Batgirl to Oracle: The Barbara Gordon Podcast

We've Moved!

2011-02-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

After over a year and a half of loving service, I am leaving Blogger for my new home! Please meet me over at batgirltooracle.net! I'll see you there!

CBR Interview with BtO-Friend Bryan Q. Miller

2011-02-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Taken from CBR:

When Bruce Wayne returned and secretly confronted his cohorts during DC Comics' "The Road Home" series of one-shots, testing their abilities and in essence their right to wear the Bat Symbol, current Batgirl Stephanie Brown responded in a way that surprised everyone -- including herself -- and simultaneously asserted herself worthy of the mantle. She slapped Batman in the face.

Daughter of the small-time criminal Cluemaster, Stephanie first introduced herself to the Bat Family as the rookie crime-fighter known as Spoiler, acting against her father's wishes and eventually alongside the dynamic duo. She went on to not only form a romantic relationship with then-Robin Tim Drake, but eventually donned the Robin costume herself for a brief period of time. After an apparent -- but later revealed as faked -- death, Stephanie disappeared from the Bat books for a while, resurfacing during the "Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul" crossover once again under the Spoiler identity. However, Steph graduated to the big leagues after Bruce Wayne's "death," taking on the role of the newest Batgirl in her very own ongoing series.

Since donning on the cape and cowl, Stephanie has formed a close relationship with both former Batgirl Barbara Gordon and daughter of the supervillain The Calculator, Wendy Harris, both of whom act as her point women during missions. To complicate matters, along with her nights as Batgirl, Steph spends her days as a college student while desperately attempting to keep both identities in balance.

As THE BAT SIGNAL lights the metaphorical skies of Comic Book Resources once again, "Batgirl" writer Bryan Q. Miller answers the call to give the rundown on his plans for the title in the coming months, what makes Stephanie Brown a relatable character and why readers won't be seeing her pulling up to school in a brand new Ferrari anytime soon.

CBR News: With Bruce's return, Stephanie is still doing her thing. She's much more confident in the role of Batgirl, but still maintains her self-deprecating sense of humor. What can you say about where you'll be taking the character and what we'll be seeing from her?

Bryan Q. Miller: Moving forward, not specifically in issue #17 and #18 because they're a little more separate from the larger arc, now that she knows who she is as Batgirl and she's finally comfortable with the life she has, there'll be the challenge for her of that world that she has become comfortable with changing around her. It's going to be her trying to maintain her position, her status, not just in her own life but in her relationship with her mother and her relationship with Barbara. Gail [Simone] has the "Death of Oracle" thing happening, which will impact how Team Batgirl works. She's got that murder rap as well, put on her by the cloister of rogues from issue #15 and #16. Even though she was cleared, there will still be repercussions from that happening. She's finally comfortable, but the world will be throwing that back in her face. "How important is it for you to stay who you are?" It's her navigating a sea of change as the year goes forward.

Series artist Dustin Ngyuen's cover for "Batgirl" #21

Nothing ever comes easy for Stephanie, it seems.

No, no. If it was all easy for her, what fun would that be?

Artist Dustin Nguyen came onto the title in a grand way with issue #15. I wanted to talk about the opening three pages to that issue, which gained a lot of talk for it's adorable and yet concise recap of the history of the Bat Family. How did that segment come together?

I was trying to take advantage of a valuable resource. [Laughs] Knowing that it was going to be Dustin's first issue on the book and how much people do love his Lil' Gotham stuff -- if you ever see Dustin at any conventions, almost all people want are little chibi drawings -- it was a really good way to frame a jumping on point to catch people up who haven't been with the book or who haven't been with the Batman saga to understand everything. Also, I knew it was going to be something that would be published in previews for the book, so that style and that kind of collection of images would go out to the world and get people's attention. And he knocked it out of the park. So, it was a good internal storytelling device and hopefully an effective marketing tool to say, "Look, Dustin Nguyen's over here." Also, it's awesome.

"Batgirl" has a pretty great cast already between the new characters introduced through Stephanie at college and Team Batgirl with Oracle and Wendy. But throughout the first year and even now, we've seen guest appearances from other characters from the greater DCU. Is this something you'll be continuing in the coming year?

A little bit of both. We spent a lot of time, if not all of last year, with Stephanie proving to the everybody in the Bat Family, all the Gotham heroes, why she deserves to be Batgirl, why she should be Batgirl and why she was right for the job. That presented a very natural way to get all of the Gotham folks into the book. It helps brings in other readers from other titles as well, so they can see their favorite characters interacting with Stephanie. This year, we've got Damian again, of course, and he's always a kick to write. There will be a few issues where Blue Beetle will come in to help with the story. So, in that sense, it's broadening her support network outside of the Bat Family. It'll be other heroes of approximate the same age, to which she can relate, who exist out there in the world. It's not just her and Supergirl. Although we did have that fun issue with her and Kara taking on all the Draculas last year. But aside from that, it'll be her dealing with the threat of the Order of the Scythe that presented themselves in issue #15 and #16. That's kind of the spine of the arc for this year. They're the instrument of change in her year going forward.

One of the interesting aspects of "Batgirl" is that you put a pretty big focus on Stephanie's personal life as a teenager and student, as much as you do her life as Batgirl. Where did that want come from, the idea to include that aspect as such as big part of the title?

I think the want and the need to do that comes from wanting to make Stephanie an everyman and as accessible as possible. It's very easy to give one's self over to just doing the hero stuff all the time. But with just the hero stuff all the time, there's not that much to latch on to. How much of us have run from rooftop to rooftop or have fought someone who shoots laser beams from their fingertips? Whereas lots of people can say, "Yes, I have fallen asleep in class," or, "Yes, I have been late on a report before," or, "I have tried to make my relationship work with my boyfriend and girlfriend or with family." It's one of those things to try and make Stephanie as accessible as possible, so folks can find a hero that's like someone they know or they wish they were.

You touched on this earlier, but I want to come back to it because it warrants further discussion. Oracle has been a big part of this book, so how much effect can readers expect the current "Death of Oracle" storyline to have on "Batgirl?"

Honestly, there's nothing I can say to it that's within my rights to say because it's going on over in Gail's "Birds of Prey." But it definitely will have an impact on how Team Batgirl works. I can say that.

Besides Oracle, there is Wendy, the daughter of the villain Calculator, who you've made into a very integral part of this title. Some people see her as Oracle Junior, but what can you say about your plans for her and the role she'll be playing moving forward?

Batgirl faces off against the Order of the Scythe in coming issues of her series

It's very easy to just say Proxy is Oracle Lite or Oracle Junior because she is good with computers and she is very smart and she is in a wheelchair. So, there are an alarmingly similar number of characteristics between them. However -- and I'm pointing my finger in the air here -- what hopefully will become more apparent as the year moves forward is, she goes about things very differently than Oracle. She's not come to terms with her condition in the same way Oracle has and Wendy has a bit of a temper that Barbara Gordon does not. She's very much a hothead. She's very aggressive. She's very much by the book. So, she and Stephanie, because they both have criminal fathers, are kindred spirits to an extent. But at the same time, they're not going to get along as easily as Stephanie and Babs did once they got through their Batgirl related baggage. It's a very different relationship and hopefully that will become more apparent as we go forward.

Looking at the current arc, as you mentioned, it doesn't completely tie in with the rest of the year's story but instead shares loose ties with "Batman, Inc." How much will that series and those plans be influencing your stories?

Not too much. I believe Batgirl is going to show up in Grant's side of the fence for another mission at some point. So, aside from some new toys from the official Bruce Wayne money coming their way -- new upgrades and new weapons and new computers -- it won't impact the storytelling very much.

It's too bad that with that Bruce Wayne money, it all has to go to the Batgirl side of things. Stephanie can't treat herself to a Ferrari or something.

No she can't. She doesn't actually get paid for being Batgirl. She and her mom live a very modest kind of life. So, that's certainly something that could come up at some point. But the title's spine this year is more about catching the guys that blamed her for murder and killed an innocent student than it is gallivanting about on international missions of intrigue.

Obviously, you have this year planned out, but what about beyond 2011? Some writers plan out years and years ahead for stories. How far do your plans reach for Stephanie and "Batgirl?"

I would say that barring whether something turns into a two-part or three-part issues, I've got safely tucked away coming out of the finale of this "Order of the Scythe" arc, probably at least another year or two. But that's what I have planned out. There's always potential for more!

BoP and Batgirl Preview Art

2011-02-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Zaius for these wonderful news bits! Kimberley may soon be out of a job!!!

Taken from DC Universe: The Source:

A few ghosts from Dinah Lance’s past have come back to haunt her in the penultimate chapter of Birds of Prey’s “Death of Oracle” storyline. Can Batman and Oracle save her from an inescapable nightmare?

BIRDS OF PREY #9 is on sale February 9th.

Click the link above to see more images!

Also taken from The Source:

Dustin Nguyen’s given us some amazing Batgirl covers, and he’s also given us some REALLY amazing BATGIRL covers - this shot of Batgirl perched in front of an exquisitely-detailed stained glass window is one of my favorites yet.

BATGIRL #21 hits stores in May.

I love this cover! It really shows Stephanie's colorful nature, as well as just being beautiful!

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Coming to BluRay

2011-01-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Taken from TVShowsonDVD:

The greatest villain of all comes out of the past to threaten Batman, Bruce Wayne and all of Gotham City in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the first feature-length Batman Beyond movie. The sleeker, deadlier and seemingly immortal Clown Prince of Crime is back with his own unique brand of havoc and mayhem. While trying to uncover the Joker's secrets, the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, discovers the greatest mystery in the life of the original Caped Crusader: What happened the night he fought the Joker for the last time. When Bruce Wayne is almost killed in one of the Joker's latest attacks, Batman vows to avenge his mentor and put the Joker to rest forever. Get ready for heart-stomping action, awesomeadventure and amazing revelations in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
On December 12, 2000, Warner Home Video released a direct-to-video DVD titled Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker, bringing a "post-series" story to home video about two-thirds of the way through the show's third and last season, BEFORE the series actually had a broadcast finale (event shown in this tory were also tied in to a couple of later-produced episodes of Justice League Unlimited). But that was not even the most unusual thing about the title, though! The word got out, even before the DVD was in stores, that the new feature was not only edited to remove some controversial scenes of violence, but also reformatted from the original widescreen video aspect ratio to the then-standard (at the time) 1.33:1 "full screen" format.

A grassroots fan campaign soon followed, and grew in popularity until Warner Home Video finally decided to revisit the title with an upgraded release, which became available on April 23, 2002. "Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker: The Original, Uncut Version" on DVD brought fans the missing minute-or-so of intense footage, and also returned the production to the director's vision by presenting it in a letterboxed widescreen format (despite the fact that the original snap-case box indicated it was 'standard", i.e. full screen). The new release was submitted by Warner to the MPAA, which gave this edit of the production a PG-13 ("Parents Strongly Cautioned: Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13") rating. Note, too, that both versions of the title were originally released in Warner's old-style "snapper" cardboard-and-plastic cases, and were later re-issued by the studio in fully-plastic "keepcase" packages.

It's worth mentioning here, briefly, that all of these historical events we're describing here started before TVShowsOnDVD existed, and concluded when our site was just a handful of months old. So if you look in old news posts for this, you won't find it: we simply didn't cover it! Still, based on our site's coverage guidelines over the years we've been around, we certainly would have done so if we had been there at the time! So we want to chime in now, with the latest events for this decade-old production.

