Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1

CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top

• 9.5

  Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield

  May 13, 2026

  This is Barbara’s story in every way, from her plan to get in to her realizing she’s more than a little out of her depths now. It’s the strongest spotlight as a solo hero she’s had in a long time, and one of the best looks at how this new Gotham actually functions that we’ve gotten yet. Read Full Review

• 9.3

  Nerd Initiative - Matthew Roth

  May 13, 2026

  Megan: 9.1/10. I found Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 to be a breath of fresh air when it comes to Bat-stories. Seeing all of this from Barbara’s perspective was fasicanting, but to also see how truly alone she was in a place that’s full of people who are working against her was impactful. Read Full Review

• 8.5

  AIPT - Collier Jennings

  May 13, 2026

  Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 delivers a tense, gritty, page-turner of a first issue, and the start of a murder mystery. It's also a reminder that whether she's Batgirl, Oracle, or in her civilian identity, Barbara Gordon isn't someone you ever underestimate. Read Full Review

• 8.5

  Fanlight Zone - Ken M.

  May 13, 2026

  Barbara Gordon plays a deadly game of chance as her noble deeds might cost her everything in this debut chapter. Tamaki pens a straight-forward debut with the writing. Nahuelpan & Bonvillain add to the drama with fast action panels. A suspenseful addition into the Bat-Family mythos. Read Full Review

• 8.5

  KPB Comics - Phillip Creary

  May 14, 2026

  It’s a strong start for the series. There’s mystery, a new environment, and a version of the character that’s easy to root for. I’ll definitely be back for issue #2 to see how she handles the mystery happening in the walls of her cell. Read Full Review

• 8.3

  Graphic Policy - Brett

  May 13, 2026

  Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is really well done with a story that's familiar but just does it in a way that's engaging and you want to read more. Read Full Review

• 8.0

  ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum

  May 13, 2026

  It’s that hard shift from badass to terror in the final panels that might actually be the weakest element of the issue, however. Not that it’s not good for the story—it definitely sets things up for the next issue. Instead, it just feels a little jarring as the whole issue to this point we’ve gotten the impression that Barbara has accounted for almost everything and is at a greater advantage only for that last panel to suddenly yank the rug out from under things in a way that feels disorienting, but not deliberately so. Even with that tonal shift, however, Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is a fantastic comic and a great kickoff to what might be one of the most exciting Batfamily stories in a while. Read Full Review

• 8.0

  Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg

  May 13, 2026

  Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is dynamic and often tense debut which puts the former-Commissioner’s daughter back in the spotlight where she deserves to be. With all of the foundations in place, Mariko Tamaki and co. are already free to dive deep into Gotham’s latest nimble murder mystery. Read Full Review

• 7.8

  The Batman Universe - BJ Shea

  May 13, 2026

  There's a greater conspiracy going on in Vandal Savage’s Supermax and we know our girl will figure it out. Read Full Review