Batgirls #19 is published by DC Comics and written by the team of Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad. This issue features artwork by Robbi Rodriguez, colours by Rico Renzi and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Jorge Corona with Sarah Stern.
Batgirls #19 is available from today in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
The people of the Hill have had enough of Gunbunny and Gunhawk’s demands and take to the streets to march in solidarity with the Batgirls. Moved by this, the Batgirls join in, proving to both the city and the snipers that Gothamites should not be underestimated-and that we can overcome even the darkest of times if we have each other. Come join the Batgirls in the march to celebrate them in this last issue of the beloved series!
Review
Today we reach the end of the road. The final issue of Batgirls, a series I’ve adored from beginning to end. With its final issue it’s time for all of us to mourn its passing but celebrate the wonderful journey which Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad has masterminded over the past 19 issues (and one annual).
We pick up in the middle of the pro-Batgirls protest as the inhabitants of Gotham’s Hill make their feelings known. But with Gunbunny and “Gunhawk” prepared to rain bullets down on the crowd it’s not long before the action kicks off. It’s one last challenge for the Batgirls to face but will they live happily ever after?
This final chapter serves as a reminder of everything which made the series great. There’s an exquisite balance between the action and heart which is why fans love Batgirls. Reflecting back to the beginning of the series it’s clear just how much these characters have grown and that’s never more evident than in their confidence as crime fighters. Over the course of the series Barbara has taken a little more of a back seat, allowing Cass and Steph to become the focus. Seeing that through to end really does justice to two characters who were long frozen out of mainstream books.
In many ways Gunbunny and “Gunhawk” (there’s a reason for the quotation marks) are secondary to everything else happening this month. I picked up last issue on the analogy between the end of the book and the actions of fans and industry. That metaphor continues here as the Batgirls face their final threat. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t Cloonan, Conrad and the team giving the middle finger to DC for ending the book. It’s simply art imitating life.
What’s never clearer than in the final pages of this issue is just how much this team has enjoyed creating Batgirls and how much they love these characters. It would be equally easy to become overly romantic in sending off Batgirls to the great unknown. But in my mind this was the perfect amount of reflection and gratitude for the opportunity.
I’m so glad that Rodriguez, Renzi and Carrey were here at the end. In fact the same goes for cover artists Jorge Corona and Sarah Stern. These artists have been there for all of Batgirls best moments so to have them all together at the end is reflective of the final scene. These were the names which made this series great and in my own overly romantic way I can only give this issue five stars to show how much I’ve loved and will miss it.
Verdict
The final issue of Batgirls ties up all the loose ends neatly. A poignant and reflective ending serves as a perfect reminder of why these characters belong together and why this creative team were the ones to tell their story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
