As a lifelong Batgirl fan, when I heard that there was a black and white collection of classic tales featuring the Dominoed Daredevil, I was there with a flash. Though I was pretty sure I had most of her classic tales in their original format, the chance to have them all together was irresistible. At $16.99, it is affordable and accessible to new readers.
The book features stories from 1967 to 1975 and includes her first appearance as well as noted guest appearances in Brave and the Bold and Superman Family. It gave me chills a few times as I was able to recall what I was doing when I first read a story, or what my life’s circumstances were. I truly grew up with Batgirl, even though her first appearances were when I was too young to actually get them on the newsstands.
Another treat about this book is the work done by talented writers and artists who are now legends. Listen to these names: Gardner Fox, Carmen Infantino, Gil Kane, Neil Adams, Cary Bates, Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown, Murphy Anderson, Irv Novick, Don Heck, Mike Sekowsky, Curt Swan, Vince Colletta, Frank Robbins, Denny O’Neil, Dick Giordano, and Sid Greene. It makes one thing crystal clear: many of the greats worked on Batgirl and it shows. The art is amazing, and the stories color the time period in which they are being told with perfection.
The downside? The book made me miss old school Batgirl. I love Barbara Gordon as Oracle, and think she has been handled by amazing creators today, but there is something about that classic Batgirl that makes me wistful. Barbara was completely human, trained to perfection, with guts to spare. Did I mention she was brilliant and beautiful as well? It is everything a young girl like me back in the day wanted to attain. Amazing.
The Showcase Presents: Batgirl collection is a perfect addition to any collection. If you catch it on your retailer’s shelf grab a copy. It is worth the price of admission to relive the glory days of one of the most daring heroines in DC’s annals.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
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6 comments:
Sounds really cool. I love these black and white reprints series, Showcase and Essential. They are such a great way to collect a lot of great comics that otherwise I would never be able to afford.
This sounds bad, but I was hoping our copy would come in from Diamond damaged so I could take it home and Diamond would replace it.
Looks like I'll just have to order a copy for myself!
I have bought The Haunted Tank, The Unknown Soldier and Jonah Hex Showcases 'cause the original back issues in even decent shape are up to crazy prices now. I remember when people used to tell those books were worthless and I bought almost a whole set of The Haunted Tank for about $5 bucks. I hate that they are not in color buttttttttt, that's just how it is and how they can be affordable too. I will have to get this one too so I can share it with my girls 'cause they love the super hero gals...
John, I am the same way. The Showcase books are a great way to be able to read otherwise super expensive tales. I love them!
Lisa, I feel for you on that one! I would have been the same way! You are so cool!
Carl, your girls would love this book. It is pretty clean and decent, as the stories of that age were. Babs is an intelligent, kick-butt kind of gal, and I know she was one of my heroes growing up.
You will have to let me know what your daughters think if you pick it up!
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