Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5 Review

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5 Review

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain

Letterer: Ariana Maher

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: Rafael Albuquerque & Marcelo Maiolo; Nimit Malavia; Hayden Sherman

Editors: James Reid & Rob Levin

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: September 9, 2026

 

Barbara Gordon has made a new friend in Supermax. And unlike Sparrow, Myrna Shelton doesn't try to keep her doped. Yet despite their pact to protect their fellow inmates, screams echo through the prison cells at night. Barbara and the former GCPD officer wonder if they can convince a guard to work with them. Yet, like the TUCOs who arrest any police officer who steps out of line, the guards seem loyal to Police Commissioner Vandal Savage.

 

Who keeps killing inmates and staging them as suicides in Vandal Savage's private prison? And who can Barbara Gordon trust amid this twisted game of murder and revenge? Let’s leap into Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5 and see!

 

Story

After someone attacked Barbara on her first night in Supermax, Sparrow looked after her. The nurse assisted her back to her cell and gave her medication to help her deal with her injuries. But instead, the drugs gave Barbara hallucinations. And they didn't do anything to ease the headaches from her concussion. Now, Sparrow occupies a bed in the infirmary. Someone beat her mercilessly. Realizing she may not survive, the doctor calls to let someone know Sparrow's fate.

 

In Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5, Myrna Shelton looks after Barbara. The GCPD officer kicked Barbara against an electrified fence to banish Sparrow’s drugs from Barbara’s system. After Jim Gordon tells Nightwing he sent someone into Supermax to look out for his daughter, Myrna tells Barbara that she is loyal to her father. Still, after Sparrow tried to keep Barbara safe, Myrna couldn't protect Sparrow.

 

As Mariko Tamaki's story follows Barbara Gordon and Myrna Shelton's efforts to find who is killing inmates in Supermax, the story also provides a glimpse of Vandal Savage. Everyone believes that the Gotham City Police Commissioner is calling the shots. That was one reason Barbara let the TUCOs arrest her. But the Torus put Vandal Savage in a position to help them.

 

As more deaths rock life in Supermax, everyone begins to feel a little like Anarky. He thought he was striking a blow for the little guy in Gotham. Instead, one crime family used him to ignite a war between their rivals. And inside Supermax or outside, no leader like the Minotaur seems capable of uniting the warring factions in Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5.

 

Art

Hands pass a folded piece of paper along until Barbara opens it. A view through the bars of an infirmary window lends the note greater context. While the doctor speaks into a cellphone, the callee uses a rotary-dial landline. As she slips into the infirmary, Myrna shields her features behind a stack of freshly laundered towels. But when she pulls away Sparrow's oxygen mask, Myrna's features betray no softness.

 

As Amancay Nahuelpan portrays life in Supermax and Gotham, orange and green battle for dominance. Red links Vandal Savage with his aide, while ripples in the sky above the exercise yard evoke the visual distortion Barbara noticed after Sparrow doped her. Red also invades the prison yard as people unleash their anger. Yet in a realm filled with green, Tamra Bonvillain fills panels with yellow as inmates lash out against each other in Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5.

 

Ariana Maher fills white balloons with black uppercase dialogue, while Barbara's black lowercase thoughts in green paper scraps evoke handwritten notes. The dialogue shrinks when people lower their voices to avoid being overheard. Yet enlarged uneven black uppercase dialogue links Vandal Savage with an inmate in his private prison. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Barbara Gordon used to watch over Gotham from her office high above the city. When she learned that inmates were dying in Vandal Savage's private prison, Barbara gave up her perch to investigate among the crowd. But as people fight and die around her, Barbara lacks her former perspective. Unable to access electronic communications and digital information, Barbara must reassess not only the players but also their objectives in Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5.

 

Rating 9/10

 

To look inside see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5. 

 

For what happened last time, see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4 Preview. 

For what happened last time, see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 Preview. 

For what happened before that, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1.

For how Vandal Savage's TUCO squad caught Barbara Gordon, see my preview of Batman #9. 

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5 Preview

 

Barbara Gordon has made a new friend in Supermax. And unlike Sparrow, Myrna Shelton doesn't try to keep her doped. Yet despite their vow to protect their fellow inmates, screams echo through the prison cells at night. Barbara and the former GCPD officer wonder if they can convince a guard to work with them. Yet, like the TUCOs who arrest any police officer who steps out of line, the guards seem loyal to Police Commissioner Vandal Savage.

Who keeps killing inmates and staging them as suicides in Vandal Savage's private prison? And what is his objective as he plays his twisted game?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5 Preview

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: Rafael Albuquerque, Nimit Malavia & Hayden Sherman

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: September 9, 2026

 

 

Nowhere To Run.

Nowhere To Hide.

No One To Trust.

 

 

Another attack makes Barbara question everything she thought she knew about the murders inside Supermax, and a new political prisoner finds herself trapped in the center of the mystery.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

For what happened last time, see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4 Preview. 

For what happened last time, see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 Preview. 

For what happened before that, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1.

For how Vandal Savage's TUCO squad caught Barbara Gordon, see my preview of Batman #9. 

