merlin_reads's review
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first volume, but it was still fun. I did love the addition of Dick Grayson, but I wanted a little more from Batgirl when she realized he was still alive. She just kind of shrugged it off and was very flippant about it. But it was still fun and I'm interested in what the final installment has to offer.
casthefanby's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Kidnapping and Animal cruelty
delerler's review
4.0
In Batgirl Vol. 2: Family Business, Barbara is the target of the new robotic Batman and his identity is someone she least expected. Her life gets even more hectic when someone from her past comes back, she gets a new boyfriend, Alysia gets engaged, and Frankie wants to be more than Batgirl's techie help.
There was a good mix of Batgirl adventures and Barbara's love life in this volume. I love that this reboot is modern and fun and the plots are charismatic.
My problem with this volume was that there were so many characters that weren't formally introduced. I know that this is my fault because I haven't read the previous comics, but I figured they would be introduced similar to how Frankie and Alysia were in volume 1. So I had to do a bit of research and asking around amongst my friends to figure out who some of these characters are so the plot could make more sense.
Commissioner James Gordon/Batman
In the comic Endgame, Batman and Joker die after a cave collapses on them. James Gordon, the commissioner of Gotham City PD and Barbara's father, is the new robotic version of Batman. In issue 41, James tells Babs that it's now his job to capture Gotham's vigilantes. The situation gets extremely awkward because he tells Babs that he couldn't keep this type of secret from her.
Dick Grayson/Robin
Dick makes his appearance in issue 41, even though he's presumably dead. He seems to have a history with Barbara because he doesn't want her to see him. In issue 45, Barbara finds out that Dick is still alive. He tries flirting with her by chasing and fighting with her on rooftops. Apparently, Dick and Barbara haven't officially dated, but he would like to start. Despite her obvious feelings for him, she chooses to stay with Luke, which I respect. Why should Babs put her life on hold for Dick if he might be dead?
Luke Fox/Batwing
In issue 43, Luke takes a break from being Batwing to start a new tech company in Burnside. When his employees are being attacked by tigers, Batgirl comes to help. Babs seems to take a liking for him, and they start dating in issue 44. Luke is sweet and understands that Barbara when she goes to talk to Dick in issue 45.
Alysia Yeoh
Alysia, Barbara's best friend, is transgender. In issue 45 Alysia and Jo have their beautiful wedding planned by Barbara. Kudos to the creators for representation! It's awesome that such a major comic represents such diverse characters. Then there's Dick Grayson, who's supposed to be dead.
Other than the bit of background information I had to look up, I enjoyed this volume.
There was a good mix of Batgirl adventures and Barbara's love life in this volume. I love that this reboot is modern and fun and the plots are charismatic.
My problem with this volume was that there were so many characters that weren't formally introduced. I know that this is my fault because I haven't read the previous comics, but I figured they would be introduced similar to how Frankie and Alysia were in volume 1. So I had to do a bit of research and asking around amongst my friends to figure out who some of these characters are so the plot could make more sense.
Commissioner James Gordon/Batman
In the comic Endgame, Batman and Joker die after a cave collapses on them. James Gordon, the commissioner of Gotham City PD and Barbara's father, is the new robotic version of Batman. In issue 41, James tells Babs that it's now his job to capture Gotham's vigilantes. The situation gets extremely awkward because he tells Babs that he couldn't keep this type of secret from her.
Dick Grayson/Robin
Dick makes his appearance in issue 41, even though he's presumably dead. He seems to have a history with Barbara because he doesn't want her to see him. In issue 45, Barbara finds out that Dick is still alive. He tries flirting with her by chasing and fighting with her on rooftops. Apparently, Dick and Barbara haven't officially dated, but he would like to start. Despite her obvious feelings for him, she chooses to stay with Luke, which I respect. Why should Babs put her life on hold for Dick if he might be dead?
Luke Fox/Batwing
In issue 43, Luke takes a break from being Batwing to start a new tech company in Burnside. When his employees are being attacked by tigers, Batgirl comes to help. Babs seems to take a liking for him, and they start dating in issue 44. Luke is sweet and understands that Barbara when she goes to talk to Dick in issue 45.
Alysia Yeoh
Alysia, Barbara's best friend, is transgender. In issue 45 Alysia and Jo have their beautiful wedding planned by Barbara. Kudos to the creators for representation! It's awesome that such a major comic represents such diverse characters. Then there's Dick Grayson, who's supposed to be dead.
