DC Comics 2015
Written by Gail Simone
Penciled by Dale Eaglesham
Inked by Tom Derenick
Coloured by Jason Wright
Lettered by Travis Lanham
So I’ve been trying to play catch up now that i’m able to get to a local shoppe and this is one of those series that I think Gail’s always managed to excel at. Plus from what I can see the mix of characters has greatly intrigued me! Now while i’m not too terribly sure about this incarnation of Ralph he does certainly have his own unique charm and way about him that blends with this group beautifully. Plus that he resembles Bibbo or some old time crime beat reporter adds a little something extra to the character that I can get behind.
When we see Catman walking the dog and the fly/goat thingie in the park it demonstrated what I feel is the best and worst of this universe all at once. I absolutely adore the way Blake is being portrayed here! He’s become such a phenomenal character since being brought back into prominence and gotten away from his “joke” status. He really has become one of my favourite DC characters and it surprises me a little bit all things considered. Plus Gail knows this man inside and out and continues to flesh him out in subtle ways that just adhere him to the audience. Her characterization, storytelling abilities and ability to amaze readers shines in this feature with guest star Batgirl.
Ah Batgirl now here’s where the worst comes into play. This version to me is at best a Year One version of the character or more suited to be played by Stephanie Brown. Suddenly we’ve gone from grown up Barbara to teenage wannabe who’s lost not only her fashion sense but most of her skills as well. In the way the meeting with Thomas Blake plays out this is as evident as it possibly could be. The “real” Batgirl could’ve handled Blake much better than we see here instead it felt like a petulant teenager trying to beat up an adult.
After the purpose of Batgirl’s presence is revealed we switch gears to the house where everyone else is. Again I absolutely adore Gail and what she can do the characterization here is beyond description. I mean really aside from learning about Mary’s past before becoming Strix and Porcelain’s attempt at making her beautiful it’s really Shawna that kind of steals the spotlight. There are moments that just stick out like a neon sign at night on a lonely deserted highway and you just marvel at what you see.
Ah then there’s the kind of double ending with Sue reaching out to Ralph about remembering him and wanting to come home balanced by the appearance a woman. Though why she looks like Cheshire and sounds like Talia when she is who she is beyond me but i’ll roll with it. How this particular line-up can hope to stand up to her should be interesting when it’s my humble opinion that Strix and Blake are the most accomplished fighters.
Dale, Tom and Jason nail the interiors! Just the attention to detail in their street clothes or the backgrounds heck even the poop in the bag it all just makes you believe this is real. That they aren’t some mysterious group of spandex clad folks who are their powers but instead we see the emotions and feelings and everything else under the sun shine through their faces and body language.
While I missed Ragdoll and Scandal this issue it doesn’t matter because this creative team is beyond amazing. What they continue to do with this series, granted i’ve only read the past three issues, makes me happy I can read it.