#i just wanted to highlight onyx and cass's relationship

[mysteriousbeetle]

I think an underrated and under explored relationship for Cass is her relationship with Onyx.

Onyx acts as a mentor figure in a way that is distinct from Babs or Bruce. While Cass is able to relate to Babs and Bruce with her ideals, Cass is able to relate to Onyx in other, more tangible ways.

I think Cass also sees herself in Onyx at this moment during their first time meeting:

(From Batgirl (2000) #57)

Onyx smiles while a gun is pointed right at her in a way that mirrors some moments with Cass earlier on in Batgirl (2000) (an example of this is issue #13) and I think Cass recognizes this resemblance in the panels above.

Even though it’s not explored much in the comics, I think it’s also worth bringing up that unlike Babs or Bruce, Onyx is a woman of color similar to Cass.

Cass is also able to recognize herself in Onyx with her background. With Babs and Bruce, neither of them have backgrounds that resemble Cass’s own. Onyx is someone who came from a somewhat similar background as someone who’s a former assassin who changed her ways and chooses to fight for good.

(From Batgirl (2000) #60)

Cass being able to recognize herself in someone she looks up to is important because it shows her that even with the attitude she has and even with her background, she’s able to be someone that she can be proud of.

With their similarities, comes an ability from Onyx to provide Cass with insight that’s suited toward her.

(From Batgirl (2000) #60)

Unlike Bruce and Babs who struggled to console Cass over the murder she committed, Onyx is able to effectively address it in a meaningful and productive way.

Another thing Onyx is able to do effectively is get across the message that having a secret identity is important:

(From Batgirl (2000) #60)

Earlier on in the series, this is an idea that Cass struggles with. I think Onyx being able to explain it with her own lived experience to back it up helps. And I think this more tangible example of regret with not having a secret identity has more impact than the previous appeals made by Babs earlier on in the series.

I think one of the most important things is that Onyx meet Cass on her level.

(From Batgirl (2000) #65)

Onyx lets Cass work out her issues through sparring and can call out Cass on what’s really bothering her.

All of their interactions in comics happen in just three issues. Yet with how Cass is able to see herself in Onyx and how Onyx can understand Cass in a way that’s unique from her previous mentors, these interactions are all able to have a meaningful effect on Cass’s life.

With Onyx joining the Birds of Prey in October, I look forward to seeing how Thompson will write their interactions and if she’ll call back to their relationship in Batgirl (2000) in any way.