Where Batgirl goes to Japan and becomes an MMA fighter.
Unfortunately, this comic just didn't quite do it for me. The writing and art are alright, but the plot was mediocre. The villain and whole setup was a bit laughable, and it just felt blah to me.

I am a long time Batgirl reader and fan, I've surfed the proverbial wave from Betty Kane to Barbara Gordon, to Cassandra Cain (And Stephanie, but she never felt organic to me)- and now back to Babs. The very nature of comics is ever-changing, you learn to roll with the punches. But I admit that I had some reservations about Rebirth in general (with the exception of holy comic god Scott Snyder & his All-Star Batman) even after what I would consider a successful New 52 reboot. While I like the way the new stories have written, they don't really line up with our badass Batgirl of the past. She's always been a seriously strong character, I love Oracle as much as I've ever loved Batgirl. But again, comics are an ever changing game.

So all that to say, the Rebirth universe is pretty damn solid so far, with Batgirl: Beyond Burnside (vol 1) being a great example of a well-written story and incorporation of existing character traits.

Beyond Burnside has us following Barbara across Asia on a mission to stop Teacher, a villian who is trying to steal a 'super serum' of sorts. There really isn't much I can say without giving away important plot points but said plot is well laid out and easy to follow. It doesn't carry heavy social commentary or make a major statement, but it's a fun read. It's a race from city to city with solid action as well as great character building. I'm genuinely excited to see where Hope Larson takes this series next.

I didn't love the art style and thick lines, making it feel a bit childish at times, though there are a few scenes which I found perfectly drawn. That being said, the art is a solid 3.5/5 for me, the story being 4.5/5.

This was my first foray into DC comics as well as my first exposure to Batgirl. I really enjoyed it! I'm a big fan of Marvel staples featuring heroines like the new Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel, and this Batgirl volume is great. Barbara Gordon is fierce and smart (despite her penchant for capes - I echo The Incredibles, "NO CAPES!"). The supporting cast of characters here intrigued me and I am excited to see more adventures. This had a bit of a spy thriller ("find what the enemy wants and track them down") feel mixed with a little bit of classic Sailor Moon ("fight the baddies that randomly appear in your everyday life") and a tiny bit of Nancy Drew (independent traveler who finds a mystery everywhere). Fun and I plan to look for more Batgirl in the future!

This TPB didn't seem as much of a reboot as some of the other DC Rebirth titles.

Barbara is overseas taking a break from Burnside and Gordon Clean Energy. Trying to take a vacation. But, of course, that doesn't quite happen and it turns into a working vacation when she meets a guy from her past, Kai, who may be in some trouble.

She also meets Fruit Bat, a heroine from the 1940s who still seems to have a little something left.

And she also gets all involved in a race to get some sort of formula that everyone wants. Not to mention, takes up MMA.

There's then a very weird Memory thing that starts going on (not sure how I feel about it yet, and it seems neither is Barbara).

Finally there's the intro of a character at the very end of the TPB that could be really really interesting.

I got this ARC through Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment.

Batgirl’s decided to get some martial arts training in Asia and squeeze in some backpacking at the same time. But blah blah is blah blah and Babs is gonna have to blah blah to blah blah - blah? Blah. Reblah.

I would ell-yoo-vee it if just one of these Afterbirth books was halfway decent but it just ain’t happening! I’ll give Hope Larson this though: Batgirl is not badly written, it’s just not at all interesting. Babs is looking for some formula from generic bad guys who’re looking to make money - it’s so uninspired. And you could take Babs out of the equation and drop in any other hero and the story would be unaffected so it doesn’t feel like a uniquely Batgirl book.

On top of that, I noticed in this one how poorly Batgirl’s mask actually conceals Babs’ identity. How her childhood buddy Kai doesn’t know it’s her instantly is ridiculous. I mean, she’s an American white girl with long red hair in places like South Korea, Japan and China - not exactly countries bursting with Caucasians! - and then Batgirl shows up at the same time as Babs, a superhero who’s an American white girl with long red hair and a mask with MASSIVE eye holes that obviously tells you it’s Babs, but they still talk like Barbara Gordon and Batgirl are two separate people?! I couldn’t buy it for a second.

