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Post by rgsc on Oct 8, 2014 13:00:56 GMT -5
The much anticipated Batgirl 35 is out!
Without going into plot details, my initial thoughts are that it is a very good start. The tone (and art - anyone else get an Archie vibe?) are incredibly different from the previous nu52 run - as expected - but I think the voice for Barbara seems right.
One thing,however, right off the top which I didn't like is that they had her playing audience surrogate for a panel and had to have Riot Black explained to her - to which I reacted by nearly yelling SHE HAS A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY!?!?! - but I guess can forgive that slip as they depicted her using her memory in an amazing way through the rest of the story. That does makes it seem like an even weirder oversight, though, as the creative team KNOWS she remembers everything....they made it an important part of the plot so either she'd remember it or she would never have heard of it, none of this "book-something-dot-com" malarkey. I got over it but it did bug me.
I am interested to see more of the supporting cast they've introduced and am happy to see Dinah in the mix, even if it seems like Alysia will be playing a much smaller role.
Definitely dug this issue and am looking forward to more.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 14:49:02 GMT -5
My store had a 24 hour delay this week which means I won't be able to pick it up until this evening/tomorrow. I love the guys there and I know its not their fault.... But man. Of all weeks to get a delay IT WAS THIS WEEK!!??!?!??!!? So looking forward to reading this.
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Post by courtneyk on Oct 9, 2014 8:38:36 GMT -5
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Loved Barbara, loved the costume, loved the tone, loved the dialogue...just loved it. I can't believe my two favorite books of the month so far are both DC having never been a DC reader before, but if they start putting out more like this and Gotham Academy I will definitely be on board.
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Post by CaptainSuperior on Oct 9, 2014 9:46:17 GMT -5
I wasn't a huge fan of this issue, primarily I just don't feel like it's my particular "cup of tea". I was really hoping the cover art was going to be more indicative of the interior art. I like that DC is trying something new though. I loved Gotham Academy, but unfortunately I don't think I'll be continuing on this journey with Batgirl.
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Post by thephantomwelshman on Oct 9, 2014 12:05:11 GMT -5
I didn't really enjoy it at all, but to be honest, it's not something that's aimed at me. And I applaud DC for that. I felt the same about Gotham Academy to be honest. But when DC have about a million other books catering to my taste I'm not gonna complain and I'd certainly recommend both books to my younger cousin, who I will pass on my copy of Batgirl 35 to.
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Post by rgsc on Oct 9, 2014 12:37:30 GMT -5
Too bad you guys weren't into it.
I definitely appreciate that not everyone will latch on to it (although, I am getting a little tired of all the people moaning that it isn't Stephanie Brown... seriously folks: yes that is a great run/character but you have to let it go. She is back as Spoiler, the DC train is continuing with Babs, enjoy the ride or knock it off) but glad that you can see the appeal, even if it is not for you.
I am a big DC fan (although buying more and more Marvel & Image) but there was/is too much of the same there. I like the GrimDark when it suits, but not for 52 titles. Just like I am really happy for a lighter/different tone in this and Gotham Academy. I wouldn't want 52 variations of that, either. Three years in, the Nu52 needed a breath of fresh air and this (+GA) is a blast.
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cheska
Fearless Defender
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Post by cheska on Oct 9, 2014 20:45:13 GMT -5
Count me in the "love it" category! I tweeted about this yesterday but did anyone else catch that cameo in the cafe Babs goes to? Sailor Moon!
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Post by IncredibleD on Oct 10, 2014 4:38:05 GMT -5
Read it just now, and i have to say that i didn't like it.Not that it was bad or something, not at all, but it isn't for me. Art was good, but i didn't like the tone of the book.It felt to me like one of those teen drama television shows, which can be a good thing if you're into that, but i'm not.
But still, its something different than the usual dark and gritty DC books, which is a good thing.And i hope its gonna be a succes, so that there are gonna be more different kind of books from DC in the future.I just won't be picking up this one anymore.
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Post by captainsaxon on Oct 10, 2014 14:42:26 GMT -5
I didn't really enjoy it at all, but to be honest, it's not something that's aimed at me. And I applaud DC for that. I felt the same about Gotham Academy to be honest. But when DC have about a million other books catering to my taste I'm not gonna complain and I'd certainly recommend both books to my younger cousin, who I will pass on my copy of Batgirl 35 to. Pretty much my thought's - I really did not like it. I'll probably be dropping this title. I didn't care for the hipster/young 20's vibe throughout the issue. I really did like the scene with her eidetic memory. Other than the characterization and story to be jarring, and the art is not my taste at all, save for the aforementioned scene. I'm not going to call it a "bad book" because that isn't fair off one issue, but if this is the lighter tone they are going for... I wouldn't honestly recommend it. I'll pick up a few more issues, hoping it evens out a bit, or if my wife really likes it I'll keep buying, but this is going the way of all my Marvel titles that got the Axe this week.
