Batgirl #9 is written by Tate Brombal and published by DC. Artwork is by Takeshi Miyazawa, colours by Mike Spicer and letters are by Tom Napolitano. Main cover art (left) is by David Talaski.
Batgirl #9 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
Batgirl is on the run—but not for long. As three deadly warriors from the League of Shadows, the Blood of Wu, and the Unburied each trail her, Cassandra Cain arrives at a ranch seeking answers from her mother’s past…but time is running out. As shocking family ties unravel, the first of the three swords arrives, hell-bent on ending Batgirl’s story for good.
Review
I’m quite sure that Batgirl #8 only just released in comic book stores. But perhaps that’s because the series has become such a go-to title for me that I’m rushing to read it every month. Today is doubly exciting too. With Takeshi Miyazawa back on art duties, Batgirl is kicking off a blockbuster new arc which is seismically consequential for the character’s future.
After breaking for a two-issue side quest we’re back in the present day. The Lady Shiva backstory has provided a great level of context to bring us to this moment. Tate Brombal is painstakingly putting the pieces together. Ensuring that before Cass is paired with Benjamin Turner, aka Bronze Tiger, we fully understand the connection between the two of them. I continue to applaud Brombal for the pinpoint accuracy in putting this story together. I’ve praised the slow burn aspect before. But when we reach these moments of payoff it is so much more rewarding know there’s been no rush to get here.
There’s a cool mix of action and dialogue in Batgirl #9. Brombal sets up a similar dynamic between Cass and Ben as she has with Shiva. Ben feels secretive and disconnected throughout the issue. Approaching him in this way allows Brombal to continue brilliant depicting Cass’ detective skills on the page. Until the issue is ready to reveal its grand plan we’re left with only her observations to help put the pieces together.
There’s a few different directions this issue can go. Brombal sidesteps the obvious, instead creating a new connection between Shiva’s past and Cassandra’s present. Still, Brombal takes a rather big swing in introducing a brand new character to the family. Likely to be a huge talking point coming out of this issue it will be interesting to see in the months to come how this lands with Cass’ fanbase. We’re a rabid bunch and now Brombal has opened up a huge realm of possibility for seeing an entirely new side to her personality.
Meanwhile, Batgirl also has some legwork to do in setting up the next stage of Cass’ war with The Unburied. Just because her mother is – supposedly – dead doesn’t mean they’ll stop coming for Cass. Titling this new arc “The Three Swords” should tell you most of what you need to know. There are three rather lethal looking assassins on Cass’ trail and each of them is hell bent on wiping out Shiva’s lineage. This also plays in perfectly to why Shiva would point Cass towards Ben for this next stage in the story. But no spoilers from me on the big reveal.
It’s great having Miyazawa back on Batgirl. Miyazawa’s style has defined what Batgirl is. So it makes sense for them to return as the story returns to the present day. From the outset it’s Miyazawa running at full speed. Designing the look of the titular assassins, bringing Cass to the Dragon Ranch and then the introduction of <spoiler>. There’s so much opportunity to further define the look of the series heading in to this new arc.
Verdict
Batgirl returns strong as its latest arc begins with a trip to Dragon Ranch. Tate Brombal is taking a big swing here and all signs point to this latest revelation spinning Cassandra Cain in a whole new direction.
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