This issue is one that shows you why Batgirl is one book you should be reading. If not for the story which Gail handles exceptionally well, but the art as well which I have come to appreciate. The coloring and inking very clean in the beginning and changed to match the situation Barbara and Ricky found themselves towards the end. This isn't even mentioning the beautiful cover art seen above. Read Full Review

Overall, this was a top-notch issue and another great example of Gail Simone's masterful skill at plotting, characterization, and dialogue.  She's layered a great deal of complexity into this story, so much so that it's hard to believe the whole thing will only last 2 more issues.  It's significant that the 3rd issue will be #25. We don't yet know what DC will do for "25 month" for the 50% or so of their line that has made it through without cancellation so far, but traditionally 25th issues are double-sized. If so, that might explain why this is only a 3-parter. Read Full Review

To say the plot is thickening in Batgirl #23 would be an understatement. With her father's manhunt converging on Barbara's life in more ways than one, it looks like Simone is setting Babs up for an even bigger fall than the one she's already survived. Read Full Review

Simone has done a great job on the book and we can see how it's building with the coming conflict of Commissioner Gordon and Knightfall. We also get that she is really putting Babs through the ringer, a trial of fire, to really see if she is worthy of the Batgirl title. In some ways, this is a way of proving to Steph Brown and Cass Cain fans, why Babs is worthy of the title. Pasarin did a great job with the book, able to portray all the action and characters but also portray the emotions that are so raw in this issue. Read Full Review

We're past the time when I felt I was reading Batgirl more out of loyalty to Simone than I was out of genuine enjoyment of the book. Batgirl #23 has confirmed that all (or maybe just most) bets are off, and we don't know how far into the rabbit hole we're going to go. Read Full Review

One particular sequence handled here is a great example of the craft of Simone. When Ricky calls Barbara after realizing what he has gotten himself into with the 68 Kings, the scene that follows is one that readers have seen before. But, Simone does not play up the drama and sappiness of the conversation, instead making it very brief and cold. Gutierrez is a man with a mission and no time to waste and the sense of reality this scene carries makes it all the more effective. Fernando Pasarin and Jonathan Glapion combine to add a very solid visual story to the issue. There is a lot of desperation and bleakness to the story and the art matches that tone. The start of this arc, entitled Batgirl Wanted, comes out impressively strong. It appears, despite how often comics take a hit for maintaining a status quo, Simone is taking these characters down a road that will alter who they are, and that weight is felt. Read Full Review

Batgirl #22 is one of the strongest issues of this series to date. Gail Simone did a wonderful job using the Batman Familys current status quo to enhance Barbara Gordons choice of giving up the Batgirl cowl. Barbara is in a position where she has no one to turn to as theyre either away doing their own thing or too close to what is bothering her. These factors add a greater weight to the inner monologue and actions that Simone has Barbara take in this issue. Adding in the current tunnel vision that Commissioner Gordon has in his hunt for Batgirl and Batgirls villains assembling to take her down things only look to get worse for Barbara. If Batgirl #22 is any indication as to how things will shape out over the course of Batgirl Wanted than I cannot wait to see how this ride ends. Read Full Review

It's the most tense and tragic issue of Batgirl yet but you need to care about Barbara's new boyfriend Ricky and believe the questionable characterization of Jim Gordon for it to be totally effective and those are things that I struggle with. Read Full Review

This issue is one of the strongest individual Batgirl stories of this run, finally getting away from Gotham City's incessant crossovers and weaker artists to deliver a solid hit on both the art and story fronts. The pacing of previous issues of this book has been pretty leisurely, which has led to me misreading slowly building tension as a lack of drama, something for which I feel foolish now. Batgirl #23 is another emotional heart-breaker, and makes me want to read the next issue immediately, the sign of a strong book, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. Read Full Review

It's great to see Fernando Pasarin handling the art for this issue. His previous work was on the Green Lantern Corps and here he's just as strong. He's able to handle multiple characters on page, and make each character, most being out of costume, look different and unique. The only downside is that Batgirl is not wearing the traditional costume as she feels as though she's not worthy enough to wear the Bat-symbol with all that's happened previously. Having Pasarin on the art chores gives this title a combination of very talented art and writing. Let's hope they're able to bring Batgirl to new heights. Read Full Review

This issue in particular had a lot of ups and downs for the characters, and an incredibly emotional ending, even if you aren't invested in anyone particular. Read Full Review

Well, I certainly had a lot to say in the "bad" section, but I didn't hate the issue. It's competently told, has pleasant enough art, and does some interesting things here and there. The problem is, I'm just not buying it. This all hinges on James Gordon Jr. being dead, but the dramatic irony is, he's not dead, he's over in Suicide Squad. So I find this issue (and plot line, in general) asking me to care about all the drama that has ensued because of this event that hasn't happened, a hard sell. Maybe I'm just being too smart for my own good, but I'm left either not caring or believing all the drama is forced and phony. I can understand how others may like this, but it's just not clicking with me in the way it's intended to. Read Full Review

The thing about that Batgirl I just don't see is the constant overpraise and me feeling like I'm missing something. It could simply be a case of expectations versus realty, or it could be time for somebody else to carry Babs' adventures to new heights. Read Full Review