Batgirl: Year One (Batman) (Paperback)

by Scott Beatty (Author), Chuck Dixon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Her police captain father doesn't want her on the force. The FBI says she's too short to be a field agent. But Barbara Gordon is determined to find a place among crime fighters and transcend her existence as an "Underpaid Librarian and Potential Defaulter of Student Loans." To annoy her dad, who's embarrassed by the help the police secretly receive from Batman, Barbara wears a Batman-inspired costume to the force's masquerade ball. When supervillain Killer Moth crashes the party, she drives him from the building-and a new caped crusader is born. The Moth christens her "Batgirl" ("I'd have preferred 'Batwoman,'" she remarks), and her action hits the news and attracts the attention of another disapproving father-type: Batman himself, who warns her that she's out of her league. Undaunted, Barbara buys herself some gear, and an admiring Robin sneaks her the rest of the equipment she needs. Many a panel later, triumph and the respect of both of her "fathers" ensue. Batgirl is a joy from start to finish, with smart, barbed dialogue; a dense (but not migraine-inducing) plot; exuberantly drawn action; and impressive characterization. Rejected by the mobsters he's offered his protection to, Killer Moth fails because he believesthose who say he's outclassed. Batgirl refuses such shallow bait. She's a heroine whom teens will embrace, and this volume may well be the best superhero comic of 2003.-Emily Lloyd, Rehoboth Beach Public Library, DE
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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140120080X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401200800
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,045 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great update of the original Batgirl, January 26, 2004

By	Blake Petit "Novelist, Comixtreme.com columni... (Ama, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Chuck Dixon, at the time this book was written, had spent several years chronicling Barbara Gordon as Oracle in "Birds of Prey." That combined with his own great work on "Robin: Year One" made him a natural choice to work on this volume. Together with Scott Beatty, he did a great retelling of the original Batgirl, getting rid of some of the campier elements from her 60s-era debut and making her a powerful female superhero. The writers also managed to work in some foreshadowing to future events in Barbara's life such as her relationship with Dick Grayson (a.k.a. Robin I, a.k.a. Nightwing) and set up the pieces for her eventual role in "Birds of Prey" -- also a great series. The artwork in this book has a very clean style, almost a hybrid between traditional comic book artwork and the style you see on "Batman: The Animated Series" People who like the character will be in no way disappointed... although I must admit, I find it very interesting (almost amusing) that Barbara Gordon's Batgirl seems to have a lot more fans now than she did before the Joker put a bullet in her spine in "The Killing Joke."

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dynamite Damsel, January 16, 2004

By	Zack Davisson "All Good Things" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Batman family seems to do well by Year Ones, and Batgirl is no exception. These mini series are almost always superior to the regular ongoing series, as they are not tied down by subplots and the rush of a monthly deadline.

"Batgirl: Year One" is an excellent amalgam of the old and the new, incorporating important elements of Batgirl's mythology, such as Killer Moth and the costume party she makes the Batgirl suit for, while successfully incorporation new Batman lore such as the jump lines and modern technology. Gone is the Utility-Handbag and the Batgirl who would stop fighting the Joker (nice foreshadowing of the Joker, by the way) if she got a run in her stocking. The modern Barbara Gordon is a capable partner in crime fighting.

The art in the series is excellent, and stays in tone with the rest of the Year One series, maintaining a slightly retro-feel. The colors are dark and mysterious, lending a nice tone to the story.

An altogether excellent mini-series.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winner of Wizard Magazine's Best Mini-Series of 2003!!, January 13, 2004

By	Invisiboy2001 "invisiboy2001" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This is the collected volume of the acclaimed nine-issue "Batgirl: Year One" limited series published in 2003 by DC Comics. It features the beginning of Barbara Gordon's life as a superhero. While it is a deviation from the 1967 origin, the story is interesting, smart, and fun--making this volume a page-turner. Also, the art is very "retro" and appealing.

Batman, Robin, Firefly, Killer Moth, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Jason Barde, Blockbuster, Black Canary, Spectre, Wildcat, and Green Arrow make guest appearances, but what makes this book special is seeing Barbara evolve from a determined young girl who simply wants to help people into an all-out vigilante named Batgirl. Also, the fact that she and Batman are more rivals than partners adds a wonderful aspect of independence and competition to the story.

Plus, you get to see Batgirl kick a lot of things--always a good time.

Pick up this book and learn all about Batgrrrrrrrrl Power.