BATGIRLS #1/ Story by BECKY CLOONAN & MICHAEL W. CONRAD/ Art by JORGE CORONA/ Colors by SARAH STERN/ Letters by BECCA CAREY/ Published by DC COMICS

The Future State of Gotham may have been averted, but the Batgirls are still in trouble. A mysterious new hacker called Seer has shut down Barbara Gordon’s Oracle network and framed Spoiler and Orphan for a terrorist bombing. This leaves the three heroes needing to lie low until they can find a way to clear their names. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

Despite rolling out of the recent Future State event, Batgirls #1 is a surprisingly accessible read. The script by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad eschews heavy exposition in favor of character building moments that introduce the reader to Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain. What little explanation is needed to set up the story is conveyed with a minimum of editorial notes, keeping the focus firmly on the characters and the kinetic action sequences.

These sequences are masterfully illustrated by Jorge Corona, whose rough street style is a perfect instrument for playing this tune. The colors by Sarah Stern provide the perfect accompaniment, with neon tints in the background punctuating each panel during the action sequences in a way that demands the readers’ attention. The letters by Becca Carey further push this aesthetic, leading to a memorable final product.

Fans of every incarnation of Batgirl will want to pick this book up. Yet it will also appeal to new readers who might not be familiar with these heroes who are seeking an entry point into the new Gotham City. Either way, this is one book you won’t want to miss!