Batgirl, Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside

A legendary heroine goes to trendy new places in this upbeat volume. After years of painful recovery from the gunshot that severed her spine, Barbara Gordon has a new home, a new costume, and a new attitude. Burnside, Gotham’s hippest hamlet, has welcomed her with open arms and a tempest of hashtags—this Batgirl is as much a viral star as she is superhero. Her villains are similarly current: a pair of murderous anime cosplayers, and a buzz-hungry artist. Tarr’s art brings new life to an old character, transforming bleak Gotham into a fantasy of young professional life—it’s a bold, stylish, and tremendously fun debut. Writers Fletcher (Gotham Academy) and Stewart (Sin Titulo) settle into a cheery groove, though the stories rely a little too heavily on gimmicks without digging into the deep bench of supporting cast. But overall it’s a charming romp and a wonderful setup for future adventure. (July)