Batgirls #8
AuthorBecky Cloonan, Michael ConradArtistRobbi RodriguezLettererBecca CareyCowl ArtistJorge Corona, Sarah SternWriterDCValue$3.99Launch Date2022-07-12ColoristRico Renzi
DC’s Batgirls, Barbara Gordon, aka Oracle, Cassandra Cain, and Stephanie Brown, at all times have their palms full with unhinged criminals at midnight, gritty streets of Gotham. However for each Oracle, there is a Seer, a younger however ruthless grasp hacker and chronic thorn within the Batgirls’ aspect. Issues have gotten fairly loopy within the Batgirls’ world ever since Taurus kidnapped Seer. Ditching her act as Oracle, Barbara has determined to change issues up by coming into the sphere herself, visiting the Iceberg Lounge with Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, as her all-too-willing date.
Batgirls #8, written by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad, with artwork by Robbi Rodriguez, colours by Rico Renzi, and letters by Becca Carey, presents the conclusion of the “Dangerous Status” storyline. In opposition to all odds, the Batgirl infiltrate the Iceberg Lounge undercover and try to rescue the woman who has brought about them extra bother than all of Arkham Asylum put collectively.
It is no secret that Barbara and Dick have had a sophisticated relationship all through the years. Batgirls #8 goes to nice lengths to emphasise their relationship and their chemistry. There may be flirting and witty, playful banter aplenty all through the difficulty, which may get in the best way of the primary plot. As enjoyable as it’s to see Babs and Dick collectively once more, their dynamic might be distracting, particularly with different characters just like the Penguin and his creepy new confederate, the sword-swallowing Lulu, Tarsus, Seer, and Steph and Cass having loads of juicy moments of their very own.
Contemplating how a lot ache and frustration Seer has brought about, she performs a surprisingly small position on this subject. She performs such an vital half on this story that it appears like a missed alternative to not discover her character additional. Equally, Steph and Cass are given little or no to do, and this subject suffers for it. Whereas the ladies have some cool battle scenes within the Iceberg Lounge and within the climactic battle in opposition to Tarsus, they sadly do not get a whole lot of time to shine. This can be a disgrace contemplating the potential for this position reversal, with Cass and Steph taking part in the Oracle position right here, and their combined emotions about saving Seer. Whereas Babs sums up their allegiance to justice above all else, it feels anticlimactic to look at Seer get off scot-free for injuring Tarsus whereas Dick and Babs keep it up relationship as if nothing occurred.
Rodriguez’s slim, wispy, and delicate pen strains mix with clean, painterly strokes to evoke the sensation of a classic romance comedian whereas Renzi’s vivid, nearly acidic shade decisions create an attention grabbing and trendy environment. Each web page of Batgirls #8 is daring, shiny, and enjoyable to have a look at. Nonetheless, the composition might be awkward at occasions. Rodriguez reuses the identical drawing a number of occasions in several panels whereas attempting to convey a unique motion which may distract from the smoothness and brightness of the visuals and disrupt the circulation of the web page.
Batgirls #8 brings the short-lived Seer arc to a rapid-fire conclusion, however not and not using a few missteps that might go away readers wanting extra. Fortunately with the Seer nonetheless free, the Batgirls will proceed to have loads of bother on their palms — which is at all times excellent news for this sequence.