Batgirls #1 is here! The new series from Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad and Jorge Corona takes the Batgirls to the other side of town for an unprecedented team-up. Barbara Gordon, Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown are starting over in a Gotham neighborhood known as the Hill. It’s not the nicest part of town—and in Gotham City, that’s definitely saying something—but the Batgirls are undaunted.
This book feels like one big Batgirl sleepover, so it’s only right that we play a slumber party game to celebrate! Let’s break down the first issue of this fun-filled, action-packed series by playing Two Truths and a Lie. Can you tell what’s true and what isn’t about Babs, Steph and Cass? Time to find out!
Batgirls are resilient!
The shadowy hacker Seer has taken over the Oracle network and used its vast resources to frame Barbara and the Batgirls for the destruction of the Clock Tower. In Batgirls #1, Barbara takes Cass and Steph under her wing as they hide out from the high-tech mastermind in a part of town where it’s much easier to become invisible.
Staying off the grid means low tech flip phones, walkie talkies, no internet—and no Oracle network. But Babs has a plan, because of course she does. A new HQ and network are just the start. And as for Steph and Cass? They move into their new place without complaint and get right to work.
It’s true. You can’t keep a Batgirl down.
Batgirls make a great team!
At the heart of Batgirls is the friendship between the young heroines, says Conrad and Cloonan. Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain are stronger together, but they couldn’t be more different. Steph is outgoing and chatty, while quiet Cass prefers to be seen and not heard. Come to think of it, she doesn’t much like to be seen, either. As Batgirl, Cass is literally covered head to toe in the classic black Batsuit. Steph? She dons a costume that’s topped off with a swooshing purple cloak without a Bat-cowl or Bat-ears.
But they both share a strong sense of justice and know when it’s the right moment to leap out of the shadows with a flying kick. They also share spontaneity and quick thinking when the need arises—as in, the need to take the bad guys’ massive muscle car around the block for a spin.
It’s the truth. This pair of Batgirls makes the perfect team. Add Babs to the roster and the villains of Gotham City don’t stand a chance.
Batgirls always do as they’re told!
Okay, you got me. This is a pretty obvious lie.
Never in the history of Batgirls has Batgirl done as she’s told. Whether it’s Babs sneaking out past Jim Gordon, or Steph and Cass staying out past Babs’ curfew, a Batgirl knows that rules sometimes have to be broken.
Steph and Cass understand that they need to keep their heads down while Seer runs rampant, but they can’t help leaping into the fray when someone needs help. And in true Bat-Family style, they find way more than they bargained for once they jump in. Are those… zombies? Brainwashed minions? Something else? What the heck is happening in the Hill?
Batgirls #1 is a book unlike any other, giving us lucky fans an entire team of Batgirls to cheer for. You might think you have a favorite Batgirl now, but don’t be surprised if you have another one after finishing this first issue. Babs, Steph and Cass are an unstoppable squad of heroines who continue to inspire Bat-fans of every age.
And that’s no lie.
Batgirls #1 by Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad and Jorge Corona is now available in print and as a digital comic book.
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DCComics.com and her writing can also be seen on IGN, Nerdist and more. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.
