Uh Oh, New Batgirl...New Costume?

Will she make this a permanent costume?

By Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero | Sept. 8, 2009

I have to admit that I haven't really seen everyone's reaction to the "new" Batgirl. I know people really liked Cassandra Cain, and for good reason. I think we can all agree that she really earned the mantle and made it hers. Now she's been pushed out of the picture and we have Stephanie Brown. Perhaps because she wants to make the role hers as well, it appears she will be getting her own version of the Batgirl costume. Check out the image courtesy of DC.

I have a feeling people aren't going to really dig it. I mean, why the purple? I get that perhaps she really liked purple since that was the color of her Spoiler costume. But if she's going to give that up to become Batgirl, that's her choice. And having her hair show? What's up with that? Sure people will soon realize that she's not the same Batgirl they might know, I just don't see why she wants to advertise that. It also makes it a little bit easier to figure out her "secret identity." Everyone will know that Batgirl is now a blonde.

What do you guys think of this new look? Are you still upset that Batgirl is no longer Cassandra? Do you like the new costume? Do you think her hair should be sticking out?

UPDATE: Babs just pointed me to Lee Garbett's blog with some more costume designs:

132 Comments

Final Arrowon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:31 a.m.

0_o why!!! is my first reaction, but I kinda get it every Batgirl has had their own take it is only fair that Steph should get her own. I have to admit I have enjoyed the first issues (thanks to Redhead and Babs) and I think a new look is fine for her.

.Mistress Redhead.on Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:34 a.m.

@G-Man said:

What do you guys think of this new look? Are you still upset that Batgirl is no longer Cassandra? Do you like the new costume? Do you think her hair should be sticking out? "

Dont love it, its kinda... 80s? if there is to be a new batgirl then yeah we should get a new look but update it, make it a bit more hard core, a bit more modern. Cassies look was great, sleek and deadly, it inspired fear. This look.. its kinda ditzy? i cant find the right word for it. I have not read a great deal about Cassandra but agreed with Babs that with a new Batman then Cassie would no longer want to follow him so a new Batgirl is fine for me.

Her hair looks awful, this again i say about the 80s, its similar to an image of the Babs Batgirl which worked at the time but is simply not modern enough for me.

Thumbs down on the hair DC

good_omenon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.

I don't love it. I really liked Cassandra and her costume, and if Spoiler wanted to become Batgirl she needs to give her old identity up.

nrainon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.

That purple doesn't fit :/ I really like te costume apart from that purple stripe

ryanwhon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:43 a.m.

Maybe it'll look better when another artist draws it. Doubt it though.

SilverZeoon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:46 a.m.

Reminds me abit of batman and Robin batril cstume, only with a cowl rather than a mask.

marth99on Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:47 a.m.

I was fine with the outfit in bat girl issue 1. I guess I will just have to deal with the new costume.

GreenGriffinon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:47 a.m.

The Purple doesn't really seem to fit very well here.

Babs staff on Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:49 a.m.

@GreenGriffin said:

" The Purple doesn't really seem to fit very well here. "

It's disgusting.

blade hunteron Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:50 a.m.

i don't mind it.

EisforExtinctionon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.

A costume change will not make me want to read Batgirl.

StrongProtectoron Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.

I like the new look personally. Although I enjoyed Cassandra's Batgirl a lot, I never liked that her costume was always so closed up. Of course, this also was a reflection on her character. If this costume is supposed to be more of a reflection on Stephanie's character, then it makes sense. I also like the hair because the first two Batgirls I was ever exposed to was Yvonne Craig's purple suit from the 60s and Tara Strong's cartoon version in Batman: The Animated Series. Both had their hair out (although Yvonne's suit featured a wig if I remember correctly because her real hair was brown, not red).

Also, the purple could not only be a tribute to Spoiler but to Yvonne's Batgirl since DC has been making a lot of golden and silver age references in comics recently and reaching back into the archives for new ideas (Composite Batman/Superman a few issues ago in Batman/Superman and King Tut from the 60s TV series in Batman: Confidential a few months ago as well).

The big issue this presents though is that she is basically screaming out to Dick Grayson her real identity and that could lead to problems down the line. I still want Cassandra back as Batgirl, but right now I could live with it, especially if DC modifies the costume more to Stephanie's personality. I like it.

Tortleon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:53 a.m.

I think they were trying to do an updated version of the old costume. The gray w/ yellow batsymbol is very similar to Batgirl of the 80's, and the purple harkens all the way back to the Batgirl costume of the old Batman 60's TV show. I like the classic Batgirl designs more than the Cassie costume (probably for nostalgia's sake) so I actually dig this new look, even though I admit it's much less practical. I'd love to see an action figure of it, though!

Dimseyon Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:57 a.m.

I can live with the hair showing, just really not feeling the purple.

BatGhostinon Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.

Geez it was bad enough already why add the insult to injury? Down with the hair, down with the costume

GreenGriffinon Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.

