nerdysread's review
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
This is not a good Babs/Oracle story. It would have been a good story with a whole other cast. Also, does batman and Robin really exist in this world? Because one of the character has a Robin plushie, but Ben has DC Comics posters.
I liked the Color in the artwork, but god If I took a shot everytime a character said that they needed to be « fix » from their disability I would be in a comma right now. At least the characters learn to fight ableism and know that they don’t know to be fix.
Also the plot-twist? You can see it coming from the beginning.
Anyway I need a better story for my girl Barbara
I liked the Color in the artwork, but god If I took a shot everytime a character said that they needed to be « fix » from their disability I would be in a comma right now. At least the characters learn to fight ableism and know that they don’t know to be fix.
Also the plot-twist? You can see it coming from the beginning.
Anyway I need a better story for my girl Barbara
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
carriepond's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This graphic novel follows Barbara Gordon, the teenage daughter of Gotham’s Commissioner Gordon, who is paralyzed after being shot during a robbery. Before her accident, Babs spends her time solving mysteries using her hacking skills with one of her best friends. After the accident, her dad enrolls her at the Arkham Center for Independence, which offers physical and mental rehab services to people with disabilities. As Babs tries to adjust to a new normal and gets to know her fellow residents, she can’t shake the feeling that something sinister lurks beneath the Center’s veneer.
This graphic novel was a super fast read with compelling characters and a mystery that reels you in while exploring deeper themes like ableism and the ideas that people with disabilities have to be “cured” to have value. Recommend this one.
This graphic novel was a super fast read with compelling characters and a mystery that reels you in while exploring deeper themes like ableism and the ideas that people with disabilities have to be “cured” to have value. Recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Ableism
Minor: Gun violence
decembermagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
blackcatkai's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: gun violence, gaslighting, ableism, medical content, human experimentation
this was cute & had the best art. it was mysterious, though not entirely surprising for me personally, I could see it being twisty & surprising for the target audience! I had fun and it was heartwarming & had a great message of bravery, loving yourself, and how everyone is already a whole person regardless of physical ability or lack thereof. thoroughly enjoyed!!
this was cute & had the best art. it was mysterious, though not entirely surprising for me personally, I could see it being twisty & surprising for the target audience! I had fun and it was heartwarming & had a great message of bravery, loving yourself, and how everyone is already a whole person regardless of physical ability or lack thereof. thoroughly enjoyed!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Gun violence, Ableism, Gaslighting, and Medical trauma
casthefanby's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Gun violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical trauma
skrulls's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Medical content, Gun violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child death, Ableism, and Confinement
saturnsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know the comic is already short but I personally think that the story was so slow at first but when (it became faster after the main part of the story which I personally believe should've taken more pages or a bigger part of the story).
Nevertheless, I think the story is unique. Maybe it's for younger audience that's why I didn't enjoy it that much, I had higher expectations but it's still good.
Spoiler
Barbara looked in the files and knew about the privatewward the story or the plot became much faster than the first part.Nevertheless, I think the story is unique. Maybe it's for younger audience that's why I didn't enjoy it that much, I had higher expectations but it's still good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child death
renlou's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Child abuse
spinesinaline's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Totally didn’t realize this was part of DC Comics until Commissioner Gordon was mentioned! You don’t need to be familiar with DC or Barbara Gordon to follow along, but DC fans will pick up on some of the clues faster (I was sharing with my partner as I read and he recognized a lot of the characters).
The book’s main focus is disability and empowerment. I can’t speak to the accuracy but the author identifies as disabled and it does feel like care was taken in this representation. It is more challenging to read as Barbara is working through trauma and her initial reaction to this change. Plus, there are comments about people with disabilities having to be “fixed”, though these ideas are directly challenged.
Even without a background knowledge of this character, I enjoyed the story and liked that it could stand alone.
The book’s main focus is disability and empowerment. I can’t speak to the accuracy but the author identifies as disabled and it does feel like care was taken in this representation. It is more challenging to read as Barbara is working through trauma and her initial reaction to this change. Plus, there are comments about people with disabilities having to be “fixed”, though these ideas are directly challenged.
Even without a background knowledge of this character, I enjoyed the story and liked that it could stand alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Medical content
Moderate: Death and Forced institutionalization
off2explore's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It’s definitely in the Batman universe, but you don’t need to know anything about the comic universe to enjoy this story about disability and finding oneself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Medical trauma, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury