And To All A Good Night!: Reviewing ‘Batgirls’ #19

Once a Batgirl, always a Batgirl. What a statement to open and close the final issue of a short-lived series. A fun, loved, heart-felt series that ran for nineteen solid issues. One that fans had been asking for in some form for years, but one they still didn’t expect.

Yes, we’re here now to talk about the final issue of Batgirls.

It’s said often, numerous times in my other final issue reviews, that it’s sad for books to end but to be grateful for the journey. So yeah, I guess I said it again, but it remains true. Batgirls is a series that at many portions of the modern era of DC Comics never would have existed or would have only made it a handful of issues. We got nineteen issues of Babs, Steph, and Cass all as Batgirls doing what they do best is something to love.

Yet, we can also bemoan that the adventure is over so soon. This is a series that had the heart and the creators and the drive to last for years. Unfortunately, the ‘side’ or ‘supporting’ characters don’t often get the big, huge double-digit ongoing runs of the top characters. It’s just the way it is. That doesn’t take anything away from what this creative team achieved.

We’re better off for this series having existed for any period of time.

It’s a solid way to wrap things up. A conclusion comes to the story of the sniper terrorizing The Hill and a grudge against the Batgirls. Turns out the sniper is Gunbunny, who blames the bats for the death of her partner Gunhawk. Except the second sniper turns out to be Gunhawk but not. It’s the Saints member Assisi taking on the identity to take down Gunbunny and the Batgirls.

One of the weirdest things is that we knew it was Gunbunny and Gunhawk well before they first appeared here. That’s because they were featured on the previous issue cover. This is an interesting choice but doesn’t really spoil anything in the long run.

There is action, they do fight the snipers, but it’s all about character. Just as it has been since the very beginning. Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad completely get these characters and have worn their hearts on their sleeves the whole time. Everything that made this book what it was centered around that character/emotional work. Action and superhero stuff is fine and all, but character development/emotional work is what makes stories the best. That is why the series will be missed because it was just such a joyful, painful, powerful, life-affirming, fun ride.

Truly this is the best focus that Stephanie and Cassandra have gotten in years. Here’s hoping that this spotlight continues for them beyond this series. I do look forward to seeing how Cassandra fairs over in Birds of Prey this fall (stay tuned for those reviews).

We’ve seen a variety of art styles through these nineteen issues, the teams changed quite a bit. What Robbi Rodriguez brings to the page works for this story. It’s a style that is very kinetic, with a rough (but also smooth) edge. It’s got a detailed emphasis that makes the emotional/facial expressions play well but is also slightly exaggerated. The choice to often have the backgrounds be just shapes or blown-out elements to highlight the characters and forefront is a good one.

This works with the colors of Rico Renzi, who switches between the heavier darker more toned-down colors and those that are far more vibrant. It adds to the overall lighter or fun vibe of the series. There are plenty of splashes of those more fantastical superhero colors right next to the more natural elements that give the series it’s more grounded feeling.

Together, we feel that the setting around them is a city with presence. It has personality and things that are recognizable to us.

Becca Carey infuses every piece of lettering on the page with the same energy as the rest of the story. Every bit of flair added makes sure that the tone and volume are not only clear, but easily ‘heard’ as we read through. Giving the emotional moments that extra punch. There are a lot of words across these pages, but it never feels overwhelming.

Here we are at the end of one of my favorite series. A book that I looked forward to every month, happy to sing its praises through the reviews. It will be missed but we got to take the ride. Once a Batgirl, always a Batgirl.

Batgirls #19 is now available from DC Comics.