Today Warner Home Video has announced that they are releasing Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker on high-definition Blu-ray Disc this coming April 5th. The single-disc release is rated PG-13, so even though the subtitle of "The Original, Uncut Version" is missing from this new release, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that this will include the controversial scenes. However, it's worth pointing out that the rear package art (shown at the bottom of this story) also mentions a running time of 76 minutes, which matches the first (edited) DVD version of the title. AND the same rear box art says the video presentation is "1080p High Definition 4x3 1.33:1" (i.e., the old "standard full-frame" aspect ratio, just like the first DVD release was, except in high-def). That certainly makes us wonder which edit of the feature will be included here. However, at the top of the rear box art it DOES say quite plainly that this is "the original uncut version", so we're trusting that description to be accurate.

Audio soundtracks included on this Blu version include DTS-HD MA: English 5.1, Dolby Digital: French 2.0 and Spanish 2.0. Also on board are Subtitles in English "SDH", plus French and Spanish. Bonus material on the new release was all previously seen on the DVD versions: Commentary by the Filmmakers, "Batman Beyond: The Legend Lives" Featurette, Animation Tests, Animated Character Bios, and Mephisto Odyssey Crash Music Video Featuring Static X. Cost for this high-def release is $19.98 SRP. Here's a look at the package art, both front and back:

Batgirl News: Praise and a Sneak Peak

2011-01-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

Over at DCU's The Source:

Bryan Q. Miller’s , Dustin Nguyen’s and Pere Perez’s last few issues of BATGIRL have seen a ton of love from the critics lately, and it couldn’t be going to a more fun-to-read book. If you’ve been skipping out on this one, maybe a few of these reviews will help pull you in…

Joey Esposito at IGN Comics gave Batgirl #17 a stellar 9.5 rating:

“I’ve been enjoying Batgirl for a while now, but issue #17 has completely uprooted my expectations for the series. Maybe it’s the interplay between the two characters, the perfectly constructed jokes, or the utter enjoyment I get from Damian Wayne in general, but Batgirl #17 is unapproachable as the best book I’ve read this week.”

… While iFanboy gave the issue their coveted “pick of the week”:

“Batgirl #17 is a comic book rarity these days. It tells a complete story that is compelling, emotional, and not lacking action, and it does it all in just 22 pages. I’ve talked a lot about Batgirl over the last year, it truly is one of my favorite titles, and if you have at all wondered about the book, if you have at all thought about giving it a shot, then I urge you to check this one out. You don’t have to know anything; you don’t have to be following any storylines here or anywhere else. Batgirl #17 is just two great characters playing off each other while solving a crime and reading it was by far the most fun I had with my comics this week.”

And last, but far from least, Ain’t It Cool News gave issue #16 a spotlight review, with all sorts of nice things to say about the book:

“Charming… funny… and a glowing reminder that even the darkest legacies work towards the hope of a brighter future … [a] fantastic issue”

Have you been reading the series? What do you think?

And...Dustin Nguyen's cover for Batgirl #20 is revealed, as well as some information on the issue!

With Oracle out of the picture, Batgirl and Proxy must throw everything they’ve got at the super-fast villain Slipstream.

And by throwing everything, we mean everything - including Batgirl’s new car, as seen in Dustin Nguyen’s cover to April’s BATGIRL #20.

Episode 16:

2011-01-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

To begin the episode, I tell what I had done for Christmas break, and I talk about the recent goings-on at my workplace. I introduce two new segments, Zaius's Radio Hour and Babs in the Tube, and review Detective Comics #412 and #413, Batgirl #16, and Birds of Prey #7. I then finish up this post-holiday episode with my literature recommendation!

Hey, That's My Cape! The Batman Animated Series That Never Was

2011-01-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

Taken from a recent Newsarama.com article:

What if Bruce Wayne never got privately tutored or went to boarding school but attended a regular public high school instead? And what if those halls were filled with teenagers plotting the demise of the student body or scheming to steal bake sale profits? Well, you’d have something called Gotham High.

We don’t usually hear about the failed or passed over projects being developed by networks but every once in a while someone reveals a gem that fell through the cracks. Seemingly spotted first by Nerd Bastards, the brainchild of Jeffrey Thomas and Celeste Green, Gotham High (or what we assume would have been called that) is the unrealized animated series that fell through DC’s hands. Saved By The Bat Signal anyone?Thomas and Green revealed their secret project last week on their blog. They were approached about a year and a half ago to create a series based on an illustration Thomas made depicting The Joker and Harley Quinn as high school students. They sent their ideas, including several other outstanding drawings to DC but it wound up, in their words, getting “lost in the sea of all the other Batman related projects in the works.” And I think it’s a damn shame because Thomas is an amazing artist and the synopsis sounds like it had real potential.

The plot is as follows, “We all go through incredible changes as teenagers: growth spurts, bad skin, a sudden insatiable need to uphold justice and avenge your murdered parents.... Well, that is if you’re Bruce Wayne. As if being a freshman at Gotham High wasn’t tough enough, Bruce’s insomnia and technological fascinations are taking their toll. Instead of spending his time studying, he has begun to obsess over an emerging personality trait: Batman. But under the watchful eye of his guardian and steward, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce is forced to put his intelligence to good use: graduating high school. But given his classmates, can Bruce survive Gotham High?”

Although a lot of people would easily compare this to Smallville, oddly enough, it reminds me of Boy Meets World for some reason. As seen through the illustrations, the cast would have included Bruce, Batgirl, The Riddler, Penguin, Scarecrow, Clayface, Killer Croc (one of the more unusual students of Gotham high to be sure), Catwoman, Two-Face, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Bane, Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze. He’s not mentioned but Commissioner Gordon could totally be the Principal and I hope to god Jeremiah Arkham would have been the school nurse.

The preview images Thomas and Green produces show us several hilarious setups that would
be just perfect for the screen. Bruce playing football with Ivy and Harley as cheerleaders, Penguin and the Riddler being bullied by Croc and Bain, Batgirl hiding a secret crush on Bruce who’s being seduced by Catwoman and Two-Face and Ivy running for Student Council President. Ivy’s motto? “Vote for Ivy: “I’m hot, he’s not.” No voting for Harvey Dent this time around.

I think it would have been really interesting to see Bruce pre-I-know-everything-I’m-the-goddamn-Batman and just getting into hijinks with that crew. Could it be possible that Young Justice is what got in the way of Gotham High making its debut? It’s very possible considering both contain teenage characters. It would be sort of redundant to have two shows like that on at the same time but I still feel this would be the stronger product. Sure, Young Justice is the tried and true material but it’s also not much different to what we’ve seen before. I’m not saying it will be bad, I would just have liked to see something out of the ordinary. I mean, the possibilities are almost endless with a story and cast Gotham High would present.

What do you think? Wanna see Batman being completely awkward and out of place in high school? How about seeing the Joker poisoning the lunchroom on Sloppy Joe day? Should Gotham High still get its curriculum approved?

Wow, this would have been a really inventive/cute show. I'm would liken it to X-Men: Evolution which also took place in and out of high school. The only thing I disagree with is A) Babs has blue eyes and B) SHE HAS A CRUSH ON BRUCE?! Come now, this is just a strange set up and we all know that Babs is meant to be with Dick!

Birds of Prey News

2011-01-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Zaius for all the heads up!

Today was a big day for The Source and Birds of Prey as three news pieces came out.

First, Jesus Saiz has been named the new ongoing artist:

We’ve seen this question posed here in The Source’s comments section a lot these last two weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited to give you an answer. Starting in May with issue #12, Jesus Saiz will be joining BIRDS OF PREY as the regular ongoing artist.

Writer Gail Simone shared with us just what it takes to draw BIRDS OF PREY:

“It’s not a small order…it has to be someone who can draw action, humor, suspense, love, hate, beauty, villainy. It has to be someone who can draw beautiful women who can also kick your rear end. It’s a special book, we think, and it needs a special artist.

“And oh, boy, did we get one.

“Jesus is at the top of a very short list of dream artists on our, “Oh, man, wouldn’t HE be fantastic?” list. His previous work has been silky and sexy and powerful all at the same time. He’s fantastic with design, storytelling, body language…an artist this good frees up the writer to make the stories even bigger and more complex.

“We were lucky to get him, and when his first piece of art came in, the cover to Birds of Prey #12, we knew absolutely he was the perfect choice. We cannot WAIT for you to see his take on Dinah, Helena, Babs and Zinda. Together, we’re going to make 2011 the best year for Birds of Prey ever!”

For those of you who haven’t seen his work in books like THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, CHECKMATE and MANHUNTER, here’s a taste of what you can expect: the cover to BIRDS OF PREY #12, by Jesus Saiz.

Next, we got a chance to see some pages from the just-released Birds of Prey #8. Go here to see the pages.

Finally, looks like romance is in the air for Huntress and Catman...what a beautiful cover!

Huntress and Catman make the long-threatened first attempt at romance in “First Date” - anyone want to make bets on how long these two hot-headed lovebirds on opposite sides of the law will go before trying to kill each other?

BIRDS OF PREY #11 hits stores in April.

Grant Morrison Talks Batman INC.

2011-01-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks to DarkKnightJared for the heads up! Over at The Source, Grant Morrison shares a little of what is to come for the Bat-family!

“Bruce Wayne’s back from the dead with barely a moment to catch his breath before he must prepare for the battle of his life in BATMAN INC.

“On the way towards this ultimate confrontation, Batman and El Gaucho, Argentina’s No.1 crimebuster, face a terrifying new villain whose world-shaking masterplan stretches across 2 decades, 3 countries and 3 interlocked issues, which also feature Batwoman, a whole new team of British heroes and the debut of The Batman of Africa, in a dark and twisted super-espionage thriller.

“And waiting in the wings are team-ups with Chief-Man-of-Bats, Batgirl and a mind-blowing CGI adventure with Oracle, as piece by piece, we learn the secrets of Batman Inc. and find out what Bruce is REALLY up to!”

What does this mean for our two girls? I guess we will have to wait and see!

March Solicitations

2011-01-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

I'm back! Sorry for the delay...and the fact that I have not given solicitations in a little while! Here are the big ones for March!

BIRDS OF PREY #10

Written by Gail Simone, art by inaki Miranda cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

The astonishing conclusion to "The Death of Oracle," featuring nearly everyone whose life has been touched by Oracle -- villain and hero! How will the DCU operate without its premier infojock, and how will this event affect the Birds of Prey? All this, plus a fan-favorite operative works with the Birds for the first time ever!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 9.

Oh, my! I am very much in love with this cover! We shall see what this "Death of Oracle" brings to the table!

BATGIRL #19

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art and cover by Dustin Nguyen.

Patience may be a virtue, but can Batgirl stand still long enough to stop a super-speedster foe? "The Lesson" continues as the mysterious Order of the Scythe unleashes its first weapon in their war on Batgirl -- Slipstream!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 9.

Things are heating up for Steph, I can tell! Who knows if the mysterious Valentine's Day issue will have an impact on this issue! Either way, the cover for this issue gets me really excited!

SUPERGIRL #62

Written by Nick Spencer, art by Bernard Chang, cover by Amy Reeder and Richard Friend.

Assembling the cream of the crop of the next generation of DCU super-heroes in this issue -- Robin, Static, Miss Martian, Blue Beetle, Batgirl, the new Impulse -- to team up with Supergirl and take on a new villain who promises to define this generation as much as Darkseid, Lex Luthor and The Joker did prior ones. Good luck, kids!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 23.

