***Contains Spoilers***
At its core, Kelley Puckett’s run on Batgirl (#1-37) is a character-driven series centered on Cassandra Cain, a young woman introduced during the No Man’s Land event as a mysterious, highly skilled fighter with a troubled past. This series takes her from a silent enigma to a more fully realized hero, carving out her place in Gotham’s chaotic world. Along the way, Cassandra faces countless challenges, from supervillains to inner demons, while also participating in several of Batman’s larger events, such as Officer Down, Joker’s Last Laugh, and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive.
To start, Cassandra Cain is a fascinating character. Coming into this series, I was worried her “no talking, talks with her fists” gimmick would wear thin quickly. Thankfully, the creative team developed this aspect beautifully over time. They managed to show how she communicates through actions and gradually allowed her to grow into someone with a personality and voice (literally and figuratively). I especially enjoyed how Cassandra doesn’t seem to care about her civilian identity or blending in. She just wants to do her job and save people, even getting her own “Batcave” at one point—an excellent touch that highlighted her independence.
The art throughout the series was consistently strong. The tone, however, was surprising to me. I went in expecting a grim and gritty feel akin to most Bat family books, but instead, the series leaned more into high-energy action with a grounded emotional core. It balanced her deadly skills with her vulnerability, giving Cassandra a raw and relatable edge.
The stories were solid, and there were some standout moments. I also liked that Cassandra was woven into major Batman events without feeling overshadowed by the larger Bat-family. The way these tie-ins (especially Officer Down and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive) handled her unique perspective was engaging.
As much as I enjoyed Cassandra’s character, the series didn’t leave much of a lasting impression on me overall. While the stories were good, they weren’t particularly groundbreaking, and by the end of Puckett’s run, I felt like the series was more of a companion to Batman that something that stands on its own. There were very few arcs or moments that I would revisit or recommend to others as must-read comics. Additionally, while her lack of concern for her civilian life worked thematically, it also limited the variety of stories that could be told. We rarely saw Cassandra in situations outside of the Batgirl costume, which sometimes made the series feel repetitive.
Overall, I liked Batgirl (2000) more than I expected. Cassandra Cain is a great character with a compelling arc, and the series does an excellent job of establishing her as a unique member of the Bat family. That said, the stories—while enjoyable—don’t have much-reread value for me. This is a series I’m glad I read once, but I wouldn’t revisit it. For me, this run earns a 2-star rating: I liked it, but it’s not something I’d pick up again.
Feature Image Batgirl #2 cover art by Damion Scott, John Floyd, Robert Campanella, and Patrick Martin