Batgirl #1 Preview

[samurainoir]

It is kind of funny that for the longest time, a good chunk of best sellers were in fact the books that were branded out of continuity (Elseworlds, Vertigo, etc), particularly in the collected book format.

Graphic Novels like Watchmen, Dark knight Returns/killing Joke, Sandman, Kingdom Come, Superman Red Son... All critically acclaimed as well notbonly because of the talent, but the fact that they were all allowed a story with a beginning, middle and end. Which is often a very satisfying experience for a reader accustomed to a constant middle in serialized superhero comics.

Didio was very public in his condemnation of Elseworlds, preferring istead to try and marry the ongoing obsessive continuity with the kind of storytelling that is not condusive to long form mainstream superhero monthlies. So there are constant "ends" because you continually need to ratchet up the stakes, but that kind of storytelling con only be sustained for so long before you need to reset the status quo again... Thus constant "shocking" events followed by reboots/retcons/one year later style stunts.

[ctc]

>And I think it stinks that The Killing Joke was not meant to be part of regular continuity.

THis is one of the reasons why I don't think the yearly hype over the latest reboot is a good idea; 'cos you don't NEED it. They used to put stuff like this out, let the fans enjoy it, and that was it. No fuss, no muss. Although I kinda wonder if the fans would LET them do that any more, or would there be incessant rants about where a given story fits into the big picture. I suspect that if the story was any good, most folks wouldn't sweat it.

Don C.

[thunderbolt]

I think it sorta stinks in a way that two of the Joker's greatest crimes against the Batman, 1) the killing of Jason Todd and 2) the crippling of Barbara Gordon have been magically fixed...

Wait'll the Joker figures that out.

[johnmiic]

^^^Maybe the Joker could paralyze the writers at DC.

[madmarva]

I think it sorta stinks in a way that two of the Joker's greatest crimes against the Batman, 1) the killing of Jason Todd and 2) the crippling of Barbara Gordon have been magically fixed...

I agree. DC needs to make Joker do something even more heinous.

[samurainoir]

Written by GAIL SIMONE; Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES; Cover by ADAM HUGHES
It's the story you've been waiting for! As Barbara Gordon struggles to find her place in the world, Batgirl and Nightwing collide with the unstoppable force of a train wreck! Will it be sparks flying, or fists for this star-crossed duo? Also, the terrifying Mirror ups the ante in his bizarre war on the citizens of Gotham City! Featuring the eye-popping art of rising superstar Ardian Syaf!

[The Bat]

And I think it stinks that The Killing Joke was not meant to be part of regular continuity. It was meant to be a special examination of the nature of man OUTSIDE of continuity. However, given the critical acclaim that The Killing Joke received in the comics field in general, Barbara Gordon became a victim in regular continuity.

[The Toyroom]

I think it sorta stinks in a way that two of the Joker's greatest crimes against the Batman, 1) the killing of Jason Todd and 2) the crippling of Barbara Gordon have been magically fixed...

[samurainoir]

[The Bat]

is it really cured? seems to me the relaunch wipes out all the past and she has not yet ben paralized.

Not true...here's a quote from the article:

Co-publisher Jim Lee said that while the relaunched character will be younger, they’re keeping her time as a paralytic as part of her history.
"We thought when you see her recovering from that, it would continue to add nuance and depth to the character," he said.

[Nostalgiabuff]

is it really cured? seems to me the relaunch wipes out all the past and she has not yet ben paralized. I am not defencing DC just making sure I have it right. i personally do not like the whole relaunch thing and will not be picking any of the titles up

[The Bat]

I've waiting for 20 years for Barbra to get out of that damned wheel chair!

And long before Jim Lee ever thought of the "Re-Boot"...they were laying the seeds for her to be healed. After Brainac infected her with his nano-virus...she was starting to get feeling back in her toes & feet.

[thunderbolt]

Y'know. I'm *really* starting to dislike all the armor and grooves creeping into the current costume interpretations. It's almost like the pouches and trenchcoats in the 90s . . .

Right there with ya, not to thrilled with the cured paralysis either.

[The Bat]

Yey, Bab's is Batgirl again! And I like her costume.

[knight errant00]

Y'know. I'm *really* starting to dislike all the armor and grooves creeping into the current costume interpretations. It's almost like the pouches and trenchcoats in the 90s . . .