THIS WEEK: Batgirl #9 and Absolute Green Lantern #4 reignite a spark in different ways. Plus, checking in on Birds of Prey #23, and Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit #1.
Note: the review below contains spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Batgirl #9
Writer: Tate Brombal
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
I have been frustrated with this run as of late. For context, I love this Batgirl run, or at least, I had loved the first six issues of it. Once we got to Shiva’s kung fu origin story, I felt like we had replaced the emotion-filled, powerful rise to independence and loving bond of a mother and daughter that Cassandra had experienced in this run, with a goofy story that didn’t land the same as what was written before it.
Which brings us to this issue, where I now feel secure on the path that this series has set for issues to come.
I never get tired of the art in this series; it only makes what’s being written that much more powerful. Imagine my enthusiasm seeing Cass clad in her Batgirl costume, arriving at this ranch in Montana on horseback like a knight in shining armor. It’s one of those moments that makes me think to myself: that’s the Batgirl I know and love. It didn’t take long for the story to pick up from there.
Cass is still dealing with the fallout of her mother’s (alleged) death and the feelings that came along with it. She wasn’t perfect, and Cass makes that clear, but she now has a better understanding of her mother, what she wanted for her daughter, and what hurdles she had to climb to get there.
Albeit a story of ninjas and assassins, I can’t help but love how writer Tate Brombal tells a memorable story about a mother and what she was willing to do to keep her daughter safe, even if it’s messy and at times wrong. That suggestion I don’t believe was an accident, and it only makes the story that much better for it, as we now see Cass forced to deal with the skeletons in Shiva’s closet.
I won’t spoil the reveal, but the setup and implications actually give me hope, assuming this isn’t just an average comic misdirection. A new character reveal shows promise for Cass’s future, and only time will tell what this creative team will do with that.
In short, this run has been a collection of highs and lows. I had lost faith in it, yet I’ve found renewed interest. And overall, I think what this comic has done is give a fun and deep story worth following.
It may not always stick the landing, but when it does, it reminds me why I cared about this series in the first place. If the creative team can carry this momentum forward, building on the emotional core and not just the spectacle, then I’m more than willing to stay on this ride and see where it takes Cassandra next.
Final Verdict: BUY
The Round-Up
Absolute Green Lantern #4 has had me hooked through the phenomenal art of Jahnoy Lindsay. This issue was no exception; it’s full of beautiful panels and full-page spreads. I can never get enough of it. Seeing Hal Jordan’s Black Hand and how it warps him, how it visually mirrors his inner descent towards corruption, and Sojourner Mullein, our new Green Lantern protagonist, literally cracking apart to reveal a core of absolute willpower underneath her skin? That imagery hits hard.When it comes to the Absolute series, I really believe it’s the art that sells it first. It draws you in, and then it keeps you there by building worlds and emotions with each page. There’s a real sense of atmosphere in every panel. Whether it’s the cosmic scope or the quieter emotional beats, Lindsay’s work makes each moment feel meaningful. However, that’s about where my praise for Absolute Green Lantern has paused. I’m definitely still engaged, but four issues in, not a whole lot has happened. The pacing has been slow, sometimes frustratingly so. It felt like the story was circling itself, setting things up without much payoff. But now, finally, it seems like we’re turning a corner. I don’t mind a slow burn. I appreciate when a story takes its time, as long as it’s building toward something. But the back and forth in these past issues was starting to feel like stalling. This issue, though, feels like the end of that stalling. The pieces are starting to move into place, and it feels like the story is finally opening up. There’s a shift in tone, like the creative team is saying, “okay, now we’re getting into it,” and that has me genuinely excited. We now know more about Jo and Hal’s motivations, and what exactly is going on in their town