Batgirl #8

[Gail Simone]

I am proud of this issue, and the next few coming up, as well.

A lot of stuff is starting to come together, and it's REALLY going to be surprising. LOVE BARBARA!

[Weeto]

I bought the book after reading the first post (I actually didn't realise it was out today) and I read it right away.

It was a great issue and I can't wait to see what Gail has planned for the book.

[Slewo.O]

That was an amazing issue. You and Ardian did an intense story here, and if you guys didn't have me before, you have me now. That ending! :drool:

[Ray G.]

Best issue of the series, hands down.

[Kingsmythe]

I liked the issue, but I have a question-- Barbara is keeping her Batgirl gear in van? In Gotham, crime capital of the world it seems? Does this strike anyone else as a bit risky?

[RobStaeger]

There's probably a lot more security measures on that van than there are on the average Honda Odyssey.

[sunbird]

I'm still torn over this series, so torn, but yet again I enjoy reading the issues.

(I guess it's all the same so long as Gail gets paid!)

[JBK405]

Barbara's going to a dark place here. I feel like she's going to internalize Danny's death, going to blame herself, and it's going to pull her down into darkness. When you add in whatever's going to happen to Alysia...a storm is coming. A cold wind that's going to cut to the quick.

[Morrison_Lad]

Wrong thread, sorry.

[JBK405]

Morrison, I think you wanted the thread on new comics (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?215350-New-Comics-This-Week-(4-11-12)).

[Morrison_Lad]

Morrison, I think you wanted the thread on new comics (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?215350-New-Comics-This-Week-(4-11-12)).

Oh, ooops. I don't what is wrong with me tonight. Thanks.

[Erica J Heflin]

I liked the issue, but I have a question-- Barbara is keeping her Batgirl gear in van? In Gotham, crime capital of the world it seems? Does this strike anyone else as a bit risky?

That was actual something I giggled at too.

I think there is a perfect story in here where Barb's van get stolen and she has to lurk around in street clothes trying to retrieve it.

I did really like this issue. Every scene was well played out and beautifully timed. I'm getting through my general reluctance and really starting to enjoy this book.

[JBK405]

For a more comprehensive review than my previous post....

I quite liked the issue, especially the small touches that brought in a hint of reality. When Babs caught Thug #2's head before he could hit the ledge was a great touch, since most comics ignore the fragility of the human body and such an impact could have killed him. I also liked Danny's point that, sometimes, it doesn't matter what your intentions are, when you're an ex-con (Particularly an ex-con who worked for the Joker) it's hard to break that cycle of poverty and crime when nobody will hire you (Although that does raise a few questions for me, in general not this one specific instance, since I would have expected Bruce to have set up some sort of organization to try and rehabilitate criminals trying to go straight. He's not ignorant of the factors that drive people to crime, and as a billionaire philanthropist he can do just as much to keep them from backsliding as he can as Batman).

The revelation that Barbara's mother had a psychotic break when she realized her son's sociopathic tendencies is an interesting twist, since in a way it's understandable (What mother can handle knowing her son is a monster?), but I also have to side with Babs that running away was possibly the worst reaction. There's no way to "cure" sociopathy, but it's also not necessarily the case that a twisted kid is a full sociopath, and treatment (And medication) might have done wonders if they got him early enough. I'm not saying they would have, just that they might have, and running away to avoid the issue means we'll never know (And, at the very least, she could have warned somebody).

I've never actually read a story with James, Jr. before, though I'm aware of his history (Gotta love that internet, so much to learn there), so this is something of new territory for me, even though I'm not ignorant of the past.

I'm really looking forward to the future issues.

[Slewo.O]

The only issue I have is that I'm kind of confused about Gordon family history now. Didn't James live with his mother after the split? I mean Barbara now having red hair is one thing, but I'm kind of confused with this and how the ending parts of the Black Mirror now played out (Barbara Sr ends up appearing there).

But eh, a good story is a good story.

