Comic Vine Review

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Batgirl #14 - A Courtship of Razors

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It's time for Barbara to deal with Joker after he shot and paralyzed her. Will she cross the line to save her mom while confronting her past?

The Good

I've always seen Barbara Gordon as a truly kick ass character. She came a long way in the pre-New 52 as Batgirl and Oracle after she was shot by the Joker. It's been over a year and it is still a little strange seeing her back in her Batgirl attire. Because of the overall direction of the New 52 universe, Barbara has felt as if she lost a little of her edge. That changes with this issue.

The idea of a cross title crossover story dealing with the Joker is fascinating as he has specific reason for going after each member of the Bat-Family. With Barbara, this is a confrontation you won't want to miss. With the change in the timeline and how little she's had to deal with being shot and paralyzed, the event is still fresh and the (mental) wounds may not have fully healed. Throw in her mom being placed in danger after she just started reconnecting with her, this is going to be a Batgirl Joker might regret dealing with.

Gail Simone does a great job with the psychological angle of the story. Every instinct in Barbara screams to go out and seek vengeance for what happened and to save her mother. With a nice twist, her hands are a little tied and she is forced to play by the rules of other. Of course there's also the big theme we're also seeing in this week's BATMAN as to what exactly does Joker know? If he does know Batgirl's secret identity, that makes him an even bigger threat than he normally would be.

Ed Benes and Daniel Sampere do a great job in the action scenes when Barbara's place is invaded. The scenes preceding the action, with the agony Barbara goes through in dealing with everything that is going on is great as well.

Aside from being a part of the "Death of the Family" crossover, it just felt like the overall vibe of the book was amped up in this issue.

The Bad

I love a good twist as much as the next person. I'm really torn about a twist that happens in this issue. On the one hand, it's surprising and definitely opens up a new can of worms. On the other, it almost feels exploitive because of the character involved. That may not make sense to some but I am concerned with what the New 52 version of this character will be. It does make sense how the character is used in this context and I will definitely reserve full judgement until seeing how it all plays out.

While I did enjoy the opening and fight scenes, Barbara's mom and Joker looked a little off. This could be the result of two artists but Joker also (unfortunately) didn't look quite as creepy as he should in his present condition. He almost looked more comical than the fierce threat he should be right now. Sure, every artist has their own interpretation but as part of the overall crossover, it almost felt like a different Joker seen in the other books.

The Verdict

Barbara Gordon should be a character that kicks all sorts of ass and that's exactly what she does in this issue. We've been seeing a bit of a roller coaster ride as she's been getting back into the swing of things since recovering from being shot and paralyzed. This is the Barbara I want to see. Gail Simone does a great job showing the inner struggle in coming to terms and facing her demons and the Joker. She was a victim once and that was the last time. We've all been waiting for round two of Barbara vs Joker and this is just the beginning of that. The art is a mix of being really great throughout most of the issue with a couple moments it falls flat a little. You would think the return of the Joker would be a bad thing for Batgirl but it's showing that she is ready fully deal with what happened and is now ready to take on anyone that gets in her way.

29 Comments

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longbowhunter

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Edited By longbowhunter

I'll never get used to the idea of Babs back in tights. Hope this lives up to people's expectations.

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ripjim93

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Edited By ripjim93

I picked it up for the crossover, and it was ok. But the joker did look goofy as hell sometimes.

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BatWatch

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Edited By BatWatch

I thought this was by far the best issue of Batgirl I've read of recent. Personally, I did not find any reason to worry about the unnamed character. I also thought the artwork throughout this entire run was stellar.

The BatWatch review is up.

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JamDamage

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Edited By JamDamage

It's Leatherface with a grin. He looks more creepy here then in Capullo's version.

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dreamfall31

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Edited By dreamfall31

I think the fact that each of the bat books will be written by different people is probably gonna make them all seem weak in comparison to Snyder's Batman. I'll probably only be getting Batgirl out of the bunch unless something gets stellar reviews.

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arnoldoaad

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Edited By arnoldoaad

I thought this was by far the worst issue yet

Barbara looked more Sorry and Pathetic than ever

the whole idea of Batgirl just "kicking ass" by grabbing a gun and threaten goons with it and then thinking just how she is going to Kill the Joker with it is just wrong, its just not Barbara Gordon at all

the "unnamed character" twist just plain makes absolutely no sense, cause Barb was already going after the Joker, and the Joker kidnapped her mom to bait her in, so how does the twist fit with anything?

and if that wasnt enough, once again a character got Mutilated

why is there so much Gore in a Batgirl book? This isnt Secret Six

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Twentyfive

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Edited By Twentyfive

Cool!

