BATGIRL #41 Review - Electrical Interference
Writers: Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher
Artist: Babs Tarr - Background Assists: Joel Gomez
Colors: Serge Lapointe - Letters: Steve Wands
Babs of Burnside is back!
We will dip into some spoiler territory here. It's a few weeks old, mind you, but still spoiler talk. You have been warned.
Issue #41 centers mainly on the new Batman and Barbara's relationship with him. Also of note is Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher's use of what is traditionally a Superman villain in Livewire. She's a much better fit here, and flows seamlessly with the look and feel of Babs' world. It doesn't hurt that the art of Babs Tarr just brings such a frenetic energy to the proceedings. Granted, she could draw an infographic on the inner workings of the IRS and I would love it, but her style just works so well here.
Serge Lapointe outdid himself on colors here.
Also on display is the often mentioned but rarely focused on relationship with Barbara's dad, James Gordon. In the current bat books, James is wearing the cape and cowl. While he is now inhabiting the suit, he still isn't privy to everything Bruce knew, including the identities of his team.
The fact that he tells Barbara of his new position is surprising in itself, though Barbara's reaction is not. He had the job for a few weeks and told her. She's had the job for years and never even mentioned it. I imagine that might bring with it some feelings of guilt. With the current direction, it seems that might be changing by the end of this arc, but the ride to get there should be fun. Stewart and Fletcher seem to really have a handle on the duo's ebb and flow, and their closeness comes clean through the page.
Yeah, he really needs a beard. Also, Frankie is awesome. Not really relevant, but just thought it should be said.
Aside from the lack of mustache for Gordon (seriously, it is just weird seeing him without a beard), the book is full steam ahead on the next chapter in the life of Barbara Gordon.
Count me in. See ya soon for issue #42.