is starting to come into focus. The introduction of a major new player at the end of the issue brings the kind of tension I feel that this issue has been needing after Abin Sur. In between those moments, we also get glimpses of familiar faces. Some are unexpected, and all of them raise new questions. If this issue is any indication of what’s to come, then maybe the slow build will have been worth it. The creative team has laid the groundwork, and now we’re beginning to see how it all connects. There’s still mystery, still plenty of unanswered questions, but now there’s momentum too.If Absolute Green Lantern can hold onto this momentum, it has the potential to not just justify the slow burn but to stick the landing in a way that makes the early pacing worthwhile. At this point, I’m back in, and I’m hoping the story delivers the kind of emotional and cosmic payoff this creative team clearly has in them.- Kelly Thompson’s Birds of Prey run has quietly become one of my monthly comforts. It may not be the loudest or most groundbreaking title on the shelves, but it’s one of the most emotionally consistent. Every issue delivers something that makes me feel glad I picked it up, whether that’s a clever bit of dialogue, a small but powerful character beat, or just the warm familiarity of a team that feels like a team.This issue continues that trend. The fallout from the destruction of the Birds’ base in the last chapter sees the team regrouping and relocating, and the shift in setting doesn’t slow the story down. If anything, it gives Thompson and the art team more space to show what makes this book work so well: the characters and how they connect.The dynamic between the Birds is as strong as ever, and it’s those small moments that stand out above the rest. Cass comes up behind Barbara during a group hug and gently nudges her head against her back, no words, still awkward, but quietly present. It’s exactly the kind of interaction that defines this run. The big superhero action is here, but it’s in the quiet, thoughtful moments that Birds of Prey finds its heart. Those moments are only made better with Sami Basri’s expressive, character-driven art. This issue sets up next month’s issue, ending the current arc, and while the plot itself is relatively straightforward, Thompson understands these characters and presents them to the best of her ability. Even when the stakes aren’t world-ending, the bonds between the team make everything matter. With one chapter left in the arc, I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. Whether you’ve been following since issue one or are just catching up, this run continues to prove that great comics don’t need to scream to be heard; they just need to care about the characters they want to present.
- Leah Williams returns to Gotham City, this time in Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit #1, teaming up with the incredibly talented Haining. While I’m not completely sold on this new run just yet, there’s a lot to enjoy and even more to appreciate. Williams already proved she could handle these characters when she brought them back in 2024, in a run that was fun, bold, and well-received by fans. Some online discourse tried to credit that success purely to the popularity of Harley, Ivy, and Selina. But with this issue, it becomes clear that much of that appeal comes from Williams herself. Her voice for these characters is strong, the banter hits, and the controlled chaos that surrounds them only adds to the charm. The comic knows exactly what it wants to be and embraces that with confidence.What really sold me on the experience, though, was Haining’s art. Their work brings a vibrant energy to every panel. Whether it’s the comedic beats or the momentum of an action sequence, Haining delivers visuals that pull you into the world and make it all feel real.This issue had me smiling multiple times. It leans into the characters’ personalities without becoming over-the-top, and it keeps the pacing light while still introducing an unexpected antagonist near the end. It’s a comic that wants to entertain, and it absolutely succeeds in that goal. While I’m still curious to see where the larger story goes, this first issue lays a solid foundation. If it continues to balance sharp writing, character-driven humor, and Haining’s standout art, then this Gotham City Sirens run has the potential to be something really special.
Miss any of our earlier reviews? Check out our full archive! And check out the Beat’s other recent comics reviews!
