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Batgirl (2000) - Original TPBs
Batgirl, Vol. 5: Kicking Assassins
Batgirl Cassandra Cain has begun anew in Blèudhaven, but she barely has time to unpack before the Penguin, the Brotherhood of Evil, Deathstroke, and the Ravager start coming at her. one after the other.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2005
About the author
Andersen Gabrych
70 books14 followersAndersen Gabrych is a Northern California native. He’s written Detective Comics, Batman, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Omega Men for DC Comics, and is the author of the original graphic novel, Fog Town.
As an actor he appeared most notably in the award-winning Edge of Seventeen and at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival. He currently lives in L.A. with his cat, Moses, and is the co-creator of Pyrasphere, “Hollywood’s fastest growing new religion,” and the subsequent documentary Bright Day! about this fictitious spiritual movement.
As an actor he appeared most notably in the award-winning Edge of Seventeen and at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival. He currently lives in L.A. with his cat, Moses, and is the co-creator of Pyrasphere, “Hollywood’s fastest growing new religion,” and the subsequent documentary Bright Day! about this fictitious spiritual movement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 13, 2021
Real good character work for Cass. She's branching out on her own trying to be independent. Besides some more internal dialogue than needed and deathstroke always showing up the ending set up a interesting plot.
September 30, 2016
I'm in love with al Cassandra Cain books apparently. I loved this one as well!
Cassandra's taken over Dick's beat and is watching over Bludhaven. It's interesting watching the Batfam take care of Bludhaven because the town is a complete cesspit. Batsy says they need to make the place their home because if they care about it, they'll be more dedicated to the job. Tim barely did that in Fresh Blood but Cassie, I think really did.
She has a sweet relationship with a cafe owner, Angela I think because she becomes a regular after Alfred moves her in. Angela learns about Cassie's illiteracy and doesn't hold it against her. She's very kind and helps her get food off the menu anyway and she worries about if she's eaten. She's a great friend and even invited Cassie to a party after an "anonymous" donation to her cafe debt problems.
Cassie's home is amazing! She has a flat and her own set of caves with a training room!
As usual, the fight scenes are beautifully drawn. The bit where she saw Stephanie again, as a hallucination?, broke my heart. I loved their relationship.
The parallels between David & Cassie and Slade & Rose were interesting. I wonder if she'll see Rose again.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cassandra's taken over Dick's beat and is watching over Bludhaven. It's interesting watching the Batfam take care of Bludhaven because the town is a complete cesspit. Batsy says they need to make the place their home because if they care about it, they'll be more dedicated to the job. Tim barely did that in Fresh Blood but Cassie, I think really did.
She has a sweet relationship with a cafe owner, Angela I think because she becomes a regular after Alfred moves her in. Angela learns about Cassie's illiteracy and doesn't hold it against her. She's very kind and helps her get food off the menu anyway and she worries about if she's eaten. She's a great friend and even invited Cassie to a party after an "anonymous" donation to her cafe debt problems.
Cassie's home is amazing! She has a flat and her own set of caves with a training room!
As usual, the fight scenes are beautifully drawn. The bit where she saw Stephanie again, as a hallucination?, broke my heart. I loved their relationship.
The parallels between David & Cassie and Slade & Rose were interesting. I wonder if she'll see Rose again.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 17, 2013
I wish I read more Cass Cain when her series was actually being released because then it'd be easier to find comics featuring her character. Maybe the New 52 will someday pick her character up again. Otherwise, I'm stuck on a quest for more Batgirl. After Fists of Fury, I wasn't so sure if I wanted more. I liked it. There was no love there. The same with Destruction's Daughter. That was more around the lines that I really liked it. Meanwhile, I enjoyed reading Kicking Assassins. The narrative wove all the sequences together nicely introducing issues Cass needs to face everyday in her life. The past and the present both haunt her in her new situation as she moves to a new town. I loved her interaction with the police in Bludhaven and some of the people there. I'm hoping to find more at some point along the road. This trade paperback reminded me that I need more Cass in my life. I love her daily struggles and her constant fight in life. It interests me that she was unable to talk at one point in her life nor is she able to read.
I need you Cass.
I need you Cass.
