The Batgirl of Hong Kong

Red Robin #17
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

My favorite comic book character of all time – Cassandra Cain! THE BATGIRL, in my opinion, returns in this issue! Working in Hong Kong in a new costume, Red Robin travels to give her her old costume back. She agrees that Stephanie needs to be Batgirl right now but Red Robin reminds her that she is always going to be a member of the bat family and she takes the costume! I can’t wait to see her in it again soon as the Batgirl of Hong Kong! I would have liked to see her talk to Bruce but this is good enough for now…Nicieza writers her in character and as bad ass as always. I can’t thank him enough for this I almost want to write him a letter I really think I just might. The rest of the issue was great as Tim sets up his new headquarters at the abandoned theatre in Crime Alley (Great idea for a headquarters), meets up with Lynx and then Batman and they even hug! Bruce’s new costume is awesome! I love it! Cass is back yes!!

The Most Wonderful Anniversary Issue Diana Could Get

Wonder Woman #600
Written by Gail Simone, Amanda Connor, Louise Simonson, Geoff Johns, and J. Michael Straczynski
Art by George Perez, Connor, Eduardo Pansica, Scott Kollins, and Don Kramer

Wonder Woman reverts to classica numbering…well the numbering of all three of her series put together. Six Hundred issues! Now this was a damn anniversary issue! Beautiful pin-ups and wonderful stories that not only celebrated the character’s rich history but brought her forward. Gail Simone’s story of Wonder Woman leading a band of female heroes was breathtakingly drawn by Perez and ended with a sulute to the Perez era of the character. It was great to see all those female heroes working together – and Grace was there! We haven’t seen her in a while. But of course my favorite story has to be Amanda Connor’s short Wonder Woman team up with Power Girl that featured the Batgirl Cassandra Cain!!!!!! It takes place in the past but it was so great to see Cassie in her suit and all her glory again I almost cried! Sure she didn’t exactly talk like Cassie – but I am not complaining at least we got to see her. What a treat! Not to mention it was a great little story where Wonder Woman explains how Power Girl can bond with her cat. Simonson’s and Johns’s stories were good spotlights of how powerful and amazing the character is but the real meat of the issue is Straczysnki’s prologue to his new run. Shockingly, something has changed the timeline of Wonder Woman’s life and now she is an orphan raised in the city by amazons after Paradise Island was destroyed. The new costume isn’t going to last and let’s face it – it’s not the great but Kramer does the best he can with it. I know this isn’t a permanent retcon and that Diana will make her way back to the original timeline so I am interested in where this radical new direction is going. I also wonder how this will effect the rest of the DCU.  This was the perfect anniversary issue for Diana!

Guess Which Panel Was My Favorite

Batgirl (Volume 3) #6
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Lee Garbett

CASSANDRA CAIN APPEARED IN THIS ISSUE!

Yes, it was for one panel but it was damn awesome to see her! She hasn’t been forgotten about! It’s sad that a one-panel appearance gets me so excited when she should be appearing regularly in at least one monthly bat book. I am hoping she is going to be in the new Birds of Prey! Please put her in the new Birds of Prey DC! Anyways, this was a good issue and I love Damian so much now. What a change of feelings for the character I have had. I originally hated him. This was a lot of fun and a good book. More Cassandra Please!

Cassandra Cain Will Be Back

Batgirl (Volume 3) #1
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Lee Garbett

You know I should really hate this book. My favorite character – after being disrespected by DC editorial since her series ended and ignored in other bat titles – gives up her role as Batgirl in this issue to Stephanie Brown! But I am actually not that upset, because it is totally in character for her. Cassandra thought the world of Bruce and I do believe Bruce’s death would cause her to not want to wear his symbol anymore. I hope it is only temporary and she comes back to help Steph or goes and helps Tim in his adventures – but I am okay with it for now. Granted though, this would have been a lot better if it starred Cassandra Cain, but Stephanie was someone Cassandra really liked and I understand why she gave Steph the cowl. I like Barbara’s involvement in this as well and I am curious as to where this is all heading. But please bring Cassie back sooner rather then later!

