving influence. It's not until the end of this that she really thinks about finding her own way. I think the thing that makes Cass so interesting is that she's unique - I've never read a character like her before.
The plot's fairly simple. Robin moves to Bludhaven partly to get away from Batman and partly because he's chasing a lead that he hopes will absolve Nightwing of any guilt he has relating to Blockbuster's death. Batgirl is sent to Bludhaven partly to keep an eye on him and partly because its local superhero is AWOL after the aforementioned drama with Blockbuster. Together, they fight crime. Specifically, they fight Penguin. And each other. To the death. It's an interesting dynamic. Robin and Batgirl are very different, both in their skill sets and their ideals, so they complement each other.
Usually I review comics with a good points/bad points review format. I can't do that this time because there isn't really anything bad for me to say about it. Do you ever read something and like it, but not really feel blown away? That's how I feel about this.
This is my first real look at Tim Drake as Robin. I found him kind of annoying in the one issue of his origin story that was included in Robin: The Teen Wonder , but I liked him a lot more here. Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood picks up just after Stephanie Brown's funeral. Tim has buried three loved ones in as many days, including his father and girlfriend, so he does what all Gotham vigilantes do when they're disillusioned with Batman: he runs off to Bludhaven. He also claims that he isn't going to become like Batman simply because everyone he knows and loves has started dying. That's...not really working out for him. He's self-aware about a lot of things - like the fact that violence shouldn't make him feel good - but he doesn't seem bothered that he's being pretty ruthless. He plants a small-time purse-snatcher in a big-time gang and justifies it by saying that the man chose that life. Oddly, he still manages to come across as quite a caring person: he's very bothered about Dick's current situation, and the first thing he does after him and Cass turn the tables on the bad guys is ask if she's okay. He also has a really dorky inner monologue at times. Oh, and he's apparently lawful good. Who wants to point out to him that he's an illegal vigilante?
It's also my introduction to Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. She's awesome. She's an ex-child assassin (Gotham appears to have almost as many of those as it does orphans) whose (supervillain) father never taught her to talk so that she would learn how to read people, and she's damned good at it. It's really cool to read. She can talk now (she's still learning), and she's also teaching herself to read. One of the books she tried was A Tale of Two Cities. Girl's nothing if not determined. Having had her whole life shaped by her father, she's now looking to Batman to be her driving influence. It's not until the end of this that she really thinks about finding her own way. I think the thing that makes Cass so interesting is that she's unique - I've never read a character like her before.
The plot's fairly simple. Robin moves to Bludhaven partly to get away from Batman and partly because he's chasing a lead that he hopes will absolve Nightwing of any guilt he has relating to Blockbuster's death. Batgirl is sent to Bludhaven partly to keep an eye on him and partly because its local superhero is AWOL after the aforementioned drama with Blockbuster. Together, they fight crime. Specifically, they fight Penguin. And each other. To the death. It's an interesting dynamic. Robin and Batgirl are very different, both in their skill sets and their ideals, so they complement each other.
March 3, 2016
I've been enjoying Willingham's work on Robin, which has been light and fun, but it doesn't hold a candle to Gabrych's Batgirl, which is entirely delightful. (Robin also isn't helped by all the recent deaths in his comics.)
The storyline is nice, introducing some new villains in a new setting — though the loss of the old setting and its characters is a bit of a setback. There's a bit too much mindless fighting, but whenever the comic gets away from that and focuses on Tim and Cassandra, it shines.
The storyline is nice, introducing some new villains in a new setting — though the loss of the old setting and its characters is a bit of a setback. There's a bit too much mindless fighting, but whenever the comic gets away from that and focuses on Tim and Cassandra, it shines.
July 30, 2017
Luckily, I had the required Robin issues to read this full story while on my journey through Cassie's time as Batgirl.
The art was pretty good, but the story was better. I would have preferred a few more personal moments between the two because they really have a lot to discuss at this point in their lives.
But, I'll take what I can get.
The art was pretty good, but the story was better. I would have preferred a few more personal moments between the two because they really have a lot to discuss at this point in their lives.
But, I'll take what I can get.
June 4, 2019
Not sure if this is pre or post Fables but Willingham is, for me, something of a highly talented disposable fiction writer. The stories are good, well plotted, decent twists and action, dialog is fine, but then I almost completely forget all about what I've read in them. What I'll take away from this one is how Penguin got himself royally screwed by taking bets instead of lives. LOL.
