Hey, Kruker is back here again for another issue of Tate Blombar and Goatiezawa’s Batgirl! This is question #5 starring my favourite character, the amazing Cassandra Kaine. Let’s just get into it.
First off, one of the important things I liked about this issue was how quiet it started. Cass ‘Muteness (relative must at this point, but not here either) is an important part of her character, and in the past she has enjoyed minimal cartoons in dialogue. Cass is the perfect character for such a setup. The second half of the trouble that happens after Cass is gas and unconsciously knocked is actually a callback to a critical fan favorite moment from her original run.
This moment is seen as a justification for Cass’ feelings of poor her mind, telling her about the feelings that this story was drowned by her, how she is beginning to see Shiva in a new light, and how much mirror the mother and daughter are mirrors. It scares her and she hates the idea of seeing herself in Shiva. This is the scene that is the culmination of everything this story is building on. A long-standing examination of Cassandra and Shiva dynamics. I especially liked to keep David Kane, who in Cas’ biological father silhouette, who makes Cas himself refer to him by his full name instead of his father. As this execution is about to establish, Cass is not only a child of Shiva, but also a child of Batman.
DC
From that point on, I would like to ponder the nature of Cass’ duality for a moment in this run. Cass’ status as Batman’s daughter, the parents she could choose, and the daughter of Shiva, the parent she cannot leave, is key to understanding the downstream of the conflict that Bronball is creating. This story reminds me of much of Batgirl vol. 1 #50. In the infamous battle between Cass and Bruce, they filled in much of their baggage. It was thought that Bruce knew Cas best, molding her with his image, and he ordered her as if he were anyone else on his team, and while respecting Cas’ struggle for independence and symbols. In many ways, this story feels almost like an inversion of it. This is a story about desperately trying to reject the symbol, her mother, and the indisputable fact that she is affecting her as much as Batman. I’m probably blowing the heat, but I’m not playing around with Cass.
DC
Miyagawa’s art is of course just as good. I especially liked the shot of Cass standing on a bed of flowers that has been overlooked in a moonlight cave. A very symbolic image immediately when you ask me. I also like the whole dream sequence. It was truly reminiscent of the scenes it pays to respect while working with many new images that return to various points of Cass’ long history. It was honestly crazy that shots of David Cain and the infamous “Cass’ First Murder” scene from the 90s were brought into this post-reconstruction era.
DC
Yeah, obviously what I had to say is that it’s a safe assumption that Batgirl #5 is as solid as they come. I really love this run and I’m excited and excited to be honest and continue to read and review it. Keep up with a good job, team, you’re doing it perfectly.
Batgirl #5
A deep, close-up investigation into Cassandra’s relationships that are brought back through the character’s long and renowned history.
Callbacks that don’t feel bad or cheap
The story feels like it’s rising in satisfactory return
Amazing art and visuals
