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Off My Mind: What's Next For Cassandra Cain?

Her days as Batgirl are over so what should she do now?

Last week I brought up the question of what the next step should be for Bucky Barnes. Let's talk about the former Batgirl, Cassandra Cain. When it appeared that Batman had been killed by Darkseid in Final Crisis, we were given the impression that Cassandra was done being a part of the Bat-family. She gave up her costume and identity of Batgirl, passing it one to Stephanie Brown (the current Batgirl). Cassandra left Gotham City and not a whole lot had been seen of her.
We later found out that this was part of a bigger plan. The intention was for Stephanie to develop into being a better hero if she accepting being the new Batgirl. This makes sense since Batman did allow her to be Robin for a short while, even if part of that was to convince Tim Drake to return to the Batcave.

Cassandra has been secretly fighting crime in Hong Kong. Most of the comic universe and comic readers had no idea where she was or what she was doing. Apparently Tim was in contact with her the whole time. Bruce Wayne returned from the dead (he wasn't really dead of course, only trapped in time) and Tim traveled to Hong Kong to convince Cassandra to return. She refused, saying Stephanie needed to be Batgirl more than she did. Tim gave her her old costume in the hopes she return to fighting crime wearing the bat-symbol. 

The question remains, what should Cassandra's new role be and what should she call herself?

As fans of Cassandra already know, we are going to be seeing more of her. She will play a role in Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgen's Gates of Gotham miniseries that explores the secrets of the city's history. She will also be appearing in Red Robin as a contestant in an assassination tournament. She is seen wearing her old costume but has she gone back to her killing ways?

I doubt it. She's there to put a stop to the assassination tournament and to lock up all the deadly killers, right? Wearing the costume is a first step but what can she call herself? Batgirl is out and Cassandra has moved beyond that role now. She might not be quite old enough to be a Batwoman and that too is already taken. She could simply create a new name for herself but that's not as easy as it seems. We know all the good names are already taken. The last thing I would want in a character as good as Cassie is for her to be stuck with a lame or cheesy name.

I did see a suggestion last week but I forget where it was at or who said it. I can't remember if it was in the forums, a p.m. or on Twitter. Some people might be strongly against this but what if Cassandra took on the mantle of Nightwing? Dick Grayson is now Batman (along with Bruce Wayne). I have no idea how long he will remain Batman and if we'll ever go back to just having Bruce as Batman. When Dick became Batman, it was like he graduated. Yes, Nightwing had become his identity but It would be weird to see him step back down. Just like there's no way he could ever be Robin again (the same goes for Tim as well). Dick also gave up being Nightwing so (from a publishing perspective) Chris Kent could use the name and fight along side Flamebird. Chris is out of the picture an no one is currently using Nightwing. 

Whether or not Cassandra takes on this name or another, we can all agree that something more needs to be done with her character. She's come too far to simply sit in a dark corner of the Bat-universe, only seen on rare occasions. If she doesn't take on the name Nightwing or reclaim Batgirl, what would be a good name for her?
Duo_forbidden is online on May 10, 2011 at 12:08 a.m.
Great article. I totally support the idea of her being Nightwing. She could still be Batgirl, and since she's already in Hong Kong, she could be Hong Kong's Batman, or her case, Batgirl as part of Batman INC. lol.

Looking forward to Red Robin and Gates of Gotham.
Billy Batsonon May 10, 2011 at 12:08 a.m.

Batbabe? :P

dorsk188on May 10, 2011 at 12:26 a.m.
Red Robin is the worst name for a superhero... maybe ever.  It's the name of a restaurant chain with a catchy slogan (Reeeed Robin, Mmm...), and it's way too similar to normal Robin.  I've read a few of the comics, and I get that there was a sequence of events that led to the new name, and that the characters are aware of the awkwardness, but it just feels like half of the editors wanted a new Robin and the other half didn't and this was a compromise.  Why not Redwing?  Or Red Tail?  Or Red Hawk?  Something that showed Tim's growth, similar to Dick's.  Or have him share the name with Damien, like Dick does with Batman.  I have a feeling Damien won't be around for too long.

It just seems like the Bat Family of badass normals is getting a bit big and cumbersome.  (Just my opinion.)
Battlepigon May 10, 2011 at 12:38 a.m.
The easy way out of this would be to have Cass be part of Batman Inc. I mean, it's not like it's a huge stretch. As for her name: Does it matter? Nobody will remember the Nightrunner, if you don't add "That Parkour guy from France". Or El Gaucho without adding "That Batman-guy from Mexico".

And while I'm generally all for heroes making up their own identity and thus creating new characters, I wouldn't mind her being Nightwing. I am not saying that that's what they should do, but it's something I'd be comfortable with. But I'd still prefer her to be her own character, invent herself and do something she can develop into.
Eyzon May 10, 2011 at 12:42 a.m.
Can't wait for Gates of Gotham!
Lots of fans want her to be Nightwing, others want her to go back to Batgirl.
I'd love them to try something totally unexpected and original. Maybe reworking her current ninja outfit, and finding her a role similar to the Huntress?
JonesDeinion May 10, 2011 at 12:43 a.m.
@dorsk188 said:
" Red Robin is the worst name for a superhero... maybe ever.  It's the name of a restaurant chain with a catchy slogan (Reeeed Robin, Mmm...), and it's way too similar to normal Robin.  I've read a few of the comics, and I get that there was a sequence of events that led to the new name, and that the characters are aware of the awkwardness, but it just feels like half of the editors wanted a new Robin and the other half didn't and this was a compromise.  Why not Redwing?  Or Red Tail?  Or Red Hawk?  Something that showed Tim's growth, similar to Dick's.  Or have him share the name with Damien, like Dick does with Batman.  I have a feeling Damien won't be around for too long.

It just seems like the Bat Family of badass normals is getting a bit big and cumbersome.  (Just my opinion.)
"
I wouldn't mind a few killings to trim the fat lol
But I actually like Red Robin it's a dope reference to Kingdom Come and Tim had a logical reason for using it. My only complaint is that he should be using that awesome costume from the Rabbit Hole arc. 

As far as Cassie goes, I think Nightwing would work for her. But I'd rather her get a new name. 
JonesDeinion May 10, 2011 at 12:45 a.m.
@Eyz said:
" Can't wait for Gates of Gotham!Lots of fans want her to be Nightwing, others want her to go back to Batgirl.I'd love them to try something totally unexpected and original. Maybe reworking her current ninja outfit, and finding her a role similar to the Huntress? "
Why isn't she a Bird of Prey?! How Simone didn't jump on that?!
TDK_1997 is online on May 10, 2011 at 12:52 a.m.
Cassandra is a great character and I want to see her more often in comics.If she takes the Nightwing mantle it would be cool
Eyzon May 10, 2011 at 1:52 a.m.
@JonesDeini said:
" @Eyz said:
" Can't wait for Gates of Gotham!Lots of fans want her to be Nightwing, others want her to go back to Batgirl.I'd love them to try something totally unexpected and original. Maybe reworking her current ninja outfit, and finding her a role similar to the Huntress? "
Why isn't she a Bird of Prey?! How Simone didn't jump on that?! "
I remember her seeing she wasn't sure what  the others were planning for the character and that she had to wait Fabian Nicieza & co had finished re-establishing her.
Nerxon May 10, 2011 at 2:50 a.m.
@Billy Batson said:
"

Batbabe? :P

"
So totally agreed :D
danhimselfon May 10, 2011 at 3:22 a.m.
I like the idea of her becoming the new Nightwing...but she'd need a different costume...I have one a fan did but it's to early for me to be digging through my gallery
antiterraon May 10, 2011 at 3:46 a.m.

Hmm... actually, Cass as Nightwing doesn't sound like a bad idea. Nope, not a bad idea at all! Keeping the usual caveats in mind ("as long as it's handled well" and so on), I think I'd be happy with that option.

It makes sense, both from a narrative point of view (Batman Inc.) and an editorial point of view (bring back Nightwing, launch a new ongoing).


I'm such a massive fan of the character that I've both been looking forward to and dreading her return, but hearing that she'd come back under Scott Snyder's pen was quite reassuring - it tells me that maybe, just maybe, DC plan to make good by her this time (unlike her token, pointless appearance in Red Robin a few months back). 


Ultimately, I don't mind them taking their sweet time with it as long as it means there's an actual plan behind it all.

Can't wait to see her reunion with Babs - I just pray to the gods that it doesn't happen between two splashy action scenes in a half-assed one-shot: it's the kind of character-focused scene that deserves ample space, so here's hoping!

Oh, and get Gail Simone to write that particular scene, please. :)

NightFang is online on May 10, 2011 at 3:53 a.m.
How about retuning to Gotham City with a new I.D. and ongoing series.
FoxxFireArton May 10, 2011 at 5:09 a.m.
@Eyz said:
"!Lots of fans want her to be Nightwing, others want her to go back to Batgirl. "
That would be an interesting twist. She couldn't take Dick as Batman, but would return and take Dick's old identity?

That whole story with Cassandra was great example of honest and powerful character drama lost. She abandoned the cowl because Bruce was "dead". He comes back and make no effort to seek out his own adopted daughter. What the hell?! Looks at all the people who had one of those Bruce Wayne Road Home books, but Cassey didn't get one.

When she does learn that Bruce is alive, she's so unaffected about it. It also doesn't make Bruce look like such a great father to his adopted children. He went looking for the boys but left the girl out in the cold. I don't see why the removed her as Batgirl if they really had no plans for her.
SUPER-MAN 23on May 10, 2011 at 5:15 a.m.
Batwoman should be her next Bat-handle, we have lots of the Bat taking names taht are copying one another lately
liambaughon May 10, 2011 at 5:17 a.m.

Cain has gotta be one of the most criminally underused DCU characters ever.  Her awesome backstory is drenched in violence and pain, never really got why she gave up the mantle of Batgirl to the daughter of (pauses for dramatic tension...)Cluemaster.  Would be cool to see her back in Gotham as Nightwing, rather than in the background of a Hong Kong-based Batman Incorporated arc.   Bring on Gates of Gotham.
Joe Venomon May 10, 2011 at 5:26 a.m.
I doubt she will be the next Nightwing, Dick totally dismissed her during the whole "Batman is missing" fiasco making it clear that he doesn't like or trust her, besides there are 2 Batmen(?) why not  2 Batgirls . I say she should ether go to Birds of Prey (whose roster is a bit shaky a t the moment) or go help put the Outsiders back together she was doing a great job there before, and someone needs to let them know that Bruce is back cuz I don't think they got the memo

I can hardly wait to see what  Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins has planed for her in the "Batman: Gates of Gotham" story
RaFonaRaFonaon May 10, 2011 at 5:29 a.m.


I think she should become her own person.  You can be associated with Batman without being some mixed up version of Batwing or Nightrobin.  Two Batmans is enough.  We definitely do not need two Robins.

 

If the character is not strong enough to stand on her own, maybe she should disappear.

ChadwickDavison May 10, 2011 at 5:56 a.m.


SPOILER!!!...Hahaha

 

No not really but on a serious note I think she should return to her Kasumi alias (the one she used during her time with the JLE) except with a white batsuit and dual katanas.  

 

sEsposito7on May 10, 2011 at 5:57 a.m.
I kind of disagree with what you said about Dick not being able to go back to being Nightwing, Tony. I think you're right about Tim -- he can't go back to being Robin -- but, I do think that Dick can put the Nightwing costume on again. There are many differences between Dick's transition to Nightwing and Tim's to Red Robin.

Nightwing was Dick's way of breaking away from Bruce and becoming a hero of his own. This was made very evident in Vol. 1 of Morrison's Batman and Robin. Tim becoming Red Robin was done out of necessity. He wasn't happy that Damian was going to take on the Robin mantle, and he definitely used the Red Robin identity because of the history behind it. But Tim going back to being Robin would mean a definitive step back down to 'side-kick'; and if Dick went back to Nightwing, he'd still remain a solo hero in his own right.

As far as Cassandra goes, if Dick does stay under the cowl for a while longer, I'd like her to take on the Nightwing mantle. But only if it's going to last for a few years, at least -- it has to be semi-permanent, not just a fling.

But chances are that Dick will soon be wearing the Nightwing costume again, and if that's the case then Cassandra should probably just take on a new identity. I won't even attempt to suggest a name.

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