Review: Batgirl #49
Writer: Cecil Castellucci
Artist: Robbi Rodriguez
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Review by Fay Clark
Well, I can tell you one thing for sure. Lemony Snicket got it right. The Penultimate Peril, indeed. Following on from the last issue Batgirl #49 has it all; the writing, the art, the chaos, the mystery and the heartbreak. This chapter brilliantly sets you up for Lord only knows what to happen in the last issue of the run.
Having recently seen a young red-haired lady dressed as Batgirl dead on the floor, Barbara’s now in an investigatory whirlwind. Who is this girl? Were did she come from? Why is she dressed as Batgirl? Who killed her? What. Is. Happening?
1 Bat, 2 Bat, 3 Bats, 4. How many more can you find dead on the floor?
I can’t take this anymore. Cecil, please! This whole killing me slowly with your amazing plot lines isn’t working for me anymore. I must know what is happening, and what the plot line plans are, and… oh my God. just tell me! As you can probably tell there’s nothing more that I want right now other than to find out what happens next. Batgirl #49 has me chomping at the bit, I must know! Yet I really, super do not want this run to finish. Cecil Castellucci has taken us on a rollercoaster ride, and I don’t want it to end. Which is amazing, considering I don’t like rollercoasters! Anyone like me that was super worried when we got a new writer, has definitely been eating their words and worries.
Castellucci creates atmosphere like a pro. Over the last couple of issues you can tell Batgirl has been working up to something big. The mystery and the intrigue are present in spades. Babs has no idea what’s going on, therefore neither does the reader. We’re all at the mercy of Batgirl’s awesome investigatory prowess, so knowing how great she is at her jobs means… we should be getting some answers in Batgirl #49. They may have left me with even more questions, though!
These answers seem sketchy
So, who else would like Robbi Rodriguez to draw their life story. Hands up! From the start of Batgirl #49 you can see the amazing talent that Rodriguez has. The use of pure fear on the poor babs’ face, and the shape and flow of her body language adds so much raw emotion to the page. I can’t even begin to tell you about the last few pages, and the sheer despair felt by all. The way Robbi can create such a strong bond between the reader and the character on the page is just an ode to his talent.
The genius of the color artist comes through immediately. There is no doubt about it, mixing Jordie Bellaire’s gifted shading and coloring with Robbi Rodriguez’s artwork was a stroke of intelligence. Jordie is truly awesome I am in love with the first couple of pages of Batgirl #49. The use of shadows and highlights causes such stark contrasts. It draws the readers eye directly to the page in an interesting and unique way.
Conclusion
What do you mean this is coming to an end?! No it isn’t. Not in my heart or my feelings. This run of Batgirl is going to stay with me for a long time to come. The way Batgirl herself has been written, and the wonderful stories we’ve been gifted with will always remain in my head, and my heart. I have precisely no scooby-doo (Cockney rhyming slang) as to what’s going to happen in the last issue. However, I can’t wait to find out.
Well… maybe I can wait, just because I don’t want this to end… No. I have to know.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
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