COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews Batgirl #25

Written by Marguerite Bennett

Pencils: Fernando Pasarin

Inks: Jonathan Glapion

Colors: Blond

Published by DC Comics

Zero Year has left many of the street level characters in the DCU to fend for themselves. Gotham is without power and the storm of the century, dubbed a super-storm in all the stories, has the people in a panic and riots are breaking out over survival supplies. Batgirl #25 shows us an early incarnation of Barbara Gordon, future Batgirl, struggling just to get gas and a loaf of bread for her family. Once she makes it home her father, the infamous Jim Gordon, is forced to leave his kids as he has a call to help keep order in the streets. Babs and James Jr. are eventually forced out of their home. It’s in an extended flood zone and odds are when they return nothing will be left. Just as we’re watching the transformation of Bruce in the Batman title, this issue shows the spark of life that will eventually be Batgirl ignite in Barbara as she’s forced to defend herself and a number of innocent people from the elements and

This is the first time I’ve read anything by Marguerite Bennett and I hope it isn’t the last. This issue is packed to the brim with action and suspense. It’s amazing to see Babs change from frightened girl to a strong, confident woman in the matter of just a few pages. I was almost expecting her to throw on a Bat-Cowl by the end of the issue! You can really see the contrast between her personality and Bruce’s too. While he’s making his mission about revenge and smothering the criminal underworld; Babs just genuinely wants to help people however she can, even if she has to break a few bones to do it! I’ve only just recently started reading Batgirl, but if the last few issues are any indication, I’ll be sticking around for quite awhile!

The art in this book is good, but there are moments that are absolutely breathtaking.  While this book is filled with emotion, it really shines when we see what this super-storm is going to be capable of doing when it hits. There’s one panel that shows a building collapsing from the weight of all the water and I stopped reading just to stare at it for a few moments. Fernando Pasarin and his team on art really impressed me.

This was the first Zero Year tie-in that I’ve read. It will probably end up being one of the only ones too. I’m really enjoying Snyder’s work with the arc, but sometimes the tie-ins feel like a money grab. This definitely wasn’t the case with Batgirl #25. This issue is definitely worth reading for anyone even mildly interested in the transformation of the other members of the Bat-Family into their heroic alter-egos. Barbara Gordon is one tough chick and it shines through every page of issue #25. Zero Year seems to really be taking off, and for that reason I’m happy to give this issue

4 out of 5 nerds