Cassandra Cain Batgirl has one of the most unique and recognizable Bat-Family masks, second only, perhaps, to Red Hood full face helmet. Now, this mask has received a major futuristic update that looks straight out of Batman Beyond– and we’re crossing our fingers that he makes a narrative debut.
Releasing December 5, 2024, Tate Brombal and Takeshi Miyazawa’s Batgirl #2 continues Cassandra Cain’s new solo series, delving into her complex relationship with her mother, Lady Shiva – one of the most skilled and deadly assassins in the DC Universe.
In this issue, tensions between Cassandra and Lady Shiva rise as they flee from the mysterious Unburied who are hunting them. However, the highlight of the teaser is a variant cover by Skylar Patridge, featuring Cassandra in one of her most badass masks, with a design that looks great Batman Beyond tribute.
What Batgirl’s new mask update means for her character
Card variant of cover B by Jorge Jiménez for Batgirl #2 (2024)
Patridge’s art features a stunning vision of Cassandra in her Batgirl costume, with vivid blues, pinks, and her signature black. What makes this cover especially notable is the reimagining of Cass’s iconic closed-mouth face mask in a distinctly futuristic style. Typically, Cass’s mask has a rag doll appearance with a sewn-on mouth and fabric texture, but here it transforms into something more like a gas mask.presenting a rigid appearance with what appears to be a circular breathing apparatus over the mouth area.
Most notably, this cape replaces the usual white eyes of Cass’s mask with a reflective hot pink that adds a bold, sharp contrast to the solid black costume. The elegant, uniform design and its unique touch of color bring a Batman Beyond aesthetic for the mind. For example, Terry McGinnis – the Batman of the future – also wears a full face mask and an all-black, streamlined costume with a unique pop of color, his red bat logo. The similarities are clear, but Patridge masterfully preserves the most iconic features of Cass’s mask – the closed mouth and large glowing eyes – while giving it a fresh, futuristic feel.
Our Take on Batgirl’s New ‘Beyond’ Mask Design
Will Cassandra Cain’s new mask have a narrative debut? (We sure hope so)
As of November 1, 2024, Patridge’s cover is the only art so far to hint at this design change, with other preview art from the series still showing Cass in her classic Batgirl costume. However, that doesn’t necessarily rule out a narrative debut for the elegant pink-eyed mask. Patridge’s cape could very well foreshadow a future costume update for Cassandra. However, even though this redesign remains exclusive to the cover, fans will certainly appreciate the seemingly Batman Beyond– inspired twist From Batgirl to look.
Batgirl #2 is available December 4, 2024, from DC Comics!