November 2, 2025
Cass and Tim are such a good duo, I loved seeing them working together.
September 18, 2016
This was my first real introduction into Tim Drake, the Robin I know the least about. It was okay.
I liked that it began as him taking over Nightwing's territory in Bludhaven after the events of War Games. Tim wants his independence to deal with some pretty heavy stuff because Steph died, his father was murdered and his step mother was in the hospital.
There was a theme of Tim not wanting to let his pin turn him into the Bruce. It's evident in Tim's thoughts, Alfred saying he fears Bruce has rubbed off on him and then juxtaposed in Cass later saying that, unlike him, all she's wanted is to someday become Batman.
The storyline is okay. Cass and Tim are trying to figure out if Blockbuster is alive. One, to clear Dick's conscious and two, to stop the uprising of violence in Bludhaven.
The fight scenes are some of the best I've seen. The art is pretty great at showing Cass' prowess and Tim's different fighting style. One thing I do like about Tim is that he's presented as the Robin that feels the least confident in his combat skills but way more confident in his computer skills.
Seeing him and Cass pretend to fight and then him shooting her hurt a lot, not gonna lie.
The end conversation was really interesting. I think Tim is the only Robin to disagree with the idea that Batman's methods shouldn't trump the law?
Anyway, this was okay. I got a small bit of Tim's personality and I adore Cass so it was great to see her.
4.3 stars.
I liked that it began as him taking over Nightwing's territory in Bludhaven after the events of War Games. Tim wants his independence to deal with some pretty heavy stuff because Steph died, his father was murdered and his step mother was in the hospital.
There was a theme of Tim not wanting to let his pin turn him into the Bruce. It's evident in Tim's thoughts, Alfred saying he fears Bruce has rubbed off on him and then juxtaposed in Cass later saying that, unlike him, all she's wanted is to someday become Batman.
The storyline is okay. Cass and Tim are trying to figure out if Blockbuster is alive. One, to clear Dick's conscious and two, to stop the uprising of violence in Bludhaven.
The fight scenes are some of the best I've seen. The art is pretty great at showing Cass' prowess and Tim's different fighting style. One thing I do like about Tim is that he's presented as the Robin that feels the least confident in his combat skills but way more confident in his computer skills.
Seeing him and Cass pretend to fight and then him shooting her hurt a lot, not gonna lie.
The end conversation was really interesting. I think Tim is the only Robin to disagree with the idea that Batman's methods shouldn't trump the law?
Anyway, this was okay. I got a small bit of Tim's personality and I adore Cass so it was great to see her.
4.3 stars.
January 28, 2019
Fresh Blood is a crossover Batgirl, collecting Issue 132 and 133 of Robin and 58 and 59 of Batgirl. tween Tim Drake's Roin and Cassandra Cain's Batgirl. It comes from before the current practice where every comic book series and storyline gets a trade, and having read it, I wonder why anyone thought this was worth collecting, and even better why it was worth doing.
The story opens with the once-cheery optimistic Robin in a very dark place as he's had to bury his father and girlfriend within 24 hours. takes over crimefighting in Bludhaven after Nightwing left and acts in a very brutal way until he attracts the attention until he's overpowered by the assassin Shrike. At that time, Batgirl enters the story. We find that Batman thought she was almost ready for a city of her own and to fill Bludhaven, but that he also saw that she and Tim could help each other and be a well-balanced team. And throughout the second part of the story, we do indeed see how a Cain-Drake team could work and how they would make very strong crimefighting partners.
The next two issues totally blows the potential of that team in a dull and idiotic story that has one of Batman's most famous rogues acting like a total idiot and the team ending for stupid reasons. On top of that, the art is wonky.
This isn't completely horrible but it plays a nasty trick by really making something look promising and then pulling the rug out from under the read by executing in the stupidest way imaginable.
The story opens with the once-cheery optimistic Robin in a very dark place as he's had to bury his father and girlfriend within 24 hours. takes over crimefighting in Bludhaven after Nightwing left and acts in a very brutal way until he attracts the attention until he's overpowered by the assassin Shrike. At that time, Batgirl enters the story. We find that Batman thought she was almost ready for a city of her own and to fill Bludhaven, but that he also saw that she and Tim could help each other and be a well-balanced team. And throughout the second part of the story, we do indeed see how a Cain-Drake team could work and how they would make very strong crimefighting partners.
The next two issues totally blows the potential of that team in a dull and idiotic story that has one of Batman's most famous rogues acting like a total idiot and the team ending for stupid reasons. On top of that, the art is wonky.
