School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-In this soft reboot of DC's "Batgirl" series, Barbara Gordon has packed up and joined her fellow twentysomethings in Gotham's hip city of Burnside, hoping for a fresh start. Of course, peace never goes as planned for superheroes, and Batgirl once again finds herself battling a host of baddies, including an online gossipmonger with a cybernetic flash implant, anime-obsessed twin assassins, and a glittery, glamorous "evil" Batgirl impostor. But all of these villains prove mere henchmen to an omnipotent, unreachable adversary that no one saw coming. Fletcher and Stewart's take on Batgirl is certainly a departure; when she's not fighting crime as her alter ego, Barbara exhibits typical co-ed behavior such as partying, and using social media (to the point of dependence). Tarr's bold artwork brings a youthful brightness to the comic, showcasing dynamic action sequences and a diverse cast of new characters. VERDICT With its revamped style and contemporary setting, this volume is sure to draw in a wide range of new readers, though fans of Gail Simone's previous series might have trouble adjusting to this new iteration.-Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
A legendary heroine goes to trendy new places in this upbeat volume. After years of painful recovery from the gunshot that severed her spine, Barbara Gordon has a new home, a new costume, and a new attitude. Burnside, Gotham's hippest hamlet, has welcomed her with open arms and a tempest of hashtags-this Batgirl is as much a viral star as she is superhero. Her villains are similarly current: a pair of murderous anime cosplayers, and a buzz-hungry artist. Tarr's art brings new life to an old character, transforming bleak Gotham into a fantasy of young professional life-it's a bold, stylish, and tremendously fun debut. Writers Fletcher (Gotham Academy) and Stewart (Sin Titulo) settle into a cheery groove, though the stories rely a little too heavily on gimmicks without digging into the deep bench of supporting cast. But overall it's a charming romp and a wonderful setup for future adventure. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
After years on the sideline, original Batgirl Barbara Gordon once again puts on the cowl to patrol the outskirts of Gotham. Fletcher and Stewart quickly take the character in a new direction, not just with an overhauled, more comfortable costume but with a completely different attitude, as Barbara, formerly bookish and serious, becomes more relaxed and eccentric. This new personality seamlessly spills into her superhero alter ego, in a sense returning to the kitschy 1960s-era Batman. Though the individual stories occasionally fall short, as a whole, they're connected into a well-crafted arc with a solid footing for expansion. Playing in the background is a running commentary on the current explosion of social media, embracing its potential while criticizing its overabundance, which updates the character and further complements the modern atmosphere. Similarly, the bold artwork and bright palette take the character out of the shadows. Batgirl has returned to the role she was always intended to have, a strong and relatable female superhero. Purists might disagree, but Batgirl has never fit that role better than now.--Blenski, Peter Copyright 2015 Booklist
Library Journal Review
While most attempts at updating an established character to tap into the youth culture zeitgeist feel phony and fall flat, this reinvigoration of Batgirl manages to be big fun and actually tuned in to Millennial culture. This volume follows Batgirl as she moves into the Brooklyn-esque borough of Burnside and tells tales of her efforts to balance friends, heroics, her studies, and her social media profile. The supporting cast is diverse and fully developed, and the action is intense, rendered in a bright, dynamic style that evokes animation with just a hint of Japanese influence. It is superhero comics through a lens of beloved indies, such as Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez's Love and Rockets; it is a combination that could easily crash but is thankfully thoroughly enjoyable. Verdict Sure to please superhero fans of all ages, with the exception of those too devoted to the grimmer, grittier aspects of the Batman mythos, and should have some appeal to open-minded fans of independent comics curious to check out the cream of the big mainstream publisher crop.-Thomas L. Batten, Grafton, VA © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
