Batgirl, Volume 2: Knightfall Descends

3.5 out of 5 stars (but I'm rounding up this time bc I can)Mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I thought the individual stories were very interesting and I especially love reading Barbara Gordon's inner thoughts as she fights crime on Gotham streets. However, the overall story arc of this collection felt inconsistent and just all over the place for me. It starts off with a flash back of Babs as a freshman in college and explains how she first started as Batgirl, which I enjoyed more than her previous origins story. It then moves to the present and her struggle with recovering from Joker's attack. Black Canary sends Batgirl on a mission to stop Groteseque, who is just another forgetful villain. The main thing about this guy was that one of his henchmen actually worked for Joker during the attack on Babs, and this leads to an emotional scene that Gail Simone does a brilliant job writing. The next part of her adventures involves the Night of the Owls crossover story arc. I LOVED this part so much! It was exciting and intriguing and the art work here was awesome. But it just left me hanging. And it seemed to just come out of nowhere. Plus, I hate that I have to pick up different titles in order to see what happens next during this night of terror in Gotham. I mean, I have to see what happens now, ya know? *adds [b:Batman: The Night of the Owls 15784159 Batman The Night of the Owls Scott Snyder https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344000972s/15784159.jpg 21501850] to growing book list*The volume ends with Batgirl up against Gotham's newest vigilante, Knightfall. She is truly one of the more terrifying villains that Babs has to face thus far (although Knightfall's lackeys were unremarkable). I love that Batwoman comes in and helps Batgirl. I loved the creepy/crazy psychosis of Knightfall. And I loved that we have James Gordon, slowly and subtly working his way into his sister's life throughout this story (truly frightening shit right there). These last few parts are the reason I rounded up on my rating, which I normally do not do. There are a lot of things to look forward to in volume 3 and I know that Gail Simone is going to do a great job.

Gail Simone + Batgirl = OTP, honestly. I love love loove the tone she's set here, smart and tough and funny and, real?? I guess?? I also give major probs to the way she's handling the New 52 reboot. Oh also I love anytime it's even suggested that Bruce Wayne needs to ~check his privilege~, obviously. Hooray!!

PS Black Canary cameo <3