#BATGIRLS4EVER

[dailycass-cain]

Have I gotten over Batgirls ending? No, I haven't.   But there are a few things that give me peace when it comes to Cass still remaining as Batgirl for the future.

This does feel different than say 2006, 2009, and 2011. I feel okay here and not this overwhelming fear of dread or concern like in either of those years. The reasons being--

#1 Spirit World has her in it and as Batgirl. Six months (so far) of Cass as Batgirl in it. I'm square with that. Do I want the series to last longer than six issues? YES! I love Alyssa Wong writing Cass and gimme more of Haining drawn-Cass, please!

Also, it looks like we're getting Dustin Nguyen variants for each issue. Took DC long enough to do more of this and if you aren't getting this series for all of the above-mentioned which is mystical antics with Cass teaming with Xanthe and Constantine-- then COME ON?!

#2 DC and more importantly WB is pushing the character.  We have a variation of Cass coming next week with Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham and of course Bat Wheels has her too!

While neither is embracing the comic version, I'm actually okay with both interpretations.  Um...  cute my spoilerish thoughts on that.

I really want a sequel short with an older Ka Li Cain suiting up as a Bat to combat a new mystical threat that ends up with BATman helping her. There are so many seeds throughout that showcase Kai Li is just as resourceful like Bruce was in the animated movie.

GIMME THAT FAN ART PLEASE ARTISTS!!

Then there's the James Gunn factor. The tease a month ago with him saying four characters Bleeding Cool listed should be in his universe. Cass does have good odds and the comic market might be agreeing.

Literally, searching now for Cass on eBay, the market is speccing HARD that she'll be showing up. They do get some things wrong, but my gut says this might happen. We have Cass in various things above and if is next-gen it makes sense for her to be Batgirl in Brave & the Bold.

Really my one fear is the latest teaser had Babs as Batgirl (no Cass or Steph). Literally, this was my third clue something bad was happening to Batgirls...

It also feels so wrong that each hero has a generational link save well Babs in this teaser (save to Bruce). Literally, you could've easily put Cass in there and it ease some more minds.

But that leads me to one thing. I feel like Stephanie Brown is getting the short straw. I love the character, and I feel like if someone is getting shorted it's her sadly.

Cass has so much going still, but Steph? *cricket chirps* Literally, she should be involved in a comic too and I guess all we have is her helping Jason in the Joker ongoing.

Again, I feel like DC Comics fumbled the ball with Batgirls, particularly with Babs in those early issues, and because of that it never caught on until the later ones.

I don't mind Babs in Nightwing as Batgirl or Oracle. I've more at peace of her balancing BOTH identities. Just that when she becomes Batgirl it SHOULD be a "business has about to have picked up" moment.

Babs as Batgirl shouldn't job (and if she is it's something she shouldn't have a chance against aka what Batman vs. Robin did last month. I can’t believe I’m saying something positive on this comic).

It should be treated as a MOMENT. Really #13 gave us just that. A moment where Bruce/Babs/Zee helped out Cass/Steph. Also the tease in this week's issue is also good (more on that another day).

The biggest problem Batgirls had in those early issues was Babs stealing the spotlight from Cass/Steph and Seer in #5-8).  If you had Cass/Steph beating the Saints, Tutor, and Spellbinder. Add depth to Seer in #7-8?

We might have talked differently about this comic. But I'm not gonna fault the writers. They were given things beyond their control and did the best they could.

Clearly, #9 to now shows they can deliver some good stuff.  The problem is... a good chunk bailed prior. I just wish DC gave Batgirls a better chance.  I think all three characters are OWED that. After all the shenanigans done to them in the last TWENTY YEARS.

But the stuff I said earlier does make me feel at least comfortable that Cass can boomerang back. Because as I said numerous times over.

I'll cherish these next issues more so now. If this truly is the end of this comic. Because this comic for all its faults was a GIFT. May not have been a flawless one it still was a gift. I'll keep treasuring it. #Batgirls4life.

[dailycass-cain]

#19 marks the end of the Batgirls. Here are my thoughts for the final time for this series. Where I'll talk about the good, the bad, and all about the Cass.

I'll admit I'm a bit melancholy even knowing there's still a future for Cass.  The series while might have been what many wanted. It was what I wanted. Just Cass/Steph having adventures.

Though Steph got the raw end of the deal throughout most of the series, I was glad to see for the final issue she absolutely owns this issue.

Not just in her fight with Gunbunny, but also in talking Grace down from killing the villain. The moment where she just goes full-on has been a Steph moment I've been aching to see in this series.

But to be fair, she did get that moment as Girl-Bat in #16 and standing up to her father the prior issue (#15). Just it been a recurring theme for Steph struggling when I get it (it's her character arc) and it's always great seeing Steph just own the moment.

Part of me is terrified for the character's future, but then again if Cass keeps getting the stuff she is. Maybe there's a chance.

Just that this "x-over" that's going to "fracture" the Bat Family. It just feels like cheap heat from the inevitable "healing" story.

Anyway, I'm glad Steph got this moment because the character deserves this and more. Other than Cass, Steph has been through A LOT as well character-wise.

Sadly, of the three Batgirls (and Robins) seems like always getting the short end of the stick.

But I really did enjoy this moment whatever the x-over in September brings for Steph. I'm glad Batgirls gave us one happy moment for the character to shine. I just wish again, this series just didn't have to end.

For Cass? Her moment in the issue was shorter but it was still all the sweeter her taking down "Gunhawk".  I mean the twist everyone saw coming and I'm glad writers Michael Conrad and Becky Cloonan treat it as such.

No monologue from who "Gunhawk" is just Cass owning him and hard. That and again the writers showcase all of David Cain's bastard training with her easily finding the other sniper's nest.

Though I confess there was an added bonus this issue when it comes to Cass. Artist Robbi Rodriguez drew Cass in her old Batgirl attire this issue (sans mask).

I mean it is sort of a treat to FINALLY see this show up in the series.  So I'm glad we got that as well.

Likewise, we got one final awing moment between Cass/Steph.  It may not have been a kiss but seeing Cass smirking at Steph leaning her head on her shoulder.

Yeah... I'll take it. I wish we can get more but it'll do.

For Babs, yeah she didn't do a lot this issue.  I was okay with her showing in this issue and arc to be the rock for Cass/Steph.  While they were investigating she was as well and scheming for the villains' downfall.

As for the final page. It truly is a nice coda for Cass/Steph. Both characters had gone thru DC Comics' grinder from various periods starting in '04 but mainly 2009-2020.  

Treating the legacy mantle of Batgirl so carelessly.

Since the first issue, I treated this series as a gift. So did the creators of this series. So to see this as the final words for the series. Yeah, it hits me.

Do I wish Bette, Helena, and Charlotte appeared in the series? YES. But did this series give Cass/Steph fans what they wanted? YES.

For Cass? I'd say that answer was yes in spades.

To that end, I want to thank all the creators who worked on this book. You all gave us a treat I never in my wildest mind ever thought we'd get. This comic was special for me. It may not have given us the grit or overall tone that many wanted. But---

It opened the door for new fans to learn of the characters. To learn that Batgirl just isn't one singular person behind the identity but multiple.

That it is a legacy mantle again after what the New 52 did to it and the characters.

I feel like there's no real way to fully end this but to quote from a certain trickster, but give it my modified taste.

Goodbye, Batgirls. I'm gonna miss you. You had such potential (and still do). But then again, all good things must come to an end. 

Fare thee well.