At least with Batwoman’s outfit, she’s wearing a wig of long red hair and out of costume she has short hair to throw people off (though there are like three people in Gotham with alabaster-white skin so, discounting the Joker and Harley Quinn, Kate should be quite easy to pick out!). Gah. And turning off her photographic memory like some kind of switch - how the hell does that work!? That major plot point was so stupid.

The book closes out with some nonsense about Poison Ivy and a prehistoric plant on the flight back to Gotham. Bo-ring!

Rafael Albuquerque’s art is fine but unremarkable which also describes Larson’s script and their Batgirl reads like a forgettable Saturday morning cartoon at best. That might appeal to some who aren’t looking for anything more than fluff with their superheroes but anyone looking for a gripping or substantial comic won’t find it here. Batgirl Rebirth is beyond blah.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having never been a big fan of Batgirl in the past, I was surprised to find that I liked Barbara. This book covers her trip through multiple countries through Asia and an old friend from her childhood. She gets to experience new things with someone from her not-so-recent past. The pacing of the book kept it entertaining. I liked that the mystery wasn't dark and gritty, like say a Batman book would be. It was relevant, timely and had elements of life or death, but it wasn't full of gravitas and broody crimefighters. I liked the lighter feel. Yes, there was peril and danger, but you had a feeling that Batgirl would be all right in the end.

I got so excited when I saw some superhero books up for review. I've never read anything with Batgirl so I thought I would give it a shot. I just don't think the story was for me. I didn't really like it at first. It did end up getting a bit more exciting a little later on but I wasn't crazy about it. I did enjoy the artwork and the costumes in this comic. I kept wanting to see what everyone would look like so I kept reading. Overall it just wasn't for me.

I love this graphic novel.
I enjoyed the story and the illustrations too.

Can't wait to get my hands on the next volume and I know I will be purchasing this volume and upcoming volumes in physical copy.

I give this 4 out of 5.

Batgirl Vol. 1: Beyond Burnside (Rebirth) is now available online and in bookstores near you.

Story: Parts 1-5 follow Barbara Gordon to Japan for a well-deserved “vacation” but what she is actually doing is trying to find a new edge. She has tracked down the oldest living Super-Hero, Fruit Bat, in hopes that she can learn something new. What she finds turns out to be even more valuable. Barbara runs into an old friend, someone she had lost contact with long ago, Kai. Quickly they rekindle their old friendship but this time with a bit of attraction thrown in too. Barbara realizes that Kai is in over his head with whatever it is that he’s doing after they get attacked by a school girl costume wearing wacko with a Student tattoo written in Kanji only who was only defeated with the help of Fruit Bat, so Barbara decides to stick close to Kai. Barbara decides to train in MMA in Singapore where she meets yet another martial arts villain with a matching tattoo to the school girl. Kai says stuff that doesn’t sit right with Barbara and she finds out what Kai has been doing. Barbara meanwhile is struggling with her training and not being fast enough for the students, she tracks down Teacher in South Korea she has to figure out a way to defeat Teacher. Part 6 is a fun little story where Barbara runs into Poison Ivy on the plane trip home.






Art: The art was nice not my favorite, the neon bright colors not my thing, I did like the halftone screen pattern and the gradient color backgrounds, gave it a nice touch. Albuquerque, I like. I like the very expressive facial expressions slightly over exaggerated, great action movement and the way Batgirls eidetic memory is visualized.


Review: Overall this was a great read, the story arc was interesting and the villains quirky. Barbara has some growing up to do but I think this is a good start. I can’t wait for more.

I’m more of a Marvel than DC fan but I’ve been trying to get more into DC lately so when I saw this was available on NetGalley I didn’t hesitate to request it. One of the few DC comics I have read is Batgirl: Year One which really made me fall in love with Barbara Gordon as a character. I have to say if it weren’t for the fact that this volume is about Barbara I probably wouldn’t have finished it.

The majority of this volume follows Barbara as she jots from country to country fighting a lackluster villain and interacting with an even more uninspired love interest. The plot was simplistic and cheesy (I’ve seen episodes of Scooby-Doo with more dynamic plots) and the art was mediocre. Another bothersome thing about Beyond Burnside is that it’s a fairly cohesive volume except for the end where Poison Ivy shows up and she and Batgirl temporarily team up to fight a villain (if you can even call it that) I’m fairly sure was in an episode of Goosebumps. After the previous issues with a connecting story line, having the end issue be one with no connection seems odd. I realize it’s most likely a transitory issue but still, it doesn’t flow well.

