Batgirl, Volume 2: Knightfall Descends

One of the problems with trying to follow a comic book series is that you find yourself missing small details because they happened in another series. Had you not read the Owl issues in the Batman series I think you would definitely feel like you were missing a bit of the puzzle. But other things happen here or there and I'm constantly feeling like I need to be reading ALL THE DC. Guess that means they're doing their jobs then, right?

Grotesque is another villain that got absolutely no page time other than a couple of panels where he waxes poetic on his desire to possess everything that would be considered ‘the best'. But why? And who was he? (To be honest, I'm a bit further ahead in the series, I'm just late reviewing these so I do know there could be a bit more on the horizon, but still as I'm reading it I feel like I don't really care what Grotesque is up to.)

It's like Batgirl is cycling through villains at record speed. No one sticks around to play for any length of time and her story arcs are just little blips. I've got to say, I don't think Gail Simone is really using Batgirl to the full of her potential here. She skips around to every part of Barbara's life without ever really digging down deep and giving us anything below the surface. Her relationship with her roommate....is there one? Is she ever there at home with her roommate? Her relationship with her father? One of the biggest in her life and nothing. I just feel like there are so many missed opportunities here for some really great storytelling.

3.5 out of 5 stars (but I'm rounding up this time bc I can)Mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I thought the individual stories were very interesting and I especially love reading Barbara Gordon's inner thoughts as she fights crime on Gotham streets. However, the overall story arc of this collection felt inconsistent and just all over the place for me. It starts off with a flash back of Babs as a freshman in college and explains how she first started as Batgirl, which I enjoyed more than her previous origins story. It then moves to the present and her struggle with recovering from Joker's attack. Black Canary sends Batgirl on a mission to stop Groteseque, who is just another forgetful villain. The main thing about this guy was that one of his henchmen actually worked for Joker during the attack on Babs, and this leads to an emotional scene that Gail Simone does a brilliant job writing. The next part of her adventures involves the Night of the Owls crossover story arc. I LOVED this part so much! It was exciting and intriguing and the art work here was awesome. But it just left me hanging. And it seemed to just come out of nowhere. Plus, I hate that I have to pick up different titles in order to see what happens next during this night of terror in Gotham. I mean, I have to see what happens now, ya know? *adds [b:Batman: The Night of the Owls 15784159 Batman The Night of the Owls Scott Snyder https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344000972s/15784159.jpg 21501850] to growing book list*The volume ends with Batgirl up against Gotham's newest vigilante, Knightfall. She is truly one of the more terrifying villains that Babs has to face thus far (although Knightfall's lackeys were unremarkable). I love that Batwoman comes in and helps Batgirl. I loved the creepy/crazy psychosis of Knightfall. And I loved that we have James Gordon, slowly and subtly working his way into his sister's life throughout this story (truly frightening shit right there). These last few parts are the reason I rounded up on my rating, which I normally do not do. There are a lot of things to look forward to in volume 3 and I know that Gail Simone is going to do a great job.

Gail Simone + Batgirl = OTP, honestly. I love love loove the tone she's set here, smart and tough and funny and, real?? I guess?? I also give major probs to the way she's handling the New 52 reboot. Oh also I love anytime it's even suggested that Bruce Wayne needs to ~check his privilege~, obviously. Hooray!!

PS Black Canary cameo <3