Morrison’s Farewell

Batman #683
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Lee Garbett

This is Morrison’s final issue on Batman, and, well it was damn good. Just like last issue, we get more memories from Bruce’s life mixed with a fake what if memory if Bruce had never become Batman. This issue was much more clear. I like the idea that Dick would have died going after his parents’s killers if Batman never existed. It shows how important Dick and Bruce are to each other. Same with Gordon. And Catwoman for that matter. And hey, we see Batgirl’s silhouette! Yay! Thanks for actually having her appear in your run at least once Morrison. The end of R.I.P is finally revealed…Batman survived the explosion and goes on to Final Crisis which is his real last case. Yes, DC totally handled this wrong and I am pretty sure this wasn’t originally how it was going to happen but I don’t really mind. What I do mind is Didio’s fucking DC Nation column in the back, not only does he totally disrespect Kyle and Wally, but what he says is definitely a lie. There were no plans to bring back Barry Allen, just read interviews with other creators like Johns and Waid who have said DC didn’t know what the hell they were doing with Flash. I can’t wait till the day Didio leaves DC and the DCU can actually move forward instead of backwards. But anyways, this issue was good.

Forever Grateful

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #14
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Ryan Benjamin

While this isn’t really an Outsiders issue, just another issue starring Batgirl, I have to say that I also fucking loved it! Tieri needs to write a Batgirl book as he completely respects the character. Alfred showing up in the Batmobile was sweet and I loved how he broke up Nightwing and Batgirl’s fight and Dick admits he was a little jealous of Cassandra. Fantastic. I really feel like she is a member of the Bat family here, unlike all the other  books as of late. Thanks Frank, you have officially made me one of your fans. Since her series ended, no writer has truly respected Cassandra as a member of the bat-family, but you finally did it. Even though Batgirl will not be involved in this series past this issue, I am forever grateful that she got this nice arc.

She’s Back In The Family!

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #13
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Fernando Dagnino

The Outsiders don’t actually appear in this issue (having disbanded last issue) and neither does Batman (having dissapeared after R.I.P) but damnit I am happy, I got a Batgirl issue! Cassandra is being her usual bad ass self kicking ass and taking names! Alfred referring to her as part of the family made me soooo happy, as she really has been ignored as a member of the bat family ever since fucking Loeb didn’t include her in Hush. (Fuck you, Loeb) and especially since Beechen turned her evil for a bit. I hope Nightwing and Batgirl don’t actually fight next issue as that would just be stupid, I have seen enough of that shit for a lifetime. I hope they work out their differences as Alfred suggested. It is cool to check in on Gotham’s underworld of crime and to see all of the villains again. Tieri needs to write a Batgirl ongoing because I really like how he characterizes her. He gets her a lot more then Beechen does (Beechen doesn’t get her at all). But DC, she doesn’t need to be in her own book, but she does need to be a member of the Bat family and to be a constant guest star in Batman and Detective Comics because ignoring her is stupid. She is a great character. It looks like from the solicitations she will be leaving this book, so she better be showing up in Battle for the Cowl so I can get my Batgirl-Fix. Oh and kudos to Tieri for featuring the Spoiler in this as well. And Dagnino’s art was superb.

As I Have Said Before, Batgirl Rules

Batman and the Outsiders #12
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Yes, Cassandra Cain is awesome! Didio respect her you big porn-mustached Jackass! I thought Tieri was leaning toward Batgirl betraying the team but no, she makes a mistake and the Outsiders disband but she demands that the team be brought back together. I like how Robin is worried about Batgirl in this issue because in the main bat-books it seems like they don’t give a shit about her. This book is actually tying into RIP more then most of the tie-ins. In fact, the Black Glove appears in this issue threatening the Outsiders. I don’t think Thunder will stay in the coma and I like how Grace speaks to God about it. And Remac’s death doesn’t bother me a bit, visually he was cool, but Salah was just annoying as hell. Tieri picked the right Outsider to kill off. I really liked this issue.