[Shurato2099]

It's a new continuity, all that may or may not have gone before is up for grabs (even if writers and editors can't agree, see Lobdell v. Chase & DiDio re: Teen Titans history). I figured that Bab's mom had gotten a little ... out there ... when she turned up at the apartment and went on that baking binge. My step-brother's Mom did the same thing while he was in Afghanistan: compulsively filled the house with comfort scents, especially if they reminded her of him.

[JBK405]

Slew, the impression I've gotten here was that this wasn't a divorce, but an abandonment (By which I mean she just left, there was no talking about it, paperwork, custody arrangements, etc.) and the Gordons didn't even know where she was. A shift from the old continuity where, as you said, there was an arrangement of children and everything.

[Slewo.O]

Slew, the impression I've gotten here was that this wasn't a divorce, but an abandonment (By which I mean she just left, there was no talking about it, paperwork, custody arrangements, etc.) and the Gordons didn't even know where she was. A shift from the old continuity where, as you said, there was an arrangement of children and everything.

Well, if they didn't know where she was then I guess the Black Mirror stuff is slightly changed then. Maybe James. Jr just vanished once he got a little older. :dunno:

[AndrewG]

Loving the series and this was my favorite issue yet. Great ending.

[willtupper]

Not relevant to this issue necessarily, but when we first met Babs's roommate, wasn't she wearing a shirt that looked a LOT like it could be part of a superhero's uniform?

Just saying. I have a feeling we're in for some exciting times ahead! :)

[Kingsmythe]

That was actual something I giggled at too.

I think there is a perfect story in here where Barb's van get stolen and she has to lurk around in street clothes trying to retrieve it.

I did really like this issue. Every scene was well played out and beautifully timed. I'm getting through my general reluctance and really starting to enjoy this book.

Glad it wasn't just me. Between vehichle theft, accident, towing, and the wholesale property damage from all the villain fights, this just seems an... odd .. choice.

[ShaunN]

Really enjoyable issue. I did not know there was a James Gordon Jr (though is it typical for parents to name both of their children after themselves?)

I also have had the impression that Barb's roommate is more than she seems to be. She was going to tell Barb a secret once and she has been oddly accommodating of Barb's weird behaviour.

One thing: this storyline feels, to me, reminiscent of the last "Welcome to Tranquility" storyline, at least in some ways. I wonder if it will end with the mom killing the son? And it does seem odd that Barbara turns up just at the same time as James Jr. Is she back to protect her family from her son? Anyway, looking forward to the rest.

[DarkKnightJared]

Really enjoyable issue. I did not know there was a James Gordon Jr (though is it typical for parents to name both of their children after themselves?)

Yep. It's a thing that's been part of the universe for a while (established in Batman: Year One), but wasn't really used again until Scott Snyder got onto Detective Comics. I highly recommend picking up Batman: The Black Mirror. Like, right now.

Anyway. I really dug this issue. The whole conflict and relationship between Babs and Danny the Weasel was really interesting and compelling. Also--and I hope I don't offend Gail by saying it--I think some of the best moments were the moments that were silent. I haven't really hated the amount of captions and stuff that others have, but I think the moments where there weren't any captions, like the fight in the sewer and the moment where she was cradling Danny the Weasel's corpse was all the more powerful since it let the art tell the story.

[Shimarenda]

Wonderful issue. I read it through twice yesterday. One thing I really liked about it was how the villain and Babs's fight with him harks back to her comment in issue 1: "Fight a monster, become a monster."

Also, did I understand correctly when Danny implied that Babs was home alone when the Joker shot her? I know that's not how it was in TKJ, but is that how it is in the new continuity?

[Kingsmythe]

Wonderful issue. I read it through twice yesterday. One thing I really liked about it was how the villain and Babs's fight with him harks back to her comment in issue 1: "Fight a monster, become a monster."

Also, did I understand correctly when Danny implied that Babs was home alone when the Joker shot her? I know that's not how it was in TKJ, but is that how it is in the new continuity?

Simple answer is, no one knows. Seems an odd detail to change in the history, but with the whole universe rebooted, I guess everything is up for grabs.

