Batgirl #49 is partially an answer to critics who have been unkind to the neo-Batgirl, including this one who was incredibly skeptical at the initial change of direction. However, the DC Universe is vast and complex, and a Multiverse with infinite possibilities allows for the constant reinterpretation of those icons. In a primarily art-driven piece, coupled with the wonderfully wilful version of the character that Stewart and Fletcher have crafted at the center, this issue of Batgirl is a reminder that every single one of those interpretations is equally valid, and that the malleable nature and core principles of Barbara Gordon's personality are the reasons why she has been so enduring for the past 55 years. Read Full Review

As a single issue, Batgirl #49 has done more to respect the core of Barbara Gordon and her legacy than any issue in modern memory, and thats saying a whole lot given all that Stewart, Fletcher, and Tarr as well as Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, Daniel Sampere, and Fernando Pasarin have done since the relaunch of the New 52. Removing The Killing Joke from this Batgirls history is a gift of light and love to the character that, while long overdue and probably scary to all involved, is something I am deeply thankful for. And giving us a Batgirl with light in her eyes, surrounded by other kickass women who live up to her example well, thats just extraordinary. Read Full Review

This is an unsettling story in the best way possible. The Fugue's motivation and plan is insanely creepy and is able to bring Barbara to her weakest point. In addition, there is wonderful art and colors throughout. Some of the science feels wonky but it's a great read besides that. I definitely recommend picking this issue up. Read Full Review

If you're anything like me and stayed away from Barbara's latest adventures due to change, use Batgirl #49 to jump back into the fray. It's well written enough that you won't be too lost and the interesting, multi-artist visuals will not disappoint. Read Full Review

Babs Tarr's art is so fresh, which is fitting for Batgirl. Since Stewart and Fletcher took over, especially with her new modernized look, it suits her character very well. A big part of this story for me is the art and I dread whenever Tarr is not doing it. She definitely deserves to be drawing the world of Batgirl for a very long time. The fun atmosphere of Batgirl is one of the big reasons I keep coming back and "oh boy!" the colors used in Tarr's art enhances it to a whole other level! Read Full Review

DC has had a problem in recent months of throwing too many artists at a book in order for that issue to make a deadline. Batgirl #49 uses no less than 6 artists to tell this regular-sized story, and yet, the series doesn't miss a beat for it. In fact, it's possibly better because of it. Read Full Review

BATGIRL #49 is a different type of issue for this creative team, but a successful one nonetheless. It answers a great deal of questions, while setting up the book's final three issues before "Rebirth." Read Full Review

"Batgirl" #49 is a master class in how multiple artists on an issue can enhance its entirety instead of muddling the result. This is a more abstract issue than usual and, because of that quality, was aided by having multiple voices with multiple strengths. Stewart and Fletcher, along with these artists, have only enticed us further for what we're going to get at the end of the month in the oversized "Batgirl" #50. Read Full Review

Throughout Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, and Babs Tarr's run, Batgirl has proven that it is the visual crown jewel of DC Comics, and issue 49 is a victory lap, especially thanks to the powerful work of Ming Doyle and James Harvey along with the sunny, suburban Stepford horror of Roger Robinson. It is also a tour de force into the beautiful and damaged psyche of Barbara Gordon and a real turning point in her arc in the New 52. Issue 50 can't come soon enough. Read Full Review

This is a personal issue for the creators and the readers.  As an issue of Batgirl, I liked that we got to see that Fugue is indeed the best villain we've gotten in Burnside and also how much Bab's friends are willing to do to save her.  As far as it's place in Barbara's history, we get to see what Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr want for their Batgirl...nothing more, nothing less.  I respect that and recommend this issue because of it. Read Full Review

This story started off slow, but has been building over the last few months towards a very strong climax. Looking forward to seeing how it all ends! Read Full Review

A fascinating read technically, with interesting implications and what may end up being a new status quo for Batgirl... Read Full Review

Batgirl #49 feels fresh and that's a good thing. There's still more that I'd like from the book, but it has established itself as having a particular sense of style and while this issue deviates in terms of tone is still adheres to that style, which should satisfy readers. Read Full Review

This was a solid issue and made for great set up for the eventual showdown with Fugue. This series has been good to great since it was refocused, and this issue is a good way to set things up for a grand finale. Read Full Review

Fugue is still a silly villain, but at least he seems to be presenting a challenge more fitting for Batgirl than we've seen in a while. Though the heavy-tech storyline may be problematic for one's suspension of disbelief, it's not belabored or made so intricate as to be completely off-putting. Babs' AI alter gets to do some high-flying kicks for the sake of action, and while there's nothing too deep about Babs' mental layers, it's nevertheless interesting to take a tour of her career as Batgirl in an alternate universe sort of vein. Read Full Review

This book is problematic, and it is mostly just the story that seems to be where things fall apart. This whole “reveal” seemed to be pretty self-explanatory last issue, except for how on earth an old records room had gigantic pneumatic tubes that could accommodate a full-grown human man, or how someone could interface with Babs’ brain and implant themselves as a childhood friend of Barbaras, even though he is AT LEAST half a dozen or more years older than her AND there is no facebook/twitter/instagram trail to link these two together. In the digital age, just SAYING someone is your friend seems a bit suspect, but then if your real friends are so inclined, they could just GOOGLE him, or hit up your facebook friends list, and see that you’ve only been friends for two weeks. BOOM! Bad guy exposed. The art on this book doesn’t suffer for the too many cooks problem, because the different locations in the book lends itself to the different art styles. But things just don’t make much sense even with that. This book hasn’t been good enough for Barbara Gordon, in my opinion, and things just dont really take the time or effort or energy to make the moments that are supposed to effect you emotionally ACTUALLY effect you emotionally. This book looks nice, and I think that if the rumor that Stewart, Fletcher and Tarr are moving over to Image to do their creator owned book, and they leave Batgirl behind, I will be happy. But it all depends on who the Rebirth creative time is on Batgirl, but if it is someone new and different, I will definitely give it a shot. I think at this point in their run, if Batgirl of Burnside is something you are thinking of checking out, I would say to give it a “HARD PASS”. more

If this is the best this creative team can come up with it seems I haven't miss anything. Some problmes within this issue are:
- Simple, fast and unremarkable story
- There was no clear way to explain how Frankie and virtual Babs were moving through real Babs memory, they simply changed from one stage to another with no good transitions, some times they were in a middle of a fight and in the next panel they were witnessing a new memory
- The villain turns out to be someone who probably wont matter after this arc and with some far fetched motives
- The solution to the problem of recovering Bab's mind comes so out nowhere that even the character that comes out with it seems surprised to have think about it or te even understand what she is talking about more

This is easily the best Batgirl's been in months. I think it's primarily because Barbara was unconscious for most of the issue and the tone of the issue made any inane valley-girl moments inappropriate, as such this issue is "just bad" instead of a crime against humanity. Also, there are suggestions that this ret-cons 'The Killing Joke'...Hah. No. While I wouldn't put it past Stewart and Fletcher to be dumb enough to try and ret-con DCs best execution of a hero with a disability to date, that will always be part of Barbara's back-story where the audience is concerned.

Tarr has destroyed the work of other creators because she doesn't like their work. Her tween salior
moon knockoff has taken the character from an inspirational survivor to the poster child of
censorship in comics.