Batgirl Annual #2 (2014) isn't quite the story I was expecting, but it ended up being quite good even if I had some trouble understanding some of the events and the dialogue. It is nice to get a standalone story for this series, considering all the crossovers that have happened recently, and that's the true value of this book. Anyone can pick it up and dive right in. Read Full Review

Art issues aside, this is a solid little comic that shows Simone doing what she does best in the DCU. Read Full Review

For whatever reason, I've been enjoying Gail Simone's Batgirl way more recently than I have in prior years, and that streak continues as she picks up the slack that was left behind by Birds of Prey's wasted potential, and explores the personal, tension-filled relationship between Batgirl and Poison Ivy. Not only did I appreciate getting to see these two interact with each other on a one-on-one basis, but I also through the way the story was told throughout the seasons was very interesting as well. Overall, while not knowing what to expect from this particular issue, I came away from it having enjoyed it quite a bit. Read Full Review

An unexpectedly fun read for what should have been a fill-in. DC should definitely look to these annuals for inspiration moving forward. Read Full Review

This over-sized issue is as much Poison Ivy's story as it is Batgirl's. The comic features some spectacular visuals and a seasonal theme that dissects the frequent change of allegiance and temperament we've seen from the villain in recent years. It'll also make you wish Gail Simone was writing Birds of Prey. However, Ivy's interest in the story's antagonist gets a convoluted, there's a very noticeable transition between artists, and the comic does feature a really awful moment reminiscent of David Finch's “You can call me One-Face now!” from Batman: The Dark Knight. Read Full Review

All in all, Batgirl Annual #2 is a pretty solid issue, making Poison Ivy a character that I care about and relate to, and even a few wobbles in the art don't completely undo the spell woven by Simone's writing. Read Full Review

Overall, a great story. I liked what happened here, and I really hope future writers use it, although I strongly suspect they won't. DC certainly doesn't seem to have any editors who police such things these days. Read Full Review

There are some parts of "Batgirl Annual" #2 which feel a little too pat and predictable, like the community garden with Alysia and Barbara, but at the same time it works so well with the rest of the story that ultimately it's hard to complain. All in all, this is a lot of fun; I haven't been reading "Batgirl" for a while (there are only so many hours in the day) but after this annual, consider me back on the "Batgirl" bandwagon. Nicely played. Read Full Review

Though Batgirl Annual #2 may be Gail Simone's least interesting issue of her run, it is not necessarily a bad issue. The issue's major sin is how unremarkable it is, and could be a sign that self-contained single issues are not Simone's strong suit. Read Full Review

This was a very different kind of story than I was expecting when I first picked it up.  While I admire the emotional arc the story took, I ultimately wasn't a fan, and thought it was a strange way to redeem Poison Ivy of betraying her team way back when.  It takes a long time, and a lot of dead bodies to get to Ivy having emotions, and Batgirl accepting her roommates trust in people.  While I would love to say that the art is a plus in the issue I can't and felt that Ivy just looked strange, and Batgirl seemed to have spasms and facial tics the entire issue.  I'm sure a lot of people will love this emotionally charged story, but it just didn't do it for me. Read Full Review