BATO 8 – 11

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #8
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

God I love this series….Lopez’s art is just plain gorgeous in this issue and I am actually really liking Remac….not the stupid annoying guy that controls him, but he is a cool looking hero himself.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #9
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Julian Lopez’s work is extremely underrated. This is some great work. I especially liked the detail put into Looker’s mansion…and I am not even an art person. Anyways, it was fun to see Looker again, she is a lot less annoying then when she was with the Outsiders.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #10
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Sadly this is Dixon’s last issue on this series and he doesn’t even get to finish off his whole arc with the thing on the moon. The idea of a parasite that gives metahuman powers is an interesting one. The opening page was particularly terrifying for an opening page….but I miss having Lopez on this title. I look forward to seeing how the crossover with Batman RIP goes.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #11
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Well I am happy to say that this wasn’t a bad issue. I liked how all the villains ar Arkham are singing “Ding Dong the Witch is dead” because Batman is missing haha. I also like how out of all the RIP tie-ins, this one was the most tied in…even referencing more events then just the Black Glove’s existence. I just wish the other Outsiders would stop picking on Batgirl….cause they SHOULD listen to her she is Cassandra Cain and she is kick-ass.

Outsiders 1 – 7

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

You can say that I was excited about this book. Mike W. Barr’s Batman and the Outsiders run from the eighties is one of my favorites and while this new incarnation doesn’t have Halo, it still has Batman, Katana, and Metamorpho from that run. Admittedly though, I have never been a big fan of Metamorpho. I found the this debut issue to be a lot of fun – a straight forward superhero action story, especially when it comes to the Outsiders, who seem to work best when they are breaking into places they are not supposed to be. From future solicits, it looks like the line up may change. But I like what it is so far. The art, by the way, is amazing. Lopez even makes the hideous new Katana costume beautiful.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Hell ya! While I am sad to see Martian Manhunter leave the team as he is not even in the Justice League these days – I almost screamed with joy when Batgirl made her entrance by throwing Thunder through the window (Although I wonder why this was necessary). Dixon wrote a few issues of Batgirl’s own series and unlike everyone else that has handled Cassandra since Infinite Crisis – I trust that he will get the character right. Catwoman’s leaving of the team didn’t surprise as she doesn’t seem to fit, but it seemed out-of-character for her to leave because she was basically scared of all the metahuman action. I really don’t see
Selina admitting she is afraid, even if she is. Another fun issue.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Another fantastic issue, Dixon has the Justice League guest-star (well some of them) and get in a semi-fight with Batman over whether the rescued OMAC should be under League or Outsiders jurisdiction. I think the transfer of Geo-Force to the Outsiders makes perfect sense since he is one of the founders of the team, and he only seemed to be in the Justice League cause Meltzer liked him (although he failed to explain at all how Geo-Force came to be a member, just like a lot of things in his run). Batgirl’s moment with Grace and Thunder was hilarious, and I am interested in the addition of REMAC to the team as I was a big fan of the robot, Indigo, during Winick’s run and I think the Outsiders kinda need an A.I. team mate. I have no idea who the people are at the end of this issue though.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #4
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Aw! It’s Ralph and Sue Dibny! The two mystery characters from last issue were Ralph and Sue Dibny, apparently now taking different forms as Ghost Detectives. Awesome….I didn’t see that coming at all, especially in this book. I like how all Batgirl and Green Arrow just have to have a nice little fight to iron out their differences. Although I don’t quite get why Green Arrow is a member, doesn’t really seems like he fits. This book is still going strong.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #5
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

This was another good issue of this series. Not much to say about it. Loved how Batgirl tells the girl she just beat up that she smells like strawberries though haha.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Oh my, Saphire Stagg is in this issue. How do I loathe her so. In fact, I hate her so much I think she is the reason I don’t really like Metamorpho, how could he love her! Besides that, the mission to steal the Chinese rocket shows how the Outsiders really are willing to break the rules for the greater good. I particularly liked that Batgirl is going to come to their rescue – and Green Arrow tells the Chinese guy that they would be luckier if it was Superman. Because as I will say as many times as I can on this blog, Cassandra Cain is a bad ass!

