Line #8 Heartwarming/Batgirl2009


1	* Though undoubtedly skilled, Stephanie's history as a hero has been, to put it bluntly, a long string of disasters. She has been beaten, tortured, been forced to fake her own death and single-handedly started a gang war in Gotham that spread off to affect [[BatFamilyCrossover all the different series set in Gotham]]. She means well, and she has potential, but it is pretty understandable when so many heroes and role models keep telling her to give up adventuring. Then, in Batgirl #4, she drops onto the top of a tourbus driving through Gotham and a little girl asks to tell her a secret: [[spoiler: Keep up the good work.]]
2	* It's also sweet to see how positive and upbeat she is. So many heroes would have become jaded and cynical, but she keeps on being kind and cheerful instead.
3	* Topped by issue 24, aka the final issue. After waking up in a hospital, with ''her mother'' as her nurse, Steph finds out her mom's proud of her and has a good cry because she just recovered from a heavy dose of Black Mercy. Then she goes outside. That girl from issue four and some other kids are waiting for her:
4	--> '''Nell''' (the girl): You never gave up on ''Gotham''. We just wanted you to know that Gotham won't ever give up on ''you''.
5	* Then you see out the window. There's ''Damian'', [[JerkassWoobie of]] [[ArrogantKungFuGuy all]] [[StopHavingFunGuy people]] giving her a jaunty salute and a little grin. {{Squee}}!
6	** There's also the implication that ''he'' called her little fan-club to visit her. Given how their relationship started, seeing Damian acknowledge Stephanie like that was very nice.
7	* A side note: Nell, the little girl pops up in a number of issues.
8	* Her reunion with Bruce at the end of her ''The Road Home'' one-shot. Crowned by Bruce's response to Alfred's question of why he ordered Cassandra to give Stephanie the Batgirl mantle: Partially because it was a test of her mettle, and partially because everyone deserves a second chance.
9	** The fact that Alfred is also standing up for her is also very heartwarming.
10	* This gem from issue #17, regarding Damian's [[ChildSoldiers lack of a childhood]]:
11	--> '''Steph''' (narrating): My heart just broke for him a little. I must never let him know. [[Funny/Batgirl2009 Unless it keeps him from killing me one day]], [[ButIDigress but I digress]].
12	* After working out Damian doesn't know how to have fun she takes him to a Moonbounce (jumping castle). Doesn't take long for him to start smiling. Awww.
13	* The final issue, which was filled with story lines the author never got to do because of the reboot disguised as stuff Stephanie saw under the control of the Black Mercy plant, sees [[ComicBook/{{Oracle}} Barbara]] and Steph on a rooftop. Steph declares that sure, she goes through some rough times, but she's happy and there are people there for her and she's going to keep fighting. The last panel is her winking at the reader and saying ''"It's only the end if you want it to be!"''
14	* After their adventure in issue #14, Steph and [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Kara]] conclude they're not alone after all, no as long as they can rely on each other.
15	* From ''[[ComicBook/Batgirl2009 Batgirl]]'' #5, especially considering everything's she's been through.
16	-->'''Steph:''' Everything doesn't have to be about fear. There's room in our line of work for hope too.
17	** And as it turns out, Bruce agrees with her!
18	* Stephanie and Oracle making a promise to each other, in the same spot that Bruce and Dick made one to each other so long ago. It's a real PassingTheTorch moment, and marks Barbara's official acceptance of her successor.
19	-->'''Barbara:''' I pledge to you, Stephanie Brown, my guidance. Support. For as long as you want it. When you go out at night, you won't be alone.
20	-->'''Steph:''' I've got your back, too. Neither of us is alone in this.
21	* Batgirl getting a "well done" from Commissioner Gordon is really lovely to see.

Context Heartwarming / Batgirl2009