Other than the bit of background information I had to look up, I enjoyed this volume.
shannonleighd's review
2.0
Get out of here with your wedding planning, ya love triangle having, dumb and flaky version of Batgirl.
lyrafay12's review
4.0
Batgirl is one of DC's best books at the moment which is filled with thrilling action as well as quieter character moments. The best moment in this book however was entrance of Velvet Tiger brought it into wonderful splash of colour and villainy!!
skolastic's review
3.0
Kind of rough compared to the first collection - the Gordon-as-Batman story has some interesting possibilities that are dropped quickly, and the tiger story has its ups and downs. Overall just kind of middling
aprilpoole's review
3.0
This comic was perfectly okay. The story arcs were good enough but I felt less connected than in past volumes. It wasn't cohesive overall, with a collection of short story arcs instead of something longer and better developed. I enjoyed it, but it lacked the depth that set previous Batgirl comics apart. The art was back and forth... I liked it at some points but it was very sexualized and had a lot of unnecessary nudity that felt over the top. For me, this one just didn't live up to its predecessor.
iamrainbou's review
3.0
I will never recover from the sapphic wedding. It was so pure, perfect and beautiful. Alysia is one of my fav characters in this story. Why am I lying? I love all the girls: Black Canary, Frankie (my queen), Babs, they are all so amazing.
This comic is great; the story is entertaining, the dialogue is funny, the characters are complex, the art is gorgeous and the relationships are supportive and great. After reading Family Bussiness I couldn't stop smiling. Although not all the things are 'happy', the ending is hopeful and THE ART PLEASE, SO GORGEOUS.
This comic is great; the story is entertaining, the dialogue is funny, the characters are complex, the art is gorgeous and the relationships are supportive and great. After reading Family Bussiness I couldn't stop smiling. Although not all the things are 'happy', the ending is hopeful and THE ART PLEASE, SO GORGEOUS.
reader44ever's review
3.0
This collection. . . Once again, I am finding it hard to enjoy a comics collection because the stories don't seem to fit together well. I tried to read this like I would an anthology of stories by different authors, but. . .
Anyway, while the writers stayed the same from issue to issue, the artist/s changed. And though the art made it clear who everyone was, I wish it had been more uniform. Babs's changing looks from comic to comic were especially maddening. :-(
Also, given that this volume was entitled "Family Business" and the description on the back was all about how Batgirl's father is the new Batman - and a major order of his business is to arrest Batgirl - I was expecting all of the comics to include this storyline. But they didn't. Batman was actually only even in the first two - of six? - of these comics. :-(
Batwoman and Dick Grayson - Robin - featured in later comics. And Grayson was just confusing for me. As was Luke Fox. (Where did Babs's attraction for both of them come from?)
Also, just how many people know that Babs is Batgirl? Both Fox and Grayson seem to, as do Frankie and Dinah. And her father. And. . . ???
And then there was the ending of the final comic. I didn't understand that at all. Who was that shadowy thing? And was he in the room with Babs while she was sleeping? ??? Hopefully Volume 3 will pick up where this left off. . .
Anyway, I guess I'd have to describe this volume as enjoyable but not very cohesive.
Anyway, while the writers stayed the same from issue to issue, the artist/s changed. And though the art made it clear who everyone was, I wish it had been more uniform. Babs's changing looks from comic to comic were especially maddening. :-(
Also, given that this volume was entitled "Family Business" and the description on the back was all about how Batgirl's father is the new Batman - and a major order of his business is to arrest Batgirl - I was expecting all of the comics to include this storyline. But they didn't. Batman was actually only even in the first two - of six? - of these comics. :-(
Batwoman and Dick Grayson - Robin - featured in later comics. And Grayson was just confusing for me. As was Luke Fox. (Where did Babs's attraction for both of them come from?)
Also, just how many people know that Babs is Batgirl? Both Fox and Grayson seem to, as do Frankie and Dinah. And her father. And. . . ???
And then there was the ending of the final comic. I didn't understand that at all. Who was that shadowy thing? And was he in the room with Babs while she was sleeping? ??? Hopefully Volume 3 will pick up where this left off. . .
Anyway, I guess I'd have to describe this volume as enjoyable but not very cohesive.