Separating the Bat from the Girl
Batgirl #22
Barbara Gordon has a late date with Ricky, the former hoodlum she saved from Knightfall. But the date goes sour when they’re both ambushed by a gang that’s angry at Ricky’s brother. They manage to thrash the gang and derail their previous date plans to go visit Ricky’s family and go clubbing. The next day, Commissioner Gordon calls his daughter out to go shooting with him — even though Barbara is not a fan of firearms — because he’s fearful of losing her as he lost his son. Babs decides to give up being Batgirl, and Gordon has an angry confrontation with the Batman.
Verdict: Thumbs up. A really exemplary piece of storytelling. Batgirl doesn’t show up for a single panel, but it’s still a thrilling and enthralling story. Great work by both Gail Simone and Fernando Pasarin.
Hawkeye #12
This issue focuses on Clint Barton’s estranged brother Barney, who’s had a generally rotten life and has come to town to reconnect with his younger brother. He endures multiple beatings from the bros but gets to hand down a few of his own.
Verdict: Thumbs up. A nice story — the second in a row told from another character’s POV. Great characterization and action, too.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #2
It’s another rotten day in Battery City. The outlaws in the badlands are preparing for war, and the Girl runs into Cherri Cola, an old friend from the Killjoy days. A pleasure android struggles to find batteries for her dying lover, and the assassin Korse — better known to us as Grant Freakin’ Morrison — is about to get put out to pasture because his kill percentages have been dropping.
Verdict: Thumbs up. A lot of this is still background material, but I’m still enjoying reading it. The background into Korse’s private life is cool, and the bit with the android trying to keep her lover from dying is really outstanding stuff.
Today’s Cool Links:
- This looks like a great way to encourage young girls to get interested in engineering.
- It never hurts to remember that Orson Scott Card has always been an authoritarian thug, as well as a homophobic bigot.
- And speaking of authoritarian thugs, our state legislature is filled with really, really bad people. Do what you can to fight back.
- And things are pretty messed up in Florida, too. Do what you can to fight back.