Batgirl #27 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

This issue is a totally serviceable tie-in story related to "Gothtopia," introduced in "Detective Comics" #27.  Barbara takes down a woman trying to poison the citizens of Gotham who's haunted by the memory of her family, murdered at the hands of the Joker.  In this way, Simone employs Layman's canary-in-the-mine-shaft, the fact that certain people are driven to suicide (and apparently homicide) by the dim memories of the real Gotham, repressed by the Scarecrow's drugs.

The problem is that I'm not entirely sure that "Gothtopia" is an interesting enough story to justify the attention that it's getting.  This sort of story -- of the heroes getting to briefly live a life not burdened by sacrifices that they've had to make along the way-- has been told so often that it's lost its impact.  After all, "Detective Comics" #27 itself not only had the "Gothtopia" story, but also a Phantom Stranger story where Bruce got to consider what his life would be like if he had been able to save his parents.  Moreover, in Barbara's case, the whole re-boot actually already is her version of "Gothtopia," given that she regained her ability to walk.  It would've been more fun to see the behind-the-scenes of the Joker running his ice-cream company.  But, still, it's a fine, if forgettable, issue.

*** (three of five issues)