First Look At Batgirl #1 And New Costume?

[Thequeerjock]

http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2011/06/20/brand-new-artwork-details-for-dc-comics-relaunch
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln3tneVwZ91qeenqto1_400.jpg

Interesting. Is it just me, or does it look more....armored than before?

[Forrest]

:cool:

I like it!

On the note of armor, I'm all for a more armored looking Batgirl because ever since Cassandra Cain (who I miss and hope will be around in the near future), I like my Batgirls to be tough as mutha effin' nails. A scary looking Batgirl is a good thing and makes the book feel more realistic... meaning that Batman always tries to look scary and tough, so it doesn't make sense to see the Batgirls and Robins running around in tiny shorts with cute little boots. They should look mean just like daddy. :D

[t.c.johnson]

The mask reminds me a lot of the ones from the movies.

As for it looking more armored...that seems to be a theme in the current DC

[Thequeerjock]

Little quote from Gail at the Calgary expo about the new outfit:

There’s some things wired into her costume that is something that hasn’t been done before, which is the reason why it looks the way it does.

[KirbyKrackle]

If that turns out to be an exosuit to allow babs to walk. All I have to say is good job, dc.

[Forrest]

Little quote from Gail at the Calgary expo about the new outfit:

My first thought is an super impressive computer system, something to combine Batgirl with The Oracle.

Edit: KirbyKrackle's comment makes more sense than mine. I didn't even think about the whole legs issue.

[DarkKnightJared]

My first thought is an super impressive computer system, something to combine Batgirl with The Oracle.

Edit: KirbyKrackle's comment makes more sense than mine. I didn't even think about the whole legs issue.

Who's to say it can't be both? I mean, considering every basically has a computer in their pocket with the current generation of smartphones, I've always wondered why guys like Batman never had their computer systems in an output device like one to access.

[Thequeerjock]

"I-Legs, go!"

[Spiffy]

Here's the quote from Gail moved over here for easier reading:


The writer went on to reveal a new villain called 'Mirror' and some panels of the character, who appears like a mysterious flasher shoving what appears to be a garden hose down an old man's throat. "He's really creepy and really cool," she said. Simone went on to tease the new Bat-Girl costume saying, "There's some things wired into her costume that is something that hasn't been done before, which is the reason why it looks the way it does," she said.

So okay. I previously have NOT been on the train thinking the suit is some kind of exoskeleton to let her move. But I DO agree that the "wired in" thing is somewhat suggestive. Not sure I'm in love with the idea if so, but the suggestion is kind of there.

[ConnorHawke]

I hope they don't have her in some robo suit.

Cass and Steph have both had great runs as Batgirl. They're great characters and have raised the bar high enough as it is.

To replace two interesting characters with some woman in a gimmicky suit just seems cheap.

[michealdark]

I think it looks dominating and ferocious, and I like that

[Spiffy]

I hope they don't have her in some robo suit.

Cass and Steph have both had great runs as Batgirl. They're great characters and have raised the bar high enough as it is.

To replace two interesting characters with some woman in a gimmicky suit just seems cheap.
See, it also goes against what Gail implied in her defense of the re-whatever. She talked about how the "in a world of Superscience and magic how could her cure be ignored forever" angle which people often bring up. And an exoskeleton is not a cure--its kind of just a band-aid.

I mean it COULD be what Gail meant, but then the "why isn't she cured" question would still be hanging out there. I wouldn't walk away from the character or anything, but it would seem a bit halfhearted of an approach. A "lets have our cake but eat it too" approach.

[Forrest]

To replace two interesting characters with some woman in a gimmicky suit just seems cheap.

Hold up. "Some woman?!" What the hell? It's Barbara Gordon, far from just "some woman!"

My advice to you: read "Batgirl: Year One" ASAP.

And I say all this as someone who owns the entire volume of Cassandra Cain's Batgirl and a page of original artwork from the series. I consider Cassandra Cain to be in my top ten favorite super heroes, if not top five. Having said all that, I highly recommend giving Barbara Gordon a chance. She's a great character. Again, "Batgirl: Year One," read it!

[Thequeerjock]

I hope they don't have her in some robo suit.

Cass and Steph have both had great runs as Batgirl. They're great characters and have raised the bar high enough as it is.

To replace two interesting characters with some woman in a gimmicky suit just seems cheap.

I can't find the exact quote, but wasn't there a Tweet or something where Gail was frustrated and said something about "How do you even know if that's the case? We haven't confirmed anything yet." when people were complaining about Birds of Prey being retconned out of existence.