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Post by Raider30 on Oct 10, 2014 15:22:59 GMT -5
I didn't really enjoy it at all, but to be honest, it's not something that's aimed at me. And I applaud DC for that. I felt the same about Gotham Academy to be honest. But when DC have about a million other books catering to my taste I'm not gonna complain and I'd certainly recommend both books to my younger cousin, who I will pass on my copy of Batgirl 35 to. Pretty much my thought's - I really did not like it. I'll probably be dropping this title. I didn't care for the hipster/young 20's vibe throughout the issue. I really did like the scene with her eidetic memory. Other than the characterization and story to be jarring, and the art is not my taste at all, save for the aforementioned scene. I'm not going to call it a "bad book" because that isn't fair off one issue, but if this is the lighter tone they are going for... I wouldn't honestly recommend it. I'll pick up a few more issues, hoping it evens out a bit, or if my wife really likes it I'll keep buying, but this is going the way of all my Marvel titles that got the Axe this week. Yep. I dropped it today as well. Read it at the shop and put the copy back on the shelf. Was very disappointed, though frankly it wasn't unexpected given the look of her costume, how the rest of the book was going to be. I felt like I just got dropped into some episode of one of the young teen shows on the CW or Fox or (insert channel here). I found the art to be pretty bad especially coming from the more 'realistic' looking art that the series had been using. I really think they should have started back over at #1 with this series given how drastic these changes are. They seem to start over at the drop of a hat with other books, even when not much really changes, certainly not to the level that Batgirl just did. Really bummed about this because for so long Batgirl was one of the books I looked forward to each month. - Beau
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Post by Tony on Oct 10, 2014 18:13:08 GMT -5
Unfortunately, my take echoes some of the others in here; this book is really, really not written or drawn for me. Flat out: it was a struggle to get through it, and after all the hype I couldn't help but feel disappointed, especially by the interior art, which I found severely lacking. HOWEVER, that's perfectly ok, not every book on the shelves has to be aimed at me, i'm not so ego-maniacal as all that. I appreciate that DCs doing something a little different, something possibly a bit akin to the current Ms. Marvel in some way, a refreshing move on their part, and if this is the Batgirl book that a horde of would-be fans has been desperately waiting to see come to pass, then good on 'em, and more power to everyone involved.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2014 23:10:14 GMT -5
Yeah hate to say it but this just isn't for me. Feels like 'Girls-lite'. And I really, really don't like 'Girls'. Loved the art though.
It's a shame, I absolutely loved Gotham Academy. But yeah, don't really want to read a book about people getting drunk and hooking up over Tinder and using hashtags in normal conversation. Can't stand that in real life let alone in fiction. And while I think DC has done a great thing by bringing in these lighter books, it's one thing to have over sexualized women in comics but it's a whole other thing to pretty much promote a "I can't remember what happened last night and who's this stranger I hooked up with and I'm so hungover" attitude. Feel like I'm sounding over sensitive, but I live in an area where this attitude unfortunately commonly leads to horrible things happening.
I know they've said this isn't directed at younger kids but that art definitely sticks out to kids and from the looks of it people are giving it to young people anyway. But I kind of shudder at the thought of people giving this to kids.
I'd definitely recommend Gotham Academy to everybody. Literally. But I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
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Post by CaptainSuperior on Oct 11, 2014 8:46:26 GMT -5
I'm somewhat surprised that the reviews for this issue have been rather mixed, but I believe I'm starting to notice a pattern.
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Kal
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
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Post by Kal on Oct 11, 2014 15:35:40 GMT -5
I can't say the book is good or bad. I only read the first few pages on comixology. Barbara is awoken by a text message from her roomate, who is in the next room. She comes out in her underwear and runs into a shirtless guy she doesn't recognize. Apparently she got so drunk the night before she made out with a complete stranger and blacked out the whole thing. If you like this book, good, keep supporting it, but this is not the Batgirl I know. If you were upset with this book I suggest reading Batgirl year one.
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Post by iamasianbatgirl on Oct 11, 2014 19:35:03 GMT -5
I loved this issue, not surprising I know. But I think this series is great for the tumblr generation audience, which I think is a relatively untouched market for the Big Two. I don't think it's a "Girls-lite" considering I despise that show though. Personally, I think it's great that this Barbara Gordon is really acting like a 21 year old girl. She's having fun with friends, being reckless, and she gets all the "fun" of dealing with the consequences the morning after. Above all, she's STILL Batgirl. I love the special guest star's appearance though I've heard that she won't be getting much spotlight til issue #37. The next issue will focus on Barbara's back-to-school experience, so I'm excited for that and the art looks absolutely incredible.
Speaking to one of the criticisms on this thread, I don't think it's aimed to BE hipster, rather I think that Fletcher and Stewart are trying to poke fun at, which is something I enjoyed a lot. I understand it's not for everyone though. I'm still hoping to see a little of the beginnings of the Legion of Batgirls somewhere down the line but right now, this is a breath of fresh air from all the dreariness Babs has had to deal with since the start of the New 52.
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