Batgirl Year One

Rating:
Summary: "Batgirl" soars!
Review: "Batgirl: Year One," by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon, is a nine-chapter comic book about Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City police officer James Gordon. The book tells the story of how this young woman becomes the masked and costumed crimefighter known as Batgirl.

I've loved the character of Batgirl since seeing Yvonne Craig's spirited portrayal of her in the 1960s TV show "Batman." Beatty and Dixon's version is likewise a great Batgirl. Although Batgirl is part of America's venerable superhero tradition, she is in her own way one of the most down-to-earth and accessible of these characters: she has no fantastic "superpowers" and is not a millionaire; as dramatized in this book, she builds her superhero persona from the ground up, with sweat and brains.

This story shows Batgirl/Barbara's dealings with her dad, with fellow crimefighters Batman and Robin, and with the villains Killer Moth and Firefly. The story is rich in action, humor, and interpersonal drama. There are nice down-to-earth moments, such as details of Batgirl creating her costume and assembling her hero gear. Along the way the artists and writers enhance the story with clever touches and thoughtful details which really help immerse the reader in Batgirl's world.

Batgirl is a feisty, courageous, and very human character--she's a heroine I could really cheer for. Ultimately I found this book as genuinely inspiring as it is entertaining. Believe in Batgirl!

Rating:
Summary: A great update of the original Batgirl
Review: Chuck Dixon, at the time this book was written, had spent several years chronicling Barbara Gordon as Oracle in "Birds of Prey." That combined with his own great work on "Robin: Year One" made him a natural choice to work on this volume. Together with Scott Beatty, he did a great retelling of the original Batgirl, getting rid of some of the campier elements from her 60s-era debut and making her a powerful female superhero. The writers also managed to work in some foreshadowing to future events in Barbara's life such as her relationship with Dick Grayson (a.k.a. Robin I, a.k.a. Nightwing) and set up the pieces for her eventual role in "Birds of Prey" -- also a great series. The artwork in this book has a very clean style, almost a hybrid between traditional comic book artwork and the style you see on "Batman: The Animated Series" People who like the character will be in no way disappointed... although I must admit, I find it very interesting (almost amusing) that Barbara Gordon's Batgirl seems to have a lot more fans now than she did before the Joker put a bullet in her spine in "The Killing Joke."

Rating:
Summary: The Dynamite Damsel
Review: The Batman family seems to do well by Year Ones, and Batgirl is no exception. These mini series are almost always superior to the regular ongoing series, as they are not tied down by subplots and the rush of a monthly deadline.

"Batgirl: Year One" is an excellent amalgam of the old and the new, incorporating important elements of Batgirl's mythology, such as Killer Moth and the costume party she makes the Batgirl suit for, while successfully incorporation new Batman lore such as the jump lines and modern technology. Gone is the Utility-Handbag and the Batgirl who would stop fighting the Joker (nice foreshadowing of the Joker, by the way) if she got a run in her stocking. The modern Barbara Gordon is a capable partner in crime fighting.

The art in the series is excellent, and stays in tone with the rest of the Year One series, maintaining a slightly retro-feel. The colors are dark and mysterious, lending a nice tone to the story.

An altogether excellent mini-series.

Rating:
Summary: The Dynamite Damsel
Review: The Batman family seems to do well by Year Ones, and Batgirl is no exception. These mini series are almost always superior to the regular ongoing series, as they are not tied down by subplots and the rush of a monthly deadline.

"Batgirl: Year One" is an excellent amalgam of the old and the new, incorporating important elements of Batgirl's mythology, such as Killer Moth and the costume party she makes the Batgirl suit for, while successfully incorporation new Batman lore such as the jump lines and modern technology. Gone is the Utility-Handbag and the Batgirl who would stop fighting the Joker (nice foreshadowing of the Joker, by the way) if she got a run in her stocking. The modern Barbara Gordon is a capable partner in crime fighting.

The art in the series is excellent, and stays in tone with the rest of the Year One series, maintaining a slightly retro-feel. The colors are dark and mysterious, lending a nice tone to the story.

An altogether excellent mini-series.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Update!
Review: The writer and artist made a super update on the character and origin. The streamined art was perfect for the story... capturing a bit of old-fashionedness and nostalgia without looking campy and/or dated. Excellent correographed action, the storyline got confusing visually rarely. Barbara Gordan has spunk and in the would of Powerpuff Girls and realistic female heroes they showed her strong, compassionate, smart, and funny without dumbing her down. Brought some of the "modern sensibilities" of the current female characters to an origin story. Best mini-series of 2003.

Rating:
Summary: Winner of Wizard Magazine's Best Mini-Series of 2003!!
Review: This is the collected volume of the acclaimed nine-issue "Batgirl: Year One" limited series published in 2003 by DC Comics. It features the beginning of Barbara Gordon's life as a superhero. While it is a deviation from the 1967 origin, the story is interesting, smart, and fun--making this volume a page-turner. Also, the art is very "retro" and appealing.

Batman, Robin, Firefly, Killer Moth, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Jason Barde, Blockbuster, Black Canary, Spectre, Wildcat, and Green Arrow make guest appearances, but what makes this book special is seeing Barbara evolve from a determined young girl who simply wants to help people into an all-out vigilante named Batgirl. Also, the fact that she and Batman are more rivals than partners adds a wonderful aspect of independence and competition to the story.

Plus, you get to see Batgirl kick a lot of things--always a good time.

Pick up this book and learn all about Batgrrrrrrrrl Power.

Rating:
Summary: Fresh Take On A Classic Character
Review: This new Batgirl story really invigorates the classic character. All the classic elements of Batgirl's origin are here, but they are updated and fleshed out. I like how her relationship to Batman turns out. At first he tries to make her quit and give up being a superhero, but then he sees how serious and capable she is. The story gets 5 stars. the artwork gets 4, because, although it was fresh and sort of abstract, I think Batgirl was drawn too skinny. She did not look healthy. All in all this was a great story and made me miss Barbara Gordon as Batgirl even more than I did.

Rating:
Summary: Fresh Take On A Classic Character
Review: This new Batgirl story really invigorates the classic character. All the classic elements of Batgirl's origin are here, but they are updated and fleshed out. I like how her relationship to Batman turns out. At first he tries to make her quit and give up being a superhero, but then he sees how serious and capable she is. The story gets 5 stars. the artwork gets 4, because, although it was fresh and sort of abstract, I think Batgirl was drawn too skinny. She did not look healthy. All in all this was a great story and made me miss Barbara Gordon as Batgirl even more than I did.