Another DC Ink novel for the win! I've always been a huge fan of Cassandra Cain's story, so when I heard about Shadow of the Batgirl, I was so, so excited.

Quick Thoughts
-This is one of the better-paced books in the DC Ink line! The story feels whole and complete (with an ending that could lead to more, of course). Some of the growth does feel a little rushed, but overall it felt all right.
-There is some good diverse representation in this book: Cass is Chinese and neuro-atypical, the mother-figure Jackie is Japanese, Barbara is shown in a wheelchair, and the love interest is black (and also loves romance novels and poetry, which is freaking adorable).
-Speaking of the romance, it's freaking adorable. Also, it doesn't take over the plot and themes, which I appreciated.

Lasting Impressions

This graphic novel actually breaks from the previous DC Ink's color palette! Instead of black and white with a couple of pops of color, this book is a lot more colorful (in comparison). The colors used and deep and shadowy, with some pops of color for certain characters (like Barb and Jackie). Despite having a bleak color palette, their are some lighthearted moments. At times when Cass is confused, embarrassed, or happy, the art is simplified with bright colors. I loved that affect—it made Cass even more endearing.

I adore Cassandra. The way her vulnerabilities, her fear and uncertainty, is depicted so beautifully in the art. She finds refuge in a library, where she meets Barbara Gordon, and in a Japanese restaurant, where she finds Jackie. Her interactions with them change for the better as Cass learns more about the world around her and how she relates to it. Her realization of what the word 'hero' means is both touching, and at times hilarious. Her self-discovery is beautifully written and touching.

The secondary characters who help Cassandra on her journey are wonderful as well. Jackie is so sharp-witted but fiercely loving. It was surprising to see Barbara in this book, but I loved the role she played in helping Cass find herself. And Eric is such a funny guy, perfect for bringing Cass out of her shell a little bit more.

Overall Feelings

This book was so fun and so touching. I would highly recommend it.

Breathes new life into a superhero we all love .kuhn creates a new batgirl with a heart breaking back story . Fabulous ploy . Unique artwork . I hope for more in this series

Graphic novels are something Iv'e been trying to read more of. I had heard about this one on a DC panel at comic con and was extremely excited for the chance to read it. I loved the new twist on the bat girl story. The colors and graphics were amazing.

So much fun! Sarah Kuhn takes the Batgirl canon and creates characters uniquely her own and wholly embraceable. Nicole Goux's artwork contributes to the immediately accessible nature of this comic by being just the right blend of serious/teen-angst and sweet. I particularly gravitated to the reference Kuhn makes of Cassandra's heightened sense of observation even though she lags in her verbal and reading abilities. I found this clever since, for me at lease, observation (i.e. experiencing the artwork as much as the text) is such a significant element of reading graphic novels. I really want more of these combos....writer & artist/characters & storyline. These were all win wins for me!

Not what I was expecting from a Batgirl graphic novel, but in a good way.
This was a different version of Batgirl then what I was use to and I loved it. I found out that her story here is different than the original comics, but that's to be expected. Kind of a slow start with this book, but once it finds it's feet it's great!

I recommend this to all teens and adult DC fans

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great story about how Cassandra Caine becomes Batgirl. This was such a great story line and the art was amazing. I loved the use of darker colors to represent Gotham and the darkness/sadness Cassandra is feeling, while the more colorful areas usually feature the characters/places she feels safest. Cassandra's story in the DC universe is so interesting and I feel like this graphic novel conveys it really well.

Shadow of the Batgirl breathes new life into a classic hero. I could not put this down! The graphics were fantastic and the plot line was exactly what Batgirl needed to be relevant in the modern world.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this graphic novel. In fact, as soon as I finished reading it I sent the cover picture to my comic book loving dad and told him to look out for it in the spring. I will admit that at first I was confused about what was happening, especially before Cassandra started to talk. I was worried that the entire novel was going to be that way. Once Cassandra found her voice I fell in love with the story. I loved that Barbara was a supporting character in the novel and I loved the addition of the character Jackie. This is sure to be a book that young readers are going to enjoy. Both those with and without knowledge of superheros and the world of Gotham. I hope that there will be more to come from Sarah Kuhn when it comes to Cassandra being Batgirl. <Fingers crossed>

Slightly mixed feelings on this one. It's definitely one of the better if not the best of DC's new kid-friendly standalones. I'm really glad that DC's first (only?) Asian heroine is finally in the hands of an Asian writer! I think Kuhn did a good job of introducing Cassandra's backstory (brainwashed daughter of an evil assassin trying to escape her father and become a hero) to potentially brand-new readers and while I miss getting to see Cass together with her adopted dad and brothers, that is very much not a standalone introduction. Focusing on Cass's relationship with Barbara (and with a new surrogate mother figure, Jackie, an older Japanese woman who runs a nearby restaurant) makes sense. It's a very sweet, straightforward story. My one big hesitation is the way disability is (or, more accurately, isn't) portrayed. I know Cassandra's mutism is very important to a lot of readers, and it seems glossed over/quickly fixed here. I'm also a little puzzled by the way Barbara's wheelchair is presented. Don't get me wrong, I love that Barbara in her wheelchair is every bit as active as she should be! It's just that we never see very simple, necessary elements like... elevators? Ramps? Barbara is shown at the top of staircases; she's shown at the bottom of them; she's shown at Jackie's apartment, which is above the restaurant, and in Cassandra's hideout at the library, which is accessed either by a lot of stairs or by climbing in the window. We never see a single ramp or elevator or chairlift in the entire novel. It's a weird omission that could have been so easily fixed.