To Gail Simone's credit, it was not cheesy or dumb and I bought it. I am sure we'll get more details as the series goes on but I am happy to report that I did enjoy this issue. The end opened up a load of possibilities and I am excited to read more. I was not previously familiar with Ardian Syaf's work but I dug it. It's realistic and, at times, gritty, setting the emotional tone. All in all, I cannot wait to see where this title will take us in the next year. Read Full Review

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: Readers looking for good Batman-related titles will want the new Batgirl. Read Full Review

It is not difficult to be impressed with what the creative team is doing to both appeal to, and secure a younger and more diverse readership for the book. They are considerate of their fans and work for them rather than in spite of them. Even with the controversy that has surrounded the book since Stewart, Fletcher and Tarr have taken the reigns they seem to be taking it all in their stride, quick to respond to criticism and willing to resolve anything that may alienate the many marginalized voiced within their fan base. With a story and artwork that is as fun as it is charming, Batgirl #41 feels like a step up for everyone involved. Read Full Review

Art wise Ardian Syaf’s stuff is rock solid. The action work is impeccable as are the gorgeous splash pages. I love how Syaf changes his art style for different aspects of the story. The work is light and airy during the day with Barbara Gordon. It becomes darker, more steeped in shadow and dark colors when she’s Batgirl and, for the flashbacks, Syaf actually draws the work grainy, like an old movie camera playing. Syaf’s light touch works very well with Simone’s word play. Batgirl #1 proves once again how good Gail Simone is and, having read a lions share of the new 52’s this week, there’s a lot these folks can learn from a storyteller like her. Read Full Review

Do I miss Stephanie Brown? Of course. But there's no denying it; the original Batgirl is back, and it's going to be a hell of a ride. Read Full Review

In a week crammed with big releases, Batgirl #1 was one of my least anticipated comics of the week. But by the time Id read all my purchases, this ended up being one of the best. When I first heard of this new Batgirl series, I thought it would be a lesser cousin to Batwoman, but now Im in a position where I dont know how Batwoman #1 is going to top this. Id call DCs relaunch a huge success thus far, and if Batgirl emerges as one of its hottest titles that success would be well deserved. I, for one, have been recommended it to new and lapsed readers, female and male alike. Read Full Review

I'm surethere are some Stephanie Brown fans out there wishing she was still Batgirl " andI think I may agree " but it's hard to miss Steph when Simone and Syaf makeBarbara's return so damn entertaining. Set aside your concern and give Barbaraanother spin as Batgirl. Heh. Spin. Like wheels. Wheelchair. Goodness. Read Full Review

Gail Simone starts out like gang busters in this opening issue of Batgirl, a solid whimsical script, great pencils and beautiful colors make Batgirl a must read for Barbara Gordon fans and Bat family fans alike. Read Full Review

While there are plenty of reasons to be wary of what's being done with Barbara Gordon and Batgirl, this book manages to massage the majority of it right, especially if you're able to be open-minded about it and realize that it doesn't really eliminate what came before since you can always go back and read it. Gail Simone does a solid job of making the thrill of returning to both regular life and costumed life apparent here and it's pretty infectious as you want to see where Barbara will go from here. This is a character I've liked through multiple incarnations and this new one, a perfect point to utilize with the way things have been dealt with, is one that I'm keen to see. She has a lot of psychological things that can be followed up on and there's lots of opportunity here. Gail Simon and Adrian Syaf have a lot in their favor in the end and this issue sets the stage that has me very interested in seeing it through. Read Full Review

Come to this title with no prejudices, and the smart writing and luscious art will soon worm its way into your heart. Barbara Gordon may just earn her bat again, if Simone capitalizes on her momentum here. Read Full Review

If you pick up this issue hoping to get a straight answer about how Barbara is out of the wheelchair and back in a cape and cowl then you are wasting your time. Gail Simone is no dummy, and she wants you to come back next month for issue #2. Simone gives readers just enough to keep them guessing about how Gordon is able to walk again by alluding just enough without giving away any major details. However, one clue she does give us is the fact that while the physical scars might be healed, the emotional scars from that fateful encounter with the Joker are still there. Additionally, any questions about Batgirl's possible "cybernetic suit" are answered in this issue. An interesting take on this classic character, I admit I am interested in seeing where the Simone, Syaf and Cifuentes creative team take the character. Read Full Review

