Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (2016-) Vol. 1: Who is Oracle? by Shawna BensonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Netgalley provided an early copy of this volume. I was veering away from requesting it, because I'm not all that familiar with Batgirl in comic books (have read about her, but not read any of her comics). But I thought to give it a shot.
It's an action-packed mystery as Barbara Gordon, now back to donning her Batgirl uniform thanks to an implant that lets her walk again, seeks out an unknown online assailant going by her former codename Oracle. She enlists the help of an old friend, Dinah the Black Canary, on this case. It's not long before they find themselves at loggerheads with another unknown vigilante. Huntress is on a mission to kill, but they have to stop her if they want to get to the bottom of the mystery.
It's not very convoluted, this story. Mostly a look at Barbara's new life. She is drawn and written as more goofy than serious, which makes her very endearing. I didn't much care for the Canary's ridiculous outfit - how she gets in and out of it still baffles me, but I like that, as she's the brawn, she's drawn with plenty of well-proportioned musculature on her. Batgirl, though, looks a little too young and small - she could do with some muscle.
The primarily female team on the page is brought to life by a majority female team behind the scenes - and you can tell the difference. No leering, lewd characters or angles, and no unnecessary condescension either. I was disappointed that they wrote Jim Gordon as untrustworthy of Batgirl; he wanted Batman on the scene. Perhaps there's some history behind that explained in other issues of different comics, but it was frustrating in this one. Thankfully, when Bats appears on the scene, he doesn't talk down to Batgirl; he gets her point of view and then leaves. And we go back to the awesome threesome.
The primary narrative voice is funny - the narrator changes partway, apparently, which is a bit confusing. I also think Batgirl and Black Canary had very similar speech patterns and sense of humour - they could have been differentiated a bit more.
There's a strange bit partway through the book that talks about online behaviour towards women. It's important, but so preachy and on-the-nose, it sort of digressed from the main story. I suppose the writers were trying to make a point with that, but it detracted from the story a bit for those few pages.
The Birds of Prey are written as fun, rounded and competent individuals, which is always a rarity in comics. They don't need saving. Which is why the ending was a bit of a disappointment. Despite evidence to the contrary, Batgirl and team decide to trust someone who really doesn't deserve it. And, 'lo and behold, that person appears to be working for someone else in the final panels.
I would love to know how all this pans out in the end. It would be great to get my hands on Volume 2.
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