Batgirl #5 is written by Tate Brombal and published by DC. Artwork is by Takeshi Miyazawa with inks by Wayne Faucher and colours by Mike Spicer, letters are by Tom Napolitano. Main cover art (left) is by David Talaski.
Batgirl #5 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
As Batgirl continues to unravel the complicated relationship with her mother, she finds herself alone in the dark den of her enemies. Plunged into poppy-induced hallucinations, Batgirl relives her past alongside a surprise visit from a Bat-Family member, who helps Cass confront the tangled roots of her origins. The lines between love, shame, and legacy begin to blur. Will Cass survive long enough to embrace her heritage…or break free from it at last?
Review
By now I think we’re all pretty much aware that I love Tate Brombal’s take on Cassandra Cain. Batgirl has been an incredible series to read thus far. Today the first arc reaches its penultimate chapter and picks up in the wake of Cass’ escape from the train wreck and finally finds her confronting at least some of her feelings towards her mother, Shiva.
The promise of Cass leaving the city finds us about eighty miles away from Gotham as issue #5 begins. Cass is on the back of a motorcycle beating a hasty retreat from the Unburied’s attack on the train, leaving behind her mother. The opening few pages of Batgirl #5 are sparse in dialogue. A very neat homage to the character’s more mute days which also puts the focus on Takeshi Miyazawa’s incredible artwork as Cass descends deeper in to the Nest of the Unburied.
This issue (or really this book in its entirety) is an artists dream. Miyazawa has so much to contend with this issue as we begin to explore the Unburied’s hideout. Those who’ve been enjoying the look of Batgirl will find a lot to enjoy this month as Cass rarely holds still leading to some beautifully fluid panels. Miyazawa’s cape work is particularly at its best this month so fans of Cass’ classic costume will find a lot to love. Miyazawa continues to play with the traditional setup of panels on the page. Creating plenty of new a unique setups which add to the overall frenetic pacing as the book picks up steam.
There’s a lot packed in this month. More so than we’ve seen previously. Brombal has a lot of ground for Cass to cover before wrapping up this arc and is taking major strides to get us there in time. The story pivots on its axis a couple of times to keep us guessing and to make sure that things keep moving. I had anticipated we would spend much of our time revealing the Unburied and perhaps why they want to take Shiva off the board. But whilst there is some great conflict, Brombal actually plays it quite restrained. At the end of the day this is a story about Cass and that focus is what remains paramount throughout.
I won’t spoil it here but one of the biggest pivots in Batgirl #5 leads in to the series biggest cameo to-date. The scene itself beautifully illustrates what Brombal is trying to achieve with this series. It digs deeper in to who Cass is and really explores her emotional state and her connection with her mother. At every step in the journey Brombal has found time to pause and take stock of where these two characters are with one another. It’s now part of the foundation of the book and great to see it hasn’t been forgotten about as we bring this story to a close.
As is now traditional, Brombal has to end the issue on a bombshell cliffhanger and this month is no different. Leaving Cass in a precarious position and setting up a potentially major conflict for next month’s finale to this arc. As has been paramount with Batgirl’s return to solo comics, the direction of travel remains a mystery.
Verdict
Brombal brings Batgirl to the penultimate chapter of its first arc with a boat load of action and intrigue. With plenty still to be revealed and Cass staring down the entire of the Unburied this book couldn’t be in a better place heading in to the “Mother” finale.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
