Batgirl #43 Review

Written by: Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Babs Tarr and Serge LaPointe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Cereal Killer

While our site has been tagged as Batgirl haters, nothing could be further from the truth.  Both Eric and myself are huge Batgirl fans, we just had some relationship problems with the new direction if the character.  Actually, it was Eric who didn't enjoy it and in an effort to get a different point of view, I took over the book.  I don't know if that did the trick, if the book suddenly got better or a bit of both, but since taking it over in June, I have really enjoyed it.  While I wish that the Livewire story would have lasted longer we get to start a new one with something great...Alysia.  That's right, Babs' old roommate is back and it's such a cool callback and was one of the better reveals in any book recently.  Did it lead to another fun issue?  Let's find out...



This issue starts with a crazy scene...a tiger attack.  you don't see that everyday, now do you?  Unfortunately, it interrupts Barbara and Alysia's wedding preparations.  As she leaves, she runs into Jo, Alysia's fiancee, who seems a little down.  It's a little odd and spells out that all is not well in paradise.

Meanwhile, Batgirl goes to the scene of the tiger attack to talk to the company's boss.  It just so happens that it's Foxtech and the boss is Luke Fox.  I'll admit it, the two of them seemed a bit "closer" than I remember.  Things get crazy when Barbara runs an algorithm to find out who let the killer tiger in the building and it comes back Qadir...who happens to be eavesdropping.  We all know it wasn't Qadir, right?  Luke's not so sure and sends him home for a week's "vacation".  I so want Luke Fox to stay in this book and if it takes a romance with Barbara to do the trick, I'm all for it.  Of course, I'll want Batwing as well.

With Qadir at home, the tiger attacks end, right?  Wrong!  Another attack goes down and when Batgirl shows up on the scene, Frankie is there.  I don't know what's worse, Frankie going against Barbara's orders to stay away from the action or Frankie claiming she was dropping off her resume in case the place was hiring.  I can only wonder if Frankie thinks the tiger attack freed up a position. I hope not.

This issue is all about Barbara getting torn between her personal life and superhero one.  It continues when her and Alysia are looking at wedding dresses and Babs is called away again.  Her and Frankie have figured out the next Tiger attack and Batgirl goes to stop it.  After a cool fight and a bit of running, Barbara captures the tiger.  The scene shifts quickly to Barbara and Frankie who continue to figure out stuff and fight.  When Barbara goes to bed, Frankie decides to take matters into her own hands.  I know that she isn't supposed to be doing this, but Frankie looks really good in the outfit at least.  She meets with Qadir and assures him it will all be okay.

After all of this, the issue then shifts gears and shows you exactly who has been setting the tigers loose and who the villain is.  It was like Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher were just playing with us up to that point and now let us know the joke is on us,  Now that I've said that, I want you to know that I liked what we saw was going on.  It's going to cause Barbara some more personal versus hero life problems in the very near future.

The book is starting a new story and this issue was pretty much setting it up.  While I liked where it ended, getting there was a bit of a problem.  Most of the issue became mute once we hit the cliffhanger and the pacing during the entire issue was off.  I'll say it again, though, I like where we end and am looking forward to seeing what happens next issue.

I really like Babs Tarr's art and along with Serge Lapointe, they are really hitting their stride.  While it took me some time to accept the more anime inspired panels, I even am beginning to enjoy them as well.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue is mainly setup for a bunch of new storylines, but it's really all about Barbara's failed attempts to lead a full life on both sides of the cowl.  While the pacing was off and the story kind of makes itself inconsequential at the end. I liked the art and am looking forward to seeing where everything goes.

6.9/10