Of all the characters in the Bat-family I've seen this September it's Barbara who I empathized with the most. I laughed as she awkwardly tried to keep up with her quirky new roommate and make friends. I believed in her during the opening home invasion scene even when she didn't believe in herself. Barbara Gordon is the most likable character in Gotham at the moment and I can't wait to see what happens in her life next month. This is a finely drawn, vividly colored, well written book that I highly recommend to every Bat-fan. Read Full Review

To summarize, Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl, but healing is a lengthy process. She's been through a lot and we're sure to see her continue to face her demons. I have to imagine that Simone is keeping a confrontation with The Joker in her back pocket. While that is certainly a match-up for the ages, we'll need to give The Mirror some more time to grow on us. In the meanwhile, it's great to see Batgirl still smiling and enjoying herself at times within the story. Just how much she'll have to smile about after the conclusion of this cliffhanger remains to be seen. Batgirl #1 earns 4 out of 5 stars. Read Full Review

Simone has done a good job at introducing the Batgirl character and bringing the die-hard fans up to speed with regards to the wheelchair question. Some fans may not be happy with the answer, but Babs is younger and was probably never the Oracle of the DCU the last twenty years or so. However, this was probably the best of the reboot that I have read so far and I am definitely looking forward to the next issue. Simone definitely knows this character well and is bringing the fun Batgirl (like from the 1960s TV show) to life in the comic book. I definitely recommend checking this one out. Read Full Review

Batgirl #1 gets things going strong. For anyone who was nervous about Barbara Gordon's return to being Batgirl I can happily say your fears can be calmed. While it may have some kinks to work out in the coming months, Batgirl is still a good read. Anyone who is a fan of Barbara Gordon or how Gail Simone has been writing her needs to pick this up. Read Full Review

So do I like this change? Well, this isn't like Bucky's return, which blew me away right off the bat. But that's because no one had seen that character for more than 50 years; he returned without any baggage. I've been a fan of Oracle for years and that is hard to shake I have to confess. Still, if anyone can make me a fan of a Batgirl it's Gail Simone. So I'll put my trust in her prowess as a writer. Read Full Review

Simone fulfilled the promise I expected of her with this introductory issue, as she doesn't just restore Barbara Gordon to her costumed role. Instead, she uses the change in her status quo as the beginning of a new path in characterization. The writer has recognizes that maintaining Barbara's time as a disabled person only to restore her mobility opens the door to new possibilities in how she relates to others, how she conducts herself and how she acts in her super-hero guise. Oracle was always seen as incredibly brave, carrying on the good fight in the face of a devastating injury. As Batgirl, now she struggles with fear, finding herself potentially immobilized in a completely different way. That's what I enjoyed about this comic book and what will get me to come back for the second issue. Read Full Review

As for that earlier mentioned cliffhanger? Half of it makes me quite eager to see what happens next, as we delve into Barbara's head. The other half, with the reaction from a bystander? I have to admit it feels a little clich for superhero comics; here's hoping the book doesn't quickly go down the "misunderstood hero" road. Still, the parts that do work are strong enough to make me want to read a second issue. I'll miss the character of Oracle, but I'm willing to learn to love this latest Batgirl, too. Read Full Review

It's still early, but it's starting to look like another missed opportunity. Read Full Review

Gail Simone has been tasked with perhaps the most difficult job in the DC reboot. While there are a few baffling titles, some that have all the pedigree in the world, and some that have to work a little harder for recognition, no character in the new universe has more eyes focused on her than the beloved Batgirl. Long a point of contention for arguments of feminism and the disabled in comics, when the news broke that Barbara Gordon would be returning to her mantle (stripped from her by a bullet from the Joker's gun in Batman: The Killing Joke ), the Internet set itself on fire with arguments. Simone, herself a writer who came to prominence through the blogosphere, has always been a vocal proponent of Barbara as both Batgirl and as Oracle. When she was announced as being the creative helm of this story, I was more excited than most, being a huge fucking fan of her work. Read Full Review

Of all the new #1′s Batgirl had the most to prove out of the gate, and it's the most disappointing (at least so far). I'm willing to give Gail Simone some time to try and work this version of Babs into the new DCU, but this is an inauspicious start. Pass. Read Full Review