[Lady_Hawkeye]

I think he meant that after they took the commissioner, Barbara was left all alone with a very serious bullet wound. Why he called the police for her.

I am really loving this comic and those last few pages where a killer for me as I love Alysia. ( I still think she's transgender and that's her little secret that she almost told Babs). I now can't wait for next month.

Thanks for taking us all on a cool ride Gail.

Catherine

[DarkKnightJared]

I think he meant that after they took the commissioner, Barbara was left all alone with a very serious bullet wound. Why he called the police for her.

I am really loving this comic and those last few pages where a killer for me as I love Alysia. ( I still think she's transgender and that's her little secret that she almost told Babs). I now can't wait for next month.

Thanks for taking us all on a cool ride Gail.

Catherine

That makes some sense--I mean, what would be even worse for the Commissioner to find out with the elaborate plan to break him? That Barbara died before the medics ever arrived.

[Stressfactor]

I dug the issue BUT the foreshadowing was so dang heavy I kind of felt like I'd been hit on the head with a blunt object.

When everyone talks about James Jr. being locked in Arkham I was like.... "Aaaaaannnnd he's gonna be out by the end of the comic isn't he."

*Sigh*

It was just telegraphed a little too heavily.

[DarkKnightJared]

I dug the issue BUT the foreshadowing was so dang heavy I kind of felt like I'd been hit on the head with a blunt object.

When everyone talks about James Jr. being locked in Arkham I was like.... "Aaaaaannnnd he's gonna be out by the end of the comic isn't he."

*Sigh*

It was just telegraphed a little too heavily.

A little, yeah, but really, as long as the story itself is good, I typically don't have a problem. For example--Snyder's last issue of Batman was basically Snyder TELLING you the theme of the first half of the book through his characters, but all the world-building and the cliffhanger was enough to make it a worth-while issue.

[Chillfrost]

It was cool seeing Batgirl decisively layeth the smacketh-down on Grotesque.

Despite his past actions and present unrepentant attitude, there was a part of me that almost wanted Danny not to die. But the mutual revelation scene was a fit ending for his character and good emotion meat for the reader too.

Thanks, Gail! I look foward to seeing you keeping the excellence coming on this title.

[Corrina]

Raistlyne and I got together at C2E2 and we've decided Jim Gordon needs a sex life.

Get right on that, will you Gail? I see all sorts of fun possibilities for Babs. Crazy mom, crazy brother, Dad trying to hide that he's getting it on. C'mon. You know you want to, Gail.

Also, brilliant issue. Kidding aside, I love that this is all family related. It makes for great storytelling.

[DarkKnightJared]

Raistlyne and I got together at C2E2 and we've decided Jim Gordon needs a sex life.

Get right on that, will you Gail? I see all sorts of fun possibilities for Babs. Crazy mom, crazy brother, Dad trying to hide that he's getting it on. C'mon. You know you want to, Gail.

Also, brilliant issue. Kidding aside, I love that this is all family related. It makes for great storytelling.

Now that I think about it, I remember back when Manhunter was a back-up in Streets of Gotham, it looked like Kate Spencer was going to start dating Gordon--I kinda liked that idea.

[JBK405]

Despite his past actions and present unrepentant attitude, there was a part of me that almost wanted Danny not to die. But the mutual revelation scene was a fit ending for his character and good emotion meat for the reader too.

The impession I had was that he was repentant, even if he was saying the exact opposite. It was criminal bluster, the "I'm a bad dude, so don't try and reach me emotionally" kind of talk. It was while he was saying that he doesn't regret anything that he brought up the one good thing he did, and he tried to hide that, too (He said he didn't do anything after the shooting, just went out and got drunk 'cause he didn't care, when he really tried to help the wounded young woman).

I took it as Denny wanting absolution but thinking that he doesn't deserve it, so rather than ask and get rejected, or the possibly even worse result of actually getting forgiven by the woman he helped abuse, he tried to brush it off.

[Corrina]

See? Perfect, Jared.