Graphic Novel Review - 'Batman Adventures: Batgirl - A League of Her Own (The Batman Adventures (1992-1995))' by Paul Dini, Ty Templeton, Scott Peterson, Rick Burchett (Artist), Tim Levins (Artist)

A collection of five stories about Batgirl, as well as the other, male members of the Bat family, from way back in the 'Batman: The Animated Series' era; better known as the Paul Dini and Bruce Timm era. As that was my first exposure to Batgirl, in an iteration of her character which remains one of my favourites, I knew I had to buy 'Batman Adventures: Batgirl - A League of Her Own'.

I swear I now own three copies of that Batgirl/Harley/Ivy Christmas comic issue, as that keeps appearing in a lot of 'Batgirl' and 'Harley Quinn' comic collections. But it's a great story, so I'm not complaining.

In 'Batgirl - A League of Her Own', Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, the young spirited student, librarian, computer genius and commish's daughter, teams up with Batman, Tim Drake's Robin, and her father, Commissioner Jim Gordon (sadly there's no team-up with Nightwing here, even when she has opportunities to). Contained in these classic issues, newly printed and published together in a 2020 compilation, are: Harley, Poison Ivy, Renee Montoya, Ras' al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, a master assassin known as the Sensei, and Paris's own Dark Knight - a stone gargoyle-like mutant, called the Hunchback's Ghost, or the Batman of Paris.

I would have preferred more stories where Batgirl is more solo and independent, instead of partnered with older, experienced and more popular DC men. She seriously needs female friends, to boot.

But the final issue, where she partners up with Tim Drake and is leading the charge on an investigation (she even has full access to the Batcave computer), is wonderful. It shows how far she's come, and that she is growing and developing - making less mistakes as she gains more experience - both as a superhero and as a fully fleshed out character. She is an entity separate from Batman, the undisputed star of the show, and of the DC universe as a whole.

It helps that she isn't involved in anything to do with romance, for once.

Warm, smart, witty, bold, compassionate, magnanimous yet temperamental and impulsive, and determined, Barbara really is becoming a league of her own. Solidly deserved as she is an awesome hero in her own right.

I love the artwork, too. How I miss that classic, cartoon style! It's delightfully colourful and bright, even in the night time scenes. Batgirl's hair, eyes, lipstick, smiles, scowls (every expression, in fact), costume - it looks the best, you can't beat it!

It's amazing, how many interpretations of Batgirl and/or Barbara Gordon there have been since her introduction, in comics and in television, nearly six decades ago now. Look at how much she's changed, and is still changing to this day; how much her character has gone through - how much she's suffered, and raged against the system, and has been foolishly underestimated - and what different styles she's undergone. In 2020-21, 'Batgirl' comics and issue collections continue to be made. Batgirl continues to thrive. She is truly an aspirational, inspirational and emboldening character and superheroine in the pop culture media landscape; and it is uplifting and lovely that, in the midst of all the changes and incarnations from everywhere, she manages to steadily be as beloved as ever, with a devoted fanbase.

I am proud to be part of that fanbase. After all this time, almost a decade since becoming involved with fandoms, Batgirl is still my favourite superheroine ever, and Barbara Gordon my favourite Batgirl (the others, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain, are great too, of course).

I shall end this review on the note of linking to my other, many and positively majestic comic reviews relating to Babs, for further context:


Batgirl: Year One

Batgirl: A Celebration of 50 Years

Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection

Batgirl: Knightfall Descends

Batgirl: Beyond Burnside

Batgirl: Son of Penguin

Birds of Prey: Murder and Mystery

Birds of Prey: End Run

Birds of Prey: The Death of Oracle

Shadow of the Batgirl


Love ya, Batgirl, and I always will, rain or batarang shine.

Final Score: 3.5/5