If you do not know that Batgirl will be appearing in Supergirl starting in #60 (I'm not sure for how long), I apologize for not being there to let you know! I said in my review of Batgirl #14 that I really like the interactions between Batgirl and Supergirl, so I am very excited to see how this arc goes!

That's it for now! Fly on, Babs lovers!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:29:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, from Steph, Babs, and all of us here at BtO!

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark Musical Review

2010-12-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

I find myself in a difficult position reviewing this musical; not only do I have a comic book background, but I also have a musical theatre background. I must, therefore, look at “Turn Off the Dark” from these two angles.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

Peter Parker: Reeve Carney (u/s Matthew James Thomas)

Mary Jane: Jennifer Damiano

Arachne: Natalie Mendoza

Norman Osborn: Patrick Page

The Geeks: T.V. Carpio; Mat Devine; Gideon Glick; Jonathan Schwartz

I will keep all commentary pertaining only to the musical. Let’s just say it was a great (albeit a little depressing) day with a lot of little side stories that I could share with you.

I wanted to stake out the theatre before the actual show time so that I would know where the stage door was (after Broadway shows, devoted fans may desire to stand outside of the stage door and wait for the actors to come outside and sign the playbills). I found what I thought was the stage door (oh, the sorrow I would encounter) and my friend and I ventured inside the vestibule just to check out the entrance of the theatre. Upon entering, I saw that Reeve Carney would NOT be coming on for the matinee show. Instead, we would be seeing Matthew James Thomas. I was already slightly disappointed because I wanted to see the show in all its glory.

OK, let us now fast forward to the show. The curtain for the show (as some friends of mine saw via picture message) was amazing. It shows Spider-Man, a falling Mary Jane, and Green Goblin. The curtain was raised and the show began. If it was not clear by the fact that Bono and the Edge have been constantly advertised as having composed the music, the first notes and the rockers 5 feet away from me (one of which being Reeve Carney’s brother) made it clear that this was going to be a rock-musical, in line with “Rent” and “Next to Normal.”

PLOT:

The show begins with MJ hanging from a fantastically constructed bridge and Spider-Man running towards her. She falls and we then find ourselves flung into the past, before Spider-Man ever existed. Three geeks make their way from the audience to the stage and this is where our show begins. These geeks, along with a sister of one who will be the camerawoman, will tell our story. They are the fourth wall. They know Spider-Man’s history and want to make a movie of the best Spider-Man story ever. One geek makes the erring statement that Spider-Man was the first person who showed Spidery characteristics. Miss Arrow (the female geek) corrects this statement.

Arachne was the first. Here is our second story. Arachne, a skilled weaver, is a heroine in ancient Greek/Roman mythology. She gets into a fierce competition with Athena/Minerva, the goddess of weaving. While Arachne and her finished product obviously win the competition, Athena will not allow this and destroys Arachne’s work. Arachne, not wishing to live in a world where she is not allowed to make her own art, hangs herself. Athena then changes Arachne into a spider, so that she may still weave. Ovid tells this story in his “Metamorphoses.”

The first technical difficulty that I experienced in this show occurred during Arachne’s number (“Behold and Wonder”). Women were swinging in time like pendula and one woman’s tether was not working properly and a stage hand had to come out and help.

The first we see of Peter Parker is in a Latin class, giving a report on Arachne. Peter gets in trouble with the class for inadvertently reminding the teacher that there is a paper due. Peter then gets beat up in a number called “Bullying by Numbers.” After school, we see the similarities between Peter Parker and Mary Jane as they walk home together and they sing “No More.” There is then a field trip to Oscorp (“D.I.Y. World”) and Peter gets bit by that fateful spider.

Peter then shows off his new powers in the song “Bouncing Off the Walls.” He fights Bone Saw, but there is no robber. Instead, somebody car jacks Flash Thompson, Flash yells for help but Peter ignores him. Alas, Uncle Ben comes running out of the house to stop the car-jacker but gets hit and killed in the process. Arachne then tells Peter to “Rise Above.” Meanwhile, back at Oscorp, the military is putting the pressure on Norman in the number “Pull the Trigger.” The largest technical problem happens around here when a Spidey gets “stuck” (I believe off-stage, as I could not see anything). An announcer came on saying they were going to pause to be sure that the stuntman was ok. It was unclear what happened, but I’m sure they wanted everyone set before the next scene began. Peter and Mary Jane have a close moment as Norman and Emily talk about the step they are about to take in “Picture This.” The Green Goblin is born (“I’ll Take Manhattan”) and is quickly subdued.

END OF ACT I

Act II opens with the geeks and the citizens of Manhattan singing about the exploits of Spider-Man (“Spider-Man Rising”). Arachne returns and sings the shows namesake “Turn Off the Dark” in an elaborate dream sequence with Peter. Peter, ever the slacker, misses MJ’s show and both he and MJ sing about the possibility of the two of them in “Walk Away.” Peter gives up Spider-Man, Arachne is angry (“Think Again”), the Sinister Six are born (“Sinistereo”), and Arachne gets even MORE angry (“Deeply Furious”).

When a blackout hits NYC, Peter starts rethinking his decision to end his time as Spider-Man and, after proposing to MJ a day before, tells her that they cannot be together. Mary Jane explains that when a pair truly is meant to be together, they should not waste it (“If the World Should End”). MJ is kidnapped and Peter sings the only released song “The Boy Falls From the Sky.” The show returns to the beginning (ring composition), Arachne breaks the fourth wall, and it ends with the song “Love Me or Kill Me,” sung by Peter, MJ, and Arachne. Here occurred the third and final technical difficultly, where Spidey’s web was not taught and a stagehand had to come out and fix it.

END OF ACT II

If you are confused as to the plot of this musical, I am probably to blame. There are certain details that I just do not want to reveal in hopes that you may someday see the show.

For the remainder of this review, I will go through several categories, giving both my thoughts and my grade. At the end, I will give my overall grade for the show.

STORY: The story is pretty strong. The book (ie. the script) was written by Julie Taymor, so it has a pretty solid foundation. “Turn Off the Dark” pulls in moments from the movies, comics, and incorporates original concepts. Taymor also pulls in mythology, intertwining Greek mythos with Spider-Man mythos. As one can infer from the summary above, there are three stories going on throughout the musical: The Geek Chorus tells us the story from the outside; Peter Parker, et al. are performing the story to us with no interaction with the Geek Chorus; Arachne is a separate story which soon begins to weave its way through the Spider-Man story and then breaks the fourth wall by addressing the Geek Chorus. Arachne is like a patron goddess to Spider-Man (unbeknownst to him) and becomes angry when he does not treat his powers seriously. Arachne is also trapped in a limbo that is painful for her and she believes that Spider-Man could ultimately save her.

The book itself is average. It is not astounding, nor is it below par. As with any play or musical, there are odd moments or lines which seem out of place. Spider-Man is not given any sarcastic remarks which is strange but did not quite hit me until I started thinking about it. I seemed to be the only one clapping when Emily Osborn exclaims, “Your scientists have all quit. Lee, Ditko, Romita, and Straczynski, too!” Kudos for the nod!

6.5/10

MUSIC: As I stated above, this was a musical with a driving rock beat. That said, this was no Iron Maiden. Just as with “Rent” and “Next to Normal,” there are powerful, upbeat songs, and there are songs that really showcase the actors’ talents with a slow-moving melody. The only song that I did not really like, nor did I think it belonged, was “Deeply Furious.” Spiders talking about shoes, putting said shoes on, and singing, “Can you resist the spider’s kiss can you resist…” did not really work for me. “No More,” “Rise Above,” “Walk Away,” “If the World Should End,” and “The Boy Falls From the Sky” were some of my favorites. It’s really no surprise knowing that Jenn Damiano sang in the majority of those!

7.5/10

CHARACTERS/COSTUMES: I know that this is a big category for many of you comic fans. Many of the characters were exactly as you would have pictured them: Peter is nerdy and shy with MJ; MJ is ever confident and free; Flash is a bully. Norman was a departure. Here we have a southern gentleman (really, he had an accent) and a man who is easily bullied. This is not the strong, over-bearing father that we know and love. His wife is his partner in his scientific exploits and her death (ala Spider-Man 2) is the catalyst for his change. Green Goblin receives all the pithy comebacks that Peter/Spider-Man never had. GG is the Two-Face of the Tim Burton “Batman”…campy. Oh, and there is no Harry!

The costumes of the characters were not ordinary, but had a rock-twist to them. This rock-twist also made its way to the hair and makeup of the cast as well. Peter and MJ were particularly ordinary, but Flash and his gang looked like they were going to a Green Day concert, and Osborn and his scientists were wearing something Flash Gordon may don. Overall, I got used to the costumes used by the citizens and I approved of the fact that they balanced the craziness of the villains.

Once Peter actually BECOMES Spider-Man, there is a sequence where he starts attacking goons and purse thieves. The first bad guy one sees is Hammerhead and his posse. These costumes are highly cartoonized, giving the effect of a character that has literally leapt off of the pages of a comic book. For the most part, this effect is seen with all the villains, perhaps with the exception of Green Goblin (in the accident, it appears as if Osborn has actually been disfigured, thus the need for a costume to blend in with his…blemishes). The villains, and other side characters, usually had larger heads in order to give that caricature-feel. Carnage, Electro (whose costume and effects I thoroughly enjoyed), Lizard (it was a cartoon man who could inflate a lizard…imagine someone with a ducky inner tube on who suddenly decided to inflate the ducky), Swarm, Kraven (the lion on his chest moved), and Swiss Miss. Ah, yes, Swiss Miss. I recall this stirring up a lot of controversy in the beginning. All the male geeks shout, wondering who this is. Miss Arrow calmly explains that she made her up. I was not a huge fan of Swiss Miss, despite the fact that I accepted that she was not being forced upon unsuspecting viewers as a true Spidey villain when she was not. Perhaps my dislike stems from the fact that it is a man in the costume rather than a woman. Hello, Mary Sunshine (“Chicago” reference).

Overall, the characters and costumes were good, albeit occasionally strange. It may help to realize that Julie Taymor also directed “Lion King” on stage and made several of the head pieces for the actors in “Turn Off the Dark.”

6/10

SETS/STUNTS/EFFECTS: Ah, yes, the meat of the show! To say that this was not a show which would dazzle and feed your senses would be a terrible lie. It is spectacular! While at times one could say that he/she was over-stimulated, there were really great moments throughout. I simply cannot describe the set for fear that I would not do it justice. Bridges fold out, a train moves across the skyline, Spider-Man literally jumps off the walls in the musical number “Bouncing Off the Walls,” screens move which give different images or even play movie sequences (I sat watching a movie for what seemed like 5 minutes, at one point), and skyscrapers give different perspectives, move, and give an overall comic feel. The stunts and effects add to this feel and totally immerse you in the story.

10/10

CHOREOGRAPHY/STUNTS: I suppose I could have put this above, but I believe that it deserves its own category. While there were few dance numbers, the overall choreography was well-done. The Spider-Men move as one and the dancers do creative things in order to get across a particular action or movement. The high-flying stunts were incredible! This show really involves the audience. Several times a Spidey would land in the balcony, and at least once a Spider-Man was close enough for me to touch! Spidey flies all over the place and even fights the Green Goblin over the audience.

