TBU Review: Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2

In this review of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2, someone appears to want to help Barbara as she’s being hunted. But can this individual be trusted?

BARBARA GORDON: BREAKOUT #2
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by AMANCAY NAHUELPAN
Main Cover: KARL KERSCHL
Variant Covers: DAN MORA, MATTEO SCALERA, JEFF SPOKES
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 6/10/26

This review contains spoilers

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2 opens with Barbara in the super max hospital because someone tried to kill her last issue. An inmate named Sparrow tells Babs that she is not safe there and that she is going to get her out. Babara wonders if she can trust Sparrow.

Sparrow is taking Babs out down the hallway but as they are making their escape she starts to get all trippy and wonders if Sparrow drugged her. She then collapses on the floor.

Meanwhile, Officer Jim Gordon is making his rounds as someone tells him his shift is over. Just then he sees someone making a run for it. He gives chase until he is attacked. Before the criminal can strike his killing blow, Nightwing arrives to save Jim. Nightwing and JIm discuss Barbara’s situation and Jim tells Nightwing that he sent in help.

Sparrow is taking care of Babs as she drifts off to sleep wondering who tried to kill her. She had visions of Joker and Grim Reaper as she tries to deal with the pain of her attack. During morning rounds at the prison, a guard finds an inmate murdered.

Sparrow gives Barbara more pills to make her sleep and rest. As she walks off, we see her shadow that looks very reaperish. Sparrow talks with Die as Die complains that Barbaba isn’t dead. Sparrow says no but she’s doped up. As she walks off, the Grim Reaper reaches for Babs.

Analysis

A supernatural mystery! I did not expect this. I thought this was going to be your standard prison show like Prison Break meets Gotham. But now that the Grim Reaper has entered the mix all bets are off.

I really like the scene of Nightwing and Jim Gordon. It’s always good to see those two characters together. Two characters that have a long history together and we don’t see enough scenes with the two of them. 

Jim said that he had someone on the inside to help his daughter and the way it was framed made it seem like Sparrow but Sparrow has been drugging Babs throughout the issue. Now if she is the Grim Reaper, why is she just drugging her and not just taking her out? Hmmmmm

Like I said I didn’t expect a supernatural element but that being added makes this series that much more interesting for me.

BJ Shea

BJ has had two passions in his life: sports and comic books. Specifically Batman and Robin. Not a day has gone by where BJ hasn’t watched or read something Batman-related. Currently, his goal is to collect as many Dick Grayson (his favorite character) issues as he can. Doesn’t matter if he’s Robin or Nightwing or Agent 37, he wants them. Another goal he has is to collect the complete Robin run of Tim Drake’s classic series. Raised on reruns of Adam West and was there for the animated series, BJ is down for any version of Batman. The Dark Knight is his favorite movie ever. On any day, BJ is most likely watching sports, watching anything Batman, or The Office.