dominicangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
captain_katherine's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
vicinalgwen69's review against another edition
5.0
She broke Shiva's sword with her hands. Also I love when she befriends the other Batkids
geewhizabbygee's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tshepiso's review
4.5
4.5 stars
This batgirl series continues to be absolutely excellent. This volume is primarily one and done standalone but they do a lot to build up Cassandra's relationships with the rest of the bat family. I particularly loved her dynamic with Spoiler and the slight tension explored between her and Robin.
The big moment in the series is the final duel between shiva and batgirl and it was so satisfying on a character level. this volume as a whole is seeded in incredibly well-rendered contemplative character moments centred on Cassandra's guilt about murdering someone. and how that guilt manifests here and is mirrored with lady shiva was so satisfying to read.
I will say I do find this iteration of batman unlikeable. His cold gruff nation and absolute dedication to the "mission" make him feel virtually indistinguishable from David Cain in his relationship with Cassandra
What continues to be a delight for this series is its space ex. Cassandra as a protagonist is generally quiet and that allows this book to use visuals to convey character. this has led to some absolutely stunning moments uncluttered by dialogue or narration boxes and it's one of the things I absolutely adore about this series. there are so many excellent visual moments that use silhouette or expression or a number of other techniques to just wow me.
This batgirl series continues to be absolutely excellent. This volume is primarily one and done standalone but they do a lot to build up Cassandra's relationships with the rest of the bat family. I particularly loved her dynamic with Spoiler and the slight tension explored between her and Robin.
The big moment in the series is the final duel between shiva and batgirl and it was so satisfying on a character level. this volume as a whole is seeded in incredibly well-rendered contemplative character moments centred on Cassandra's guilt about murdering someone. and how that guilt manifests here and is mirrored with lady shiva was so satisfying to read.
I will say I do find this iteration of batman unlikeable. His cold gruff nation and absolute dedication to the "mission" make him feel virtually indistinguishable from David Cain in his relationship with Cassandra
What continues to be a delight for this series is its space ex. Cassandra as a protagonist is generally quiet and that allows this book to use visuals to convey character. this has led to some absolutely stunning moments uncluttered by dialogue or narration boxes and it's one of the things I absolutely adore about this series. there are so many excellent visual moments that use silhouette or expression or a number of other techniques to just wow me.
carroq's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sold on Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. I don't have a problem with Barbara Gordon giving up the role to someone else (she does show up as Oracle in this book anyway). Cain just isn't an interesting character to me. She was raised to be the perfect assassin, and is trying to turn over a new leaf. She doesn't talk much and she can't read.
This book is loaded with action, but what's the point? It takes half way through before Batgirl is doing anything that seems to matter. The rest of the time she is stumbling through Gotham beating up random goons. Eventually, it leads into more of her background and her surrogate father shows up, which creates some tension. The end is satisfying though. Everything leads up to an encounter with Shiva, who challenged Batgirl to a fight to the death. Their relationship is probably the best part of the story.
I wasn't a huge fan of the art either. Given that the book is full of action, there are lots of lines to depict movement. However, I felt like this muddled the illustrations. I might have enjoyed this more if I had read the first volume featuring Cassandra Cain, but I don't think I would have gotten to this volume based on the art alone.
This book is loaded with action, but what's the point? It takes half way through before Batgirl is doing anything that seems to matter. The rest of the time she is stumbling through Gotham beating up random goons. Eventually, it leads into more of her background and her surrogate father shows up, which creates some tension. The end is satisfying though. Everything leads up to an encounter with Shiva, who challenged Batgirl to a fight to the death. Their relationship is probably the best part of the story.
I wasn't a huge fan of the art either. Given that the book is full of action, there are lots of lines to depict movement. However, I felt like this muddled the illustrations. I might have enjoyed this more if I had read the first volume featuring Cassandra Cain, but I don't think I would have gotten to this volume based on the art alone.
mapatchli's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
serenedancer's review against another edition
4.0
I liked seeing more of Cassandra, as well as her relationships with Barbara, Stephanie and Bruce. I also liked the stories and the art, though sometimes it's a bit weird, especially on Robin.
I mostly wished the fight with Shiva was longer, it was only a few pages.
I mostly wished the fight with Shiva was longer, it was only a few pages.
kpeninger's review
4.5
I thought this was a stronger set of comics, delving into some of what drives Cass, and developing her relationships with other members of the Batfamily. I really want more Spoiler and Batgirl, and Robin (Tim) and Batgirl team-ups now.
captwinghead's review against another edition
5.0
I adore Cassandra Cain. Granted, I've adopted every member of the Batfam but Cassandra is my baby.
Honestly, I had my reservations because series revolving around characters that were trained/forced into the life of an assassin usually revolve around everyone treating them like children. This series hasn't done that at all. You feel for Cassandra and want to take care of her because of who she is as a person, not because everyone else says you should.