February 17, 2015
This book originally appeared a decade ago and features Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. To my silver/bronze (stone? who said that?) age sensibilities Ms. Gordon will always be Batgirl, but I thought this one was pretty well done. It's interesting to have a story narrated by an illiterate character, and I thought that aspect was pulled off nicely. The art is good though-out, though it edges towards the anime-eye thing that I don't like a time or two. It was fun to see her operate on her own, out from under the direct shadow of the bat so to speak, and there were a few very cool touches such as her establishing a friendship with the coffee shop owner. It's a pretty good book overall.
November 10, 2014
This is my first time reading Cass as Batgirl and it's neat to see how different she is from Babs. Cass's backstory is interesting and I like how she struggles with words as a result of her upbringing. I thnk she has a lot of potential for character development and I do like her. I realize it's more of a challenge to write a character who either doesn't speak much or has trouble speaking, and the more I think about it, the more I appreciate how this team portrays Cass. However, I still feel like there could have been more - especially in her personal struggle to adjust to her new life (maybe through interactions with other characters). Reading this book was decent but nothing spectacular. There's not enough tension and emotional investment in the present, though her past is more intriguing. I would've liked to see more of Cass's personal growth (past and present) in a way that ties into her being able to use language as a form of self-expression. Maybe it'll happen in later books.
January 27, 2012
This is a much better showing from a Cassandra Cain collection. It's because we have a new writer and Cassandra is in Bludhaven now, away from Batman and Oracle's shadows. It's a tighter, less erratic narrative--though it's still there every once in awhile--and the artwork is less cartoony.
Much better than previous installments!
Much better than previous installments!
December 13, 2012
Another Batgirl collection that is more about random kicks and punches than character development. Fight scenes are fun to read but they have to have some weight to them and sadly there was much of that here. The art was also too cartoony for my liking. Overall, not much going on here and can be skipped.
September 13, 2013
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could. This being my first actual comic book in the Batfamily, I was playing a bit of catch-up, but exposition is handled well. Her past is dark and compelling, with lots of parental issues being played out here. I'm interested enough to want to see more of her.
September 29, 2014
It was a good story, but could've been so much better. I'll call it a valiant effort. Loved the character of Onyx. However, the "uh"s in our lovely heroine's thoughts got SO ANNOYING as it went in that I seriously just stopped wanting to know what she was thinking. Very clever ending though.
March 31, 2019
Batgirl: Kicking Assassins picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting the next five issues (Batgirl #60–64) of the 2000 on-going series. The trade paperback covers two storylines: "The Hood" and "Could've Been".
"The Hood" is a three-issue storyline (Batgirl #60–62), which has Cassandra Cain as Batgirl building her new life for herself in Blüdhaven, but with the Penguin looming large in the city once protected by Nightiwng, Batgirl must keep the streets safe, which isn’t an easy thing to do.
"Could've Been" is a two-issue storyline (Batgirl #63–64), which has Cassandra Cain going against the villainous Society, who is not pleased with her, due to her disrupting the arms deal with the Brotherhood of Evil. They send Deathstroke in to finish her off, and he soon attracts her attention by putting innocents in danger. She engages him, but soon realizes that he's toying with her – he actually intends her to fight his daughter, the Ravager.
Andersen Gabrych penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, I was a tad confused at first, because the trades skipped like thirty issues, which is quite a lot of character development. However, the confusion was quickly abated as it seems that Cassandra Cain as Batgirl started at square one with her new role as Blüdhaven's new protector, which is an adjustment for everyone.
Alé Garza is the penciler for the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style – it accentuates the narrative rather well. However, it is a tad too cartoonish in some places, but it seems to be par for the course for this series.
All in all, Batgirl: Kicking Assassins is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
"The Hood" is a three-issue storyline (Batgirl #60–62), which has Cassandra Cain as Batgirl building her new life for herself in Blüdhaven, but with the Penguin looming large in the city once protected by Nightiwng, Batgirl must keep the streets safe, which isn’t an easy thing to do.
"Could've Been" is a two-issue storyline (Batgirl #63–64), which has Cassandra Cain going against the villainous Society, who is not pleased with her, due to her disrupting the arms deal with the Brotherhood of Evil. They send Deathstroke in to finish her off, and he soon attracts her attention by putting innocents in danger. She engages him, but soon realizes that he's toying with her – he actually intends her to fight his daughter, the Ravager.
Andersen Gabrych penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, I was a tad confused at first, because the trades skipped like thirty issues, which is quite a lot of character development. However, the confusion was quickly abated as it seems that Cassandra Cain as Batgirl started at square one with her new role as Blüdhaven's new protector, which is an adjustment for everyone.