However wonderful these stunts are, one must never forget how dangerous they can be as well. There have been four injuries in this show so far. It seems like without risk there is no reward, but I certainly hope that this is the last injury we see.

10/10

CAST: Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the casting. As I stated several pages above, I was disappointed that I would not see the originally casted Peter Parker (I later found out that Reeve Carney does not like to perform in matinees). From what I have seen of Carney, I must say that Matthew James Thomas did a fantastic job and is probably better than Carney. Thomas really fits the role and has a better all-around voice than Carney. Coming into the show, knowing nothing, two words gave me faith: Jennifer Damiano. Jenn has previously been in “Spring Awakening” and “Next to Normal.” I trust in Jenn, and she certainly did not disappoint! She added depth, talent, and style to the role, as well as the show. Patrick Page did a great job, even though I did not like the particular characterization of Osborn. I was amazed when Page hit a ‘brown note’ in “I’ll Take Manhattan.” He certainly has the acting chops and could change his character if there were ever re-writes. Natalie Mendoza as Arachne was an inspired choice, given the fact that she was in “Lion King” on Broadway. Her songs are the most distinct of the musical and demanded a singer who could pull it off.

8/10

I could go on and on, but it seems I have droned on long enough. Did I enjoy the show? Yes. Was it visually spectacular? Yes. Can it be in a league with “Rent” and “Next to Normal?” No. Does it bring the comic to life? I would say so, yes.

Overall Rating: 7/10

I’m sure that everyone’s experience will be different. A mere four shows after I saw it an actor fell 30 feet. I have to say, that the majority of people in the audience were there just because it was Spider-Man. The average Joe would not probably be able to tell me about the back-story of Spidey (without referencing the movies) nor would be able to tell me who Jennifer Damiano is!

I hope that you get a chance to see it, as many things are too difficult to explain to someone with closed eyes. I, myself, hope to see it again in the spring (if it is still going) for two reasons: first, I have never seen a Broadway show in Previews and I would be interested to compare it with the final product; secondly, JENNIFER DAMIANO! There is a long and sorrow-filled story which I will not go into here, but I hope to finally meet Ms. Damiano the next time that I see the show!

I hope that this review was insightful and helped minimize some of the fear and distaste you may have had.

Ex animo (and a very Merry Christmas!),
Stella

Unseen Artwork from Dixon's Birds of Prey

2010-12-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

Over at The Dixonverse, Chuck Dixon shows some artwork that was supposed to run in a Christmas issue of Birds of Prey 10 years ago. "It features what is basically a dream sequence in which Babs re-imagine her and Dinah’s life as a WWII Era aviation newspaper strip. It was to be drawan by Butch Guice who was looking forward to paying homage to his (and my) idols of comics past like Milton Caniff and Frank Robbins."

Be sure to check out his website for the full description, as well as all the artwork! Here are some images to whet your pallet!

Episode 15: Anniversary Show

2010-12-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, BtO! This episode begins with the anniversary show, where 10 people call in to wish the podcast a Happy Birthday! My final caller, Noctis, then remains on the show, and we review Batgirl #15 and Birds of Prey #6 together. I review Detective Comics #410 and #411 on my own, and I finish the episode by giving my literary recommendation!

Remember, December is BtO appreciation month!

Future Plans for Cassandra Cain?

2010-12-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

Newsarama.com recently had an interview with Fabian Nicieza, the current writer of Red Robin. Nicieza had some interesting things to say about Cassandra Cain and some potential plans for her. This is only part of the interview. To read the rest, please visit here.

Newsarama: Fabian, I know you didn't want to make too much of a big deal out of Cassandra's appearance in Red Robin, but her fans have been hailing her return in Red Robin #17. Can you describe why you felt she fit with what's happening in the book now and with the world of Batman?

Fabian Nicieza: I just felt the time was right to give Cass a chance to reclaim her status as a strong character. The loss of Bruce Wayne and his subsequent return seemed like the right time to address her "absence" and knowing Tim was expanding into more coordinated international operations, Red Robin seemed like the right book to give her some face time.

She works very well as a wandering warrior looking to help people in trouble and that fits in with the Batman, Inc. -- and the Red Robin -- approach to expanding the use of operatives all over the world.

Nrama: For those who may be looking at this article without having read the story, how would you describe her current status, and what was the character was feeling during her time with Tim?

Nicieza: I'd say right now, all we know is that Cass is in Hong Kong and she is clearly patrolling at night and helping innocent people from getting harmed. Other than that, it's all up for interpretation depending on who uses her next or who uses her the most.

Nrama: Who came up with her costume? Do you think that costume will stick, or is it a temporary thing?

Nicieza: It's just a look we wanted to give her to show she's still operating undercover, but not using the bat-motif. Marcus designed it and did a great job as he does with everything. I might have suggested the half-mask to connote her "mute days" when she first appeared.

As for whether it's permanent or not, that's up to the editors and other artists. I purposely had Tim leave her a set of her old Batgirl togs so maybe when she appears again, some elements of that original costume and the bat-emblem might be incorporated into her new look, we'll see.

Nrama: Gail Simone has mentioned the possibility of a Cass appearing within the pages of Birds of Prey. Will she be returning to Red Robin? If so, can you say when or give any indication where it will fit into what's coming in Red Robin?

Nicieza: I know Gail has mentioned that, but I don't know if there are specific issue plans. If it does happen in Birds of Prey, I'm sure it'll be a great opportunity for the character. If I were a character, I'd want Gail to write me!

I do know Cass will be returning to the Red Robin book to guest-star in a couple issues in the spring as part of a larger storyline between #22-25, but in no way am I claiming "propriety" over the character.

BtO Call-in Special!

2010-11-23T18:41:00.001-08:00

Yes! December 19th is the rapidly approaching birthday date for the BtO podcast! Since I will not be anywhere near my computer on that day (in fact, I will be in or around NYC after seeing Spider-Man the Musical), I knew that I would have to choose another date!

*drum roll* SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5th @ 100PM E.S.T
(+5 for my British friends, -3 for my West Coast friends)

I will be conducting this via Skype (which is a free program). Just add my username (BatgirltoOracle) and call in! I look forward to speaking with you!

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Episode 14:

2010-11-13T18:58:00.001-08:00

What does "Death of Oracle" mean? Whose acceptance of Barbara's superhero identity meant more: Batman or Black Canary? Should there be two Batgirls? I answer these thought-provoking questions and more, on this episode! I review Detective Comics #408 and #409, Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Batgirl and Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Oracle. Plus, I give my literature recommendation, a DVD recommendation, a podcast recommendation, AND I tease a little surprise for BtO's birthday next month!

February Solicits

2010-11-12T20:21:00.001-08:00

Ah, yes! It is that time again! Solicitations for February!

BIRDS OF PREY #9

Written by Gail Simone, art by Ardian Syaf and Vicene Cifuentes, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

The game-changing "Death of Oracle" storyline continues! Black Canary finally confronts her inner demons as the Calculator's army and creepy new villainess Mortis take their ultimate revenge on Oracle. This massive story reverberates throughout Gotham City -- and beyond!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Feb. 9.

Ruh roh! A broken wheelchair! Whatever could this mean?! I love the cover, especially the fact that Huntress, of all people, is the one breaking down. Oh, and is Hawk showing actual emotion?! What does this arc have in store for us???

BATGIRL #18

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art and cover by Dustin Nguyen.

It's Valentine's night, and a mysterious killer literally wants to steal everyone's hearts. Enter Klarion the Witch-boy, who's nursing a broken heart of his own. Good luck, Batgirl!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Feb. 9.

Well, just like I recently Tweeted to Bryan Q. Miller, I just realized why he wrote Klarion in his short story in the DCU Halloween Special 2010. Looks like there may be some romance between Steph and Klarion...however one-sided it may be! Good luck, Steph!!!

I find it somewhat funny that I usually only give two issue solicitations. What can I say? I only give the ones that I find pertinent!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Bryan Q. Miller Talks Writing Teen Heroes

2010-11-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to my friend, Zaius, for the find! Taken from DCU: The Source

"Bruce Wayne travelled through time, a living, temporal bomb – teeming with highly dangerous Omega energy. He was a caveman, a pirate, a pilgrim, a cowboy, a gumshoe… something with computer tentacles from the far future… And when he finally got home, when Bruce Wayne finally beat death, beat fate, conquered time itself, what happened?

BATGIRL SLAPPED HIM IN THE FACE.

Right across that beautiful, battle-scarred, chiseled chin of his. It was a gut reaction. He put her through a test she knew she didn’t need, after a year of Stephanie proving to the entire world that she deserved a second chance. She was offended. Disgusted. And in that moment… she had a natural, human reaction. And then what happened after that?

Batgirl apologized.

Because Stephanie Brown is a person. Who is also a hero. And a girl. But first and foremost, she’s a person… who watches Futurama reruns on basic cable (but that’s beside the point). Knowing that is key to writing Batgirl (not the Zoidberg part; the person part.)

She’s a human being. Free to make her own mistakes, to have her own triumphs. Sure, she has limitations… but Stephanie knows what they are. And she isn’t going to let anything hold her back. Batgirl’s becoming more self-aware, as we all do when we’re her age. She’s growing.

Have I ever been a nineteen year old girl who moonlights as a costumed vigilante?

The short answer is “No.” But I have been nineteen – just like Stephanie. Right at the edge of undeniable, honest-to-goodness adulthood. She’s finding herself, and in the pages of Batgirl, we’re right there beside her, along for the ride.

And much like everyone’s first year of college, Stephanie’s is going to be a bumpy one. Filled with Reapers and Witch Boys. Beetles and Bathounds. Deadlines and finals. Even though extraordinary things come her way, there’s always the “normal” thrown into the mix.

Batgirl by her very nature should be immediately relatable to the reader. That’s why we gave her a costume where you can see her eyes and, more importantly, her smile. She’s a hero with emotion, which is both her biggest vulnerability… and her greatest asset. And in that space in between, that’s where Batgirl’s sense of hope comes from.

Hope for a brighter tomorrow. Hope for a safer Gotham. Hope for a second chance at… everything. Batgirl not only wants the world to be a better place, but she believes that it’s possible. Which means that (hopefully) Stephanie Brown is just like you and me. Except that she knows some karate.

I do not know karate. Kudos to you if you do."

Gail Simone Talks Birds of Prey

2010-11-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our friend and reviewer Zaius for this find!

In a 90 second interview on Newsarama.com, Gail Simone says things like "Game Changer" and ripples felt "across the DCU" when asked about the upcoming arc, "Death of Oracle." Ruh-roh! You can view the video here.

What does this means for Babs? Be sure to check out this month's BtO episode and hear one listener's thoughts.

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Are you an artist? Create a background for BtO!

2010-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends! Happy Halloween!

As I look outside of my window and see the beautiful Fall season take shape, I am suddenly struck with an idea. Today is, in fact, Halloween, but sadly, the BtO Boards do not reflect this. My co-creator, Noctis, and I had discussed an idea when the boards were first created that we would have different backgrounds/themes. I would really like to start to do this, and who better to give me a design than you! I would love to have all of you creative people out there create backgrounds for the BtO boards.

What am I looking for?

1. Any, and ALL, incarnations of Batgirl! Babs, Cass, Steph...comics, tv, cartoons...
2. The background can be 'normal' or...
3. The background can pull in the holidays or seasons! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter, July 4th, or Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, etc.