Batman is defensive and protective over her but still respects what she went through. Babs is protective enough to even go toe to toe with Bruce when she feels he's ignoring Cassandra's problems. She runs into Tim (? I think it's Tim as Robin) and he respects and envies her so much that he was too intimidated to introduce himself. She is such an interesting, strong and morally upstanding character.
In this book, the theme is Cassandra seems to be pushing herself past her limits and Babs and Batman can't figure out why. They eventually realize that it's because she blames herself for Cain making her kill someone and intends to sacrifice herself to death by Shiva. In any other series, I might have found that ridiculous but here, considering her history and the fact that her new life revolves around her protecting life, it makes sense. She takes it to heart when she can't save innocent people and she punishes herself for her past. I get that and it's really moving.
Her relationship with Bruce is still so wonderful to see. He seems himself in her and protects her accordingly. The bit where he defended her and her moral view from Babs was amazing to see. It was interesting that it took so long for Cassandra to find out he's Batman.
Her relationship with Babs continues to be amazing and perfect. She sees Babs as a mother figure because, unlike Bruce, Babs always puts her mental health and well being ahead of her fighting technique. She wants Cassandra to have dreams, protects her chance at a future and she just wants her to be healthy. It's such an interesting dynamic considering where Babs started as Batgirl and I love them together.
The opening with her trying to save the sharpshooter is such a great example of who she is and what she values. If your instinct is to save people, you are worth saving. It's as simple as that.
The issue with Cain returning was interesting and left me conflicted. He was an abusive, shitty, all around terrible person and it makes me sick to refer to him as her father. She does and that makes sense but it makes me so sad. Seeing her upset when she thought he died and the casual way she explained to Robin that he SHOT AT HER as a training exercise when she was a child was painful. I wanted to join Bruce in hunting him down. Then Cain kills someone for trying to kill Cassandra. I want to protect her from him but I'm glad he got rid of the people trying to kill her.
The fight with Shiva was amazing. I love seeing Shiva in things and she took on an interesting role here. She helps Cassandra work through some pretty intense shit and Cassandra does the same for Shiva. Ina. way, I think they were the only ones that could help each other because they understand each other in a way no one else does. The fact that they've been building to it since the last volume and I actually think it paid off says a lot. The art works so well for fight scenes like this one.
This was such a great series and I really, really, really wish there was some adaptation of it because it's made for the big screen and Cassandra is such a phenomenal character.
Honestly, I had my reservations because series revolving around characters that were trained/forced into the life of an assassin usually revolve around everyone treating them like children. This series hasn't done that at all. You feel for Cassandra and want to take care of her because of who she is as a person, not because everyone else says you should.
Batman is defensive and protective over her but still respects what she went through. Babs is protective enough to even go toe to toe with Bruce when she feels he's ignoring Cassandra's problems. She runs into Tim (? I think it's Tim as Robin) and he respects and envies her so much that he was too intimidated to introduce himself. She is such an interesting, strong and morally upstanding character.
In this book, the theme is Cassandra seems to be pushing herself past her limits and Babs and Batman can't figure out why. They eventually realize that it's because she blames herself for Cain making her kill someone and intends to sacrifice herself to death by Shiva. In any other series, I might have found that ridiculous but here, considering her history and the fact that her new life revolves around her protecting life, it makes sense. She takes it to heart when she can't save innocent people and she punishes herself for her past. I get that and it's really moving.
Her relationship with Bruce is still so wonderful to see. He seems himself in her and protects her accordingly. The bit where he defended her and her moral view from Babs was amazing to see. It was interesting that it took so long for Cassandra to find out he's Batman.
Her relationship with Babs continues to be amazing and perfect. She sees Babs as a mother figure because, unlike Bruce, Babs always puts her mental health and well being ahead of her fighting technique. She wants Cassandra to have dreams, protects her chance at a future and she just wants her to be healthy. It's such an interesting dynamic considering where Babs started as Batgirl and I love them together.
The opening with her trying to save the sharpshooter is such a great example of who she is and what she values. If your instinct is to save people, you are worth saving. It's as simple as that.
The issue with Cain returning was interesting and left me conflicted. He was an abusive, shitty, all around terrible person and it makes me sick to refer to him as her father. She does and that makes sense but it makes me so sad. Seeing her upset when she thought he died and the casual way she explained to Robin that he SHOT AT HER as a training exercise when she was a child was painful. I wanted to join Bruce in hunting him down. Then Cain kills someone for trying to kill Cassandra. I want to protect her from him but I'm glad he got rid of the people trying to kill her.
The fight with Shiva was amazing. I love seeing Shiva in things and she took on an interesting role here. She helps Cassandra work through some pretty intense shit and Cassandra does the same for Shiva. Ina. way, I think they were the only ones that could help each other because they understand each other in a way no one else does. The fact that they've been building to it since the last volume and I actually think it paid off says a lot. The art works so well for fight scenes like this one.
This was such a great series and I really, really, really wish there was some adaptation of it because it's made for the big screen and Cassandra is such a phenomenal character.