Batgirl: Year One #1

Batgirl: Year One

by Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon, Marcos Martín (Penciller)

Barbara Gordon, following her chance meeting with Robin at the end of YEAR ONE, aspires to become a vigilante herself. But between the skepticism of Batman and the watchful eye of her adoptive father James Gordon, she's finding the hero biz to be an uphill battle!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Graphic Novels

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2003

About the author

Scott Matthew Beatty is a comic books writer.

Reviews

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

Was stuck between a 3.5 and a 5 star with this issue, but I just rounded up since I enjoyed it.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Excellent, girlpower, excitement, action, drama, beautiful illustrations. glad there are more to read. Looking forward to getting to know this character.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find that I actually enjoy the art style in this even though I might not have enjoyed it as much before. I really like Barbara's narration throughout this issue and how this tells a more modern version of her origin that still tips the hat to the Silver Age. I do agree that maybe she could've had a bigger villain than Killer Moth to start out with.

[Shannon Lush · Rating 4 out of 5]

The always-dependable Chuck Dixon teamed up with prolific writer and comics historian Scott Beatty to craft a new story heavily influenced by the 1987 hit ‘Batman: Year One’.

Barbara Gordon is given an appropriate spotlight as readers discover the road-blocks in her life that prevent her from following in her father, GCPD Detective James Gordon’s, footsteps. Denied access to the police force and a law enforcement career in general, Barbara takes the opportunity given by the early crimefighting career of Batman and the burgeoning age of superheroes to become Batgirl.

This debut issue is highly engaging and shows Barbara as a determined young woman who subverts expectations at every turn. She’s flirty, smart, and coming into her own as a vigilante and detective. The writing heavily uses foreshadowing of the traumatic events to come in clever ways; this title is less an introduction to the Batgirl character than it is filling in the blanks of why and how she became what she did.

The artwork apes that of the famous cartoony style established in ‘Batman: Year One’ and as such it helps to ground the story in the same universe. While not as effective in many ways as David Mazzuchelli’s work on the former, it remains inspired by it and fits well with it.

An excellent first issue that immediately invests the reader in the unique backstory to one of the most well liked members of the Bat-family.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Barbara's narrative as she explained her reasoning to becoming Batgirl.

As someone who's new to the Batman stories, isn't Killer Moth a bit crap? Shame this is the villain she appears to be going up against.

I loved the art and the writing is punchy. My only real issue is in the previous stories I've read Jim Gordon has been well written and pretty believable. How has he not clocked his daughter is acting out of character? Some detective. 😆

[nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ve already read “batgirl: year one” in its entirety but i am so barbara gordon pilled at the moment that i reread this. it was really nice comparing the experience this time around (considering i know a whole lot more about barbara now) to my first read. this was essentially the first barbara centric story i read. i really loved the little easter eggs. i love her characterization and i am freaking obsessed with the art style. long live barbara gordon i love her forever and ever

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5🌟
Personally, I don’t feel like I’ve read enough of Batgirl/Barbara alone to judge this issue for what it is. It’s quick and to the point, I understand her motivations but also, it lacked a little, she’s smart but also terribly impulsive and immature but I don’t expect anything less considering she was a teen doing teen things.

[Fernanda Diniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Te deixa curioso pra ler mais sobre, mas a Barb ta meio chata nessa primeira edição uashuash fica parecendo uma adolescente mimada e inconsequente, sem profundidade. Na segunda melhora!
Acho que as pessoas parecem não saber escrever adolescentes de outra forma.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Pretty good start. I love the art style as it is just so early 2000s and I love it. The ending was great and I can't wait to see what happens next. I have high hopes for this series. Fingers crossed that it doesn't let me down.

[K.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

rereading BATGIRL: YEAR ONE feels like revisiting an old friend. i really love this book, especially as it goes on. this issue, i loved the way we are immediately introduced to babs’ witty dialogue and personality, her character shines through amazingly.

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of two floppies I bought at the Dollar Tree, the other was Green Arrow 2023 #1. I quite enjoyed this one, though I usually rank comics by collected editions, so my score could've been different had I read issues 1-5 together.

[mehek 💌 · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay Barbara I see you

[Auguste J · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thespian skills"

[may ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

well. i didnt expect to love her this much what

“i want to be seen. i want to be heard.”

[gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ barbara is so cool i love her

[☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn’t meet the height minimum requirements? girl r u filipino