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #7
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Well, it looks like Batman may finally give Thunder the chance she deserves. This series is really good and I am sad to hear Dixon is leaving this series after Issue 10 and DC altogether. I may not agree with his politics, but Dixon knows how to write some damn good comics.

Evil Pharmaceuticals

Robin #162
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie Williams II

Okay DC make up your mind on Cassandra Cain, what the hell is she doing. First, she is drugged by Deathstroke and now even after she has left Deathstroke she is still killing! (Unless this takes place after that). Anyways, ignoring the Batgirl stuff, this was a really solid issue. Williams is a great artist but the way the Lords of Avenue died was sooo gross. I guess it really shows how evil Strader Pharmaceuticals was. Beechen knows how to draw me into these cases. It is almost like you feel what Robin is going through, I love it. It’s sad that Beechen is leaving this title because it seems to be his best fit. Teen Titans (although he is leaving that too) is definitely not as good now as this series.

Teen Titans 44 – 46

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony S. Daniel

I am psyched! Seeing one of my all-time favorite characters, Batgirl, redeemed like she is in this issue was sooo damn awesome! The final page was great and I have to give kudos to Tony Daniel for it. Everything else this issue is perfect and spot on. I loved every moment of it.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #45
Written by Geoff Johns and Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

If anyone want to see a kickass cliffhanger ending, then look to this issue. Seeing the older Titans tell the Titans East and Deathstroke to “GET THE HELL OFF OUR ISLAND” gave me goosebumps and I actually screamed a hell ya out loud while reading. If this is what Adam Beechen’s run is going to be like, I am down for the ride.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #46
Written by Geoff Johns and Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

While I liked the conclusion to this arc. I liked Donna saying that they are going to make Titans Island theirs again and Deathstroke giving his children a “real family” but I am disappointed to see that there really isn’t any closure to the Batgirl thing. She seems still willing to kill and then just disappears? What the hell! Oh well, you can’t have your cake and eat it too I guess. Sadly, this is Johns’s last issue with the title. I am going to miss you, Geoff, you made this title one of my favorites for forty-six issues.

Supergirl 14 – 17

Supergirl (Volume 5) #14
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund

While I hate to see Batgirl play the villain role, this was still a pretty good issue and it was fun to see these two characters together finally; Batgirl and Supergirl that is. Apparently, Power Boy is a freak stalker. That should be interesting. How is Batgirl still alive after that weird Crystal stuff came out of Supergirl’s body and stabbed her. What is that about? I am loving the art as well.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #15
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund

This was a very good issue. Some have been saying that the portrayal of Supergirl the last few years has been very sexual and even demeaning to women. Joe Kelly proves that is not his intent with this issue. Supergirl is physically abused by Power Boy and Supergirl does not accept that. She even says, “No One Who Says He Loves You Should Ever Hit You Ever”. That was a great line and a great message. This could have been done horribly but Kelly pulls it off with style and grace.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #16
Written by Joe Kelly and Mark Sable
Art and Cover by Alé Garza

After 17 issues, we finally get the reason why Supergirl is being told by her (dead) father to kill Superman. Apparently, when Jor-El opened the portal to the Phantom Zone and started improning criminals there phantoms came onto Krytpon. Zor-El realized this and found out you could only kill them with sunstone. He turned his daughter into a sort of Phantom killer with sunstones inside of her and now. Jor-El is convinced that the Phantoms have gone to earth with Kal-El. That is why he wants Supergirl to kill him? I think that is the jist of it. Is it all just a hallucination of a madman? Are the phantoms real? I have no idea but I am intrigued.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #17
Written by Joe Kelly and Mark Sable
Art by Alé Garza and Marlo Alquiza

Wow I am confused. That doesn’t me I didn’t enjoy this a lot but I am confused. Who is the mysterious Supergirl who appears at the end is it the Pre-Crisis Supergirl? Is it a Supergirl from another Earth in the multiverse? Is it Linda Danvers (Please let it be Linda!). Is this all a dream? I mean if the sun went red and Supergirl has been gone a month wouldn’t we see this reflected in other books. I have a feeling all this will be explained soon and I am coming along for the ride!