So giving her an exo-suit could be a corny way of DC trying to have it cake and eat it too. They get their iconic Batgirl back but greatly lessen the backlash against them over the allegations of "ableism" and all that.

[Slewo.O]

I can't find the exact quote, but wasn't there a Tweet or something where Gail was frustrated and said something about "How do you even know if that's the case? We haven't confirmed anything yet." when people were complaining about Birds of Prey being retconned out of existence.

So giving her an exo-suit could be a corny way of DC trying to have it cake and eat it too. They get their iconic Batgirl back but greatly lessen the backlash against them over the allegations of "ableism" and all that.

Two words dude: Geek Telepathy. :)

[Forrest]

Here's the quote from Gail moved over here for easier reading:


Simone went on to tease the new Bat-Girl costume saying, "There's some things wired into her costume that is something that hasn't been done before, which is the reason why it looks the way it does," she said.



Maybe I'm reading too much into the underlined portion but here's a thought: if all we're looking at here is robotic limbs, that's been famously done before in the DCU with Cyborg.

[michealdark]

Oooh, maybe the suit it wired directly into her spine, giving her direct electrical stimulation to move her muscles? But then that would me she could never really take the suit off, and that would get kinda grody.

[ConnorHawke]

Hold up. "Some woman?!" What the hell? It's Barbara Gordon, far from just "some woman!"

My advice to you: read "Batgirl: Year One" ASAP.

And I say all this as someone who owns the entire volume of Cassandra Cain's Batgirl and a page of original artwork from the series. I consider Cassandra Cain to be in my top ten favorite super heroes, if not top five. Having said all that, I highly recommend giving Barbara Gordon a chance. She's a great character. Again, "Batgirl: Year One," read it!

I've read it, and am a fan of Barbara Gordon.

It annoys me when the Bat-family characters get too high-tech though. There are Batman stories where his equipment is so advanced that it's like he might as well have superpowers. He becomes less about his training and determination, the things that make him great, and more just some guy with a flying car, shooting lasers.

[Slewo.O]

I've read it, and am a fan of Barbara Gordon.

It annoys me when the Bat-family characters get too high-tech though. There are Batman stories where his equipment is so advanced that it's like he might as well have superpowers. He becomes less about his training and determination, the things that make him great, and more just some guy with a flying car, shooting lasers.

There is absolutely no reason why it can't be both. :)

Some of the best Batman stories involve the cool toys he has. Ever read the first JLA Classified arc?

For that matter Batman's trying to get the edge on crime and now it's gone global. Good technology is part of that as well. But I think they've struck a keen balance with Batman Inc where everyone is a fighting expert, has good gadgets but they don't out-balance each other.

[Forrest]

I've read it, and am a fan of Barbara Gordon.

It annoys me when the Bat-family characters get too high-tech though. There are Batman stories where his equipment is so advanced that it's like he might as well have superpowers. He becomes less about his training and determination, the things that make him great, and more just some guy with a flying car, shooting lasers.

...yeah but Batman and technology go hand and hand. When I think Batman, one of the first things I think of is gadgets. If you're looking for just training and determination, there's always Iron Fist, Richard Dragon, etc.

[Slewo.O]

...yeah but Batman and technology go hand and hand. When I think Batman, one of the first things I think of is gadgets. If you're looking for just training and determination, there's always Iron Fist, Richard Dragon, etc.

Exactly. Batman isn't just a straight martial arts master. That's Lady Shiva. He's a crimefighter.

[ConnorHawke]

...yeah but Batman and technology go hand and hand. When I think Batman, one of the first things I think of is gadgets. If you're looking for just training and determination, there's always Iron Fist, Richard Dragon, etc.

Yeah, to an extent I agree. The Nolan movies feature a lot of technology, and I think that's all fair game.

The stuff I read in the 90's and most of the 2000's wasn't too far-fetched, and even Azreal's Bat-suit was within reason. Chuck Dixon would often work an explanation for Batman and Robin's gear into his stories which I thought was cool.

But in the last few years it's gone from advanced technology to almost the sort of thing we would expect to see in Batman Beyond. I'm not too into that.

[Thequeerjock]

Hey, as long as she doesn't become Iron Man, I think I could live with an exo-suit.

[Kyuubi]

If that is some kind of exo-suit, and depending on the continuity, maybe she can be Batgirl and Oracle at the same time.

[Weeto]

What if Batgirl is some sort of mind controlled clone like in Avatar which is controlled by Oracle?

That way she could actually be Oracle too but I think that is totally unlikely to be the case but might have worked to an extent.

[Reverend Smooth]

Oooh, maybe the suit it wired directly into her spine, giving her direct electrical stimulation to move her muscles? But then that would me she could never really take the suit off, and that would get kinda grody.
Sure she could, if it was implanted or something. Just unhook the suit.

Of course, I'd wonder why they're not leasing out the tech to make exosuits for regular disabled folks.

[Thequeerjock]

Sure she could, if it was implanted or something. Just unhook the suit.

Of course, I'd wonder why they're not leasing out the tech to make exosuits for regular disabled folks.

Unfortunately, for the same reason why dozens of other DC heroes could be healed from horrendous injuries and yet nobody ever thought to do the same for Babs or the disabled population at large.

[KirbyKrackle]

Okay. I'm going to make a more presumptuous call now that there is more hints that this may be a exosuit. Since Batman inc seems to still be in continuity, I wouldn't be suprised if wayne industries has developed a exosuit for testing for batman inc, the millitary and the main populace for people who are crippled. I imagine Babs is using this as a chance to fight crime again, help people, and offer the chance for people to have the means of walking again. Thats my guess. I think it would fit pretty well for the character.

[DarkKnightJared]

Here's another suggestion:

Okay, so a while back in BOP we found out that Oracle, from her extensive physical therapy, was able to regain some feeling and was even able to move her toes. What if this "exo-suit" has some physical therapy aspects to it, constantly working out aspects of her or something?

[Forrest]

What if Batgirl is some sort of mind controlled clone like in Avatar which is controlled by Oracle?

Actually, I think you could be spot-on here.

[DarkKnightJared]

I don't know about mind-controlled clone, but maybe a younger, non-injured body is cloned with present-day Barbara's mind transferred into it? It would make Gail's talk about her both being younger and still being Oracle make more sense.

[Kevin T Brown]

Yeah, I can totally see Barbara kicking Steph to the curb in order to wear an exo-skelton Bat-suit.....


:nonono2:

[michealdark]

If that is some kind of exo-suit, and depending on the continuity, maybe she can be Batgirl and Oracle at the same time.

Yeah, nothing says one excludes the other, I think we've all just been assuming it.


Sure she could, if it was implanted or something. Just unhook the suit.

Of course, I'd wonder why they're not leasing out the tech to make exosuits for regular disabled folks.

If it's an exo-suit, and I were writing the stories, I'd have her pushing Bruce or whoever made it to make it something viable for everyday folk.


I don't know about mind-controlled clone, but maybe a younger, non-injured body is cloned with present-day Barbara's mind transferred into it? It would make Gail's talk about her both being younger and still being Oracle make more sense.

Wow, that's a messed up idea, but it could work.

[Aiguille]

Aw, it's not even in color. How am I supposed to nitpick a costume if I can't castigate some poor colorist for their choice of hue?

[Kyuubi]

Yeah, I can totally see Barbara kicking Steph to the curb in order to wear an exo-skelton Bat-suit.....


:nonono2:


Nobody said it was a good idea.

[The Xenos]

If that turns out to be an exosuit to allow babs to walk. All I have to say is good job, dc.Since day one of the announcement I've been hoping and praying that's the case.

I think it looks dominating and ferocious, and I like thatHmm.. I don't know if that really fits with Bab's image. Not that she can't be, but she's always been a brighter looking part of the Bat family, not freaking Azabats I have freaking razors on my damn gloves.

Then again everyone says DC 2011 is back to the 90s..

What if Batgirl is some sort of mind controlled clone like in Avatar which is controlled by Oracle?
That way she could actually be Oracle too but I think that is totally unlikely to be the case but might have worked to an extent.I did think of that too. Well, moreso a robot in the suit like Surrogates. Yet that's even more out there and an exosuit.
I don't know about mind-controlled clone, but maybe a younger, non-injured body is cloned with present-day Barbara's mind transferred into it? It would make Gail's talk about her both being younger and still being Oracle make more sense. Okay, now we're getting silly even for DC Comics.

[t.c.johnson]

Yeah, I can totally see Barbara kicking Steph to the curb in order to wear an exo-skelton Bat-suit.....

:nonono2:

This is the new, modern DCU. This will be the comic aimed at the tea party market

[Forrest]

When I think of humans and machines mixing in the DCU, I often think OMACs. When I think OMACs and Brother Eye, its creator comes to mind, Batman. And when I think Batman, I think of Batgirl.

Could whatever makes Batgirl walk again be OMAC technology related?