Alé Garza is the penciler for the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style – it accentuates the narrative rather well. However, it is a tad too cartoonish in some places, but it seems to be par for the course for this series.
All in all, Batgirl: Kicking Assassins is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
April 27, 2021
This volume resparked my dismay at the fact that we still don't have a complete TPB collection of Cass Cain's first Batgirl run. In this volume, Cass takes over for Dick Grayson as the protector of Blüdhaven with a uniquely Cassandra Cain style. While Dick spent his time getting to know his neighbours and work on corruption from within the system, Cass takes a more Batman-esque direct approach.
What's interesting here though is that you see how her past as a puppet of David Cain influences her point of view on the thugs she faces. When she sees Gemini, a metahuman who took over mother's place in the Brotherhood of Evil, Cassandra stops to question whether she too was a victim of ruthless, terrible parenting. She gives Rose Wilson the same chance when she sees her interactions with Slae and reognizes the need for approval that used to weigh her down too. I like how Cass used her tragic past to become more empathetic and have a clearer, less black and white view on the people she faces. It makes her a much more effective force of good than someone who immediately villifies anyone who goes against their way of living.
Cass also starts to get invested in the people of Blüdhaven too. She asks Bruce to help out a financially struggling cafe owner, attends her first party and possibly starts a romance with a civilian. She does it all in a very wholesome Cassandra Cain way that leaves you with no choice but to root for her. There's also a sweet and funny dynamic between her and the cafe owner, who is convinced Cass is a prostitute after seeing her leave with Alfred, who left a very large tip. The cafe owner also realizes that Cass is illiterate, but doesn't judge or criticize at all. I'm hoping for a friendship between these two.
Overall, this was a fantastic volume and my hunt for more TPBs from Batgirl (2000) continues.
What's interesting here though is that you see how her past as a puppet of David Cain influences her point of view on the thugs she faces. When she sees Gemini, a metahuman who took over mother's place in the Brotherhood of Evil, Cassandra stops to question whether she too was a victim of ruthless, terrible parenting. She gives Rose Wilson the same chance when she sees her interactions with Slae and reognizes the need for approval that used to weigh her down too. I like how Cass used her tragic past to become more empathetic and have a clearer, less black and white view on the people she faces. It makes her a much more effective force of good than someone who immediately villifies anyone who goes against their way of living.
Cass also starts to get invested in the people of Blüdhaven too. She asks Bruce to help out a financially struggling cafe owner, attends her first party and possibly starts a romance with a civilian. She does it all in a very wholesome Cassandra Cain way that leaves you with no choice but to root for her. There's also a sweet and funny dynamic between her and the cafe owner, who is convinced Cass is a prostitute after seeing her leave with Alfred, who left a very large tip. The cafe owner also realizes that Cass is illiterate, but doesn't judge or criticize at all. I'm hoping for a friendship between these two.
Overall, this was a fantastic volume and my hunt for more TPBs from Batgirl (2000) continues.
November 8, 2024
Meh. This wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't particularly bad. It simply exists. It is a fairly bog-standard comic book. Batgirl is in Bludhaven, there is a super villain, she must defeat the super villain, she does. That's the plot. There is just enough in the plot that is unique to Batgirl that you couldn't cookie-cutter her out for any other comic book character, but it's pretty darn close, and there's a neat dream sequence with Spoiler that is interesting. This, however, is balanced by Batgirl's origin story being re-told, again, which is not needed 60+ issues into the run.
Ultimately, there's no real reason to read this. The story isn't particularly exciting, the art isn't particularly great, and the characters are fairly flat. However, it isn't actually bad, so if you have an hour and you're a Bat Family or Batgirl completionist, it'll fill an hour of your life.
Ultimately, there's no real reason to read this. The story isn't particularly exciting, the art isn't particularly great, and the characters are fairly flat. However, it isn't actually bad, so if you have an hour and you're a Bat Family or Batgirl completionist, it'll fill an hour of your life.
September 1, 2025
This felt more like a collection of loosely connected one-shots rather than an ongoing series. Every issue has a different theme and can stand as its own story, with a premise and a resolution.
Some moments were impactful but the whole was not that interesting. Something about the pacing and the way it was structured didn't resonate with me.
