At the end of BATMAN 9, we saw Barbara’s perp walk. She was shackled and bloody as she was taken into custody. That led directly into BARBARA GORDON: BREAKOUT 1, the first of three issues expanding on the crackdown of the Bat Family by Commissioner Vandal Savage and his TUCO task force.
Right away, we learn that Barbara’s capture was always part of the plan, so she could be the “man on the inside” of Savage’s Supermax Prison, which the Bats have been unable to penetrate. Savage has completely taken over Gotham’s justice system, incarcerating cops and prosecutors not loyal to him, and replacing them with stooges, often criminals themselves. Some of the unseated officials have been killed while on the inside, and Barbara intends to put a stop to that.
This first issue mostly chronicles Barbara’s first day in the joint, and it is eventful! She intervenes in an attack on another prisoner, which immediately puts a target on her back with the other inmates. Babs has an important mission, but will she survive to accomplish it?
Mundy: Mariko Tamaki absolutely nails the essence of Barbara Gordon. She will do the right thing. She will fight for others. She will complete the task. Even if it’s difficult and unsafe. Even if it kills her. Tamaki shows all of this, while maintaining Barbara’s emotional center. Expert storytelling here, kids.
Foggy: I agree with the writing in this issue. It’s top notch. While Barbara is the star of the issue, and clearly shows her prowess beating up inmate after inmate, the real draw here is the sense of dread Tamaki has created in this prison. This isn’t the typical jail comic with some thugs picking on our hero. There is real consequence here. Former officers are set up to die. Guards will not protect inmates. Some may never see the light of day. There is no superhuman powers to call on. Babs will have to rely on her fighting skills and wit. Can’t wait to see how she gets out.
Mundy: The team of artist Amancay Nahuelpan, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain perfectly portray the story beats, action, and mood. Nahuelpan is exceptionally good at facial expressions, so there’s no guessing necessary to determine how each character feels about any given situation. Among other things, Bonvillain had the unenviable job of making a sea of orange prison scrubs look interesting, and she succeeded swimmingly.
Foggy: You are spot on with your assessment. One thing I would add is that the fight scenes are largely placed in horizontal, landscape panels. It’s widescreen cinema! Colors were spot on as well. Yellows and oranges for the heated fight scenes, and lots of blues for the deceased. Wonderfully drawn.
Mundy: 4.5/5 Batarangs
This is a worthy supplement to the main Batman title. My only real complaint is that I immediately want more, and I have to wait. Three issues is a short run. A few more pages would have been wonderful, but I have faith Tamaki and company will wrap this up nicely. I may need to read all three issues together once they’re all released.
Foggy: 4/5 Batarangs
This issue was smooooooooth. It quickly gave us the necessary background info to tie into the Batman series and then took off! The scenes in the prison move quickly and are most definitely high cinema. One thing I found a bit odd is that for an ultra-max, high security prison, there was a yard for inmates to hang out with open sky. Seems an easy access point for things that can “fly” to enter. Ahem….Bats. All said, I loved it and I need to know what Babs is referring to on that last page! Serialized storytelling at its best!
Check back next month for Batman #10 and Barbara Gordon #2.
