Barbara Gordon is one of those characters I’ve always liked in theory. She’s smart, she’s capable, and she’s basically a version of Batman that forgot to bring the brooding. But if I’m being real, I haven’t really read her solo books before. Usually, the Bat-family is so massive that I’d rather see a Blue Beetle or Wildstorm book get the spotlight instead of another Bat-title. This one felt different, though. DC is swinging for the fences by throwing her into a high-stakes jail environment, and it’s a hell of a hook for a first issue.
Title: Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1
Creatives: Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Amancay Nahuelpan (Artist), Tamra Bonvillain (Colorist), Ariana Maher (Letterer)
Characters: Barbara Gordon, Batman, Nightwing, Cassandra Cain, Poison Ivy
Villain: Vandal Savage, TUCO goons, inmates
Format: 6-Issue Miniseries
Our Rating: 8.5/10 Stars
Gotham Without Heroes
The world is completely flipped because Vandal Savage has taken over. He’s the GCPD’s newest Commissioner, and he’s turned the city against the heroes. Now, the extralegal activities of Gotham’s vigilantes have never been more dangerous. After Barbara Gordon is arrested for aiding the Bat-Family, she is shipped off to Supermax, Commissioner Savage’s pet-project prison for all who oppose him. She finds herself alone, surrounded by dangerous criminals and equally dangerous guards, in a place where nothing is what it seems.
Survival and Sarcasm in the Yard
The dialogue is where the book really clicks for me. Barbara’s sarcasm is on full display throughout the issue. There’s a scene in the yard where an inmate asks, “Do I know you?” and she just hits them with, “I don’t know who you know”. That gave me a good chuckle, and it’s a response I’m definitely stealing. Generally, her voice is the highlight of the script. She’s clearly in her element and remains charming even when she’s outnumbered and outgunned.
Beyond the jokes, she’s there on a mission to investigate the “suicides” of people like Jennifer Peck and Captain Daniel Rascott. She knows these weren’t accidents, especially since Peck was a friend of her father, Jim Gordon. Investigating these murders means she has to figure out how to navigate both the women’s and men’s sections of the prison.
Gritty Art and Scribbled Letters
Amancay Nahuelpan’s art makes the prison feel like a terrifying, cramped space. It’s inspired by the worst aspects of places like Alcatraz, and you can feel the claustrophobia in every panel. Tamra Bonvillain handles the colors, giving the facility a mood that feels oppressive. Everything looks solid, but I did have one nitpick with the lettering by Ariana Maher. I’m not the biggest fan of the design for Batgirl’s speech bubbles. They’re green and look like the scribbles of a teenager, which feels a bit childish for a strategist like Barbara.
Overall, it’s a strong start for the series. There’s mystery, a new environment, and a version of the character that’s easy to root for. I’ll definitely be back for issue #2 to see how she handles the mystery happening in the walls of her cell.
‘Barbara Gordon: Breakout’ #1 Review: Batgirl’s Most Dangerous Mission Yet
It’s a strong start for the series. There’s mystery, a new environment, and a version of the character that’s easy to root for. I’ll definitely be back for issue #2 to see how she handles the mystery happening in the walls of her cell.
