Shadow of the Batgirl: 04/23/20

Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn and Nicole Goux is a graphic novel origin story for Cassandra Cain as Bat Girl. It begins with her on the street, having slipped away from her father. She leaves a man for dead who asks her to think about his daughter. The idea that a father could love his daughter forces her to rethink her limited understanding of the world.

Cassandra is befriended first by Jackie who runs a ramen shop. After a month in shelter in place, Nicole Goux's rendering of this fictional ramen is mouth-watering. In any normal year I'd go out for some right now. But I can't.

She also finds a safe-haven in the local public library. The library, by the way has some gorgeous multi-level establishing panels that are worthy of framing. Of course with the library, Barbara Gordon must be close by.

Shadow of the Batgirl comes before Gordon takes on the new secret identity as Oracle. She is shown building her digital archive in her off hours at the library. For most of the novel, Gordon's work is in the background of Cassandra's time in the library.

Cassandra's final mentor in this transition period is Erik. He's a page at the library. He's known for being a jock. He's on the football team. But he's also an avid reader of romances (like my husband) and wants to be a writer.

Shadow of the Batgirl is a quick and enjoyable read. I will be reading Barbara Gordon's story soon. The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano (Illustrations) released in March.

Five stars

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