This isn't completely horrible but it plays a nasty trick by really making something look promising and then pulling the rug out from under the read by executing in the stupidest way imaginable.
October 14, 2019
I've had this one sitting around for ages since I found it in the discount bin of a comic shop downtown. I was absolutely rocked by the War Games event, and anyone who's listened to me talk about comics for more than 3 seconds knows how much I love that Bats family angsty emotions, so this seemed perfect. Sadly, it didn't quite reach that perfect spot in between mourning and moving on that I was hoping for, but it wasn't bad. I'm just rather ambivalent about the whole thing is all (as you can tell by the fact that it took me almost a full week of putting off adding this review to goodreads).
The art was a problem for me. At worst it looked unfinished (i.e. Part 3), and at best I was actually stopping to notice that it wasn't severely impacting my enjoyment of the story (i.e. Part 2). Either way, I enjoy when art is either so good that you take time to gawk in wonder in between reading to find all the way it adds to the story, OR it quietly does it's job well while backing up a spectacular dialogue/plot to the point where you have to stop yourself from taking excellent spreads for granted. What we had here was neither of these things. Faces in particular frustrated me on several occasions with sharp lines in odd places and disproportions abound. But hey, art is a preference, so maybe that style is your thing. That's cool, but it was definitely a miss with me.
The story held my attention, but wasn't anything brilliant. We pick up right off the coat tails of War Games, so if you haven't read those volumes you're going to be lost pretty damn fast. I felt so bad for Tim (because I'm pretty sure anyone with half a heart would all things considered), and I was curious if we'd get a depressed Tim, a furious Tim, or a Tim in denial. We kinda got all three here, which, I mean... fair. Dude lost his girlfriend and Dad in space of two seconds, give him a second to breathe here folks.
I'm always interested in Cassandra's story and yet I haven't read many things where it takes a front seat, so I'm glad to have finally gotten to it. Watching her relationship develop more with Tim was entertaining, and I enjoyed getting both of their perspectives. She was sometimes cringe-worthy in her lack of awareness with how to interact with people, but I liked the authenticity of that. She's a woman of action who had all sorts of fucked up upbringings, so decorum would obviously not be in her tools of the trade. Watching her try to learn to read was oddly endearing, and I love how starkly it contrasted with her calm, cooled, and collected manor of violently dispatching anyone who challenged her (and a couple who didn't). Cool character.
The final fight for me was the best part of this volume. Emotions really come out and neither of them are holding back physically. Under the guise of a "fake" argument they end up taking about the real things they probably should've unloaded in a very different setting.
Odds and ends: Alfred as always was just the best goddamned parent in the whole world here. Bruce's dialogue didn't flow well with me, but that's something I know I'm picky about. I liked the little recurring scenes of Tim and Cas bandaging each other up - just a cool continuity thing. I also enjoyed reading a story 90% set in Bludhaven because with all the DC comics I've read I haven't spent much time in that dirty, crime-ridden, chaotic city.
The ending wasn't my favourite. It seemed a little too close to the way my university profs always told me not to finish an essay; that pretty little closing line about a "true meaning" or "higher purpose" of what the story all meant. It was just a little too cliche for an otherwise gritty collection in my opinion.
Still, I don't feel cheated for reading this. It's a good addendum to War Games, but by no means a necessary read.
The art was a problem for me. At worst it looked unfinished (i.e. Part 3), and at best I was actually stopping to notice that it wasn't severely impacting my enjoyment of the story (i.e. Part 2). Either way, I enjoy when art is either so good that you take time to gawk in wonder in between reading to find all the way it adds to the story, OR it quietly does it's job well while backing up a spectacular dialogue/plot to the point where you have to stop yourself from taking excellent spreads for granted. What we had here was neither of these things. Faces in particular frustrated me on several occasions with sharp lines in odd places and disproportions abound. But hey, art is a preference, so maybe that style is your thing. That's cool, but it was definitely a miss with me.
The story held my attention, but wasn't anything brilliant. We pick up right off the coat tails of War Games, so if you haven't read those volumes you're going to be lost pretty damn fast. I felt so bad for Tim (because I'm pretty sure anyone with half a heart would all things considered), and I was curious if we'd get a depressed Tim, a furious Tim, or a Tim in denial. We kinda got all three here, which, I mean... fair. Dude lost his girlfriend and Dad in space of two seconds, give him a second to breathe here folks.
