Random Back Issues #12 - Batgirl #18

Don't ya hate it when you show up to crash a payoff to an assassin and another hero shows up following the money? I'm not sure whether to be surprised it doesn't happen more often in Gotham (given the 500 vigilantes in town), or that it happens at all (given the amount of crime at any given time).

Batgirl spotted a guy in a convertible with a shoulder holster, who turns out to be the hitman Deadeye. The guy who hired Deadeye, a Mr. Vink, decides to stiff him on the fee and have him killed, but Batgirl and Robin show up independently to ruin the whole thing. Deadeye gets away, but Tim put a tracer on his car and gives the tracker to Cass, then splits abruptly, following Vink's men.

But Deadeye's out for revenge, so both trails converge at Vink's mansion, where the killer kidnaps Vink's daughter and is able to shoot Batgirl (who impressed Tim by dodging bullets earlier in the issue). Batgirl's only mildy surprised and pulls the bullet out shortly after. Turns out Deadeye has a cybernetic implant, so he only has to think of what he wants to shoot and he hits it, rendering Cass' ability to read body language irrelevant.

Deadeye wants his money, but Batgirl's certain he'll kill the girl anyway, as punishment for Vink breaking the rules. So she busts into his place, and right after the exchange below, charges at him and knocks him out. He got a shot off, but I'm assuming Cass was hit and just kept going. She's done it before when she lost her ability to read body language. I assume because there's no sign of a wound in any of the panels. Cass smashes the guy's gun hand, but if the implant does all the work, can't he just shoot left-handed?

In the aftermath, Tim admits he's been awkward around Batgirl because he's not sure how to handle her background as an assassin, especially in contrast to his 'normal' childhood. Sure, his mother died as part of a ransom scheme on the part of some voodoo drug lord guy (I think?) that also put his father in a wheelchair for a while, but sure, normal. If only he knew what was coming down the pike.

[2nd longbox, 80th issue. Batgirl (vol. 1) #18, by Kelley Puckett (writer), Daimon Scott (penciler), Robert Campanella (inker), Jason Wright (colorist), Digital Chameleon (separator), John Costanza (letterer)]