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Batgirl (2011-2016) Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection (Batgirl(DC Comics-The New 52)) Kindle & comiXology

by Gail Simone (Author), Ardian Syaf (Illustrator), Adrian Syaf (Artist) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 195 ratings
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As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics--The New 52 event of September 2011, Barbara Gordon is finally back as Batgirl!
The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random. Will Barbara be able to survive her explosive confrontation with this new villain, as well as facing dark secrets from her past? A new chapter in the riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf! This volume collects issues 1-6 of Batgirl, part of the DC Comics--The New 52 event.
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  1. Part of Series
    Batgirl (2011-2016)
  2. Print length
    143 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  5. Publisher
    DC
  6. Publication date
    October 8, 2013
  7. Reading age
    14 - 17 years
  8. Grade level
    9 - 12
  9. File size
    456453 KB
  10. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  11. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  12. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  13. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008S0TDZW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DC (October 8, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 8, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 456453 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 143 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 195 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
195 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

DesertGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Kindle version review
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2013
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There are plenty of run downs on the story, I just wanted to post specifically about the Kindle version. I've read through the entire book twice and am very pleased with the Kindle edition. I read on a Kindle Fire HD 8.9. The color is fantastic and you can double tap each panel to make it zoom. You cannot manipulate the zoom, in other words, you can't widen and move the panels around, but you can pop them out by double tapping in each individual panel, which makes them a bit bigger and highlights them on your current page. I didn't have a problem reading the panels as they were, I believe there were only two panels that I needed to enlarge in order to read the small text, on the others I enlarged just because I wanted to explore the feature for this review and also to really take in the art. I really enjoy the artwork in this series and the writing is superb. I like how the covers are represented as well, between storylines. I would recommend this on the Kindle Fire 8.9, don't know how well it would transfer over to the smaller versions.

I am looking forward to reading Volume 2.
2 people found this helpful
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Dog lover
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing except for the last arc.
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
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Barbara Gordon is back! After extensive therapy Barbara Gordon returns to the role of Batgirl after years as Oracle. The first half of the book is stellar and follows a serial killer out for anyone in Gotham who has had a near death experience. Next up is a reporter who gathered information on a major crime boss. Once he discovers her he then gives her a bullet through the head which for some reason gives her mind control powers.(I really wish I was making that up.) Although the second half is pretty bad it can't come close to ruining this book with it's amazing artwork and decent writing please don't ignore this book, it's to amazing to be missed.
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rwags
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for comic book novices, novel readers, kindle owners, women, everyone.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013
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First, let me say that I am relatively new to the comic book world. Second, let me say that I loved this volume! I don’t know much about comic book art, so if you care about that read some of the other great reviews. It looked fine to me, and I read it on my 1st gen Kindle Fire with no problems. I love being able to zoom in on the individual panes. I'm not sure I can read a paper comic book after being spoiled like that. I read a lot of books, and this was not lacking in story at all. Plus, as a woman, it’s always great to see strong female heroes. If you are on the fence or new to comics, go for it and pick up Batman: The Court of Owls while you’re at it.
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Elvin Ortiz
3.0 out of 5 stars Barbara's Batgirl is Still Strong, But Plot Lacks Tension
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014
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Mirror and Gretel do represent the Batgirl's darkest reflections. Mirror, through the many mirrors on his uniform, reveals to Batgirl her many faces of fear. Gretel, on the other hand, reminds the Batgirl of what could happen to women who want to gain power in a world ruled by men. Like Batgirl, both are survivors. Thus, these two villains are really alter-egos of Batgirl.

In spite the fact that Gail Simone has done an excellent job raising Barbara Gordon from the wheelchair to confront villains who represent her worst fears about herself and the world, her plot lacks the tension necessary to weave a complex superhero story that intends to mix the private life of the alter ego with the superhero's crime-fighting life; and the existential crisis that often occurs in contemporary comics: the "be or not to be" thing. Classic heroes, such as Spiderman and Batman, have gone through this phase. Even writer Cary Burkett used this plot in one issue from 1980, titled Vengeance Trail, where Batgirl considers quitting seriously after breaking her arm (Detective Comics 492, July 1980). Bringing in the private life and the existential crisis has often worked in the past because there are opportunities for narrative tension.

Unfortunately, Simone waters down this tension by abusing Barbara Gordon's voice to tell readers the story in every minute detail. Every time a new issue starts, there is Batgirl retelling past events. Even while Batgirl fights Mirror in a cemetery, she gives readers some history about Gotham's last cemetery. Simone wants to make this Batgirl magazine socially conscious of the evils of urban renewal, but she takes it too far when she wants to use almost every single panel for social commentary.