I really hope that I get many wonderful submissions because I am ready to show off the talents that I know many of you have. Let's make BtO ours!

You can e-mail submissions to me at batgirltooracle@gmail.com or just send me a link to an online photo album. The current background has a resolution size of 1024 x 819!

Fly on, Babs lovers! Fly on and draw on!
Stella

Comic Convention

2010-10-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I went to a comic convention this Saturday. It is just a local show with comics, toys, and some guest (though I never know who they are). This was the same convention that, in the summer, I acquired Detective Comics #359 (the first appearance of Babs!)

I was quite lucky this time as well, though I must admit that I did not come away with as much Babs stuff as last time. Here is my list of goodies:

Batgirl Plush from BTAS (YES! Now I have a Batgirl to put by my computer, just like Babs!)
Spider-Man Plush
BTAS Season 1 (Unopened!)
Mary Jane (Complete Mini-Series)
Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (Complete Mini-Series)
Kitty Pryde: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Complete Mini-Series)
Batman/Superman: Supergirl Hardcover
Iron Fist Hardcover
The Watchmen

Detective Comics #482
Batman Family #19

All this, mind you, for $52! As I was waiting for the convention to get started, I began thinking about SDCC 2011 and whether or not I should go...only time will tell!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

January Solicitations

2010-10-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Taken from ComicsContinuum.com: DC Comics has announced an initiative for January where titles will focus on characters and spotlight logos for each.

"This January, we;re putting the focus squarely on the characters and iconic heroes of the DCU," said DCU Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. "Not only will we tell new stories some of the more-deserving with special one-shots, but we'll be giving every title in the line a unique treatment that puts the spotlight on the heroes and villains that populate the DC Universe."

DC also announced one-shot spotlights for characters in the DCU.

What will we see in January?

BATMAN BEYOND #1

Written by Adam Beechen, art by Ryan Benjamin and John Stanisci, cover by Dustin Nguyen.

Batman Beyond becomes an ongoing series! Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne are stronger than ever after the battle with "Hush" brought their alliance close to the breaking point. But now a super-powered criminal has gotten in way over his head -- and the whole Justice League has come to Neo-Gotham to hunt him down! To top it all off, the crook's taken hostagesÉ including Terry's mom! It's the start of a story that will change Terry's life -- and the Beyond universe -- forever.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Jan. 5.

This looks good! I'll think seriously before actually putting it on my pull-list, but I always enjoyed this version of Batman. It is coming out at a good time as the Batman: Beyond Complete Season is coming out in November!

BIRDS OF PREY #8

Written by Gail Simone, art by Ardian Syaf and Vicene Cifuentes, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

The stunning "Death of Oracle" arc continues, with complications that will resonate through the DC Universe! And find out more about Mortis, the most twisted Birds of Prey villain ever, as she sets her sights on Hawk and Dove in this Batman Incorporated tie-in!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Jan. 12.

Oooh! Artgerm is doing covers for Birds of Prey?! How cool! Oh, no...a tie-in. Do I have to buy Batman, Inc. now?

BATGIRL #17

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Pere Perez, cover by Dustin Nguyen.

Batgirl has been given her first sanctioned Batman Incorporated assignment solving a series of high-profile kidnappings, and she's thrilled! Well, she was until Damian Wayne decided to ride shotgun. Can the Dysfunctional Duo stop fighting long enough to save the children of Gotham City's elite?

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Jan. 12.

I had just spoken to Bryan Q. Miller, recently, and he told me to be on the look out for this cover! What a triumphant moment for Steph! Having a great cover with her symbol behind her! Yay! *squee*

I hope you all are enjoying the start of Fall! I love the smell of Pumpkin Spice!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Episode 13:

2010-10-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

"Batman/Superman: Apocalypse" and "Batgirl: Year One the Motion Comic" are two topics which I discuss at the beginning of this hour. Kimberley Rockmore joins me from the Watchtower Newsdesk, and shares some small screen news. Plus, I review Detective Comics #406 and #407, Batgirl #14, and Birds of Prey #5. I finish off the episode with my literature recommendation, and Thomas Matis pops on at the end for a few words on Batgirl #14.

Episode 12:

2010-09-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

Just under the wire! In this September episode, I talk a little about my teaching job, explain why Barbara Gordon and Peter Parker would not work as a couple, and share some exciting news about Batgirl: Year One! I then review Detective Comics #404 and #405, Batgirl #13, and Birds of Prey #4, as well as give my literature recommendation for the month. Enjoy, and please forgive my sleep-deprivation-induced ramblings!

Bendis Out...Syaf In!

2010-09-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Gerard for pointing my attention to this!

Taken from The Source:

Starting in December, the Birds of Prey will get a new member – to their creative team, that is.

Hot off a stint on GREEN LANTERN CORPS and BRIGHTEST DAY, Ardian Syaf steps in as the regular artist on the series, joining forces with regular writer Gail Simone. And Syaf is stepping in just in time, as the series continues to kick things into high gear, with a new arc starting in December titled “The Death of Oracle.”

BIRDS OF PREY Editor Janelle Siegel was kind enough to show off a few pages of Ardian’s art, and it seems she’s as excited as we are about the new addition:

“I’ve been a fan of Ardian’s work for quite some time, so I jumped at the chance to have him on Birds of Prey. He’s a great fit for the book because he is an immensely talented artist with a gift for storytelling and action and he’s also great at drawing beautiful women! We couldn’t ask for a better combination than that for the kind of stories we’re telling in Birds of Prey right now.”

Here are some panels from Syaf...they look pretty sweet! So, while I'll miss Bendis, I am hopeful that Syaf will earn his place!

Until next time...fly on Babs lovers!

December Solicitations

2010-09-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes, it is that time again! And look! I'm early...I think! Not too much in the way of books that I will be getting, but I am LOVING the covers!

BATGIRL #16

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs, cover by Nguyen.

The "Order of the Scythe" has drawn first blood, framing Batgirl for a crime she didn't commit. Can she outrun Gotham City's Finest long enough to prove her innocence? The birth of Batgirl's gallery of rogues begins here as "The Lesson" continues!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Dec. 8.

Yes Rogues! This is what we have all been waiting for and what Bryan Q. Miller has promised! I cannot wait!

BIRDS OF PREY #7

Written by Gail Simone, art by Ardian Syaf and Viceente Cifuentes, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

One of Oracle's fiercest enemies finds her alone and far from her allies and safe houses -- and that's just the tip of the iceberg as Batman returns! A story alled "The Death of Oracle!"

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

Um...I just hope this is not another R.I.P. Oh, my...what to say, what to say?

Well, December may be light in numbers but it will not be light in quality! I'm looking forward to these issues!

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Batman: Arkham City

2010-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Is this for real?! It certainly looks legit! It makes me happy to see Tim Drake and, though I would prefer to see Stephanie as Batgirl, I'm just glad that there is a Batgirl in the game (if it's true). What do you think? Could you see these characters in the game? Are you as taken with the image as me?

So far this is what we know of Arkham City (taken from IGN.com):

"Based on the short summary provided by Rocksteady, we know Arkham City's story sees Quincy Sharp, Arkham's warden in the first game, now entrenched as mayor of Gotham City. With the former Arkham complex in ruins thanks to the Joker, Sharp converts a large portion of Gotham's slums into a new facility run by Dr. Hugo Strange.

Strange has only one rule for its legion of insane patients: don't escape. This leaves dangerous villains like Joker and Two-Face free to battle it out to become insane king of the urban jungle, and you can bet your britches that Batman will find himself smack dab in the middle of the war. The insertion of Catwoman into the crazy mix is where things get really interesting, as it's unclear whether she'll serve as friend or foe to Batman in the game."

Excited yet? I sure am! Until next time...

Fly on, Babs lovers!

November Solicits

2010-08-31T17:02:00.001-07:00

What's this? I'm late? Well...have I mentioned I got a teaching job? Anywho, here are the highlights for November!

So, apparently with the return of Bruce Wayne comes an entire cluster you-know-what of Batman titles...I feel sorry for my friends who will try to get all of them!

BATMAN, INC. #1

Written by Grant Morrison, art by Yanick Paquette, covers by Paquette and Andy Kubert.

Grant Morrison continues his earth-shattering run on the Batman titles with this exciting, new ongoing series! Batman, Inc.. marks the next stage of evolution for The Dark Knight. This can't-miss series will star not just Bruce Wayne as Batman, but also a huge number of guest-stars!

32 pages, $3.99, in stores on Nov. 3.

Well, I will not be picking this up, but I feel like it will probably feature some great team-ups. To me, it seems like it is going to be Batman: The Brave and the Bold. I believe Steph will make an appearance at some point, plus some other cast favorites.

BATMAN/CATWOMAN: FOLLOW THE MONEY #1

Written, art and cover by Howard Chaykin.

The Cavalier Ð that's the Z-lister with the swords, right? So how'd he manage to frame Catwoman for a run of burglaries? And how on Earth did he manage the more spectacular crime of cleaning out the Wayne Enterprises pension fund and framing Bruce Wayne for the deed? However impressive he may appear to be, The Cavalier will quickly learn that frame-ups like that cut both ways, as both Batman and Catwoman begin tracking the Gotham City villain in this stand-alone one-shot from comics legend Howard Chaykin!

56 pages, $4.99, in stores on Nov. 3.

This could either be really good...or really bad! If Catwoman/Batman is written correctly, then there will be some really good dynamics and back-and-forths going on. I wonder if this is an ongoing or not...could this be the start of a relationship?

BATWOMAN #0

Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman, art by Williams, Amy Reeder and Richard Friends, covers by Williams and Reeder.

"I suspect that Batwoman is socialite Kate Kane. I intend to prove it beyond a shadow. I need to know if she can be trusted, what her motivations are. I'm going undercover." Batman: Mission Log Entry 2756

Featuring a unique story composition that combines the art of Williams and Reeder, this special #0 issue acts as a new introduction into the life of Batwoman! Things pick up roughly where the Batwoman: Elegy HC left off, and this issue acts as a primer for the upcoming new series featuring multiple creators!

32 pages, $3.99, in stores on Nov. 24.

Ah, Batwoman. If I had not cut my comic list with an axe, I would consider picking this up. I recommend people try this. The character is bright, smart, and one whom I really respected when I read her.

BATGIRL #14

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs, cover by Nguyen.

The unsinkable Stephanie Brown's second semester at Gotham U. starts like any other -- new classes, new allies, a vigilante stalker Ð everything a gal could want! But what Gotham City's Batgirl isn't prepared for is the arrival of the mysterious Order of the Scythe. Who are they, and why have they set their sights on her? The Lesson begins here!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Nov. 10.

So begins the TRUE beginning of Steph's second year...at least artistically! I'm looking forward to Nguyen and his art. One of my top books, by far!

BIRDS OF PREY #6

Written by Gail Simone, art by Alvin Lee, cover by Alina Urusov.

Dinah Lance struggles to clear herself of murder charges, leaving Huntress and Lady Blackhawk in Thailand to face the invincible Shiva without the aid of the Black Canary! And a major moment occurs in the lives of Hawk and Dove!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Nov. 10.

Frankly, I'm just interested to see how the Birds get themselves out of this! It's like those 30min shows where the hero is in trouble in minute 25 and you just have no idea if he or she will make it...gripping!

BATGIRL: THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD TP

Written by Dennis O'Neil and others, art by Gil Kane, Terry Dodson and others, cover by Alex Ross.

