Note: This is a sort of in-between group of books for the *Batgirl* title. It happens after the initial "New 52" run, and is a part of that, but in tone is very similar to the *Rebirth* title. In all three instances: "New 52", the "Burnside" books, and *Rebirth*, the series started over at Vol. 1's.
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*Batgirl, Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside* is not a continuity reboot, but it is a TONE reboot. Since the 2011 "New 52" reboot, Barbara Gordon, back again as Batgirl, had been quite angsty and brooding. Who could blame her? She had been paralyzed, and just recovered the use of her legs.
Through much trial and fear, Babs began to reassume her life as the hero she had been, who she was meant to be. It made for some great drama and wasn't really overly done, to my opinion, but struck the right balance.
But the writers decided to go in a different direction, and make the title more fun and less brooding. Originally, Gail Simone wanted to do so, but was told no. When she was no longer with the book, DC relented with the new writers and now so we had the "Burnside" story line.
The volume begins with a fire that destroys Dinah Lance's (Black Canary) home (and coincidentally, Barbara's Batgirl gear, which was in Lance's dojo at the time). Forced to start over, Babs *really* starts over. She had just moved to an area in Gotham named Burnside, which is a trendy spot for students and young people to live. She seems to decide to create a new Batgirl costume and persona to go with her new life and outlook.
Things seem to be going well, despite a very sinister and creepy adversary in the shadows, but Babs' arrogance and carelessness are going to bite her in the backside if she isn't careful. Dinah warns her friend of this, but she doesn't listen. It might be a fatal mistake for her.
I really was uncertain what to think of this title. It seemed to start out as some strange effort to try too hard to be somehow cool or something like that. Or to show that DC cares about or is connected to youth, or whatever. I also didn't care for the new art style at all. It was so different from previous looks I was used to that it put me off. At least at first. Now it has grown on me and I like it, though I still question if it is the appropriate art style for a Batfamily title.
But there is justification for the art style, in that it shows the changes in Barbara Gordon and her life. This is a new Babs, who wanted to be less gritty and more fun. The art reflected a change in tone as well, as the title would be more "playful" and less grim.
I do think that at times in the beginning, the writers tried to shove too many trendy youth things into the mix, as if the characters were saying "we are young and trendy, look at us". It just was trying *way* too hard. Some bit more loose and laid-back of an approach might have helped.
However, despite some minor misgivings, I was quite pleased with this graphic novel in the end, and I liked the direction the writers were/are taking the character. I also found the new supporting characters, such as Frankie, Qadir, etc., enjoyable to read about.
This *Batgirl* iteration of last year, that in some ways, I have heard, continues in the *Rebirth* era, is something I think folks will enjoy.
Rating: 4/5 Stars.
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![Batgirl (2011-2016) Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside by [Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, Babs Tarr]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OiywLViIL._SY346_.jpg)
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I always loved Batgirl/Barbra Gordon and these comics just made me love ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2016
I always loved Batgirl/Barbra Gordon and these comics just made me love her even more! The art and story is amazing! Hands down my favorite comics I own!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2016
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Jose Aron Mendoza Flores
Excelente comic uno de los mejores
Reviewed in Mexico on July 24, 2017
