Framed. Outlawed. Hunted. The extralegal activities of Gotham’s vigilantes have never been more dangerous. After Barbara Gordon is arrested for aiding the Bat-Family, she is shipped off to Supermax, GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage’s pet-project prison for all who oppose him. She will find herself alone, surrounded by dangerous criminals and equally dangerous guards, in a place where nothing is what it seems. The true danger is just beginning… Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 takes Barbara… to jail!

The idea of Barbara Gordon going to jail, really a Supermax, is a concept that immediately catches my attention. It reminds me of a previous movie project that would have put a wrongly convicted Green Arrow in a supermax. That project didn’t happen, but thankfully this one has because it’s good, really good. Written by Mariko Tamaki, the issue bounces between Barbara’s initial experiences behind bars but also what lead up to it. Tamaki gives enough background for readers not familiar with the current Batman meta to still dive in an enjoy the comic.

The story has Barbara investigating not only the mysterious Supermax opened by Vandal Savage but also a series of murders within. Something doesn’t add up beyond the murders as the prison is stocked not just with villains but political rivals who aren’t physical threats and staffed with criminals. What’s the story? That’s the point of the comic.

There’s some small details that I’d have liked to been addressed, namely, who knows Barbara Gordon is Batgirl? Also, while she’s arrested for aiding Batman, will we find out more details on that? It’s very small issues for a debut issue that’s engaging in every way.

Tamaki is joined by Amancay Nahuelpan on the art, Tamra Bonvillain for color, and lettering by Ariana Maher. The visuals are solid as Barbara mixes her defiance and toughness with realizations that she might be over her head. The comic’s visuals keeps things focused on the challenges Gordon faces within the prison walls instead of playing “spot the villain within the walls.” The team also does an excellent job of dumping info using visuals in a way that’s interesting and engaging, giving enough information for new readers to understand but a little more for long time fans.

The team does a fantastic job of delivering an unease and tension with the visuals as you never know what to expect and where its coming from. There’s some solid fights that go up to that line where suspicions about Barbara and being Batgirl might be crossed (I’m assuming people don’t know). Overall, it’s a comic that has a bit of grittiness to it when it comes to the art, a perfect match of story and art.

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is really well done with a story that’s familiar (innocent person goes behind bars for some reason) but just does it in a way that’s engaging and you want to read more. There’s a plan that feels very “Bat-family” and at the same time the normally very capable Barbara Gordon feels like she might be a bit over her head. I’m already wondering how things are put back in the bag when this is all over, but it’s a ride I’m all in for seeing where it goes.

Story: Mariko Tamaki Art: Amancay Nahuelpan
Color: Tamra Bonvillain Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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