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Batgirl Annual #1 Review

By J. Skyler
November 21, 2012 - 23:50

"The Blood That Moves Us" starts of with Batgirl battling a group of would-be criminals in the midst of a burning building, the sixth in a series of arson strikes. As usual, the ones responsible for setting fire to the structure and engaging in a fight with Batgirl are not career criminals, but ordinary impoverished citizens that have been coerced into a bad situation. Being able to defeat them quite easily, she simply orders them to leave the building so that she can save others within the fire that are in mortal danger.

Meanwhile, at Harrowood State Penitentiary outside of Gotham City, Commissioner Gordon visits the Talon Batgirl faced off against in Batgirl #9 during the Night of the Owls crossover event. Knowing she is mute, Gordon pleas with her to use some art supplies he brought her to either write out any information she can offer or sketch profiles of the more powerful members of the Court of Owls. Since the Talon remains unresponsive, Gordon leaves the penitentiary while Catwoman sneaks in to break out the prisoner; a mission she informs the Talon that she has been paid to do.

Batgirl, discovering that the Court is responsible for putting up the homeless to commit arson, trails Catwoman and the Talon to the middle man orchestrating the arsons and the Talon's break-out for the Court. Explaining that their goal is to implicate Bruce Wayne as the mastermind behind the criminal activity, and as such, make him legally responsible for any deaths that occur, Catwoman severs her partnership stating that she does not kill innocent people. Batgirl intervenes when the Talon and two of her fellow court members attempt to kill her, and ultimately convinces the Talon to switch allegiances. Having earned their trust, the Talon reveals her name to be Mary. It's nothing compared to her run on Birds of Prey, but Simone's dynamic between these leading ladies makes me hope future team-ups will be a regular occurrence for the series.

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12