DC announces all-new Batgirl creative team and shows off new Batgirl costume

Seems like every day we're learning more and more about big changes coming to the New 52 this October and today DC Comics told MTV that Gail Simone will soon be leaving Batgirl for a brand-new, yet-to-be-named series. However, Simone won't be the only one leaving the title. Batgirl will be getting an entirely new creative team with writers Cameron Stewart (Batman Inc., The Multiversity) & Brenden Fletcher (Wednesday Comics) and artist Babs Tarr (Yes, Babs will draw Babs).

Barbara Gordon is no stranger to dusting herself off when disaster strikes… so when a fire destroys everything she owned, she spots the opportunity for a new lease on life — and seizes it! Following the rest of Gotham’s young adults to the hip border district of Burnside, Barbara sets about building an all-new Batgirl… and discovers all-new threats preying on her peers!
BATGIRL #35 arrives on October 8th.

You can read the full interview with the new creative team over at MTV.com. Stewart and Fletcher discuss how they'll be giving the book a lighter tone, Babs something to do when she's not Batgirl, dressing her in a more practical uniform, and more. Basically, it sounds like they'll be turning the series into what I always wanted it to be before I handed reviews over to Elena Carrillo.

Gallery

SOURCE: DC Comics, MTV

86 comments

Allen

July 10, 2014

I'm excited for a fresh take on the series, but the practical uniform? Is leather really better than Batkevlar?
+ Why not just hit Batman up for a new uniform- or is the DotF fallout worse than I thought?

HYFR
July 10, 2014
Probably is... She didn't show up at the mansion after it was over, despite everybody else being there, so it could be she's still got feelings on that
Brian
July 10, 2014
Unless she's wearing some sort of Kevlar underneath the leather jacket, that has to be one of the least practical costume choices. I think it would also be easier for enemies to grab or pull on the jacket.
1. Brad Hicks
  August 8, 2014
  Not to mention shoelaces!

Luverjuggs

July 10, 2014

I actually loved the current uniform and thought is was perfect, now this new "leather" outfit has me baffled.

Pablosamo

July 10, 2014

dont like it, seems like a made in home suit, like she is in her first year as batgirl, nothing like a true super heroe yet...

favre1fan93

July 10, 2014

Don't know how I feel about the changes. Will give it a try, but a lighter tone might be what the book needs (not that I haven't liked the somewhat darker stuff).

boots
July 10, 2014
i liked the darker stuff too, but not with Babs herself. too much wallowing.

ej123

July 10, 2014

Dont like this at all. I have a feeling this series is just going to become silly.

boots
July 10, 2014
praying for balance. it definitely could go that route.
1. ej123
  July 10, 2014
  I just dont really see how the story can go all tween girl with everything going on with her life at the moment.
Michael Weber
July 10, 2014
ej123 I think you're right. This looks more like an Archie comic than a bat title. Or maybe a Teen Titans for kids run.
1. ej123
  July 10, 2014
  It just really bugs me how it looks like shes 10 years younger in the teasers.

Jamie Douglas

July 10, 2014

They lost me at "selfie". Really DC?
Oh, I forgot, comic book fans LOVE the whole "vanity culture". Right.

boots

July 10, 2014

i like the redesign, though agree with others that it's a bit throwback (but maybe that appeals to me too). and i don't like the ears showing, but that's minor.

the premise has me a little nervous (Babs moves to the burbs?) and the possibility that this will go "tween" audience does not appeal to me, but hopefully they'll hit a sweet spot in the middle somehow. early interviews seem to indicate that it won't just be a total overhaul.

will be VERY sad if we lose her connection with Dad, though.

MIGN

July 10, 2014

I have the feeling that this is going to be a little too kiddish for my taste. I'm not very fond of this costume, it seems like a little girl who improvised a Batgirl costume for a Halloween party (yes, I know, that was how Barbara actually became Batgirl...). I'll give a chance, though.

Paul

July 10, 2014

I was actually really enjoying the current run of Batgirl so I'm kind of disappointed. I'll still give the new team a chance though.

Brittany Yantos

July 10, 2014

Love the costume- I appreciate that it isn't hyper-sexualized. Thanks DC!