Batgirl takes center stage in this collection, which includes her 1967 debut and various stories through the Ô90s! Includes stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #359, 396, 400, 422, 423 and 424, BATMAN FAMILY #1 and 9, LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE #10 and 11 and BATMAN CHRONICLES #9.

160 pages, $19.99, in stores on Dec. 15.

All I have to say is....YESSSSS!!!

After all of these issues, and the others that you can find on other sites, my one question is this:

Where is Dick Grayson, and what part does he play in the new Bat-verse? Will there be two Bats? I guess we'll find out!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Episode 11:

2010-08-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

"Ch-ch-ch-changes!" What do I think about the Batgirl from 'The Batman' series? In what areas does Stephanie need growth? What are my favorite Batgirl moments? I answer these questions and more on the latest episode. I also review Detective Comics #400 and #401, Batgirl #12, and Birds of Prey #3. Plus, I give my literary recommendation and share some personal news.

Thanks to Steve J. Rogers for getting the Denny O'Neill tag at the beginning!

Dustin Nguyen new artist on Batgirl starting in November

2010-08-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

As I sit here in Iowa ready to pull my hair out since a teaching job fell into my lab and starts in 10 days and I'm not even in my home state, I feel like it is as good a time as ever to share a bit of news. While my heart is heavy now that Lee Garbett will no longer be the main penciller on Batgirl, I am excited with the news that Dustin Nguyen will be joining Bryan Q. Miller in November as the artist. In an interview taken from CBR:

Batman: Streets of Gotham artist Dustin Nguyen is moving down the street to another Bat title in November. On DC's The Source blog today, Alex Segura announced Nguyen is taking over the art duties on Batgirl from Lee Garbett, who is moving on to a new project.

“This is definitely going to be an exciting venture for me, besides the outline Bryan has for us, i’m just plain excited to be drawing Batgirl,” Nguyen said. “This latest incarnation of her has lots of the aesthetics of the original Babs that i love and some new ones. It’ll take me some getting used to drawing a female in horns, but i’m looking forward to putting away the “mean and moody” for a while and kick in the ‘fun and sexy.’”

Nguyen will work with writer Bryan Q. Miller on the book.

“Dustin’s joining the team at JUST the right time, as BATGIRL: THE LESSON begins. Steph’s world is going to get a smidge more gritty, a skosh more chaotic, and LOADS more dangerous - Dustin’s the perfect man to help tell this tale! And, as an added bonus, Dustin’s on the ground floor for the creation of Steph’s very own gallery of rogues (So, there’s that to look forward to, too!) Consider his cover to Batgirl #15 one of the last truly quiet moments our Batgirl is going to have for quite a while. But she’s ready for it - you can tell from the look on her face. That’s Steph for you — always smiling!” Miller said.

If the cover is any indication, Nguyen will be bringing something special and different to Batgirl. I will miss Garbett but I will welcome Nguyen with an open heart and mind!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

October Solicits

2010-08-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Yikes! October may be the time to break the piggy bank, friends! I'm sure you've already seen the DC solicitations for October but here is where I break down what I think is necessary for a Batgirl/Barbara Gordon fan!

BRUCE WAYNE -- THE ROAD HOME: BATGIRL #1

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Pere Perez, cover by Shane Davis.

Batgirl no more? Is Stephanie Brown's brief tenure as Batgirl in jeopardy now that Bruce Wayne has returned? Or will Bruce's homecoming mean bigger and better things for Gotham City's premier heroine?

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 13.

Will this be the end of Steph? I doubt it, but it will be interesting to see what the return of Bruce means for our new Batgirl.

BRUCE WAYNE -- THE ROAD HOME: COMMISSIONER GORDON #1

Written by Adam Beechen, art by SzymonK Kudranski, cover by Shane Davis.

For several months now, Commissioner Jim Gordon has known he's been working alongside a "different" Batman. But with Bruce Wayne now returned, what will that mean for the future of Gotham City and their own crime fighting chemistry?

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 20.

I'm not too sure I will get this but it does seem like the Commish/Bruce relationship is one of the most important in the comics world so I should think it may be a good issue...if done correctly.

BRUCE WAYNE -- THE ROAD HOME: ORACLE #1

Written by Marc Andreyko, art by Agustin Padilla, cover by Shane Davis.

Barbara Gordon and Bruce Wayne have long been allies and friends, acting as Gotham City's primary defenders. Their reunion is sure to have lasting effects on Barbara's role as Oracle and the other Birds of Prey.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 27.

Yikes! Well, we know that Babs had a very close relationship with Bruce so that will be interesting to tell. Why his return should have an effect on her role as Oracle or the Birds of Prey, I can not imagine. Why isn't this written by Gail Simone?

I would like to know if these are mini-series or just one-shots. Hmm, any ideas? I almost think that they will be minis as long as Batman: The Return mini goes on. Plus, these issues are only $2.99 rather than a standard one-shot price of $3.99.

Haha, as a little segue, how dumb does that new "Knight and Squire" series sound? I doubt that will last long. People want Batman and Robin, not a knock-off!

DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2010 #1

Written by Joe Harris, Bryan Q. Miller and others, art by TBA, cover by Gene Ha.

The DCU Halloween Special returns with a bang, featuring all-star talent and all of your favorite characters! What happens when the DC Universe's premier heroes are thrown together with some of the spookiest heroes and villains? Scares are sure to ensue!

56 pages, $4.99, in stores on Oct. 20.

I'm actually a big fan of the DC holiday specials because they are able to tell stories that would never get a chance otherwise. And let's not forget that our friend Bryan Q. Miller is writing a story in here!

Some of you may be asking, "Stella, you're picking up some of those minis, why not get Batman: The Return?" Well, to be honest, I don't much care. I was only picking up Batman while Dick was under the cowl and I said that I would drop it once Bruce returned. I'll certainly keep up with what is going on, though.

Fly on, Babs lovers!

I have returned...

2010-08-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well, after falling off of the face of the earth, I'm happy to return to my website. Have you been sad, reader, to check on this site and see no new updates for a while? I apologize! I feel like I have been going non-stop...plus I've encountered even more woe-is-me technical problems. Alas! I shall spare you the whine and dance routine, however.

I have recently returned from NYC where I saw six Broadway shows (Next to Normal, Lend Me a Tenor, The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet, Promises, Promises, and Lion King) in five days. I perused Midtown Comics (found nothing I needed, sadly), met up with a few Crawl Spacers (I'll be sure to share a picture), and had a great time! I've since decided to start auditioning again and I'm very excited about that...

But...what has all this to do with BtO?! Well, nothing. So, in actual news, BtO has recently (right after the Bryan Q. Miller interview, in fact) joined Twitter. You can follow me...us...it...via @BatgirltoOracle. I'd like to thank my ever-faithful friend Zaius, and Mr. Miller for pushing me towards Twitter. If it helps get the word out for BtO, then I am satisfied. I'm also glad at the reception of my interview with Mr. Miller. I'm glad that people are enjoying it and learning from it as well. I hope that it is the first of many!

I shall be away next week again, this time to Iowa, but another episode is soon to come following my return. I thank-you for your patience and once again apologize for my prolonged absence.

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Episode 10: Interview with Bryan Q. Miller

2010-07-17T18:14:00.001-07:00

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Mr. Bryan Q. Miller concerning his run on Batgirl. We discuss what it is like to work with Lee Garbett, the supporting cast of Batgirl, the villains, Stephanie working with other heroes, and we even briefly discuss Cassandra Cain. All this and more, plus listener questions. I really enjoyed speaking with Mr. Miller, and I learned a great deal!

Episode 9: Wham, Bam, Thank-you M'am Special

2010-07-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

In this review-only episode I talk about Detective Comics #396 and #397, Batgirl #11, and Birds of Prey Vol. 2 #2. Short, sweet, and to the point!

Episode 8:

2010-06-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

Batgirl to Oracle: The Barbara Gordon Podcast: Episode 8

Am I ever going to get a co-host? Am I dreading Nightwing Annual #2? And where exactly are Barbara Gordon (Sr.) and James Gordon Jr.? I answer these questions and more! Kimberley Rockmore reports on Batman: Year One DTV, the rumors surrounding White Canary, and a surprise involving Bryan Q. Miller. I review Batman #214, Detective Comics #392 and #393, and Birds of Prey vol. 2 #1! I then wrap up the show with my literary recommendation and a special character spotlight on X-23.

Ask Writer Bryan Q. Miller a Question

2010-06-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ita vero! (Yes, indeed!) Mr. Bryan Q. Miller has agreed to come on BtO! He has also kindly agreed to answer questions from you, the listeners. Please follow the following guidelines:

1. NO questions about Smallville. Mr. Miller has already told me that he cannot discuss anything Smallville related. This is a Batgirl podcast anyway! ;)

2. NO rambling questions. As this is the first guest I'd like it to be as problem-free as possible and to not take up a lot of Mr. Miller's time. Please make the questions short, sweet, and to the point!

3. LIMIT OF 3 QUESTIONS! I love answering your questions but I don't want to scare away our guest or make this a taxing event. I also don't want to have to delete questions. Make the list no longer than 3 questions! (In the event of an overload of questions, I do reserve the right to edit the number allowed per person.)

Thanks in advance, friends! I'm quite excited! Let's make Mr. Miller feel welcome!

Go here to post a question, or e-mail me!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Batgirl: Year One Petition Update

2010-06-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

As of approximately 1100 hours today, I sent in my letters--hand-signed and with a "Confidential" sticker on the envelope--to the "Big Wigs" at Warner Home Video. Pray or cross your fingers that the recipients read with an open mind and reconsider their position. Thank-you for the enormous help that you all have been thus far.

We are not out of the woods yet! Keep signing the petition and keep passing along the word! Let's see this through and get an "affirmative" on the Batgirl: Year One movie!

In the words of the great Gorf, Bird's the word!
Stella

September Solicitations

2010-06-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does time seem to fly and we always seem to be receiving solicitations so quickly after we've just seen the previous solicitations? Maybe it is just me!

BIRDS OF PREY #5

Written by Gail Simone, art by Alvin Lee, cover by Alina Urusov.

Two Birds track down a missing team member in Thailand...where someone is hunting them to make sure they never return! Plus, the shocking events of BRIGHTEST DAY continue to rock Hawk and Dove, the newest recruits to Oracle's organization!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 15.

Well...only #5 and it seems like Black Canary is SOL! The cover is interesting and certainly has a different feel to it. It reminds me somewhat of an Anime-style. I'm most interested to see how Simone is able to add Hawk and Dove to a team which already has a great amount of chemistry.

BATGIRL #14

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

It's terror in the third dimension starring Batgirl, Supergirl and Dracula and Dracula, and Dracula! When Supergirl decides to get away from it all and visit Stephanie Brown on the campus of Gotham City University, a quiet, relaxing weekend turns into a monster movie mash-up! After a science experiment goes horribly wrong, 24 black-and-white Draculas are brought to life, and Batgirl and Supergirl are forced to become vampire hunters in order to stop an army of the celluloid undead!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 8.

Hehe, I'm excited about this! I think that it's time for Batgirl to have a team-up, and whom is better to have it with than Supergirl?! I like that Steph is getting recognition outside of the Bat-circle. This issue, sadly, could be the last time that we see the wonderful Mr. Garbett on pencils. I hope to see him back on this title soon!

