Batgirls #18 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 #18 is available from today in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
The Saints are back—well, one of them is, and he’s out for revenge on the Batgirls by putting Mr. D, Alysia Yeoh, and all their other friends in danger. Turns out they have history from long before the Saints, and no one holds a grudge longer than a man scorned. Is it enough to run the Batgirls out of town?
Review
The penultimate issue of Batgirls has arrived and there’s no time to waste as the Hills is still in danger. With Gunhawk and Gunbunny on the loose and The Saints back on the scene, Cloonan, Conrad and co. have a lot to do in order to setup next month’s huge series finale.
Last month you could sense that the creative team was running a victory lap. Bringing in supporting cast members and giving them a larger role in this final arc. The same sensibility is even more palpable this month. In the classic sense of building towards a finale, Cloonan and Conrad are hitting all of the right Batgirls notes and reminding fans what made this series so great in the first place.
It’s great to see the team functioning as a unit. It’s also nice to see that after putting more of the focus on Steph and Cass, Barbara is back this month with a larger role. But make no mistake, Batgirls isn’t giving up without a fight. Or without some brilliant meta commentary on what the book has meant to its readers.
It’s easy to connect the dots and see this final arc as an analogy for those who have criticised Batgirls coming up against its fans. Here in issue #18 that’s particularly true. As a malevolent yet-not-seen force tries to stop the Batgirls from continuing their mission, their legion of fans in Gotham Hills come out in support of the trio. See what they did there? It’s both clear and skilful.
It’s not like the Batgirls face down a set of corporate bosses who tell them that their time is up. This isn’t some angry retort from the creators about the fact the series is ending. It’s a clever, nuanced way to take the experience coming to an end and harness that in to something creative.
There’s an excellent sense of pacing throughout this issue. From picking up right where we left off in issue #17, through the bank heist and in to the setup for a final showdown with the Guns. This is really Batgirls firing on all cylinders and it’s beyond worth sticking around to see how it all comes to a close.
Robbi Rodriguez and Rico Renzi have become one of my favourite duos in comics. The visuals they bring to Batgirls are consistently impressive. I’m beyond glad that they’re the ones who are steering the series to a close. There’s an effortless quality to Rodriguez’s style which just sits perfectly with Renzi’s colours. It’s such a rich landscape that I’m not ready to let go of yet.
Verdict
The end is in sight. The final fight draws near. But the Batgirls aren’t going without a fight. This penultimate issue is the perfect setup for June’s finale. Headstrong storytelling and beautiful artwork as always from the series’ creative team.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
