Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 is written by Mariko Tamaki and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Amancay Nahuelpan, colours by Tamra Bonvillain and letters by Ariana Maher. Main cover art (left) is by Karl Kerschl.
Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
DOES THE KEY TO BARBARA’S SURVIVAL LIE IN THE PAST?
Barbara Gordon is just trying to survive in Supermax. Every day brings new danger…and more questions. Can she trust her new friend Sparrow? Has she clocked the real threats closing in on her? And why does she get the sneaking suspicion that there’s more to this prison than meets the eye? To answer these questions, Barbara will need to rely on the skills she learned as Batgirl and her own past to ensure she has a future…
Review
In the last issue of Barbara Gordon Breakout, we witnessed Barbara recovering from an attack from a mystery assailant. That issue didn’t pick up the pace from the first issue, which Mariko Tamaki was able to set up well, and instead, it slowed down. The major problem from the previous issue is that it didn’t push the needle forward. With a mystery, it’s supposed to feel immersive; you’re meant to gain clues with each issue while also asking more questions so you can piece together the mystery and solve it. With this third issue, it has become clear that Tamaki is struggling to do exactly that, and instead Barbara Gordon Breakout is losing all momentum.
Three issues in and you’re left still asking the same questions from the first issue and also questioning what even the purpose for a lot of the book’s structure even is. The lettering from Ariana Maher adds to the confusion, as usually with handwritten captions, it insinuates that it’s writing from a journey, but with Tamaki’s writing, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
The start of this issue takes us back with a flashback years ago with Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, Nightwing, and Huntress tracking down the Joker and this might be the most interesting segment of the comic. With Barbara trying to figure out who Hanah Anhala was, she soon comes to the realisation that the answer was in front of her face the entire time. How it connects back to the present day with this mysterious figure is unclear, and that’s what makes reading this monthly frustrating.
Sparrow continues trying to drug Barbara, and we still get Gordon experiencing these hallucinations that have her constantly dealing with death. Amancay Nahuelpan’s art is what truly brings the comic to life, creating the illusion of these hallucinations being grander than Barbara and being able to make her look small and weak in this prison where she has no help. With Tamra Bonvillain’s colours that truly highlight the pain that Gordon is mentally going through, it is a duo that’s keeping this comic on its feet.
Verdict
Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 is unfortunately continuing to lose its ground as another issue comes around that feels like a retread of the previous issue. Ultimately it feels like this and the previous issue should’ve been one mega issue, as they deal with the same themes. For this mystery story to make any progress, Tamaki needs to begin allowing Barbara to do what she does best instead of sidelining her and keeping the story at a halt.
⭐⭐.5
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