I'm always interested in Cassandra's story and yet I haven't read many things where it takes a front seat, so I'm glad to have finally gotten to it. Watching her relationship develop more with Tim was entertaining, and I enjoyed getting both of their perspectives. She was sometimes cringe-worthy in her lack of awareness with how to interact with people, but I liked the authenticity of that. She's a woman of action who had all sorts of fucked up upbringings, so decorum would obviously not be in her tools of the trade. Watching her try to learn to read was oddly endearing, and I love how starkly it contrasted with her calm, cooled, and collected manor of violently dispatching anyone who challenged her (and a couple who didn't). Cool character.
The final fight for me was the best part of this volume. Emotions really come out and neither of them are holding back physically. Under the guise of a "fake" argument they end up taking about the real things they probably should've unloaded in a very different setting.
Odds and ends: Alfred as always was just the best goddamned parent in the whole world here. Bruce's dialogue didn't flow well with me, but that's something I know I'm picky about. I liked the little recurring scenes of Tim and Cas bandaging each other up - just a cool continuity thing. I also enjoyed reading a story 90% set in Bludhaven because with all the DC comics I've read I haven't spent much time in that dirty, crime-ridden, chaotic city.
The ending wasn't my favourite. It seemed a little too close to the way my university profs always told me not to finish an essay; that pretty little closing line about a "true meaning" or "higher purpose" of what the story all meant. It was just a little too cliche for an otherwise gritty collection in my opinion.
Still, I don't feel cheated for reading this. It's a good addendum to War Games, but by no means a necessary read.
October 13, 2024
The frustrating with reading books of the Bat Family is that many authors use the Bat Family as a jumping point to tell character pieces - the members of the Family can be deeply faceted and complex characters that you can build fantastic stories around. Some authors also remember that Batman started out as a detective, and can tell mystery / noir stories that keep the reader captivated. Or, if the author is a talentless hack, they tell generic stories of people in costumes smashing other people in costumes in the face.
Willingham wrote Fables, so he's probably not a talentless hack, but you couldn't tell from this book. Robin and Batgirl tangle with Penguin and have to fight each other to escape. They trick Penguin and escape. There, I saved you the trouble of reading this absolutely wretched drivel. There is nothing good about this book. The plot, as above, is so generic comic book it's laughable. There is nothing that makes any of Robin, Batgirl, or even Penguin unique. You could swap any of them out for any other superhero or villain and it would not effect the plot in any meaningful way: if the characters literally don't matter to the story, you're not actually telling a story.
The art is stylized (read: terrible), so it's not even enjoyable to read on an aesthetic level. I really see no reason for anybody to ever read this book. Even if one is a Bat Family / Robin / Batgirl completionist, this is so generic and bad it's not worth your time.
Willingham wrote Fables, so he's probably not a talentless hack, but you couldn't tell from this book. Robin and Batgirl tangle with Penguin and have to fight each other to escape. They trick Penguin and escape. There, I saved you the trouble of reading this absolutely wretched drivel. There is nothing good about this book. The plot, as above, is so generic comic book it's laughable. There is nothing that makes any of Robin, Batgirl, or even Penguin unique. You could swap any of them out for any other superhero or villain and it would not effect the plot in any meaningful way: if the characters literally don't matter to the story, you're not actually telling a story.
The art is stylized (read: terrible), so it's not even enjoyable to read on an aesthetic level. I really see no reason for anybody to ever read this book. Even if one is a Bat Family / Robin / Batgirl completionist, this is so generic and bad it's not worth your time.
January 25, 2020
Read this on 1/24/2020 for Robin #132-133 as part of my Robin read-through.
I read this about a decade ago when I was really into Cassandra Cain. Those Batgirl issues are still good and have some great quiet emotional moments, which is essential for the character. I also still really like Damion Scott's art on the Robin issues. The story is pretty stupid on the whole, though. There's really not a lot to comment on, other than that I'm glad the books didn't linger too much on the characters' grief, nor did they ignore it. The new setting is cool too, even if we didn't get to see a ton of Bludhaven, and even though I wasn't quite ready to move on from Tim's last slice of Gotham which had just been introduced.
I read this about a decade ago when I was really into Cassandra Cain. Those Batgirl issues are still good and have some great quiet emotional moments, which is essential for the character. I also still really like Damion Scott's art on the Robin issues. The story is pretty stupid on the whole, though. There's really not a lot to comment on, other than that I'm glad the books didn't linger too much on the characters' grief, nor did they ignore it. The new setting is cool too, even if we didn't get to see a ton of Bludhaven, and even though I wasn't quite ready to move on from Tim's last slice of Gotham which had just been introduced.