The events in Barbara's personal life also fail to deliver the tension needed for a good superhero story. Barbara Gordon has a roommate, she dates her therapist, and her mother is back. Tension-building opportunities abound here, but they are missed. The scenes where Barbara exchanges socially with these characters are flat and inconsequential to Batgirl's life. Simone could have added tension by fleshing out these characters, to make them real. There is a lot of narrative potential in Barbara's roommate, and yet, readers have her figured out as a die-hard feminist. There is a strong female cop who wants to arrest Barbara, but that's all readers see about her. Simone simplifies these female characters into an idea, depriving them of the multidimensional spectrum that a lot of these New 52 comics promise. In addition to this, other potential moments for tension were bringing Nightwing and Batman to the story, but Simone failed to leave her stamp on these characters.

Ardian Syaf's illustrations give readers a modern and realistic look to Batgirl and characters albeit they don't deliver equally in the action sequences, which also take away from the narrative tension. Carlos Cifuentes' coloring does an effective job at providing the necessary mood for a story taking place in Gotham. It is probably the best attraction of these issues.

Don't get me wrong. I n spite of it all, I loved seeing Barbara coming back as Batgirl. More than a Batman or Nightwing, she needs some strong narrative support.
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BB Cali
5.0 out of 5 stars A new Batgirl but the same Barbara Gordon
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014
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When it was announced that Barbara Gordon would return as Batgirl for the New 52 there was some controversy, as for years, after being shot and loosing her ability to walk, Barbara became Oracle, a superhero who was wheelchair bound. The controversy was over the idea that DC offered readers a hero who was disabled but was still a hero. Oracle could be a representative of the disabled community, because transcended the stereotype of a physical fit ideal of a DC superhero.

With the relaunch, Barbara regains her ability to walk and resume her duties as Batgirl and the disabled hero, Oracle, would be no more. This is where Batgirl shines. Ms. Simone did not reboot Batgirl. Instead, the volume picks up with Barbara Gordon stepping back into the role of Batgirl, but not forgetting her past.

Never underestimate Gail Simone's ability to humanize and ground these "bigger than life" characters. Her writing brings a genuineness and vulnerability to Batgirl that doesn't allow the reader to forget the trauma of Barbara's past, and her desire to reclaim her position as Batgirl. Of all of the New 52s, Batgirl has been the most satisfying to read. Batgirl is given a fun but self-aware voice that is as interesting to read as the stories themselves.
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Top reviews from other countries

Rackman
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb reboot. BG gets her voice back.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a superb return for Batgirl/Barbara Gordon. A second chance for the hero released from the restrictions of her Oracle incarnation, finding new strength in her physical and mental resurgence following her breakthrough implant surgery.

Gail Simone is a genius. Barbara has a fierce intelligence and raw physicality but has to find her new limits. Her vulnerability facing physically powerful foes is tempered by her determination to be her own person and not simply an accessory to the Bar family guys.

I haven't enjoyed a New 52 character this much to date. This is brilliantly done and really gives Babs something to build on.
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Ross D. Jenkins
4.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2015
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Great modern take on a fantastic super hero who happens to be a woman. I am thrilled that this is being gathered into anthology form.
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Sam Woodward
4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
Let's face it, Batgirl was traditionally of a level of cheese more stinky than Robin (I guess they can't for marketing reasons but if only they could have used the reboot to call him something more in keeping with Batman's dark image... I mean, why would Batman call his partner something so irrelevant & un-intimidating - he may as well be known as Gorgeous George or Trousers - or Batboy). Anyway, a Batgirl series seems like a short step up from a Batdog monthly. Yet the reviews for all the other New 52 GN's I looked at on Amazon raved about how good this series was. So I gave it a try & was very impressed.

In the old continuity, Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara, was Batgirl for a while before famously being shot & crippled by The Joker. Then she was confined to a wheelchair & became known as Oracle as she provided info & data support for Batman & The JLA. In the New 52 continuity, she was still shot & crippled but has just returned to the gargoyle-bedecked mean streets of Gotham after years in a wheelchair. This is thanks to a new treatment which they're a bit vague about, so I'm willing to bet will be a future plot device. Either way, the experience has left her traumatised & seriously lacking in confidence. Thus she is an excellent counterpoint to the supremely competent Batman.

Her interior monologue telling us that she got lucky with a good throw of her Batarang & seeing her having to deal with the police impounding her motorbike makes her much more charming & accessible than her mentor - and even his other wards. It's just a pity that the villains so far haven't been quite as well-rounded. For instance, I thought that her encounter with The Mirror was going to end with a big reveal about his motivations as it felt like a piece of his puzzle was missing. But it wan't filled in. Nevertheless, it was nice to see her go up against her own set of new villains instead of wheeling out the old Arkham regulars, many of whom look cheesier with every passing year.

I look forward to DC giving Gail Simone a bigger crack of the whip in future - her re-branding of a once-embarrassing character has a lot going for it, so how can they not?
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Scotti
5.0 out of 5 stars Great new start for Batgirl
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2014
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I really enjoyed these tales of warped personalities and exaggerated goals, particularly as the villains of the piece are not that different to the heroes. It's also refreshing to see stories in which the heroes aren't facing Armageddon but smaller-scale, more intimate catastrophe. Great stuff.
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