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dreamfall31

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Edited By dreamfall31

I think I'm most curious to find out whose ear that was that Joker had on his tool belt!

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director421

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Edited By director421

I thought this issue is more than Barbara "kicking ass," which was cool, but about her finally stop trying to live a normal life and still be Batgirl. She left that all behind when she says good-bye to her only true friend and to save her mom. Best crossover book and story so far in DOTF. You don't need any of the other books to follow Synder's story but Batgirl is a good book and getting better. Gail Simone has done a more than solid job with Babs return. I do wish Benes would have done all the art for this book though.

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arnoldoaad

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Edited By arnoldoaad

@director421 said:

but about her finally stop trying to live a normal life and still be Batgirl. She left that all behind when she says good-bye to her only true friend and to save her mom.

How is that a good thing?

and how is Alycia her true only friend? they barely even thought

im not saying that you are wrong in this analysis but how is this even a positive thing?

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hyperman

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Edited By hyperman

I've just read this issue, I think was very enjoyable. Indeed it was I was expecting to see what was going to happen after every page I turned. This is what I was looking forward to see ever since I knew Barbara Gordon was going to be back as Batgirl.

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Juandicimo_Magnifico45

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I loved this issue. The art has been getting better and better. The ass-kicking was fantastic and all, but @director421: was right, the best part of this book lies in the growth in Barbara's character. This is my favorite tie-in for the DOTF crossover by far.

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jacksonvillewriter

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Simone did not disappoint with her tie-in issue to "Death of the Family." Had I not read the solicits for upcoming issues, the last page reveal would have really blown me away. Still, the rest of the issue was pretty action packed, and well worth the read.

Regarding the character who SHALL NOT BE NAMED, Simone's been building on his/her presence early on in the series. So, for me, it made sense that the character had a hand in Bab's interaction with the Joker. Plus, if issue 13 was indicative of anything, it's that Gail Simone isn't afraid of mixing multiple plot lines in a single issue.

I also noticed the difference between THIS Joker and the Joker in the other Bat-books this month. While it sucks for those who are hardcore about continuity, I think it's cool that each book is allowed to represent him in a way that fits each individual book. This was definitely a "Batgirl" Joker fitting the series, and not an editorial mandated image thrown into a book it doesn't belong in.

My only complaint about these crossovers across the entire Bat line is that I never know what order to read the books so that nothing is spoiled before I get to it. Plus, I would like to know how DotF happens chronologically. Do the events in this issue take place before or after what happens to Jim Gordon in Batman 14?

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SlickyMike88

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Edited By SlickyMike88

This is a good starting point on reading Batgirl, Im happy that Gail Simone and Ed Benes are working together with this :)

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reignmaker

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Edited By reignmaker

It's unfortunate we already know how this story is going to end:

Batgirl: "You thought I was a helpless girl, but in fact I'm a tough independent woman who also still has emotions."

Joker: "I underestimated you Batgirl. You are strong and inspiring and I respect your lifestyle choices. No one can tell you what to do."

[posted from another site - too good not to repost]

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velvetmeds

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Edited By velvetmeds

Go babs! Hoping to see her stay on the costume for a long time

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King001

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Edited By King001

@arnoldoaad: From what i got, the joker was committing crimes around Batgirl's patrol area to bait her. As far as the gore, it's the joker we are talking about, he has to stay consistent throughout the crossovers. There is lots of gore in Batman #13/#14 and Suicide Squad #14.

All that said it was an okay issue. I did not see the twist coming but the whole "marriage" idea is eh to me. Hopefully it gets better and hopefully her mom dies *evil grin* gotta make things interesting, if not what's the point.

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Booster_Bronze

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Edited By Booster_Bronze

I can totally see Barbara having an internal struggle over whether or not to take vengeance on Joker. I'd be tempted to off someone who paralyzed and nearly killed me, too! The internal monologue of one of my favorite parts of the whole Batgirl series.

