This is one of the more interesting creative shakeups for October, in my opinion. MTV got the scoop on this one: starting with Batgirl #35, writing duties will be handled by Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher, with Babs Tarr providing interior art. If you’re a fan of Stewart’s art, you will be pleased to know that he will provide cover art. As for exiting writer Gail Simone, she’s said to have moved on to another DC book that will be announced shortly.
What’s also exciting is that the character will get a new costume, which you can see in some artwork below. I really dig it. It has a sleek, modern look and several cosplayers have already taken to Facebook saying that they can’t wait to craft it for themselves.
“Batgirl has really been put through the wringer in recent years – 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,” Stewart told MTV. “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, so she packs up and moves to Burnside, the cool, trendy borough of Gotham, to focus on grad school.”
Fletcher adds: “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. Barbara allows herself to be immersed in youth culture for the first time, exploring the social side of life in Burnside. That’s not to say there isn’t mystery, of course! Try as she might to live a ‘normal’ life, Barbara very quickly finds herself drawn back into the world of crime fighting. Our take on Batgirl mixes the best elements of Veronica Mars and Girls, with a dash of Sherlock thrown in for good measure.”
Sounds like the new creative team wants to lighten it up after having so many dark moments in the book in recent memory. As for the artwork I spoke of earlier, the cover and solicit for the kickoff issue are below, as well as some cool concept art.
BATGIRL #35
Written by CAMERON STEWART and BRENDEN FLETCHER
Art by BABS TARR
Cover by CAMERON STEWART
MONSTERS Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN
On sale OCTOBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
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! It’s a re-invention of Batgirl from the boots up, by the incredible creative team of Cameron Stewart (BATMAN INC.), Brenden Fletcher (WEDNESDAY COMICS), and rising star artist Babs Tarr!
Source: MTV
