Batgirl #48 Review

by Carlos R. on August 25, 2020

Batgirl #48 Cover Image
Written by: Cecil Castelluci
Art by: Robbi Rodriguez
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by: Andworld Design
Publisher: DC Comics

Batgirl #48 and a couple of other tie-ins to the Joker War are out this week. This issue takes an intimate approach to how Barbara handles the effects of Joker’s latest catastrophic plans.

Joker has dragged Babs down memory lane to relive the worst moments of her life. If that weren’t enough, James Jr. has made his return and though he claims to want to rebuild their relationship, Babs knows to keep JJ at an arm’s length.

Though the story is slow at some points, I enjoyed Cecil Castelluci’s approach to this tie-in arc. Having Babs struggle internally with having to rip out her implant to escape the Joker only to relive what he did to her because of it is a great set up. I love Babs’ relationship to her brother and father; the family drama aspect is a great side story to everything going on. The overall anxiety and tension she’s feeling is heavy throughout the issue. Castelluci has set up an ending that’ll have readers sure to pick up the next issue.

Robbi Rodriguez and Jordie Bellaire work wonders on this book. The colors are so vibrant, especially in the opening pages. Babs’ annoyance at her family is captured so well, and the scene with her implant operation has an excellent flow that depicts her nerves reconnecting.

This was a great tie-in story and doesn’t seem to interrupt the flow of the series. Castelluci writes Barbara well and has set up an interesting premise for this arc.
 

Our Score:

7/10

A Look Inside