Batgirl #43 review

Well, I've been campaigning/nagging for her comeback for years now, and finally the Velvet Tiger returns to print. Created by Barbara Randall Kesel and Trevor Von Eeden to battle Batgirl in the Eighties, she's not been seen for a couple of decades, but I liked that gal. For one thing, she was a cat-villain, and as a lover of pussies galore, I can never resist a girl or guy in faux fur. And Lani Gilbert, as a computer-savvy blackmailer, was a bit different from her feline-themed compadres.

We don't see much of the reborn version in this issue of Batgirl, but we do see her crimes, as she uses her namesake beast to murder IT specialists for reasons unknown. We see Barbara Gordon and her very own cyber Oracle, Frankie, look into the crimes. Away from the action, Babs turns wedding planner to help organise former flatmate Alysia's big day. We learn why fiancée Jo is a tad too distracted to get involved in the fun. And we see Batgirl's tech chum Qadir feel a moment of jealousy.

Writers Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart don't believe in skimping on story, producing a packed page-turner in which personal moments matter as much as action scenes. There's Babs' concern for Frankie, as she bids to get out onto the frontline of crimefighting; Frankie's reaction to said restrictions; Alysia's excitement at having Babs back in her life; Jo's attempt to balance the commitments that mean most to her. Batgirl taking on the tiger who came to IT...

Babs Tarr grabs the script and runs with it, providing kinetic, incredibly likeable artwork with layout partner Michel Lacombe and inker-for-two-pages Juan Castro. From the opening page, with its well-paced building of tension, to the climactic cliffhanger, Tarr and co present a vibrant, fully realised world.

And boy, do they draw gorgeous big cats - it'd almost be worth a scratch or ten to meet these creatures. Other artistic treats include Frankie's new outfit, Babs' collapsible Bat-cycle and the vile, vivacious Velvet Tiger herself. And everything is wonderfully coloured by Serge LaPointe, who distinguishes day and night scenes with contrasting, complementary palettes. Steve Wands letters, providing emphatic words, whispered text and everything in between. Throw in a killer cover drawn by David Lafuente and coloured by John Rauch and you have the best issue yet of DC's breakout Bat-book.