Today I have the great honor to bring you what is already one of the best books of the year, and a perfect return to form: Batgirl #1 by Tate Brombal and Takeshi Miyazawa. It is no secret that I am a very very passionate Cassandra Cain fan. Not too long ago, I published an article talking about the character’s personal effect on me that was received very well far and wide, and I will take a moment now to thank everybody who read and supported it. You’re amazing. If you’re familiar with it, you’ll know I had a lot of criticisms for the direction the character has taken in recent years since the New 52, and guys… this is it. Let’s get into it.
Tate Brombal reached into my mind while I was conceiving my Batgirl article and snatched up every frustration I’ve ever had as a fan of Cass and made it his personal mission to correct every single thing I don’t like about the modern era of the character… or at least that’s what I’m assuming, because it sure as hell feels like it. I’m honestly stunned – I went into this book with the expectation it would be more of the same. The same lazy non-attempts to write her dialogue authentically, the same jingling of keys meant to keep people satiated while other characters do all the important stuff. None of that is here.
This isn’t just a good Cass, this is Cass. This is the Cassandra Cain that I read in high school, going through back issues of her ’90s-2000s appearances. It was always easy, and Brombal spared no expense in making her read exactly as she did during the later years of her solo. The speech patterns, the oh-so vital speech patterns, are nearly exact. This is a genuine, honest to god effort to get it right, not a spin, not a “take”, this is somebody trying to do it right. And it works, it works and it melts my damn stone cold heart that the effort was made. This means the world to me, I cannot express it enough, it really feels like my girl is finally herself again.
DC Comics
However, Cass is only half of this equation. The all important second part of this book is her mother, Lady Shiva. Shiva and Cass have always had a very rocky relationship, and that is portrayed perfectly here. There have been some attempts to bridge the gap between them in the past decade, a noble effort, but not one fully true to how either would approach it. This is the right way, forcing them together because of Shiva’s arrogance and Cass’s noble heart. I’m happy they both feel so in character here.
Similarly to how I praised Williamson’s Green Arrow for feeling like a spiritual continuation of Volume 3, this new run does the same for the original Batgirl Volumes 1 and 2, picking up on all the things that felt left on the table back then. The way that Shiva justifies her being here as protecting a kill she sees as solely hers (a very “I brought you into this world and I’ll be the one to take you out” sort of thing, which is pitch perfect for her character), while leaving it open to interpretation if she actually might have some genuinely affection in the act… great stuff, it’s perfect. I also love how she notes Cass’ similarities to her “father”, and it’s up to the reader to decide if she means David Cain, her biological father… or Bruce Wayne, the father she chose.
DC
Miyazawa brings a great deal of talent to this as well, with a fantastically drawn comic that’s properly expressive not just in faces but in body, an essential element to any Cass Cain book. These are characters that are very loud in their movements, and very expressive with all parts of their bodies, and that aspect is brought fully out here. The action scenes work well too, making good use of these characters’ fighting prowess to deliver some real kinetic sequences with unique fight choreography. All around stellar work, worthy of any artist who’s ever touched this character’s stories in the past.
DC Comics
Batgirl #1 is my favorite comic book of the entire year. This is a Cass that’s real, a Cass that’s true. This is the Cass that made me fall in love with her character, and changed my life forever. The one that made me feel more comfortable to be different, and to not be ashamed of it. Choice is a big thing in this book. Cass talks about how her life has been defined by the choices taken from her, and the ones she made for herself. She may not have chose her origins, or her birth parents, but she did choose the father she wanted, and the life she deserved. The life of a hero. That’s my girl. I’m so happy you’re back.
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