Some moments were impactful but the whole was not that interesting. Something about the pacing and the way it was structured didn't resonate with me.
July 31, 2017
The three part story was alright. It gave us some much needed character to the city, and her part of town specifically.
That second two parter, though? Shoot. That was some great storytelling. I'm looking forward to more interactions with those two.
That second two parter, though? Shoot. That was some great storytelling. I'm looking forward to more interactions with those two.
September 22, 2018
Cassandra Cain is starting a new life in a new town. She is talking a lot more in this book than in previous Batgirl books that I have read. It’s fun to see her character grow and progress. I really enjoyed the scenes at the restaurant/coffee shop.
October 12, 2023
“Is she —like me?” This was so magical. Like the parallels between Cass and Rose are beautiful. But Cass is no longer seeking her father’s approval, instead, living her life the best way she can. There’s more I want to say but spoilers.
January 27, 2018
Good art, fun story, colorful characters, and I love this characterization of Cassandra Cain.
May 8, 2019
This was great. I cried though in part of it but the rest was great!!!!! The artwork was good and the action was beautifully done.
May 19, 2021
Great art and action. The art here is probably some of the best so far in my opinion and I did enjoy the fight with Cass, Ravager, and Deathstroke.
April 13, 2022
The more I learn about her the more I love her. Wtf.
May 3, 2024
⭐️3.5
October 27, 2025
Cass remains the best character ever.
March 10, 2019
After her failed team-up with TIm Drake's Robin, Cassandra Cain is flying solo in Bludhaven.
This book works pretty well. There's great action. Cassandra continues to evolve as a character. The art is actually fairly good. She faces off against the Brotherhood of Evil all by herself.
I had to groan a bit when it seemed like Deathstroke had been hired to take down Cassandra but it turned out to be his daughter instead. However, the final issue was really good as Cassandra had to combine her skills with some clever tactical thinking. We get some really nice insights into how she fights and sees the world. Overall, an enjoyable read.
This book works pretty well. There's great action. Cassandra continues to evolve as a character. The art is actually fairly good. She faces off against the Brotherhood of Evil all by herself.
I had to groan a bit when it seemed like Deathstroke had been hired to take down Cassandra but it turned out to be his daughter instead. However, the final issue was really good as Cassandra had to combine her skills with some clever tactical thinking. We get some really nice insights into how she fights and sees the world. Overall, an enjoyable read.
September 8, 2022
I liked this one better than the others in the series - mainly because it had one story that was focused on the entire time instead of short vignettes. It was also much easier to see what was going on in each panel!
November 27, 2012
The new art is awesome, the writing is better. Batgirl is now set up in Bludhaven to be one of its two main protectors, and she begins a new life of her own with her own adventures.
The story is very simple, Cassandra sets up shop in an old house near a coffee shop, gets her own snitch, and has to stop The Penguin from moving into Bludhaven.
Cassandra battles the Brotherhood of Evil and Deathstroke in this action packed but well written volume of BATGIRL.
The story is very simple, Cassandra sets up shop in an old house near a coffee shop, gets her own snitch, and has to stop The Penguin from moving into Bludhaven.
Cassandra battles the Brotherhood of Evil and Deathstroke in this action packed but well written volume of BATGIRL.
August 28, 2015
I enjoyed Cassandra Cain's volatile, mysterious personality. Her past was a ponderous burden, but in her encounter with the Ravager, it added perspective. Also, I liked the different view of Deathstroke. Through the show Arrow, I saw an emotionless Slade Wilson - Deathstroke - as a tactician and soldier. Here, however, I saw a conflicted father, angered at Batgirl for hurting his daughter, but reluctant to take on the girl's job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2015
Part of my massive Barbara Gordon Re-read which I had a glorious amazing time with. The art in the early Batgirl stuff was very touch and go to me, which made me wince a while reading through it, but I definitely appreciated the beginning of Cass' story, and Bab's involvement in that with Cass and with/against Bruce.
February 1, 2010
Batgirl, alone and fighting crime in Bludhaven, proves herself the perfect scion of the batfamily, even if she could never have been its originator. I like the friends she makes as Cassandra, and her bad guys as Batgirl are well done too.
July 21, 2010
Cassandra Cain. Best Batgirl ever. Sorry Barbara.
May 27, 2011
It was semi-interesting, but it just wasn't a fun enough read for me to go back for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews