Batgirl #5 - DC

We've been so involved with Stephanie and Bab's relationship these last few issues that we've forgotten to ask . . how does Batman/Dick feel about all of this? Well . . we got our answer this issue. Cassie is in the middle of an apartment fire, literally, trying to take out the arsonist, Diesel. He's very single-minded, and doesn't talk much, so everything she's learning she's doing so by engaging. Basically, he's a human flame-thrower. He's got these nozzles coming out of his hands, but it isn't until later that she realizes, his accelerant is his own blood. Apparently the term 'Diesel' is a literal term . . it's what's running through his veins. Anyways, Steph uses some batarangs to try to freeze him up. It slows him down, but it also just pisses him off. She figures if she slows him down again she can disconnect the tubes and stuff connected to his body. That's when Dick and Damian come crashing in. She tries to talk to them and share what she's learned, but . . they're all action, and jump right in. 'Stand behind me!' So basically they're starting from scratch just like she did. Then she sees them make a mistake. Damian is on top of Diesel and he's about to ignite all the accelerant that's on the floor, burning them both up. Steph jumps to action and again tries to freeze him up. The problem is, Damian is to close. He gets caught in the cross-fire and is also frozen. It's funny, but . . it's not. You know what I mean? It's funny to Steph and Babs, but Dick is pissed. He wants the whole operation shut down. 'I don't care what Alfred said, you need to get everything out of the cave!' Steph decides to lay low at school for a while, but . . she just can't keep her nose out of trouble. She overhears Francisco talking . . he's the son of the guy that owns the apartment building that burnt. Steph figures if she cozies up to him, maybe she can find out what's going on. However, later when she's on patrol, she sees him sitting in a diner. After changing into her civvies she 'pops in' on him. But he isn't to happy to see her. He says he's in the middle of something. Some guys come busting into the diner, and Steph tries to defend Francisco, but . . on the final panel it looks like she gets shot in the cross-fire. So far I'm pretty impressed with Bran Q Miller's stories. I especially like the relationship between Babs and Steph. It's a work in progress, but . . both of them are trying. I also enjoyed the appearance of Dick and Damian this issue. It was about time. Lee Garbett's art gets better and better with every issue. I liked his work on Red Robin, but . . I think he's doing an even better job here. Like I said, I think it's a pretty decent book. I just hope they can keep up the momentum.