Written by Kelley Puckett
Penciled by Mike Parobeck
Inked by Rick Burchett
Colored by Rick Taylor
So, what’s the story?
While visiting her dad at police headquarters, Barbara Gordon inadvertently saves everyone by removing a bomb from the building, and visually identifies the bomber. Elections are coming, and Mayor Hill wants Commissioner Gordon to use Barbara’s knowledge to bring in the bomber in order to score quick political points, sacrificing the longer play of capturing the planner of the bombing. Gordon is hesitant to use his daughter as bait. Later, Barbara heads out as Batgirl to find more solid evidence against the conspirators. She meets up with Robin, who’s already investigating the crooks. They track down the bomber, arriving just before the police. The bomber is all too eager to turn himself in. Turns out, his capture was planned, and he’s quickly released on the sly. Batgirl and Robin go after him, and he runs to his boss, the mayoral candidate challenging Mayor Hill, Bob Hewlett. Bob and his partners arranged the whole affair to discredit the current administration. Hewlett pays off the bomber, which Batgirl captures on film. Seems that’s enough to bring the whole charade down. Later, Barbara bumps into Dick Grayson on campus, not knowing they’d just worked together.
It’s a solid story that I enjoyed. It’s not the finest I’ve read by this team, but there’s nothing wrong with it. If anything, it tries to cram too much into a small story. On the other hand, they managed to cram all that story into a brief format, and that’s got to be respected. A decent political thriller in a kid’s comic? Very cool. My favorite moment, though, is the two cops talking on page three. That’s a whole story unto itself in just two panels!
How’s the Art?
More grade A Parobeck! T’aint nothing wrong here! (Okay, that cover was probably phoned in. I concede that.)
Any continuity issues?
This is 100% in continuity! I like the encounter between Babs and Dick on campus. I think that’s the first time such is acknowledged before TNBA.
Anything of interest to customizers or cosplayers?
Not this time.
Is this issue worth my precious time?
Yes, it’s a good read.
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