Batman and Batgirl #21

Batman and Batgirl #21 

Peter J. Tomasi: writer
Cliff Richards: guest penciller
Mark Irwin with Mario Alquiza: guest inkers

Solicitation & Preview

Review
There is just something about Batgirl that I'm not liking. She just comes off as a whiny, depressed person. I thought it might have just been how she is portrayed in her own book, but Tomasi pretty much nails the same feel that I got from Batgirl's book with this comic.

I just don't understand why the story took that path that it did. The bargain that this story refers to involves Batgirl offering to take up the Robin mantle. That just isn't something that comes across as genuine in this comic, or just for how I would expect Batgirl to act. Yes, Barbara wants Bruce to get over his grief, and she does have some insight into how the Robin role works within the Batman/Robin relationship, but the offer just rings hollow.

In the pages before the offering, we get a glimpse into the world of Batgirl and why she doesn't have her symbol on her chest anymore. For the most part, she came across as a very doubting, very weak character. From what I get, Barbara sees the Robin role as a step above what she is doing. But it shouldn't be that, she should be her own person, much in the same vein as Nightwing or Batwoman works.

These guest characters issues have been a little hit or miss for me. So far, this has been the one I enjoyed the least. not only are we missing Gleason's wonderful artwork (although the guest team doesn't do too bad, they just aren't Gleason), but I haven't really seen Batman's path to getting over Damian make a move in any direction. Unless the steps are so small that I can't notice them unless I read multiple issues in a row, it is just starting to feel like we are having a tour of the Bat-supporting characters in a book that is better than that.

I just want to make a side note that Batman's gloves in this comic come across at times like the gloves worn by Jean Paul Valley in the Knightfall story line. Was it done on purpose, or is that a bigger thing? Also, between this comic and the regular Batgirl series, I think I just am not a fan of the New 52 Batgirl.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 6/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bah.
Buy Next Issue: Catwoman is up next, so this ought to be interesting.