May 13, 2020
This is probably the first time in Willingham's run that I've been okay with his characterisation of anyone. Really interesting developments for Tim, and I enjoyed seeing Alfred's constant presence in his life. (Shouldn't he still be in high school? It raises so many questions about guardianship.)
This has also entirely convinced me to put down the next comic I was planning on reading and go through all of Batgirl. Tim and Cass teaming up was amazing, and now that they're both in Bludhaven, I hope they'll be crossing paths more often.
This has also entirely convinced me to put down the next comic I was planning on reading and go through all of Batgirl. Tim and Cass teaming up was amazing, and now that they're both in Bludhaven, I hope they'll be crossing paths more often.
July 14, 2021
*Lots of reading + no time review = Knee-jerk reactions!*
This was a book full of, not only classic comic book action, but also some nice introspection of Tim Drake's character. All of that, plus it was a perfect chance for me to read more Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain--two Bat-characters that I know the least.
This was a book full of, not only classic comic book action, but also some nice introspection of Tim Drake's character. All of that, plus it was a perfect chance for me to read more Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain--two Bat-characters that I know the least.
May 19, 2021
I'll always enjoy a Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain team up and the story was pretty enjoyable in my opinion. My only critique is with the art. Most of it was good, but I wasn't a fan of one or two issues' style.
October 12, 2023
Tim was annoying in this. Otherwise this was good.
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May 30, 2025“Batgirl and Robin—Blüdhaven’s dynamic duo?”
I love these two as a team, so many good character moments as they’re both grieving and trying to find their own ways outside of Gotham
I love these two as a team, so many good character moments as they’re both grieving and trying to find their own ways outside of Gotham
April 6, 2020
Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood is a storyline, which was published in the comic book series Robin and Batgirl. This trade paperback collects Batgirl #58–59 and Robin #132–133 of both on-going series.
This storyline takes place in the aftermath of War Games. Tim Drake as Robin relocates to Blüdhaven for a fresh start. But no sooner has he met the local underworld than he is in dire danger, until Cassandra Cain as Batgirl, who has also relocated, saves him. Together, they investigate the apparent return of the crime lord Blockbuster, believed murdered by Dick Grayson as Nightwing, the first young man to have been Robin.
Bill Willingham (Robin #132–133) and Andersen Gabrych (Batgirl #58–59) penned the trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it is an interesting team-up between a new Batgirl and Robin taking over in the city that Nightwing has became the vigilante for and involved in a case that details the supposed return of a dead crime lord – one that Nightwing blamed himself for his death.
Damion Scott (Robin #132–133) and Alé Garza (Batgirl #58–59) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, their penciling style complemented each other rather well, which made the artistic flow of the trade paperback seem rather seamless. The art was a tad cartoonish for my taste, but done rather well nevertheless.
All in all, Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood is a wonderful team-up on the next generation Robin/Batgirl team-up.
This storyline takes place in the aftermath of War Games. Tim Drake as Robin relocates to Blüdhaven for a fresh start. But no sooner has he met the local underworld than he is in dire danger, until Cassandra Cain as Batgirl, who has also relocated, saves him. Together, they investigate the apparent return of the crime lord Blockbuster, believed murdered by Dick Grayson as Nightwing, the first young man to have been Robin.
Bill Willingham (Robin #132–133) and Andersen Gabrych (Batgirl #58–59) penned the trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it is an interesting team-up between a new Batgirl and Robin taking over in the city that Nightwing has became the vigilante for and involved in a case that details the supposed return of a dead crime lord – one that Nightwing blamed himself for his death.
Damion Scott (Robin #132–133) and Alé Garza (Batgirl #58–59) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, their penciling style complemented each other rather well, which made the artistic flow of the trade paperback seem rather seamless. The art was a tad cartoonish for my taste, but done rather well nevertheless.
All in all, Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood is a wonderful team-up on the next generation Robin/Batgirl team-up.
