Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Batgirl #44
DC Comics
Steweart, Fletcher, Bengal & LaPointe
"Batgirl" provides an entertaining read this month but not near the level set in previous issues. Batgirl takes on Velvet Tiger and some other plot threads see some advancement while new ones hatch. Overall, the comic book is on the same track it's been on. However, this issue has some clunky action sequences and some forced moments between characters that make the issue feel too ambitious for its page count. I recommend giving this a look but there have been better, more recent issues of this title.
Batgirl figures out where her friend is held prisoner and confronts the mysterious Velvet Tiger. As soon as they brawl a little bit, Tiger springs a trick on Batgirl and the scene ends. There is no transition to the next scene, no information on how Batgirl got away or why Velvet Tiger seems to not account for Batgirl coming back for more. Before a character comments about Batgirl looking as if she's been in a war zone I assumed this was a flashback. This was a poorly constructed sequence.
Batgirl confronts Velvet Tiger a second time and they brawl again. This time with tigers in the fray. Batgirl gets an assist or two as the rich supporting cast sees some action. The comic ends with a big shift in the narrative as Batgirl seems to obtain a boyfriend, seemingly out of nowhere. Perhaps this relationship was cultivated in another title because in this issue they seem to go from acquaintance to kissing without warning.
The detective work by Batgirl and by her assistant is very clever and adds to the story and the character depth. The plot proves to have more layers than it first appeared and the comic is enriched as a result of it.
The artwork has some problems depicting action. Batgirl gets kicked in the face by Black Velvet, while Batgirl is down. However, the kick seems to occur in the opposite direction of where Batgirl is or falls to. In another sequence Black Velvet is sitting atop a lifeguard chair with someone suspended by a rope some distance above and in front of her. Batgirl kicks the support out of the chair and as Velvet falls backwards she somehow jumps forward and up to grab the dangling character, but Batgirl falls to the floor. The art looks great and definitely presents a wonderful image of the main character. However, the action needed either better direction or a more thought through approach.
"Batgirl" turns in an average issue. The detective work and the deep plot make the comic a nice read. However, the shift at the end to get Babs a boyfriend feels forced. The comic also struggles with one of the scene transitions as it appears to leave too many unanswered questions when the one scene ends. Overall, the book is a decent read but nothing close to the level of more recent issues.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