And That’s Why He Has Never Held On To A Girlfriend

Robin #161
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie Williams II

So it looks like Batgirl is involved in this whole drug that turns street gangs into Metahumans. Could this be the same drug as she is taking over in Teen Titans? That would be awesome if it is. Maybe that way we can get a resolution to this whole Batgirl mess. Besides my Batgirl rant, this was up-to-par of Beechen’s great run on this title. I really liked it. Zoanne and Tim’s off and on again relationship is a nice balance between the action of Robin’s life. My favorite moment in this issue must be when Robin says “And that’s why he has never held onto a girlfriend” about Bruce. Hilarious and so true. Bruce puts the greater good about his relationships and that is why he can’t hold on to a girlfriend. The mystery thickens this issue and I highly reccomend it.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony Daniel and Jonathan Glapion

Man, I just love you Geoff Johns. You are the best! This issue single-handedly restored my faith in DC. Batgirl is fixed! Cassandra Cain went rogue because she was being drugged, not on her own free will (if she did, it would be totally out of character). PRAISE THE LORD!!!!! I am so happy lol. I did a happy dance after reading this issue. Now even ignoring the whole Batgirl thing, this issue was still amazing. It was filled with action and so many great moments. Johns introduces us to the new Titans East with a bam. Everyone of them is interesting. Kid Crusader, Match, Risk, Sun Girl, Batgirl, Riddler’s Daughter, and Intertia, Joker’s Daughter. I am dying to find out more about this team and their kickass new headquarters. Oh and the art was damn near perfect. This arc is well-worth they hype so far.

Bullshit

Robin #151
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins

Okay I had really hoped that this storyline would not end up this way but unfortunately, it did. Utter Bullshit! I am sorry but there is no reason for Cassandra Cain to be acting like this. Totally out of character. This is a travesty. I know it is not Adam Beechen’s fault. I blame DC. They decided to rid Cassie of the mantle of Batgirl because I don’t think they liked her in the first place. Only her writers did. So DC creates this storyline with no respect to the character and her fans. Bullshit. I am not going to talk about the story or the art or anything. I am too disgusted with it. Don’t read this if you want to remember Cassandra Cain for who she truly was, a hero.

Batgirl Rant

Robin #150
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie Williams II
Cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins

While the cover of this issue may have been too cool for school, the insides of this book are not. But first, I should tell what I liked about it. I liked Beechen’s writing of Tim Drake, when he says he did geometry for eleven hours I smiled. This is a dedicated crime fighter, unlike Dick or Jason were, Tim is Batman Jr. He really could be Batman one day, he is driven enough. Other than that, I was appalled by this issue. Now this was not Beechen’s fault, I am sure what made this story bad was an editorial mandate. Cassandra Cain has gone bonkers, so bonkers that she is totally out of character. For 73 issues of her solo series, we saw a girl who although trained to kill, she turned her back on that life and grew into a person to be admired. Why destroy that? There is no reason. Cassandra from her series would never become a killer or for that matter, talk like she talks in this issue. Cassandra was a shy girl, not this monster she has become. I would much rather have Cassandra dead than turn into a villain. It is a more hainous comic book crime than Hal Jordan going Rogue as one of the most important aspect of Cassandra’s character was her devotion to not killing. I only hope that the next issue we find out things are not as they seem and maybe just maybe Cassandra has not become a villain. God, I hope so.