New 52 Batgirl

Presenting the New 52 Batgirl from DC Comics.

We should enjoy her while we can because if the rumors about DC Convergence are true, then we might not see Barbara Gordon as Batgirl - or even walking - again for quite a while.

Anyway, to the uninitiated, this is Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Jim Gordon's daughter, back as Batgirl in the New 52 Universe.

In the New 52 Universe, the Killing Joke story-line that reduced Batgirl to a wheelchair where she became the near omniscient, cyber-bsed crime fighting database of knowledge and constant voice in the ear of Batman - and most of the Justice League: Oracle.

Batgirl one of comicdom's politically more polarizing characters as she can be used both as a bane and a boon for the feminist movement - which can basically be summed up as: "She can do anything Batman can do and she's not in love with him, she's her own woman; but she was sidelined for years after she was shot through the spine - whereas Batman was back after a year - and she's called 'girl.'


Not that we care. Personally we feel that the DC Universe had a need for someone like Oracle - she was never matched by the Marvel Universe - and her tactical value as Oracle to us is greater than her tactical value as a Batgirl suffering from PTTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - a result of getting shot through the back and having to live as a cripple for years). Or we're just the misogynistic dinosaurs who promote women as being second class figures in comic-books - don't really care.

The DC Comics Collectibles New 52 Batgirl's blister card reads "She's Batgirl, Gotham City's protector, and she's up for any challenge. This Dynamite Action figure is based on her her designs from DC-Comics - The New 52"

What's to like about the DC Comics New 52 Batgirl?

FIRST: That body-armor! Culled from the mind of artist Ardian Syaf from his run on Volume 4 of the Batgirl comics, the sculpting of this DC Comics Collectibles New 52 Batgirl is excellent!

We're particularly fond of the bat-emblem that clasps her cape: The effort that wet into layering her breast-plate armor: Batgirl's utility belt, and: The effort that went into DC Comics New 52 Batgirl's padded portions. It really feels like you are looking at plated kevlar over padded armor - which is what we expect that Bat-Family members to be wearing.

SECOND: DC Comics New 52 Batgirl is downright gorgeous. This figure is bordering on Barbie-doll, girl's toy, than an action figure. Batgirl's lips are a deep cherry red, luscious and definitely kissable; She had bright-blue doe-eyes; and from her cowl explodes a bounty of flame red curls:

THIRD: We don't know when it happened, but the New 52 Batgirl gained chimichangas big enough to rival Power-Girl's. It could just be armor plating and padding, but.... wow. They are so big they practically distort the bat-symbol.

 What's NOT to like about the DC Comics New 52 Batgirl?

FIRST: It's a DC Collectible so naturally the New 52 Batgirl's articulation is poor. BUT! We feel it's not as bad as some other DC Direct figures we've reviewed.

SECOND: The New 52 Batgirl comes with a grappling gun - God only knows where she keeps it (Probably in the small of her back?). But it's too big for her. We had to force her hand open to place it inside. It honestly feels like a part of another action figure, not this one. At one end is a hook - which will not take any weight (Don't try); at the other end is a plug that does not attach to anything and just keeps the grapple from flying out:

THIRD: The DC Comics Collectibles New 52 Batgirl's cape is simply too... plain for the figure. It looks like a throwback from the 60's. Hardly tactical at all. 

This particular DC Comics Collectibles New 52 Batgirl entered the Dungeon as part of a barter agreement so we didn't pay for her. She is available on Amazon for US$ 21.59 - roughly PhP 951.40 - plus shipping. We think that it's more of a doll than an action figure, but it's a great looking doll :)