Batgirls #12 is published by DC Comics and written by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad. Artwork for this issue is by Neil Googe, colours by Rico Renzi and letters by Becca Carey. The main cover art (left) is by Jorge Corona and Sarah Stern.
Batgirls #12 is available from today, in print and on digital, where all good comics are sold.
Synopsis
Boy, do the Batgirls have some tea for you! Literally. Cass and Steph go down a rabbit hole of madness when they’re invited to Mad Hatter’s tea party. But with the death of yet another Hill resident looming on their shoulders, they’re one step closer to finding the serial killer.
Review
We’ve reached the final chapter of the Bat Girl Summer arc. Cass and Steph face-off against The Riddler in an issue which has the team functioning at their best. As the series reaches its first birthday, it’s clear to see that Cloonan and Conrad have an incredible grip on its storytelling potential.
Bat Girl Summer set up this final confrontation brilliantly. The stage was set for the showdown to really be the focal point of issue #12 and it wastes no time in getting down to business. The first few pages are dedicated to the fight. The entire sequence is elevated by Neil Googe’s stunning artwork and Rico Renzi’s wonderful colours. I’ve spoken before about the uniqueness of Batgirls’ look. Its experimentation with less conventional artwork has been a huge success.
There’s a lot to wrap up in this issue. There’s Riddler, Killer Moth and the Hill Ripper. That’s all before another Bat-villain shows up and a cameo from the recurring Dick Grayson. There’s a great synergy between the Batgirls and Nightwing books as the relationship between Dick and Babs continues to flourish. Batgirls is also working hard to develop a unique supporting cast. Much like Tim Drake: Robin, the Bat-family books work best when characters are surrounded by a supporting cast of their own.
What’s important in a team book like this is the balance of character. Batgirls has three incredible leads, all with their own histories and rabid fans. But there are still moments for all three to shine. Barbara takes somewhat of a backseat, working in more of an Oracle-type capacity, supporting Steph and Cass on the ground. Steph has come on leaps and bounds, not only is she a formidable crime fighter but she’s also a huge asset. Something she struggled with, especially during her time as Robin. But it’s Cass who is the star of issue #12. Helping to take down Riddler and Killer Moth proves why her character deserved to return to continuity.
Verdict
The end of Bat Girl Summer makes for blockbuster reading. Another hugely successful arc ends with a satisfying showdown between the Batgirls and The Riddler. The duo of compelling reading and stunning artwork continue to make Batgirls one of DC’s finest books of 2022.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
