Hey everybody, Crooker here once again, this time with DC Comics’ Batgirl #13, by Tate Brombal and Takeshi Miyazawa. This is one I’ve had a hard time thinking about how to tackle, so how about you keep reading below and find out why.
Right then, so, as I said last time, I now finally feel like this current “revenge for Shiva” arc has finally hit its stride and feels like it’s matching the vibe and tone of the first six issues, which I was starting to feel it wasn’t living up to nearly as much as it should. And that’s good, obviously, but now I’m honestly struggling with what exactly to say, because I feel like I have to wait and see what happens before I make any sort of statements. I am emotionally pulled in by Cass acting up in the way she has, but it’s an emotional response that I know is there for that purpose, so I can’t really make a point of it, because I can tell what it’s making me feel and why, and it’s a good why! I don’t want anybody to think I dislike the book for this; far from it, I’m just wise to the play now and it’s making me want to sit and stew on it without saying much.
DC
That said, if the intent here is to show how slippery of a slope Cass is falling down, it’s doing a fantastic job. And I know it is because of my gut instinct response to be mad about it, to say “she wouldn’t do that! That’s not Cass!” Because yeah, it isn’t! I like that the story is very much weaponizing my gut instinct as a comic book fan to complain about characterization, and that is truly, TRULY devious. My hat is off and tipped – I wish I could harness annoying people that effectively, it would make me such a better writer than I am. I will stand by the fact that I think Brombal is probably my ideal choice for the kind of writer to come in and bring Cass back to her roots like this, even if I didn’t know much about him prior to him proving he was the right person for the job. You made me so annoyed that I became unable to process my thoughts in review form for a full paragraph, Tate. You impress me.
DC
Miayzawa’s art is obviously still fantastic, with the same standard praise I’ve given him from the start. Fantastic use of Cass’ visual motifs and character elements that feed back in perfectly into the medium to bring out something that feels authentic and right for the character. I’ve said all that before, but it remains true.
So then, Batgirl #13. It’s good! Frustratingly good, even. I mean that in the best way possible, I assure you. I really like the arc Brombal is putting Cass through here. Yes it does retread some old ground, but it’s easy to forget that Cass hasn’t really had a story all to herself like this in nearly 20 years, since 2008’s Batgirl Volume 2. Seriously, since then it’s all been cameos or shared spotlight. This sort of thing has been needed to introduce Cass to a new generation of readers for a very long time now, and I think putting her through the wringer to see her at her lowest is the best way to do that, as it is with any character. A good issue, and one that renews my relief that the book is in good hands.
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