Originally published on Patreon
So yeah, maybe I was being a bit dim with the last issue, as my whole thing of 'is that actually the Riddler?' seems so obviously an odd question now that we've had this issue that 100% confirms that the Riddler has turned his hand to serial killings. My bad. Blame it on the brain fog.
Anyway, this issue we get Cass and Steph trying to track down the latest clue left by the Hill Ripper, whilst Steph tries to juggle a potential love interest at the same time. After attending a rally in downtown Gotham for the victims, the two of them head off to find the latest clue in the Gotham Zoo; specifically, in the Bat exhibit.
However, Steph's new 'friend' Kyle comes along to hang out and get some one on one time with Steph. But he's also brought his little sister, Maps, along too. She'll be familiar to those who've read Gotham Academy as we get a tiny crossover here that feels really natural to the world of Gotham city. It's not forced or contrite, two separate groups happen to meet and spend a little time together without knowing the significance of the other and have a nice time before going their separate ways. It's kind of pleasant.
However, whilst Steph and Kyle get some time together, Cass and Maps discover Killer Moth tied up in the bat exhibit. Donning her mask, Cass gets the next clue from the villain, and lets him go (with a tracker planted on him). The little friendship that forms between Cass and Maps in this segment was genuinely delightful, and I'd love to see more of them together in the future.
Following the tracker to its source, the girls discover an old woman's body hidden away in an attic (very Psycho), and get cornered by the Riddler.
It really feels like the series has begun to find its groove now, with a great mixture of the girls personal stories, and the larger crime-fighting adventures mixed into things. The relationships between the Batgirls all feels natural and pleasant, and it's cool to see how they shift and change as new situations come up and new people come into their lives.
This issue also furthers the story at the GCPD, with Montoya still refusing to ask the vigilantes for help, but one of her officers going around her and using the signal to give Babs evidence on the case. I like that for once it's not bad cops hating on the Bat Family, but people who understand that sometimes the vigilantes help, and going after that help themselves. I'm worried that it's not going to end well, but it's an angle I'm really happy to see explored.
This is a series that definitely had a first arc that didn't grab me as much as I was hoping it would, but over time it seems to have found the kind of style that works for it, and has begun to tell more interesting stories. I'm looking forward to the next issue, and am interested in seeing where this story takes the Riddler.
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