Oracle: The Cure #1 Review

Oracle: The Cure #1
Home Again, Home Again

Written by: Kevin VanHook
Art by: Juilan Lopez and Fernando Pasarin
Inks by: BIT and HI-FI’s David Bryant
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover by: Guillem March

Battle for the Cowl continues its trend of putting the spotlight on different characters in Batman’s life this time putting the focus squarely on Oracle. Barbara Gordon was never that important as Batgirl, merely another team member for Batman to call on when needed. As Oracle though, she’s found real purpose and importance within the DC Universe. I’ve always enjoyed the strength they’ve imbued her with despite being confined to a wheelchair. I’ve never doubted that she could go against almost anyone on her own. Her fight with Spy Smasher is one of my personal favorites.

This issue pits her against the Calculator once again. Honestly I’m getting tired of this grudge match. Just prior to its cancellation he was featured entirely too much in “Birds of Prey,” and we are forced to revisit the character again. I see the brain vs. brain idea clearly, but we’ve seen it often enough over the past year or two that it doesn’t interest me anymore. Given that she continually beats him what makes him a threat to Oracle? In this particular story he’s searching for the Anti-Life Equation (half the world was infected with it, wouldn’t it be a bit more available?) and he’s going through Oracle’s hacker friends to get it. Evidently he needs it in order to cure his daughter. How he will use it is beyond me since “Final Crisis” seemed to suggest it was an over-sized mind control device, but to each his own as the equation has been seen in several different incarnations over the years, anything is possible. Another thing that bugs me is that these hackers don’t mean anything to anyone. I’ve never heard of them anyway. So who cares if they get killed or not? I feel like these three issues are meant to set-up some kind of game-changer for Oracle, but I’m not convinced it will matter all that much.

The story while not great is serviceable. I did like seeing Jim Gordon pop-up at beginning. Of course, they can’t resist talking about how awful everything’s been since Batman is gone. They’re treating Batman more like a god than a man, but I get it, his shadow looms large even in death. I was annoyed at the gratuitous shower scene. I understand guys read comics, etc, but come on there’s really no point or reason aside from some cheap T & A. Personally, I think a character like Oracle is above that. Save those nearly nude scenes for someone like Ice or Ravager. Calculator also manages to get traction in his search for the equation too quickly. He simply enters one search into the computer and in flash he’s on his way. I understand that there are only three issues, but it’s just too convenient.

The art is one of the stronger points of this book. I didn’t read the Faces of Evil featuring Kobra but I can understand why DC is starting to push Lopez. While his layouts are fairly standard, sticking pretty close to a four panel format, his art is crisp and clean managing to infuse the characters with clear emotions. The action is also fast and fun. I’ve never envied the artist, trying to sell movement through static images is difficult, but Lopez conveys it well.

I always enjoyed “Birds of Prey,” and while Barbara holds her own in this book, there’s nothing about it that stands out or is something people haven’t seen before. A hero doubting herself, someone killing her friends and a ticking clock. I don’t imagine much will change with two more issues left, but here’s hoping, because as a collector I will finish this series. If you’re a casual reader though, I can’t recommend it, considering that aside from the Battle for the Cowl moniker it doesn’t give any clues as to who will be Batman.
B-