Oracle is Dead. Long Live Oracle
Writer: Cecil CastelluccI
Artist: Carmine Digiandomenico
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Andworld Design
Cover: Carmine Digiandomenico & Ivan Plascencia
Variant Cover: Jeff Dekal
Editor: Brittany Holzherr
Group Editor: Brian Cunningham
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: September 25, 2019
**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**
If you’re just tuning into Batgirl for the first time ever, then you should know that she used to be paraplegic. The Joker shot her in the spine in an Original Graphic Novel that wasn’t meant to be in continuity, but that fans enjoyed so much that DC Comics endeavored to keep Barbara crippled. But to give Barbara Gordon a purpose, they made her into a semi-ambulatory digital information hub, one who informed the Bat Family and even headier groups like the Justice League during their adventures. Now named Oracle, Babs eventually headed up a team called the Birds of Prey, and was an indispensable member of the DC Universe.
Then, the New 52 happened, and Barbara was walking again. Not just walking, but soaring above the rooftops of Gotham City like the Batgirl of yore. It was never adequately explained how that happened…something about an experimental surgery in Africa, and the inclusion of a hackable microchip of some description? Anyway, Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl was back, and Barbara Gordon aka Oracle was done with, For a little while. She would have to face Oracle a few times, in a few different anthropomorphic interpretations. And here we are again, Batgirl facing off against an Oracle that looks similar to the one that showed up at the end of the Superwoman series. Remember that one? What a bunch of old crap. Anyway, in the present issue of Batgirl, Oracle has formed a tenuous relationship with the Terrible Trio, who seem bumbling and inept, as well as now anthropomorphic versions of the animals whose masks they once wore. Oracle is looking for any scrap of personal information about Barbara so it can get back at her…which isn’t really difficult, a lot of her life is public.
The issue also features a return to the ol’ Burnside neighborhood (and some record store hipsters) and seriously uneven artwork. While Oracle is not a new digital thorn in Batgirl’s side, there’s always the hope that she might have to return to the character, which will keep me interested for a little while, at least.
Bits and Pieces:
Some good storytelling and downright goofy exposition is ruined by uneven artwork. Long-time Batgirl fans will be rewarded here.
7.5/10
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