June 27, 2012
I liked this book a lot, as this was the first book I've read that deals heavily with Cassandra Cain, a character I'm rather fond of. The fight scenes were very entertaining, although the art changed constantly from one chapter to another, due to the book being of a compilation of Robin issues 132-3 and Batgirl issues 58-9 and therefor had different artists for both series. The result was that Tim (Robin) looked younger in some chapters than in others, but that didn't really detract from the story. Robin 133 especially had some strange art, but it occurred in one of Robin's dreams, so it was understandable. One of the main highlights of this book, at least for me, was the interaction between Tim and Cassie while at Tim's apartment. I had read about Cassie on the DC Wikia, where I learned about her inability to talk early on due to a father who never bothered to teach her how to. Knowing this, I wasn't really sure what to assume about Cassie's dealings with the rest of the Bat family. Thus it was really interesting to watch her and Tim learn to coexist in the same household without Bruce there to referee their arguments and basically be a constant presence. By far the best part, however, is when Cassie falls asleep on Tim's living room floor because she was up all night trying to read A Tale of Two Cities. The touching part is I don't know if she even got past the first two words.
November 2, 2013
The younger members of the Bat-family receive a crossover graphic novel in this DC collection of Robin and Batgirl. Following the death of Stephanie Brown, the world of Batman has been hit with tragedy. Tim Drake, her boyfriend, opts to move out to Bludhaven in an attempt to separate himself from the tragedies inflicted upon him by Gotham and deal with his grief. Cassandra Cain is sent by Batman to help keep an eye on the Boy Wonder, offering assistance in the fighting department while giving Robin a chance to help her in her newfound language struggles. The young heroes must come to terms with a partnership in order to prevent Penguin from filling the Bludhaven underworld power vacuum, while understanding the role tragedy has played in shaping their heroic destinies. The team-up actually presents a great way for two legacy characters to generate a new dynamic. A colder, more lethal Batgirl teamed with a smart and talented Robin offers great interplay, as they each reveal the scars that have affected their missions. Sadly, the final throwdown with Penguin and his hired help is unsatisfying and contrived. The art is jarring, as the book switches between Damion Scott's doughy and dark Robin chapters and Ale Garza's crisp, manga-heavy Batgirl issues. An interesting collection, that does show that DC is capable of adding fresh blood to its stable of characters.
January 24, 2012
The idea of a Batgirl and Robin teamup is always exciting. Whether its Dick, Jason, Tim, Damien, Barbra, Cassandra, or Stephanie. No matter the incarnation of this duo its bound to be interesting. While that’s true here, I liked the Batgirl issues much better. While I enjoyed Cassandra much better before she could speak, her learning how to be a somewhat normal person is still intriguing. Tim’s actions and proclamations didn’t seem to match up and the art by Damion Scott in the Robin issues was inconsistent to say the least. Overall, this was decent book but uneven.
January 28, 2010
Post-War Games, Batgirl accompanies Robin to Bludhaven that they might help each other deal. Inasmuch as members of the Batfamily are capable of dealing with emotions.
A few squee worthy moments, mostly involving Cassandra practicing reading. And she's never had a boyfriend. Tim, if you want to kiss someone named Cassandra in the DCU, you should try looking no further than the end of your sofa.
A few squee worthy moments, mostly involving Cassandra practicing reading. And she's never had a boyfriend. Tim, if you want to kiss someone named Cassandra in the DCU, you should try looking no further than the end of your sofa.
September 22, 2012
This is my first time being introduced to Cassandra and I dare say that I love her character and her interactions with Tim. They do indeed make a dynamic duo. The inconsistent and cartoonish artwork were a stark contrast to the vibrant colours and great storytelling, giving the serious story a sarcastically playful tone to it. Whether this was intentional or not, the artwork still irks me.
November 27, 2012
I like the idea of a team up between Robin/batgirl, but the art was very distracting. It was a compilation of Robin's issues and Batgirl, so in one chapter it would cartoonish and bulky, and in the next one more fitting.
The story isn't very riveting either, and ends in a hokey and very unrealistic ending.
I only read this for Batgirl. Robin and his weird art can just go away in my opinion.
The story isn't very riveting either, and ends in a hokey and very unrealistic ending.
I only read this for Batgirl. Robin and his weird art can just go away in my opinion.
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May 1, 2008After War Games and Identity Crisis
June 10, 2011
The story is very good but the artwork is awful. It gets better towards the end but look no further than the cover and opening pages to see some atrocious misformities.
October 1, 2011
A solid Robin and Batgirl story.
July 3, 2013
Not bad, but just very ok. Feels more like a half of a story.
August 12, 2015
A decidedly mediocre collection. The team-up was OK, but the Robin vs. Batgirl fight seemed forced, and the switching of artists between the Robin and Batgirl chapters was distracting.
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