Batgirl #15 - A Review

When a cryptic text message lures Batgirl and Nightwing to the same crime-scene, it becomes apparent that some villain from their past is out for revenge. All signs point to The Mad Hatter... or so they think. A new villain called The Red Queen has taken the field and she's uncomfortably familiar with both Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon - a revelation that forces the two allies to think back to their first case together, shortly after Barbara Gordon first moved to Gotham City!


The most miraculous aspect of Batgirl #15 is how well Hope Larson tells two mysteries at two different points in time without the past story spoiling the present one. Apart from both mysteries involving a woman named Ainsley - Barbara Gordon's first real friend upon first moving to Gotham - there's seemingly no common link between the stories. Larson also captures the characters of Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon perfectly as both teenagers and young adults and the complicated friendship/romance between them is well-handled.


The work delivered by the art team proves equally enjoyable. Chris Wildgoose's kinetic style is a good match for Larson's script. The inks of Jose Marzan Jr. are kept similarly light and airy, adding clarity to the finished artwork. Mat Lopes' applies his colors with zeal, crafting one of the best looking books in the business!

The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. A must-read for all fans of good mysteries and YA superheroes.