Having just written a review of Batman #695 critiquing Tony Daniel for writing a story with too many Batcharacters, I find myself very entertained by Bryan Q. Miller’s Batgirl story which does, essentially the same thing.  Whereas Daniel’s story is a typhoon of characters, though, Miller uses each character for a reason other than wow factor.

The plot in this storyline seems almost superfluous, as the focus is really on the relationships between the characters, and it’s very fine tuned. In fact, Miller’s use of Robin and Batgirl’s relationship and how it’s somewhat analogous to Batman and Oracle’s (who used to be Robin and Batgirl) early relationship is fantastic.  His dialog is so crisp, it really renders the little narration boxes moot.  But, they’re a staple of Batbooks, so they’re in the mix, whether necessary or not.

Garbett’s also does a great job here.  He is second only to Quitely in showing just how youg Damian really is.  And that Spoiler is still a teenager, herself.

I think this title is the most underrated of all the Batbooks right now, and if you’ve been throwing your bucks at the main Batman title, or following Dini’s spinoffs, you’re really missing out on some of the best writing the Batbooks have seen in a few years, with the excepiton of Morrison’s. “Batman and Robin”.