-from a girl

JJ
July 11, 2014
I didn't think it was hyper-sexualized before. It looked more like kevlar which would be the safest and most flexible material a non-superpowered hero would wear. And it was tight so yes it just happened to accentuate her boobs and butt, but I don't think it's fair to the artists of DC to call them out for hyper-sexualziing her. They do the same thing to guys. I don't cry about Nightwing having an unrealistically muscular ass - one that is "impossible for young men to strive for." But I also know that being sexually objectified isn't something men are concerned about.
When women wear tight clothes, it's going to bring out their curves. Just like yoga pants.
I know sometimes the poses the heroines are drawn in can be sexualized - fighting for their lives while still managing to stick out their rump and their breasts, but that's not the fault of the suit they are wearing, it's the artists and the poses they choose.
I don't know...unless you show Barbara fighting in a firemans costume, there is always going to be someone calling it sexist because you can see the shape of her body.
1. lethargicj
  July 11, 2014
  Haha. Exactly. I'll take less sexy looking female characters the same day Batman can fight crime with a beer belly.
2. boots
  July 11, 2014
  i totally agree with you and i really like the current costume, but i think the new one is interesting too and i also really think it makes a difference in how artists portray a character when they aren't so nakedly defined.
  i think Nightwing was sometimes every bit as bad as any boob-butt extravaganza and though i love the character, i actually found it pretty icky in the same way.
  1. RH3ZA
    July 11, 2014
    I love the suit but it feels more like a year one suit. Also the way she described the new Bat-girl sounded like she's in major denial and regression.
    " “after being attacked and paralyzed by the Joker, her brother turning out to be a serial murderer, the trauma of her family breaking apart and the series of gruesome villains she’s had to contend with, we figured she deserved a break from all that. Just prior to the start of our story she’s pushed to the breaking point and decides that she’s had it with misery and darkness and wants a change. She wants the opportunity to have some fun and live the life of a young, single girl in the city"

Jess

July 10, 2014

I like it.
I liked her old costume but this one isn't bad. Seems more like something she put together. She does look a bit younger than she does atm but thats not a horrible thing. Should be interesting to see where the new team takes Batgirl.

lethargicj

July 10, 2014

I assume every villain will wear a pork pie hat and skinny jeans. The new costume is probably made of hemp and she will only use a Bat-bicycle to be environmentally friendly. I figure the utility belt will feature copies of Jack Kerouac books and Wes Anderson movies in case of emergency. And she will definitely not like any bands on major labels.

This whole thing would make WAY more sense if they transitioned Barbara back into Oracle and this was the Stephanie Brown Batgirl taking over.

At least she's smiling for once. I think the costume looks awesome. But, holy crap, hipster Batgirl? Really? Uggh.

boots
July 10, 2014
now let's not be silly: kerouac? more like like virginia woolf or margaret atwood.
i'm really hoping the hipster selfie shot is just a tonal promotional thing.
1. lethargicj
  July 10, 2014
  The selfie thing isn't what's bothering me so much, it's this:
  "Following the rest of Gotham’s young adults to the hip border district of Burnside"
  That sounds like they're trying to incorporate the whole hipsters moving to Williamsburg, Brooklyn thing.
SupermanSurvivor
July 10, 2014
Gosh, can someone break Babs back again please?
Where's the guy that broke Neymar?
1. JJ
  July 11, 2014
  Lol

lethargicj

July 10, 2014

Oh, man, I just read some of the interview.

"And that’s where we kick off our run – introducing this part of the city known for expensive coffee, fixie bikes, vintage shops and breakout bands."

"Our take on Batgirl mixes the best elements of “Veronica Mars” and “Girls,”"

Holy vinyl records, Batman, this is more hipster than I was afraid of!

boots
July 10, 2014
errr...maybe it's a fish outta water story?
note to self: start making the animal sacrifices.

Michael Weber

July 10, 2014

Wow... wow I hate the new look. Just hate it.... guess I'll be dropping this bat title. That's too bad.

Cjv95

July 10, 2014

She actually looks kinda cute...

favre1fan93

July 10, 2014

My question for this also is, why she looks a whole helluva lot younger than she does right now in the comics? They said it's not a total reboot, and I get that they are going for what appears to be a more teen appeal, but why are they de-aging her?

Brandon@BatmanNews

July 10, 2014

I'm going to take a day or two to mull this over.

July 10, 2014

I’m sorry, but this is ridiculous. Barbara has been through hell several times, and now a fire makes her move to the hipster neighborhood? Someone as resilient and determined as her would never do that! She would never leave Gotham just because of a fire! She would never stop fighting crime! Seriously, she didn’t stop when she was in a wheelchair! Why not ask, oh I don’t know, Batman for help! I’m sure he would be more than happy to help her!

I would be fine with this, if they did it with a different character! Or even, surprise surprise, created a new one! But they are changing this character so much, that she won’t be Barbara anymore! Honestly, this is a problem I have with DC right now: they change the characters too much. I know that the New 52 is supposed to be about change, but the characters should still be recognizable! And, with this move, Barbara won’t be recognizable. It’s a shame!

Gail Simone, I love you. I do. But DC does not respect your work. Please, leave DC and find a comic book publisher that does.

lethargicj
July 10, 2014
She's not leaving Gotham. She's moving to a new neighborhood in Gotham.
1. JP
  July 11, 2014
  Ok, she's moving out of the most dangerous area of Gotham. It's still something she would never do, so my reasoning still stands.
  1. Argonne
    August 14, 2014
    She's doing a pretty solid job with Red Sonja, even though the costume for that isn't what I would like (bikini armor, ugh). I completely agree with you on the new Batgirl storyline. It's a complete butchery and I won't be reading it. The storyline will not do well at all in sales.