Overall, would I recommenced? No. Not unless you’re a hardcore Barbara Gordon fan who insists on reading everything she’s in and even then I’d say proceed with caution.

Batgirl is going backpacking to Asia via train. However she has "warriors" fighting her. She doesn't know why but they all have "the student" tattoo. She figures there must be a "teacher." She runs into an old friend which takes her away from her search for the teacher. She is also searching for a teacher that will up her skills. Will she find either one? If so, what will happen?

I enjoyed the story though at times I thought it slowed down in certain parts of it. This graphic novel shows us Batgirl in a different light. She is confident, independent but still cares about others. I am so glad that I didn't miss out on it.

The first volume of Batgirl: Beyond Burnside is amazing. Babs travels east to hone her skills as a fighter, and discovers more than she bargains for. The last section with Poison Ivy and Batgirl teaming up to control a plant Ivy has brought onto the plane is pretty great. You have to read this if you're a Batgirl fan!

i had never read a Batgirl comic before, and I'm not so sure this was a great place for me to start. I was pretty confused through most of it. It did make me want to read more from this character though.

Barbara Gordon has temporarily left her beloved Burnside, the hipster-esque area of Gotham, for the Far East. She has gone on a trip to train with some of the best fighters of Asia, including an older woman known for being a pretty amazing superhero in her younger days. Babs runs into an old friend when traveling, and soon realizes that his life is extreme danger from a group of lethal warriors known as "The Students." To save her friend, Barbara Gordon must uncover where the threat is coming from and identify their "Teacher." Oh, and there's the little matter of hiding her secret Batgirl identity from her friend while she does all of this.

Batgirl: Beyond Burnside Vol #1 travels all over Asia, including Okinawa, Seoul, Shanghai, and Singapore. Barbara learns new fighting techniques, cultures, and meets famous local heroes, including a few who help her with some bad guys. What begins as a trip to find herself becomes a trip to discover who could be attacking one of her best guy friends. What I love about this version of Barbara Gordon is that once she realizes what's actually happening, she wises up quickly. She makes some poor choices, and even gets knocked out during a fighting match, but she gets back up, keeps going and isn't afraid to change her mind.

Batgirl: Beyond Burnside Vol #1 is available now from DC Comics.

I loved the Batgirl of Burnside run and I was really interested to see what was next for Babs. And I think they did do a good job of connecting the classic character with that of her modern incarnation. It wasn't a total departure or retcon which was nice but if I am being entirely honest I didn't enjoy it as much. Barbara didn't feel as much like the fun and modern twenty-something like she did in the New 52 run. She was still kickass and snarky but I was still missing something. I'm curious for what is next for the DC Rebirth version of the character and I'm glad to hear she's headed back in Burnside.

I enjoy reading graphic novels but don't always understand the broader context of their universes. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more if I knew more about the underlying relationships. It was entertaining, but not something I would read again.

I received this graphic novel from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel collection isn’t my favorite. It took me a few pages to figure out where in the timeline DC was starting over with Barbara Gordon. Babs is a pretty well known character and I’ve always loved how smart she is and quick non the uptake. But there wasn’t as much background info laid down in this rebirth story as with some of the other DC heroes. Also the storyline just felt weak. Kids trying to steal a super formula so they could take a college entrance exam? It felt too simple and lacked omph. I will be continuing on with the series though, if only because I love Batgirl!

I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to reading the rest in this series. This was my first Batgirl.

Though certainly a step up from the last Batgirl book I read-- Batgirl of Burnside-- it wasn't anywhere near as compelling as when Gail Simone was at the helm.

While I haven't read much of Batgirl before this volume, New 52 had a great redesign and started something that the character could stand on. Before now, the best Batgirl we've had has been in Batman: The Animated Series. While that iteration of the character is still great, this one and the story she carries is very well done. While the art took a bit to get used to, the setting and everything else flowed nicely. While this isn't a good introduction to the character, it's a great addition, and has an awesome side story at the end. Pick it up!