Batgirl # 31

Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by Fernando Pasarin and Jonathan Glapion
Colours by Blond
Letters by Dezi Sienty
Published by DC Comics

A new storyline kicks off in this issue as Barbara Gordon's activist roommate Alysia joins a group apparently trying to set off a high-powered stink bomb in the offices of a hugely wealthy corporation responsible for a number of environmental and human rights crimes.  However the activists are attacked by a bizarre supervillain called Ragdoll.

As always of course, there is plenty more misery to heap on the unfortunate Barbara Gordon, as she discovers that her boyfriend is trying to sue her father, Commissioner Gordon, for shooting him.

It's a fun comic with plenty of action, and it's good to see Alysia featured more.  Ragdoll is a striking and grotesque villain.  As a writer Gail Simone has a gift for being able to put comedy, superhero action and genuine emotion in a single issue without it being jarring.  As always with the Batgirl comics the artwork is top-notch.  

Cover art by Alex Garner

Batman Eternal # 6

Written by Ray Fawkes, John Layman and Tim Seeley
Story by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Art by Trevor McCarthy
Colours by Guy Major
Letters by Taylor Esposito
Published by DC Comics

This comic is being released weekly instead of the more usual monthly basis.  Basically, Commissioner Gordon is in jail after apparently shooting an unarmed man and precipitating a horrific underground train crash.  The Gotham City Police Department is under the control of the corrupt Commissioner Forbes, and an all-out gang war is about to erupt any minute.  To make matters worse now there is a possibly supernatural awakening in Arkham with the help of the Joker's Daughter.

At it's best this comic is a really solid slice of Batman action, but the problem is that they keep piling things up on top of each other, new enemies seem to pop up every week and it is hard to keep all the myriad plotlines and characters in play.  This is one of the weaker issues because it doesn't really seem to have much to do with the main storyline.  However it does have some effective scenes, especially a creepy scene in Arkahm towards the beginning of the comic.

The artwork is very impressive and the whole comic is laid out well.

    Cover art by Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson