Simone's Arc Ends, A New Chapter Begins!
Batgirl No. 4, The New 52
Cover: Finally, a battle between Mirror and Batgirl, with a boot in his face enticing the reader to open this book up quick! Ardian Syaf does great work on the cover and artwork. Gail Simone wraps up the arc entitling this tale "An End to Dreams."
Illustration:
Batgirl in a wheelchair. What? Yeah, we start out with some psychological angst between Batgirl and Barbara's identities. She argues with herself and has a nightmare about it – "why did you get a miracle when so many others never will" is asked. And The Mirror asks this as well. But his solution is to kill those who didn't.
Criminals with a Bat App! We always have to take a look at some low-lifes of Gotham. Not sure why in this story. Seems again to be a filler rather than getting into the life and times of The Mirror and taking him down. Press a button on your iPad (why a criminal would have one is not explained!) and a little Bat lights up where Batman is located, so they can then go to another part of the city and rob someone. Batgirl however beats up the thugs and is comforted by the former victims! Interesting, I've never seen that before. Good rendition of Batgirl's face as she comes to realize her worth and purpose.
Skip the ads and the centerfold and dive into the story – returning to the cemetery where The Mirror's wife and kids are buried. He lived when they didn't. He then cracked, that it was not OK that he had lived, so he kills those who survived miracles. That includes Batgirl! She has plans of her own.
More sound effects in this issue – Blam Blam Blam go the guns of The Mirror, reminiscent of those same pistols The Shadow used to carry around. We enter a house of mirrors where the fight begins. Reflections on reflections and a realization that "imposing your beliefs on the universe" may not be the best way to go.
The issue is philosophical in a lot of ways, and the final panel with Barbara Gordon's mother making an appearance clearly makes me want Issue No. 5!
Again with the small panels, almost like a shot-by-shot storyboard for a TV or movie. It takes some getting used to. Much prefer the splash pages.
Bottom Line: Gail Simone wraps up the story nicely with some well-said arguments against imposing your will and taking things for granted in life. And art by Syaf is really good – the reflective light off glass, off eyes and red blood matching the red hair of Barbara Gordon is really well done.
Recommended.
