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DC Comics' Batgirl: Year One trade paperback collects the entire 9-issue 2003 series by Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon, Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez.
I'll admit to having a total fanboy crush on Batgirl, so I was eagerly anticipating this re-telling of her origin. Given the fact that Robin: Year One (Batman) was quite good and Batman: Year One is one of the greatest Batman stories ever, the bar was set pretty high for this series. For the most part, Dixon et al do not disappoint.
Chuck Dixon is uniquely familiar with the Batman supporting cast, so he was the perfect choice for this project. He and Beatty serve up a relatively lighthearted tale in which Barbara Gordon's attempt to defy her father's wishes turns into an unexpected career fighting crime. The series covers her initial adventures, her unlikely nemesis the Killer Moth, early encounters with Batman, and team-ups with the Black Canary and Robin. The only drawback is that Batgirl's motives never seem equal to the choices she makes. Even Batman pointed this out when asking her why she chose this particular life. Still, the series is enjoyable, and maintains a fun and lighthearted feel throughout, particularly the times where Batgirl and Robin interact.
The fanboy in me might have preferred someone like Adam Hughes or Terry Dodson to provide artwork for this series, but Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez do an admirable job. Their work is very similar to Steve Rude's on the Worlds Finest miniseries, and is reminiscent of both Robin: Year One and the Batman animated series, which makes for a great complement to the type of story Beatty and Dixon provided.
Overall, Batgirl: Year One was an enjoyable look back at a classic character that, for obvious reasons (and if you haven't read Batman: The Killing Joke, you need to do that now) doesn't get much attention. The creators involved have crafted a fun and exciting adventure that is a perfect match to the nature of the character.
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I have always been a fan of the Batman universe. And, me being a girl with a fondness for amazing redheaded heroines, Batgirl was an obvious ultra-heroine.
Batgirl Year One is like the Holy Grail of graphic novels. It has wonderful art paired with amazing writing and a favorite character just being generally awesome throughout.
I'm told (but can't confirm) that it's the best out of the "Year One" books, but I can say that if you like Batgirl and don't pick it up, you'll regret it!
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"Batgirl: Year One," by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon, is a nine-chapter comic book about Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City police officer James Gordon. The book tells the story of how this young woman becomes the masked and costumed crimefighter known as Batgirl.
I've loved the character of Batgirl since seeing Yvonne Craig's spirited portrayal of her in the 1960s TV show "Batman." Beatty and Dixon's version is likewise a great Batgirl. Although Batgirl is part of America's venerable superhero tradition, she is in her own way one of the most down-to-earth and accessible of these characters: she has no fantastic "superpowers" and is not a millionaire; as dramatized in this book, she builds her superhero persona from the ground up, with sweat and brains.
This story shows Batgirl/Barbara's dealings with her dad, with fellow crimefighters Batman and Robin, and with the villains Killer Moth and Firefly. The story is rich in action, humor, and interpersonal drama. There are nice down-to-earth moments, such as details of Batgirl creating her costume and assembling her hero gear. Along the way the artists and writers enhance the story with clever touches and thoughtful details which really help immerse the reader in Batgirl's world.
Batgirl is a feisty, courageous, and very human character--she's a heroine I could really cheer for. Ultimately I found this book as genuinely inspiring as it is entertaining. Believe in Batgirl!
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This new Batgirl story really invigorates the classic character. All the classic elements of Batgirl's origin are here, but they are updated and fleshed out. I like how her relationship to Batman turns out. At first he tries to make her quit and give up being a superhero, but then he sees how serious and capable she is. The story gets 5 stars. the artwork gets 4, because, although it was fresh and sort of abstract, I think Batgirl was drawn too skinny. She did not look healthy. All in all this was a great story and made me miss Barbara Gordon as Batgirl even more than I did.
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The writer and artist made a super update on the character and origin. The streamined art was perfect for the story... capturing a bit of old-fashionedness and nostalgia without looking campy and/or dated. Excellent correographed action, the storyline got confusing visually rarely. Barbara Gordan has spunk and in the would of Powerpuff Girls and realistic female heroes they showed her strong, compassionate, smart, and funny without dumbing her down. Brought some of the "modern sensibilities" of the current female characters to an origin story. Best mini-series of 2003.
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