Batgirl Vol. 3: Summer of Lies (Rebirth): A collection of Batgirl stories

Batgirl Vol. 3: Summer of Lies (Rebirth) by Hope Larson & Chris Wildgoose

The third volume of Hope Larson’s Batgirl run actually includes three separate stories, though the last is the longest and definitely the best. They’re a nice mix of Barbara Gordon tackling old-school villainy and more contemporary issues, with her usual combination of bright-eyed enthusiasm and cutting-edge technology.

In “Troubled Waters” Barbara is investigating a haunted public swimming pool, in which several swimmers have seen a strange purple energy. Along with the over-enthusiastic host of a ghost hunting reality show. It’s a short but fun tale that is totally lifted from Fred’s backstory on season three of Joss Whedon’s Angel, but also showcases Barbara’s intelligence and mystery-solving skills.

“The Truth About Bats and Dogs” has Batgirl team up with a little girl called Esme (not as bad as it sounds) and Catwoman to investigate the disappearance of several cats and dogs in the neighbourhood. This is probably the weakest story of the three in Batgirl Vol. 3: Summer of Lies (Rebirth), with a silly villain that has equally silly motivation, and not enough exploration of the Batgirl/Catwoman dynamic.

Finally, “Summer of Lies” involves Batgirl and Nightwing looking into a series of bizarre drug-related occurrences after they’re each lured to a rooftop to watch two young women take their own lives. Realizing that they bore a strange resemblance to a woman called “Ainsley”, the two begin to investigate.

A nice sense of mystery is build up around this, with Barbara saying “I never told anyone else about that summer,” and flashbacks filling us in on what exactly happened back when they were still teenagers. It’s a great look at the relationship between Barbara and Dick, their ongoing flirtation, friendship and ability to work as a team, and ends on a surprisingly poignant note.

There’s a strong sense of community throughout these issues, with Barbara not only calling on the assistance of other vigilantes, but people who contribute to society in other, equally important ways. It makes you feel as though Burnside is a place worth fighting for, despite all its flaws.

The artwork and colouring is also very good, finding the right combination of realism and splashy comic style. A nice touch was the difference in Batgirl’s costume between the flashbacks and the present-day story: as a teenager she wore grey and yellow; as an adult she wears purple.