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arnoldoaad

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Edited By arnoldoaad

@King001 said:

@arnoldoaad: From what i got, the joker was committing crimes around Batgirl's patrol area to bait her. As far as the gore, it's the joker we are talking about, he has to stay consistent throughout the crossovers. There is lots of gore in Batman #13/#14 and Suicide Squad #14.

That would make the plan of the Joker really sucky, cause he kidnap the mother to lure her, makes no sense to do that and not leave a way to be followed, specially cause of the phone call, it was basically a classic "we have your mom, come to this location alone or she dies" the entire plan just doesnt work without that and if "the unnamed" is

as for the Gore, the thing with mutilation is that it has to be justified, I can see a justification for that in Batman cause its trying to inspire horror, and SS is something different, its not uncommon to have gore on it, but even both of them try to be subtle with it, this is the 3rd mutilation in this book and none had any justification at all, it feels like is for cheap shock value.

I even wonder why the hell did Barb Sr still had her wedding ring on her finger after leaving her family for several years

All that said it was an okay issue. I did not see the twist coming but the whole "marriage" idea is eh to me. Hopefully it gets better and hopefully her mom dies *evil grin* gotta make things interesting, if not what's the point.

I would really like if her mother dies, what a horrible character

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Grey56

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Edited By Grey56

Look - I'm gonna lay this out there; I don't like it that Barbara has 'recovered'. I cannot tell you how much I respected the fact that there was a major character in comics whom suffered a traumatic experience but was able to recover and face life - as something other than a traditional superhero. As Oracle - I hailed her character as a woman, as a person who truly defied the odds and overcame them. I don't quite understand the motivations for DC removing this from her character. I just know that it feels cheap - and a dis-service to all those who perform every day at a high level, heroes who overcome amputations resulting from combat, birth defects or terrible traumatic events. Barbara was that example. No longer.

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X9

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Edited By X9

So damn cool!

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Hanson724

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Edited By Hanson724

Great issue!!

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arnoldoaad

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Edited By arnoldoaad

@Grey56 said:

Look - I'm gonna lay this out there; I don't like it that Barbara has 'recovered'. I cannot tell you how much I respected the fact that there was a major character in comics whom suffered a traumatic experience but was able to recover and face life - as something other than a traditional superhero. As Oracle - I hailed her character as a woman, as a person who truly defied the odds and overcame them. I don't quite understand the motivations for DC removing this from her character. I just know that it feels cheap - and a dis-service to all those who perform every day at a high level, heroes who overcome amputations resulting from combat, birth defects or terrible traumatic events. Barbara was that example. No longer.

I approve this message

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King001

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Edited By King001

@arnoldoaad: Yeah, you make some good points. I had forgotten about the last issues and the theme of mutilation has been carried through the book. If it's been used for impact, it's not working. I feel they just brought her mom back to add and emotional element to the story... which is a bad idea because it already has so much potential iin that subject.

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reignmaker

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Edited By reignmaker

@King001 said:

Hopefully it gets better and hopefully her mom dies *evil grin* gotta make things interesting, if not what's the point.

Maybe that's how the Joker is going to shatter the family. Instead of knocking off each individual hero, he's going to knock off a supporting character in each book. Kind of like how he killed the cops instead of killing the mayor in Batman #13. That would be kind of cool because you know DC isn't going to let any of the immediate bat-family die.

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reignmaker

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Edited By reignmaker

@arnoldoaad said:

@Grey56 said:

Look - I'm gonna lay this out there; I don't like it that Barbara has 'recovered'. I cannot tell you how much I respected the fact that there was a major character in comics whom suffered a traumatic experience but was able to recover and face life - as something other than a traditional superhero. As Oracle - I hailed her character as a woman, as a person who truly defied the odds and overcame them. I don't quite understand the motivations for DC removing this from her character. I just know that it feels cheap - and a dis-service to all those who perform every day at a high level, heroes who overcome amputations resulting from combat, birth defects or terrible traumatic events. Barbara was that example. No longer.

I approve this message

Well said. Totally agree. It's not like Gotham is short on superheroes anyway.

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Grey56

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Edited By Grey56

@Reignmaker: Thank you, sir.

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King001

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Edited By King001

@Reignmaker: Yeah, I hope so too. By the looks of it that's what's seems to be happening in every book so far.

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DocFishstick

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Edited By DocFishstick

the art on the joker could have been a lot better but the story was great i think. barbara is the best batgirl and to go at the joker again is going to be good.