[trypr]

If it's an exo-suit, effectively a futuristic mobility aid, then I'm glad because it's the least problematic option that could have been chosen (though obviously not without it's problems: there's still going to be an element of erasure). I still think it's an unnecessary and counterproductive change but it's far, far preferable to a retcon or any kind of magical-science-tech handwaving.

[Thequeerjock]

If it's an exo-suit, effectively a futuristic mobility aid, then I'm glad because it's the least problematic option that could have been chosen (though obviously not without it's problems: there's still going to be an element of erasure). I still think it's an unnecessary and counterproductive change but it's far, far preferable to a retcon or any kind of magical-science-tech handwaving.

It's interesting because people were so caught up in the "New universe" aspect before that I didn't see very many people cosidering the exo-suit as an option. Aside from avoiding taking the "easy" way out, it could hypothetically be used to answer complaints from people who keep talking about how bogus it would be to retcon Cass and Stephanie out of existence despite keeping all four male Robins in continuity.

[Erica J Heflin]

I have no better speculation to offer...

But damn I'd love to see that Bat-symbol in Oracle green. Just sayin'.

[Patrick Gerard]

I don't know about mind-controlled clone, but maybe a younger, non-injured body is cloned with present-day Barbara's mind transferred into it? It would make Gail's talk about her both being younger and still being Oracle make more sense.

It would be interesting if they build on Morrison's Tron Batgirl and had Barbara get trapped in a Prometheus-style helmet.

Maybe instead of a mindless clone, you'd focus on a new girl who BECOMES Barbara when she puts the suit on.

[Phantom Eagle]

If that turns out to be an exosuit to allow babs to walk. All I have to say is good job, dc.


My first thought is an super impressive computer system, something to combine Batgirl with The Oracle.

Edit: KirbyKrackle's comment makes more sense than mine. I didn't even think about the whole legs issue.


Who's to say it can't be both? I mean, considering every basically has a computer in their pocket with the current generation of smartphones, I've always wondered why guys like Batman never had their computer systems in an output device like one to access.

I like it.

[michealdark]

Hmm.. I don't know if that really fits with Bab's image. Not that she can't be, but she's always been a brighter looking part of the Bat family, not freaking Azabats I have freaking razors on my damn gloves.

Yeah, true, but she is also a Bat, and she does have extensive fight training, so her looking a little tough is okay


When I think of humans and machines mixing in the DCU, I often think OMACs. When I think OMACs and Brother Eye, its creator comes to mind, Batman. And when I think Batman, I think of Batgirl.

Could whatever makes Batgirl walk again be OMAC technology related?

Hmm, that's another idea that I never thought of.

[The Xenos]

Who's to say it can't be both? I mean, considering every basically has a computer in their pocket with the current generation of smartphones, I've always wondered why guys like Batman never had their computer systems in an output device like one to access.
It's funny. I was recently reading an article in Discover or Time where they had a photo of a Cray supercomputer from the early 90s that cost 3 million dollars in its day. Today that same power can be found in a standard laptop or maybe even smartphone. It's funny as back then Oracle was said to have Cray supercomputers in some of the books. So the stuff that took up a desk and used to make Oracle a powerhouse in her original books could fit on a cellphone sized device today. Sadly a computer centric character like Oracle or even Batman himself dates really fast when looking at those books and what tech was then. Of course they always have tech that's just past current gen tech, or just tech that magically solves whatever problem is at hand not matter what current tech does.

[Spiffy]

Yeah, but what's missing from that is that there are NEW supercomputers which have taken the place of those Crays which are JUST as proportionately ahead of our current desktop and handheld devices as those earlier ones were compared to those devices back then. Its all about crazy powerful multiprocessing now (a desktop might have 4 processors, vs. a "supercomputer" having HUNDREDS), and optical/photonic technology.

So all you really need to do is change the "name" of what a character like Oracle is using. She's still going to have a computer infinitely more powerful than yours. That's all you "need" for the character to work.

[The Xenos]

And of course you have Wyanetech is another computer company that makes supercomputers. I want to say Babs also worked with Ted's Kord Industries for parts as well. They both have tech far beyond anything we see in real life.

Of course... is Batgirl going to be a part of Wayne's Batman Inc? The people of Gotham know about Wayne funding Batman Inc, right? Wouldn't they assume Batgirl is a part of it? Is Babs fighting as a part of this or is she fighting independently? Does this make Batman Inc a good old boys club? (You know, like DC Comics itself. ) Or does this Batgirl take place in another time before Wayne announced Batman Inc? We know Superman and JLA are flashbacks. Is this why Batman Inc new issues are being delayed a year?

Dammit.. there's that headache again.