by Joe Iconic, Reporter

STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! After a year living under the confinement of the dome, Stephanie Brown isn’t sure she wants to be Batgirl again. But when she’s attacked by Catman and Gorilla Grodd from the world of Flashpoint, she’s forced to put on the cape and cowl to fight alongside Red Robin and Cassandra Cain!

Convergence Batgirl #1 gives wonderful pre-New 52 Stephanie Brown fanservice, and reflects the growing evolution of female characters within comics. This issue does a good job of setting up the Convergence event, but focuses on Stephanie Brown, showing the richness of character and character history that made for a loyal, vocal fanbase of her brief but brilliant time as Batgirl.

DC Comics deviates from its usual avoidance of recaps by giving a brief synopsis of this Stephanie Brown at the end of Convergence Batgirl #1.   Timing is perfect for this issue, as Stephanie Brown has been introduced to the New-52 recently in the weekly Batman Eternal series. New 52 Stephanie-as-Spoiler came out strong, and generally well-received by Stephanie Brown fans. Her background was given the appropriate homage. Batman Eternal did an excellent job of focusing on her conflict with Cluemaster, her villainous father, as well as providing a nice “moment” with Tim Drake/Red Robin that recalls the pre-new 52 relationship of those two.

For the uninitiated, the Convergence event combines heroes from previous continuities or reality stories alternate (aka Elseworlds, and puts them in conflict.   Thankfully, Stephanie Brown fans can pick up Convergence Batgirl and not have to follow the many, many ongoing Convergence series to make sense of the major event. We pick up with Stephanie Brown, Tim Drake, and Cassandra Cain in their domed Gotham. The reader learns with them what has unfolded over a year, and that Stephanie Brown has been chosen as champion of their city.

The pure gold of Convergence Batgirl #1 is Alisa Kwitney on writing. Kwitney is a New York novelist, a former editor of Vertigo, and the perfect choice to write Stephanie Brown. She shows character growth in Stephanie, while touching on key aspects of her past.   A special kudos for referencing Stephanie”s past as a pregnant teenager. The fact Batgirl had a baby, and placed her up for adoption was not often referenced in the classic Stephanie Brown literature. Seriously, this major, life-changing event was almost in the category of dropped and forgotten story-lines. Showing how Stephanie used this experience as a strength was a masterstroke. Reversing the dynamic of making Tim Drake her supporting character was also brilliant.

Stephanie’s handling of masked villains and crowd control in a less “fighty-fighty” and more empathic way is a hallmark of how female characters are evolving comics.   In the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, and many other female-led comics, we are seeing this different, fresh approach to being a super-hero, and it is a much welcomed change.

A good amount of humor is interjected in as well; a special thank you for answering the age-old question why we never see superheroes going to the bathroom.

And did I mention Flashpoint’s General Grodd?? General Grodd from Flashpoint is possibly the deadliest incarnation of Gorilla Grodd. Although he makes a very brief appearance in this issue, fans of Gorilla Grodd should follow this series.

The art by Rick Leonardi and Mark Pennington is minimalist at times, but provides good definition for the faces.   Making Cassandra Cain actually have Asian characteristics is greatly appreciated, as well as getting around the less-then-loved version of Red Robin’s uniform by making sure his mask was down whenever practical. The attack of General Grodd is worthy of framing and putting on the wall.

Convergence Batgirl #1 is for the fans of the original Stephanie Brown/Batgirl, and the many fans who are happy to see stronger, more realistic portrayals of female superheroes in comics. This issue is a superb jumping on point for Convergence, and perfect for someone who just wants to sample Convergence. Alisa Kwitney is brilliant on writing Stephanie Brown, and makes this issue worth moving to the top of the pull list.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives 5 purple Batgirl suits out of 5 purple Batgirl suits.

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