Batgirl Annual #1 Review

Writers: Hope Larson, Vita Ayala / Artists: Inaki Miranda, Eleonora Carlini / DC Comics Batgirl Annual #1 gives us two stories in “Rain Check,” a prequel to Batgirl #1, and “World’s Finest,” a Babs and Kara team-up that will continue in Supergirl #9 and Batgirl #10 as Babs squares off with the Penguin. If you have been reading Batgirl you may be wondering how Batgirl Annual #1 will fit into the current “Son of the Penguin” arc, but both short stories allude to plot and themes that can tie in – such as data mining, in “Rain Check” – and the inclusion of Kara could play a fun role if she were to assist Batgirl in a small way, or a related side mission, without suddenly becoming integral to an arc that has developed so far without her. Regardless of what’s to come, Batgirl Annual #1 is fun by itself, both short stories highlighting friendship and women saving women.

The first, “World’s Finest,” is awesome in its beautiful artwork by Inaki Miranda. Each scene of Batgirl and Supergirl feel as miniature epics, understated moments that shine in their casualness and subtlety while being altogether badass by nature of these two heroes just being in the same panel. No dramatic hero poses or oversized moon in the night sky, just rain and the banter of friendship, confidence, and mutual respect. A duo of brains and brawn, Batgirl takes lead on the former while Supergirl carries the latter as the two break into a prison to rescue on of its captives; that is, until things turn sideways an…