Hey all, Crooker here again with another issue of DC Comics’ Batgirl. This is issue #14, written as always by Tate Brombal and drawn not as always by Stephen Segovia. This one is a bit light on story and very heavy on action, so let’s see how well it utilizes that choice.
Like I said above, this one is a bit lighter on story to focus more on the mission and its action, but we do of course get plenty of snippets of characterization along the way. The most notable development is the mysterious visions Cass keeps having of Lady Shiva egging her own to embrace a more violent, murderous outlook. Which almost works for a second, but she’s thankfully pulled back by her new brother.
Aside from that, it’s about what you’d expect based on the last issue. The League of Assassins has ulterior motives that puts Cass and Co. in conflict with them and the whole thing falls apart. Standard stuff, but it’s well drawn and well paced. I am curious about exactly what direction this Shiva vision will take as it continues to crop up. Is it magic? One of Shiva’s contingencies in the event of her death? A ghost? Cass’ own imagination? Hard to say. What is obvious though, is that it’s thematic purpose is clear: pushing Cass into being the successor Shiva wants her to be. This thread of an idea has been here since the start of the run, and I have a fairly clear vision in my mind for how I think it’s going to end.
DC
What this book has been good at so far is pushing Cassandra’s buttons, confronting her unfortunately storied history with other writers pushing her to the outskirts as anti-social or as an outright villain. This is probably the first time the idea of Cassandra falling into her own darkness and becoming what she hates has been given the breathing room to actually have some meat on the bones. I think I and other fans of this character are generally very wary of the idea of Cass being pushed into a desire to murder – the last time she acted that out of character, she never really covered until the reboot. Though the difference here I think is the clear intent to spell out “THIS IS WRONG” in bold neon lights. Seeing your favorite character have to act out for awhile to make a point can be rough, but I’m fairly confident this will stick the landing. I mean, nobody actually thinks we’re going to have a One Year Later situation again, right?
God I hope not.
DC
Anyways, in terms of the art, Segovia is really good! I like the action sequences here, and everything has a really cool, angular edge to it that helps sell a high energy and movement focused book like this. I’m also thankful for much less reliance on Ninja Magic for the fight scenes. As I’ve said before, that kind of stuff just feels off in a book like this, so I’m happy to say anything magical is more in the realm you’d expect from a DC ninja and less… Naruto.
I think Batgirl #14 is fairly solid, if standard. The book is firmly in that “written for the trade” mode right now, which makes it a bit difficult to really sink your teeth into any given issue in a story. A lot of setup and continuation of prior setup, obviously telegraphing toward where and how the conclusion will play out. I want to think that all this legwork being put in will lead to something satisfying, so let’s wait and see!
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