 

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4 Preview

 

Barbara Gordon didn't know what to make of Supermax before Vandal Savage became the Gotham City Police Commissioner. Then, she realized it was where he sent his enemies to die. So, she laid her bait, and sat in wait for his tactical team to storm her stronghold and arrest her. 

Barbara thought she had gotten one over on Vandal Savage. From the inside, she could investigate the mysterious prisoner deaths. But something strange is happening in Supermax. Barbara knows it's staring her in the face. Yet she can't put the clues together. Can Barbara trust her memories? Are her nightmarish visions illusions or real? And instead of tricking Vandal Savage, is Barbara the one who fell into a trap? 

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4 Preview

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: Dustin Nguyen, Dave Johnson & Gerald Parel

Dark Knight Returns 40th Anniversary Variant Cover Artists: Klaus Janson & Frank Miller

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: August 12, 2026

 

 

With Nowhere to Run, 

Who Can Barbara Trust?

 

 

Barbara entered Supermax alone, with no one by her side—so who is the mysterious ally that’s come to her defense, and what is their connection to her family? And even with someone watching her back, will she be able to protect the killer’s next target?

 

Find out as Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan’s DC Next Level smash hit continues!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 Preview. 

For what happened before that, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1.

For how Vandal Savage's TUCO squad caught Barbara Gordon, see my preview of Batman #9. 

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 Preview

 

 

Barbara Gordon knew Vandal Savage was arresting good people on trumped up charges. She knew they were dying in Supermax. Barbara insisted that the Bat-family needed someone inside. Now, she's Inmate 682281 in Vandal Savage's private prison. She's making enemies. Maybe even a friend. But can she trust Sparrow? And why does Barbara Gordon dream of the Joker? 

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #3 Preview

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: Terry & Rachel Dodson, Chris Wildgoose & Jeff Spokes

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (card stock)

Release Date: July 8, 2026

 

 

Does the Key to Barbara’s Survival lie in the Past?

A DC Next Level series!

 

 

Barbara Gordon is just trying to survive in Supermax. Every day brings new danger… and more questions. Can she trust her new friend Sparrow? Has she clocked the real threats closing in on her? And why does she get the sneaking suspicion that there’s more to this prison than meets the eye? To answer these questions, Barbara will need to rely on the skills she learned as Batgirl and her own past to ensure she has a future…

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1.

For how Vandal Savage's TUCO squad caught Barbara Gordon, see my preview of Batman #9. 

 

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2 Preview

 

Barbara Gordon doesn't respect secrets. The costumed crimefighter prevents Vandal Savage's "Guardians of Justice" from carrying out their duties. And on her first day in Supermax, she disturbs the established order among the prisoners. Will the guards prevent Barbara from investigating the "suicides" in Vandal Savage's private prison? And can her Bat-family do anything to protect her from corrupt guards and her fellow inmates?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Matteo Scalera & Jeff Spokes

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (card stock)

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

Batgirl Behind Bars!

 

 

Barbara Gordon is alone, imprisoned, and outnumbered by the very criminals she put away. Without her team, she’s going to have to fight to survive on her own. Someone at Supermax has her in their crosshairs. Barbara is being hunted, but she’s about to learn that in prison, there’s nowhere to hide…

 

Eisner Award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Amancay Nahuelpan continue to put Barbara through her paces as DC’s most surprising Next Level series continues!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1.

For what happened before that, see my preview of Batman #9. 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 Preview

 

 

Each of them had their job to do. They knew it was a race against time. And Batman warned them that Vandal Savage's Tactical Urban Combat Officers would be dogging them every step of the way. While the Signal, Batgirl, Robin, and Batman set off on their separate tasks, Oracle watched over them all from her base of operations in the Clock Tower. 

Barbara Gordon has stood by Batman's side, protecting Gotham as Batgirl. She has watched over the Bat-Family as Oracle. Along with Black Canary, Barbara helped found the Birds of Prey. What does the future hold in store for her? And how will all training and expertise help Barbara Gordon survive the challenges awaiting her?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 Preview

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Cover Artist: Karl Kerschl

Variant Cover Artists: David Nakayama & Yanick Paquette

1:25 Variant Cover Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan

Next Level Variant Cover Artist: Jorge Corona

Foil Variant Cover: David Nakayama

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99/Variant $3.99 Card Stock/Variant $5.99 (Foil)

Release Date: May 13, 2026

 

Leaping from the pages of May’s Batman #9 into the Next Level!

 

Framed. Outlawed. Hunted. The extralegal activities of Gotham’s vigilantes have never been more dangerous. After Barbara Gordon is arrested for aiding the Bat-Family, she is shipped off to Supermax, GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage’s pet-project prison for all who oppose him. She will find herself alone, surrounded by dangerous criminals and equally dangerous guards, in a place where nothing is what it seems. The true danger is just beginning…

 

Eisner Award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and fan-favorite artist Amancay Nahuelpan reunite to deliver a twisty, unexpected Bat-book for DC Next Level.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Batman #9.