Lets see. DC List on how to ruin Batgirl

1.) Get rid of Cassandra Cain , for a really boring Character: Check
2.) Give her a Ugly new Costume that looks like Schumacher designed it: Check
3.) Let the one of the old writers of Smallville Write: Check

Good Job DC, you ruined Batgirl.

BatGhostinon Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:06 a.m.

@Babs:
Very much so. Now how am I supposed to finish my cereal when this has completely ruined my appetite....

Green Flashon Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:20 a.m.

IT looks a lot like the new nightwing costume in Action comics...

xerox_kitty moderator on Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:40 a.m.

It's very 90's with that purple Huntress segment down the side. Maybe she's trying to stay close to her roots as Spoiler (the purple outfit) and a throw back to Tim's Robin outfit?? But... M'eh. Purple lining on the cape is nice, but not the side segment.

Dipicon Sept. 8, 2009 at 8:45 a.m.

@xerox-kitty said:

" It's very 90's with that purple Huntress segment down the side. Maybe she's trying to stay close to her roots as Spoiler (the purple outfit) and a throw back to Tim's Robin outfit?? But... M'eh. Purple lining on the cape is nice, but not the side segment. "

Agree. I think the purple could have been just fine if it were implemented well. Unfortunately, it was not.

Recent Reviews

Review
The magazine returns with a second volume. There's a lot of Millar movies updates plus comics that you may or may not have seen as well as articles and interviews.
Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison -- Part 1
Review
An all-new story told from the perspective of an Imperial Cadet that might even leave you rooting for Darth Vader.
Review
The Voodoo Queen discovers the secrets of her history, the Voodoo Court and more in the latest issue of this Vertigo series.
Shock to the System, Part Two
Review
Get ready for some suspense, heavy duty action and not one, but two crazy twists. This is Captain America on a mission. Brubaker and Zircher are unleashing the Captain America action here.

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series We visited the DC Entertainment office to get an early look at all 7 BEFORE WATCHMEN limited series. That's right, we've read all the #1s (and some of the #2s)!
Comic Book Wallpapers for the New iPad Finding the best wallpapers isn't easy. Here's a bunch and what you need to know to make your own.
Off My Mind: Will the DC Universe Be Rebooted Again After Flashpoint? Is it really that crazy of an idea?
Off My Mind: Defeating Teen Heroes Through Their Hormones Why isn't this 'weakness' exploited more often?
Off My Mind: Should Mary Jane Gain Superpowers? Having powers could help them stay together.
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 Cosplay Gallery The official Comic Vine cosplay gallery, with 1100+ cosplay photos from San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Enjoy.
Off My Mind: Should Superheroes Keep Trophy Rooms? It's cool to keep villains' memorabilia but how safe is it?
Off My Mind: What if the Punisher Shot an Innocent? It's his job to punish the guilty but what if he became guilty himself?

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers] The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.
10 Comics to Buy This Week: 5/23/2012 Our recommendations for this week in comics.
Best Comic Book Covers of the Week: 5/18/12 This week Spidey, FABLES, and CONAN THE BARBARIAN make our list; what's on yours?
'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.
Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse? Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?
Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.
First Look at AMC's 'The Walking Dead' Season 3 The next season is said to be "harder, darker, faster, deeper."
New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Poster The latest Batman movie poster looks cool, and also a little bit familiar...

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers] The wedding you never thought you'd see is finally here.
Genesis: Mutantkind's Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse? Is the future of Genesis' character predetermined, or is there a chance he won't eventually become Apocalypse?
Off My Mind: Why Batman Incorporated is a Good Idea Batman taking his war to a global level has been questioned by readers but there are reasons why it has become necessary.
Even More 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Posters If the reveal of yesterday's latest Batman movie poster wasn't enough, here are six more for you to feast your eyes on.
'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back to March 2013 to Add 3D Looks like COBRA will have a longer period to plan their attack against the Joes.
Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading? It's a GameSpot-Comic Vine team-up as we get gamers and comic fans to assess titles based on Mass Effect, Gears of War, God of War, Halo, and the NES-era Nintendo lineup.
Awesome Art Picks: Avengers, Thanos, Hawkeye & More The coolest comic art you won't see in comic books.
New 'The Dark Knight Rises' Movie Poster The latest Batman movie poster looks cool, and also a little bit familiar...

Comic Vine News

Uh Oh, New Batgirl...New Costume?

Will she make this a permanent costume?

Dig Deeper into Stephanie Brown

Quick Look: Sega Vintage Collection

Quick Look: PixelJunk 4am

Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading?

Are Videogame-Based Comics Worth Reading?

Off My Mind: Using Imprisoned Villains for Dangerous Government Missions

Off My Mind: Using Imprisoned Villains for Dangerous Government Missions

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series

First Impression: BEFORE WATCHMEN Limited Series

Comic Vine Weekly News: 05/18/12

Comic Vine Weekly News: 05/18/12

Comic Vine News

Uh Oh, New Batgirl...New Costume?

Will she make this a permanent costume?

Dig Deeper into Stephanie Brown