Batgirl of Burnside

Bibliographic Information
Title: Batgirl of Burnside
Author: Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart 
Illustrator: Babs Tarr
Type of Media: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Copyright Date: June 16, 2015
ISBN: 978-1401257989
Genre: SciFi
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Interest Age: 16+






Plot Summary
It is time for a change in Barbara Gordon's life so she moves to a new area of town, makes a new costume, and immediately becomes the new vigilante everyone is talking about. This attracts new villains to the area and she has herself a night job. During the day she is your average college student trying to pass classes and figure out relationships. This Batgirl is really no different from every teen girl who reads the book, except maybe she kicks a few more butts.

Critical Evaluation
With social media being thrown into the mix, Barbara Gordon is reimaged in this new series, in what seems like a hope to attract the new generation of young adults to the comic. She is shown struggling through all of the same everyday stuff that our young adult readers find themselves in; classes and relationships. The writers of this new series have done a good job of changing the setting to match what teens experience today, so bravo for a successful revamp on an older comic.
When it comes to the illustrations they are top notch with beautiful colors and action that really tells the story. The image of Batgirl is one that we all needed, a strong yet feminine girl who is not over sexualized. This is one comic book you can feel good about pointing older teen girls to.

Reader's Annotation
Batgirl is back and more stylish than ever, not everyone can kick butt while taking a selfie. Great new take on the comic by DC.

Author Biography
Brenden Fletcher appears to be a private person as there is no biography available for him on Amazon, DC's website, or even on his own. He is the writer of  Assassin's Creed Brahman (2013), Batgirl (2011), Batgirl: Endgame (2015), Black Canary (2015), Convergence Blue Beetle (2015), Convergence Green Lantern Corps (2015), Convergence Infinity Inc. (2015), DC Sneak Peek: Batgirl (2015),  Gotham Academy (2014), Gotham Academy: Endgame (2015), The Joker: Endgame (2015), Marvel Knights: Millennial Visions (2002), Marvel Universe: Millennial Visions (2002), Secret Origins (2014), Wednesday Comics (2009), X-Men: Millennial Visions (2000), and Young Gotham Sampler (2015)

 

Stewart is best known for his work on Catwoman with writer Ed Brubaker or his work with Grant Morrison such as The Invisibles. Cameron Stewart is also responsible for the pencils on Batman and Robin issues #7-#9. The issues are loosely involved in the Blackest Night story arc for DC Comics and ties in more to the Return of Bruce Wayne story spearheaded by Grant Morrison.

He lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is known more as an inker then a penciler. When he is "hired" as an inker it tends to be because of his ability to "fix problems" the penciler may have had with "flaws" with, such as his work on filler issues on Brian Azzarello's Hellblazer run, in which Giuseppe Camuncoli was young in the business at the time and needed a skilled inker.

Cameron Stewart is a "professional" in every sense of the word. At a convention he displays his product for sale and those who are interested in purchasing take priority of his attention. Another example of "professional" behavior is that he does not like to be called "Cam". Cameron is what it best to call him or possibly "Mr. Stewart". Many of the Toronto based artist are friends and can confirm to never call Cameron Steward "Cam".

Currently writes Batgirl and is working on the Fight Club sequel and the final Seaguy series.

Batson, B. (2015). Cameron Stewart. Retrieved from http://www.comicvine.com/cameron-stewart/4040-42774/

Book Talk Ideas

• Heroes
• Effects of Social Media

Possible Challenges

• Violence
• Alcohol and drugs
• Implied sex

Defense File

Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out

Access to honest reviews from trusted sources

Know the awards, if any, the book has earned

Understand the material so you can explain the use of the book as a good talking point for serious and sensitive issues

A lot of times people just want their concerns heard, so make sure you listen

If they are still persistent be able to offer them a reconsideration form

 
Reason for InclusionThis new take on Batgirl is a refreshing new look at a female superhero who is seen more as an everyday young adult throughout the book while still being a great role model. Graphic Novels are also an important part of any collection as they utilize different parts of your brain.