Absolute Green Lantern #4 has had me hooked through the phenomenal art of Jahnoy Lindsay. This issue was no exception; it’s full of beautiful panels and full-page spreads. I can never get enough of it. Seeing Hal Jordan’s Black Hand and how it warps him, how it visually mirrors his inner descent towards corruption, and Sojourner Mullein, our new Green Lantern protagonist, literally cracking apart to reveal a core of absolute willpower underneath her skin? That imagery hits hard.When it comes to the Absolute series, I really believe it’s the art that sells it first. It draws you in, and then it keeps you there by building worlds and emotions with each page. There’s a real sense of atmosphere in every panel. Whether it’s the cosmic scope or the quieter emotional beats, Lindsay’s work makes each moment feel meaningful. However, that’s about where my praise for Absolute Green Lantern has paused. I’m definitely still engaged, but four issues in, not a whole lot has happened. The pacing has been slow, sometimes frustratingly so. It felt like the story was circling itself, setting things up without much payoff. But now, finally, it seems like we’re turning a corner. I don’t mind a slow burn. I appreciate when a story takes its time, as long as it’s building toward something. But the back and forth in these past issues was starting to feel like stalling. This issue, though, feels like the end of that stalling. The pieces are starting to move into place, and it feels like the story is finally opening up. There’s a shift in tone, like the creative team is saying, “okay, now we’re getting into it,” and that has me genuinely excited. We now know more about Jo and Hal’s motivations, and what exactly is going on in their town is starting to come into focus. The introduction of a major new player at the end of the issue brings the kind of tension I feel that this issue has been needing after Abin Sur. In between those moments, we also get glimpses of familiar faces. Some are unexpected, and all of them raise new questions. If this issue is any indication of what’s to come, then maybe the slow build will have been worth it. The creative team has laid the groundwork, and now we’re beginning to see how it all connects. There’s still mystery, still plenty of unanswered questions, but now there’s momentum too.If Absolute Green Lantern can hold onto this momentum, it has the potential to not just justify the slow burn but to stick the landing in a way that makes the early pacing worthwhile. At this point, I’m back in, and I’m hoping the story delivers the kind of emotional and cosmic payoff this creative team clearly has in them.
Kelly Thompson’s Birds of Prey run has quietly become one of my monthly comforts. It may not be the loudest or most groundbreaking title on the shelves, but it’s one of the most emotionally consistent. Every issue delivers something that makes me feel glad I picked it up, whether that’s a clever bit of dialogue, a small but powerful character beat, or just the warm familiarity of a team that feels like a team.This issue continues that trend. The fallout from the destruction of the Birds’ base in the last chapter sees the team regrouping and relocating, and the shift in setting doesn’t slow the story down. If anything, it gives Thompson and the art team more space to show what makes this book work so well: the characters and how they connect.The dynamic between the Birds is as strong as ever, and it’s those small moments that stand out above the rest. Cass comes up behind Barbara during a group hug and gently nudges her head against her back, no words, still awkward, but quietly present. It’s exactly the kind of interaction that defines this run. The big superhero action is here, but it’s in the quiet, thoughtful moments that Birds of Prey finds its heart. Those moments are only made better with Sami Basri’s expressive, character-driven art. This issue sets up next month’s issue, ending the current arc, and while the plot itself is relatively straightforward, Thompson understands these characters and presents them to the best of her ability. Even when the stakes aren’t world-ending, the bonds between the team make everything matter. With one chapter left in the arc, I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. Whether you’ve been following since issue one or are just catching up, this run continues to prove that great comics don’t need to scream to be heard; they just need to care about the characters they want to present.
Leah Williams returns to Gotham City, this time in Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit #1, teaming up with the incredibly talented Haining. While I’m not completely sold on this new run just yet, there’s a lot to enjoy and even more to appreciate. Williams already proved she could handle these characters when she brought them back in 2024, in a run that was fun, bold, and well-received by fans. Some online discourse tried to credit that success purely to the popularity of Harley, Ivy, and Selina. But with this issue, it becomes clear that much of that appeal comes from Williams herself. Her voice for these characters is strong, the banter hits, and the controlled chaos that surrounds them only adds to the charm. The comic knows exactly what it wants to be and embraces that with confidence.What really sold me on the experience, though, was Haining’s art. Their work brings a vibrant energy to every panel. Whether it’s the comedic beats or the momentum of an action sequence, Haining delivers visuals that pull you into the world and make it all feel real.This issue had me smiling multiple times. It leans into the characters’ personalities without becoming over-the-top, and it keeps the pacing light while still introducing an unexpected antagonist near the end. It’s a comic that wants to entertain, and it absolutely succeeds in that goal. While I’m still curious to see where the larger story goes, this first issue lays a solid foundation. If it continues to balance sharp writing, character-driven humor, and Haining’s standout art, then this Gotham City Sirens run has the potential to be something really special.
English (US) · 