█▒░ ⓥ ⓘ ⓝ ⓣ ⓐ ⓖ ⓔ ™ ░▒█

July 10, 2014

Not...needed. Her series was already awesome and her suit sucked. I think they're planning on killing her, but whatever they do please killoff Joker's Daughter first and make it brutal.

boots
July 10, 2014
i still hope the Joker himself does the honors when it comes to it.
1. Joshua McDonald
  July 11, 2014
  That would actually be brilliant!
2. Brandon@BatmanNews
  July 11, 2014
  This! This! Earlier in the Suicide Squad #1 comment section I suggested that Harley should kill "JD" but Joker doing it is a much better idea.
  1. Jonathan Candelario
    July 15, 2014
    Harley was actually going to kill her for wearing Joker's face, to which JD replied 'You're just jealous cause he picked me and not you" but Harley was stopped by Deathstroke
    1. Brandon@BatmanNews
      July 16, 2014
      Yep, I'm continuing a conversation I had from another thread. Thanks.

Polaris

July 10, 2014

I am very sad for Gail leaving the book. I don't like the new outfit at all, Barbara is 21 not 13! I will give it a try just to see if it fits with the story and Barbara herself . And as soon as I see Barbara fighting with pillows with a friend ,I'll drop it.

Robej

July 10, 2014

It's seems really appropriate that this was announced on MTV...

Brandon@BatmanNews
July 12, 2014
Nice.

Emperor Joker

July 10, 2014

While i'm all for a new take on batgirl, not to sure on the new look. Maybe it's just me, but this batgirl looks a lot more youthful than the previous one, and i mean A LOT more youthful, we'll see how this goes, but it just seems odd to me.

Polaris

July 10, 2014

I really have bad feeling about this... I wish this "new take" to success

Jonathan Candelario

July 10, 2014

I don't get the new costume. If all her stuff burned, wouldn't Batman give her new ones since she's part of the bat-family? Or at least a new suit?

ayatolla of rockan'rolla
July 11, 2014
and what if Babs didn't want Bruce help?
1. Jonathan Candelario
  July 11, 2014
  Then she's a fool cause what super-villain or criminal for that matter, is gonna take her seriously in that outfit? It looks like something a fan would wear to a comic convention. It's not bad, but it does not match the tone of the rest of the New 52
lethargicj
July 12, 2014
How do we know he didn't?

Captain DC

July 10, 2014

Clearly, the goal is to try to capture the Batgirl Year One, feel and tone of the character. In that MTV interview. The word, "fun" was mentioned like fifty times. LOL. The Killing Joke storyline, NEVER should have been canon in The New 52, if they wanted Barbara Gordon back in costume. Paralyzed and then not paralyzed? WTF?!

Polaris
July 10, 2014
Agreed Year One was awesome, you gave me hope !

Captain DC

July 10, 2014

Clearly, the goal is to try to recapture the Batgirl Year One, feel and tone of the character. In that MTV interview. The word, "fun" was mentioned like fifty times. LOL. The Killing Joke storyline, NEVER should have been canon in The New 52, if they wanted Barbara Gordon back in costume. Paralyzed and then not paralyzed? WTF?!

lethargicj
July 11, 2014
I'm pretty sure I have read the whole Batgirl run, but I don't remember, did they even explain why she can walk?
1. boots
  July 11, 2014
  it's vaguely explained: science and therapy and whatnot. but the problem of the timeline still stands: she was in a chair for what, two weeks, and then did physical therapy for another week and then she was back in costume?
  i'm probably exaggerating, but not by much. mehhh...
  1. Polaris
    July 11, 2014
    She was in the chair for 4 years then she got cured in a south Africa clinic and then issue one starts.
    1. lethargicj
      July 12, 2014
      Well. That makes sense. South Africa is world famous for their miracle doctors.

Joshua McDonald

July 11, 2014

My only issue with this is that it feels like a step back. This feels like it should be year one for Batgirl. And I'm worried that they're slowly going to turn Babs into Stephanie Brown in terms of personality...

boots
July 11, 2014
ughhh...let's hope not! this, folks, is the danger of liking stephanie brown!
Brandon@BatmanNews
July 11, 2014
I feel like Babs is devolving both in age and as a character. She went from Oracle, an extremely respected and powerful character back to Batgirl. This was a huge step back in my opinion, now she is going from Batgirl to an even younger version of Batgirl..... I have to say I like the design of that suit. Not saying I want it to actually be part of continuity but just from a design perspective it looks really nice.
1. Joshua McDonald
  July 11, 2014
  Yeah, the suit is decent looking. It's like a modern day nod to Yvonne Craig.
  I'll have to read the book before I judge it too harshly. You're right though, we're seriously having a Benjamin Button issue with Babs.
lethargicj
July 12, 2014
Yep. I said it below, if this was Barbara going back to Oracle and Stephanie taking over, it would make perfect sense.
AND I'd very excited for it instead of worried.

MIGN

July 11, 2014

You know, this would make much more sense if they did it with Stephanie Brown instead of Barbara. I could definitely see Stephanie doing this, Barbara... not so much. It's completely out of character!

samuel

July 11, 2014

I'm excited about this. I don't know a thing about the hipster stuff but the costume looks kind of like ame-con Batgirl suit which I liked

H.Berbelek

July 11, 2014

I really like that design, great balance between realism and fun.
Moreover, it's not like I'm a feminist or something, but I really appreciate that "NOT Spandex" approach.

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