X-23 #1

Written by MARJORIE LIU, penciled by WILL CONRAD, cover by DANNI SHINYA LUO Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL'OTTO Women of Marvel Variant by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC

After the events of Second Coming and the stunning conclusion to X-Force, X-23 strikes out on her own in this all-new ongoing series,

Written by best-selling author MARJORIE LIU, spinning out of the events of Wolverine #1! X-23 has never had an easy relationship with the rest of the X-Men, but when she learns someone has taken down Wolverine, she must step up to fill his shoes.

40 pages, $3.99.

I'm including this in the BtO solicits because I will most likely praise X-23 on the next episode of BtO. This should be a great series, and if Liu's Black Widow #1-2 is anything to base it on, it will be!

That's it for now! Fly on, Babs lovers!

Episode 7.5: The Wonder Woman Show

2010-06-12T13:34:00.001-07:00

Batgirl to Oracle: The Barbara Gordon Podcast: Episode 7.5: The Wonder Woman Show

In this non-Babs related episode, I, along with special guest George Berryman, add commentary to Wonder Woman, the 2009 DC animated movie. Synch this episode with your DVD and you can follow along with us!

There is some great discussion before and after the movie not only concerning Wonder Woman and her mythos, but also the great potential for Batgirl: Year One the animated movie.

Interview with Bryan Q. Miller

2010-06-11T17:31:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Zaius, my foreign correspondent, for pointing me to this. Taken from Broken Frontier.

Debuting as the Spoiler as an antagonist for Tim Drake in Robin, Stephanie Brown's time in the DC Universe has been full of twists and turns. She was a short-lived Robin herself before her apparent death at the hands of the original Black Mask some years back. Since her return from the dead last year she has taken on the mantle of Batgirl, under the tutelage of Barbara Gordon, despite misgivings from much of the Batman Family. WIth a trade paperback collecting the first seven issues of her ongoing series coming out in July, Broken Frontier took some time out to chat with series writer Bryan Q. Miller about Stephanie's journey so far and what's coming up for her in the months ahead...

BROKEN FRONTIER: When Stephanie Brown first took over as Batgirl there was a certain degree of predictable discontent amongst the fans of Cassandra Cain, the previous incumbent in the role. Now that we are nearly a year into the Batgirl ongoing series how would you summarise where Steph is at as the new Batgirl and what she has achieved in that time? And do you feel you’re getting there in winning the old guard of Cassandra fans over?

BRYAN Q. MILLER: It all starts with Batgirl’s face – and that simply comes down to the costume. Cassandra kept it all covered up. What worked in Cassandra’s favor is that made her almost spectral, shadowy. Dangerous. But it also detracted from her humanity a little bit. Thanks to Lee Garbett and the host of art folk we’ve had giving him an assist here and there, Batgirl’s hopefully a little more street level, a little more human, and a little more relatable. Is she a bad-ass like Cassandra is? Not at that level, no. But that isn’t what the character of Stephanie Brown is about – she’s about hope in the face of self-inflicted and external adversity.

Do I hope that those who loved Cassandra can enjoy Stephanie’s adventure under the cowl? Absolutely! But I totally understand that, for them (just like for those that "grew up" with Babs), their Batgirl will always be their Batgirl. It’s the blessing and the curse of a legacy character. The reason we react and respond to the characters that we do has a lot to do with who we are when we’re first introduced to them. Just like there’s bound to be folk who will fall on their sword for Kyle Rayner over Hal Jordan, there’s always going to be a contingent who were raised on JLU on Cartoon Network and will forever see John Stewart as "their" Green Lantern.

BF: Throughout your run on Batgirl the book has seemed every bit as much Barbara Gordon’s title as Stephanie Brown’s. Will that dynamic change now with the return of Birds of Prey to the shelves? How much co-ordination will there be between yourself and Gail Simone in charting Barbara’s future? A crossover at some point would seem a natural event…

BQM: Gail is an immensely talented, and very busy lady. We had some interaction when she was getting the return of Birds off of the ground, and had discussions about Barbara. Barbara will definitely still be a regular in Batgirl. But, given that the cast is expanding a little bit (including some new villains), there may be an issue here or there where there simply isn’t enough room to fit Babs in. I never want to use Babs as a prop, so if there isn’t enough page space to give Babs a legit story/scenes (even if it’s just some soapy/emotional stuff), then she might be "away on Birds business." And if you’ve read Birds of Prey #1, you know the ladies over there most definitely have their hands full.

BF: Steph has often been portrayed in the past as a character whose recklessness and poor decisions would prove her undoing – starting the "War Games" gang war with all that entailed for the character, being fired as Robin by Batman or her manipulation of Tim Drake towards the end of the Robin run are all good examples. Do you see her eventually maturing beyond those occasional lapses into irresponsibility or do you think that unpredictability is an essential part of the character’s appeal?

BQM: Stephanie Brown is a human being. She’s flawed. What makes her more appealing than her unpredictability – I think – is that she just keeps chugging along, despite all the mistakes she’s made. She accepts the mistakes she’s made, and does her best to not make them again. She’s a survivor. Getting in over her head is also one of her ticks – that’s something that may never go away. But how she handles herself in those situations is where you’re going to start seeing her grow. She’s always been a little more reactive than proactive – the aim of the next big run is to turn that around.

BF: Many of the Bat-characters have made guest appearances in the first few months of Batgirl. Is it fair to say that establishing and defining Steph’s place in the Batman Family, and her relationship with that cast, was one of your main goals in the first year of the book? And is her relationship with Tim Drake/Wayne/Red Robin one that is doomed to forever end in recrimination?

BQM: It’s more than fair to say that Steph staking her claim and fighting for as clean a slate as possible was number one on my to-to list for the first twelve. If the first year of stories were about dealing with who everyone thought Stephanie Brown was, then the next run is about Stephanie/Batgirl planting her feet and working to stay who she is – despite the amount of resistance she’s going to be facing from all sides. It’s sometimes hard to keep track of who you want to be once you get your feet wet in college. It’s even harder if you have a secret identity on top of it.

And as for Tim, they may run into each other from time to time, but she won’t be seeing him that much. They’ve been through too much together to ignore, and she’ll always have a place in her heart for him. Much to her chagrin.

BF: Given that Cassandra Cain gave up the Batgirl identity due to Batman’s death, and with the "Return of Bruce Wayne" imminent, how likely is it that Cassandra will return to Gotham in the near future? And what will it mean for Stephanie if she does?

BQM: If at some point the story I’m telling feels like it can only be told with Cassandra as a part of it, then believe me, I’ll try to find a way to work her in. As it stands currently, however, Cassandra’s fate and future are not in my hands.

BF: If we could talk further about the relationship between Stephanie and Barbara for a moment - one of the strongest aspects of Batgirl has been the way you have developed the pairing of the two characters. Initially they were thrown together in a spirit of proprietorial antagonism over the Batgirl role. Over the months that gradually evolved into a respectful pupil/mentor dynamic and has now blossomed organically into friendship. Is that relationship at the very heart of the book for you and do you foresee the student outgrowing the teacher anytime soon?

BQM: It most certainly is the heart and soul of the book. But, with the return of the Birds into Babs’ world and a host of other things that are going to start happening over on Steph’s side of things, life may very well start getting in the way.

Moving into the next run of issues after #12 (and especially after #15), Batgirl’s going to start having to rely on herself, more than ever. Babs will definitely still be around, but the "training wheels" are going to start coming off, whether Steph and Babs like it or not.

BF: Moving on to the supporting cast, what hints can you give as to what the future holds for Batgirl’s ancillary players? Will Wendy Harris, the Calculator’s daughter, be sticking around after the current arc? Are we going to learn more about the past of Barbara’s love interest, the surely too-good-to-be-true Detective Gage? And will the presence in the book of Stephanie’s university classmates Francisco and Jordanna continue?

BQM: Wendy – absolutely. She’s not going anywhere.

Detective Gage – Why Nick transferred to Gotham and who he used to be are going to start bubbling to the surface. They’re tiny bubbles, but it’ll definitely reach a boil by the end of the next over-arching story.

Francisco and Jordanna – The next run has a much larger University component, so I’m definitely going to try and work them in, as needed.

BF: So far you’ve focused mainly on traditional Batman villains or established ne’er-do-wells from across the DCU as threats for Batgirl. Which of those characters have you most relished using and are there any plans to start building up a specific Rogues Gallery of new opponents for Stephanie in the future?

BQM: I know he doesn’t count as a villain, but as a foil, Damien Wayne is by far and away my absolute favorite. And I grew up on Batman: The Animated Series, so having the chance to work in Roxy Rocket and Clayface (issue #13) was a real treat. Clayface will more than likely be the last official "big" Bat villain Batgirl’s going to run up against for a while. Her second semester will see the rise of anywhere from five to eight rogues that she can call her very own.

BF: Speaking of villains, the one conspicuous by his absence so far is Stephanie’s father, the Cluemaster. When last we saw Arthur Brown he was intent on bringing down Batman for what he perceived as his part in Stephanie’s "death". With his daughter back in the land of the living can we expect to see the Cluemaster return in the pages of Batgirl any time soon?

BQM: We’re doing our best to keep Stephanie and Batgirl facing forward, so no – not in the foreseeable future. Never say never, though…

BF: Looking forward, are there any other teasers that you can give us for what’s coming up for Batgirl, Barbara and company in the months ahead?

BQM: It finally stops raining at some point. A new friend/confidante/ally for Batgirl. Clayface. A new class schedule. A visit from a very non-Gotham DC hero. The Return of Bruce Wayne. A new nuisance for Batgirl. Brand new foes. New toys. Lots of new toys. And maybe, just maybe, super-fingers-crossed-maybe, Ace.

BF: Finally, what other projects have you got in the pipeline both inside and outside the world of comics that you would like to share with the Broken Frontier readership?

BQM: We just wrapped Season Nine of Smallville, and I’m back on board for Season Ten, which CW just released will in fact be our final season. So definitely more Smallville. As for other projects, nothing I can talk about just yet.

It seems like an exciting time for Batgirl and Stephanie fans! I hope that the fact that Miller respects Cass and will not use her for random, unnecessary reasons puts Cass fans at ease. More college life makes me excited and I'm interested to see Nick Gage's 'past' and what Miller is planning on doing with Wendy. I do question Miller's love of Damian Wayne, however...

Fly on, Babs lovers!

HOLY...

2010-06-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well...isn't this preview page from Batgirl #12 just a dream for any Dick/Babs shipper? Too bad all is probably NOT what it seems. Still...a girl can dream!

Partying with a Bird

2010-06-08T15:07:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday I had a graduation party to celebrate my successful end at Mr. Jefferson's University of Virginia. Besides having a great deal of fun with my dearest friends, I realized a little something about myself. If any of you know Brad Douglas, the webmaster over at Spider-Man Crawl Space, you know that he absolutely hates people misspelling 'Spider-Man' as 'Spiderman.' In a similar vein, I apparently get rather heated when someone says "Hey, it's Batwoman!" when it is NOT Batwoman! Not that I don't like Batwoman, I do! It's just that Batgirl and Batwoman are two COMPLETELY different women! It's like calling Superman Batman or vice versa! So, in the future, it's best not to approach me at a party and say, "Is that Batwoman on the cake?" You would not fair well, my friend...not well at all! ;)

One of the exciting moments of my party was the cake! It was a red velvet cake with all of the trimmings and the best heroine leaping proudly onto the scene! I am really thankful to the woman who did this for me! Thanks and enjoy the pictures!

