Batgirl #6 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 #6 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
The truth behind the Unburied finally comes to light as Kalden reveals a hiddenhistory of betrayal and vengeance. But as the sins of the past threaten to consumethe present, Batgirl and Lady Shiva must first survive a dangerous cave and…eachother! With nowhere else to run, it’s the end of the line for Cassandra Cain. Will she join Lady Shiva in battle or destroy her mother herself?
Review
For six months now Tate Brombal has been holding on to the secret of the Unburied. But this week his brilliant Batgirl series reaches the conclusion of its first arc. That means it is finally time to reveal just why the shadowy figures have such a hatred for Lady Shiva and her family. It’s also time to see how Batgirl can bring this arc to a conclusion, setting up what comes next for the series.
Last month we left the mother-daughter duo dangling in the Unburied’s subterranean lair. Which is exactly where we find them in the opening pages of this month’s issue. Their suspended status gives Cas time to consider a very important question which reaches across issue #6: what is a mother? Though it isn’t stated, there’s also an aspect to that journey which also asks: what is a daughter? Cass was chosen to be a daughter to Batman in his war on crime. But what does it mean for Cass to be a daughter to Shiva? More importantly, does that relationship hold any weight when the two are literally fighting for their lives?
With hindsight, Cass’ journey through this first arc has taken me back to my teenage days watching Buffy. Brombal has so brilliantly wrapped up real, raw emotion in vigilante crime fighting. Underneath the capes and cowls we’re dealing with what it means to be human. The answer to that question is almost always messy and that circles the storytelling right back to the mess these two characters find themselves in. Honestly, it’s such a simple storytelling mechanism. But Brombal has employed it magnificently to illustrate the conflict Cass is dealing with in her heart.
Naturally there is a wrinkle which pivots Batgirl #6 on its axis. There had to be. No way was Shiva to be trusted and it all comes out in the wash. Via Kalden we learn more about the history of the Unburied including their connection with Shiva. It’s all pretty unforgivable stuff. But once again it deftly illustrates the point which Brombal is trying to make. Cass (mostly) trusted her mother because of that familial bond. Blood is thicker than water after all.
It would be untrue to say that action takes a back seat this issue. After being cut down from their shackles there’s plenty of physical bang for your buck. Takeshi Miyazawa comes in to his own as Cass pulls on her cowl and sets about breaking free from the Unburied’s lair. The ensuing chaos plays perfectly in to Miyazawa’s strengths. Capitalising on the setting as well as showcasing the ferocious fight choreography we have come to expect.
Making their escape from the cave doesn’t quite give Cass and Shiva the break for freedom they were hoping for. Brombal and Miyazawa close out their first arc with a blistering final four pages. Bathed in the blood red of a beautiful sun, low on the horizon, the two women both confront their demons head on. These scenes are some of the best in the series to-date. In just a few short panels the entire creative team is able to imbue a summation of everything we’ve been building towards.
With what could be the dying breath of one of its lead characters Batgirl ignites a raging fire which could easily carry Cass, Shiva and the book through the next few months. Whilst a line of dialogue points to where things may be heading the future remains unclear. Next month Batgirl will explore “the definitive history of Lady Shiva” which potentially signals the end to this story is yet to be written.
Verdict
With Batgirl #6 Tate Brombal steers the ship to a blockbuster conclusion for its first arc. Make no mistake, this is by no means the end of the story. After a dynamic and beautifully rendered fight with Kalden and the Unburied, this month’s issue leaves on a potentially heartbreaking loss which will fuel the story for months to come.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