Batgirl: Year One DTV Petition Update

2010-06-02T18:03:00.001-07:00

As I write this, there are 388 signatures on the "Put Batgirl: Year One Back in Production" petition! Yes! Thanks for all of the support! Thanks, especially, to those who have helped to spread the word:

Bat-Blog
Jeffrey O'Taylor Brien host of the Superman Homepage
Shagg Matthews host of Once Upon a Geek
Jill aka The Nerdy Bird host of Has Boobs, Reads Comics
spiderfan970 over at Spider-Man Crawl Space (who spread the word which ended up getting Lauren Montgomery to comment and share the true culprits behind the decision!)
Walter 'That Guy' host of BTP
Dustin and everyone over at The Batman Universe

I hope that I am not forgetting anyone...thanks to all of the promoters of the petition and all of you who have signed it! It has not even been a month since I started the petition and it is gaining speed. It would be fantastic to get 1000 signatures before the end of the summer, at which time I will be sending all of my letters. Is that too much? I think not! Let's do it, people! Let's get Batgirl: Year One back among the world of the living!

Ex animo,
Stella

August Solicitations

2010-05-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

BIRDS OF PREY #4

Written by Gail Simone, art by Ed Benes, Adriana Melo and Maria Benes, cover by Alina Urusov, variant cover by Ryan Sook, Fernando Pasarin and Joel Gomez.

The explosive first arc of concludes here! The Birds race against the clock to protect the Super Hero community, but can they make it in time and find their blackmailer? And the final showdown between Black Canary and White Canary is a fight between two martial arts masters!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on August 11.

LOVELOVELOVE the cover! Each new BoP solicit makes my mouth water! I cannot wait for this sure to be wild ride!

BATGIRL #13

Written by Bryan Q. Miller, art by Pere Perez, cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.

Clayface infiltrates Gotham City Bank & Trust looking to make a sizable withdrawal. There's just one problem: waiting in line at the bank is Stephanie Brown Ð Batgirl! But when Clayface begins morphing into different people, Batgirl must hold the entire bank hostage until she can uncover and stop him!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on August 11.

Artgerm knows how to create great covers! What makes me sad is that Mr. Lee Garbett is not on this issue. I will miss him!

Episode 7:

2010-05-21T09:26:00.001-07:00

Batgirl to Oracle: The Barbara Gordon Podcast: Episode 7

Who is Barbara Gordon's arch-nemesis? When will she stop being a hero? Which Robin would I date? I answer these questions and more on the latest episode. I re-announce the "Make an Intro Contest" as well as promote the petition to get the Batgirl: Year One DTV back into production. I review Adventure Comics #381, Detective Comics #388, Detective Comics #389, Batgirl #9 and #10, and Kevin joins me once more to help me review Brave and the Bold #33. I round out the episode with my literature recommendation and a little pimping.

Sign the Batgirl: Year One petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/batgirl-year-one.html

DC Universe Legacies #4

2010-05-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

Our very own Barbara Gordon is on the cover to DC Universe Legacies #4. How large a role she will play is yet to be seen since she is not even in the tag-line for the issue. I may wait for the trade for this series unless I find that this issue necessitates an immediate purchase.

Written by LEN WEIN
Art by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ & DAVE GIBBONS and JOE KUBERT with SCOTT KOLINS
Cover by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ & DAVE GIBBONS
1:25 Variant cover by JOE KUBERT
The DC Universe moves forward and evolves when a new generation of heroes inspired and mentored by the Silver Age's greatest come together to fight the good fight. Robin, Kid Flash, Speedy, Wonder Girl and Aqualad - the Teen Titans hit the scene! At the same time, heroic humans without powers reunite to remember Sgt. Rock in a story by Joe Kubert!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 18 * 4 of 10 * 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

In other news, a friend to Spider-Man Crawl Space and BtO found out from Lauren Montgomery's DA that Bruce Timm and Sam Register were not involved in the decision to stop Batgirl: Year One's development. Rather, it was Warner Home Video who tied the noose. As such, I have changed the names to whom I will send the letter and petition: President Ronald J. Sanders, SVP Sales Mike Takac, and SVP Acquisitions and Business Development Eva Davis. Perhaps I can at least get Timm, Register, and Montgomery to sign the petition.

Thanks to the 42 people who have already signed!
Fly on, Babs lovers!

Batgirl: Year One DTV Petition

2010-05-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

I told you I would do it, and so it begins! Follow the link below to sign the petition to bring Batgirl: Year One back into production.
http://www.gopetition.com/online/36228.html

I hope that you truly do sign it, as it will only take a mere 30 seconds of your time. I have never been this proactive before, but I believe in this cause, and I believe that with no Batgirl movie, and no more female superhero movies slated for production, that DC Animated will begin to backslide. This petition is not only for Babs, but for ANY DC superheroine! Please spread the word!

Thank-you for your time!
Stella

Episode 6:

2010-04-30T19:23:00.001-07:00

Batgirl to Oracle: The Barbara Gordon Podcast: Episode 6

In this extremely depressing episode, I announce a contest to create a new Batgirl to Oracle Intro/Opening, answer a few questions, and give a moment of silence for my recently-deceased external hard drive. I review World's Finest Comics #176, Detective Comics #384, Detective Comics #385, Batgirl #8, and Red Robin #10. I apologize for the bare quality of the episode, I did the best with what I had.

Batgirl: Year One DTV Cancelled?!

2010-04-28T04:37:00.000-07:00

It's good to know that, despite all the crap I've had to deal with these past few weeks, life does not really care about your little hard drive problems and can get worse.

From Bruce Timm:

"'Wonder Woman’s' sales started out extremely slow and then over time were eventually able to catch up to probably 'Justice League: New Frontier.'" said Timm. "The Exec’s decided because it wasn’t able to sell quickly right away, whereas 'Justice League' was, that there wouldn’t be any more female super hero films right now. We were developing and hoping to get started on a 'Batgirl' film based on 'Year One,' but because of 'Wonder Woman’s' slow sales start, that won’t be happening now."

Are you being serious, right now?! Not only is a Wonder Woman sequel canceled because of "slow sales" but any chance of a Batgirl: Year One movie (and there WAS a chance) is out the window. Correct me if I'm wrong but, aren't slow sales better than NO sales?!

I've never been proactive on letter writing campaigns, but, since summer is coming up, I'll be making one heck of an exception! Who's with me! If I can get everyone who listens to Batgirl to Oracle to sign a petition that I will personally write, then maybe we can get Batgirl: Year One back on the list! Let's be honest, folks, if Batgirl: Year One doesn't come out, there is NO chance for Cass or Steph fans! We need to do something!

I will keep you posted!

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Beep...beep...disaster!

2010-04-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, Babs fans...if you only knew what I've been through! I have the entirety of Episode 6 recorded. "Why hasn't it been published?" one may ask. Allow me to tell you the nightmare I am going through...

I have had the first half of the episode recorded since the last week of March. I had to wait to do the second half because I did not have Red Robin #10, part of a cross-over with Batgirl. After I received my Red Robin issue, read the cross-over back-to-back, and prepared to record, a scary thing happened: my external hard drive made an odd beeping sound and proceeded to not be recognized by my computer. "What's the big deal?" One may ask. Well, perhaps it wouldn't be such a problem if I had not put ALL of my BtO audio files on there, as well as files from my undergraduate architecture career (things which I was planning on using for a portfolio). After several attempts at turning it off/on and reconnecting, I decided to scour the internet for an answer. I believe that I found someone that had a similar problem: basically, it's the power cord for the unit! All I have to do is get a new power cord and I should be golden...scour the internet some more and viola! the exact power cord/converter from China. I should receive the cord soon, but then it is up to God as to whether my hard drive decides it has been cured.

"Why do I care?" (Gee, this voice is annoying) Well, I suppose you don't really have to care. I just wanted to apologize for the delay. I have been trying my darnedest to stick to a schedule and get an episode out at least once a month. I also am disappointed that this had to happen the first month that Mile High Comics is my sponsor. I feel like I've let everyone down, and I'm sorry! I am hopeful that this will be rectified, and I suppose we shall all find out soon.

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Batgirl and Birds of Prey July Solicits

2010-04-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Zaius (my news-buddy) for pointing me to these solicits:

On sale JULY 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by LEE GARBETT & JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
It’s the end of Batgirl’s first year as a member of the Bat-family, and the stakes couldn’t be higher! Stephanie Brown must risk her life to break into the Calculator’s secret lair in an attempt to save Oracle and all of Gotham City from his techno-plague. And finally, the Calculator’s daughter accepts her true destiny!

On sale JULY 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by GAIL SIMONE • Art by ED BENES • Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
The explosive first story arc of BIRDS OF PREY continues! Pursued by an unstoppable killer, the Birds are forced to run a gauntlet of insane gang members and corrupt cops out to kill them all while trying to stop a teammate from dying in front of their eyes! The meanest BoP villain yet is calling for blood and won’t stop ‘til she gets it!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Comic Convention and a Sponsor!

2010-04-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hey there! I've got some exciting news for you readers/listeners!

First, there was a comic convention near where I live this past Saturday. My ultimate goal was to polish off my Birds of Prey collection, but I came away with so much more!

Batman Family #4
Batman Family #5
Batman Family #7
Detective Comics #481
Suicide Squad #49
Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey #1
Birds of Prey: Wolves #1
Birds of Prey Secret Files 2003
Birds of Prey #52-65 (now I'm only missing #15 and some one-shots!)
Showcase '94 #12

Iron Fist #1-5 (Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker)
Batgirl: Year 1 #1-3, 5
Nightwing #104-106 (last half of Nightwing: Year One)

But what I'm most excited about? I now have in my possession, Detective Comics #359, the first appearance of my idol, Babs! Yayz!

And my other bit of news? Batgirl to Oracle now has a legitimate--and, might I add, a great--sponsor: Mile High Comics! I'm particularly excited about this partnership because MHC prides itself in having a HUGE stock of vintage comics. This is fitting for a podcast that is starting from the Silver Age! You can use the link on my page to get to their site. I can attest to the quality of their service as I bought a bunch of 80s comics from them for research. From the bottom of my heart, thank-you Mile High Comics!

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Birds of Prey #1: Two New Heroes Revealed...

2010-04-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

And the blacked-out figures are...*drum roll*

Hawk and Dove?! What do you think about this little bit of news? I have to say that I am a little disappointed, but I will reserve final judgment until I actually read the issue.

Thanks to Zaius for pointing me to this!

Fly on, Babs lovers!

Batgirl and Birds of Prey Interior Art

2010-03-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Zaius for alerting me about this on the BtO: MB.

First, Lee Garbett (whom I am very fond of because of his art in Batgirl) posted some pencils from an upcoming issue on his Twitter.

Secondly, DC's Source posted some of Ed Bene's inked artwork from a Birds of Prey issue. Unfortunately, the pages do not give us any hints as to what the state of the team is.

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella

Update:

2010-03-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well, if you have not noticed by now the new tab at the top of the page, nor have you listened to episode 5 and heard the "grand opening ceremony," you are missing out! On March 17, 2010, I unveiled the Batgirl to Oracle: Message Board. I hope that this will become a great forum for discussing every incarnation of Batgirl! Of course I am a huge fan of Babs, but we have Cassandra fans and Stephanie fans there as well. Join me and my friends/listeners!

Batgirl to Oracle: Message Board

Fly on, Babs lovers!
Stella