Batgirl #1 Preview

Check out a preview of Batgirl #1

Line-wide events often mean big changes for anyone who is sticking around. Some people die, some people get ressurrected. Some people get a change of costume and occasionally new abilities (sometimes with also losing some old abilities). For Batgirl post DC’s huge Rebirth event, it’s one major change of scenery. With a whole new team working on the book, Batgirl is at least temporarily, no longer Batgirl of Burnside. She’s taking a trip to Japan! Obstensibly, it’s to meet a superhero who actually lived long enough to make it to extremely old age, but of course, she’s going to run into some trouble along the way. Here’s a synopsis and preview of Batgirl #1:

"“Beyond Burnside” Chapter One: The Batgirl you know and love is going global with Eisner Award-winning and New York Times best-selling writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time, Goldie Vance) and all-star artist Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE). In order to up her game, Babs travels to Japan on a quest to train with the most elite modern combat masters of the East. But when a chance meeting with an old friend puts a target on her back, Batgirl may need to use her new skills to solve a deadly mystery."

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As someone who was a pretty big fan of Babs Tarr’s artwork on Batgirl pre-Rebirth, Rafael Alberquerque’s style might definitely take a little getting used to. And while a temporary change of pace will probably be cool, I really hope it’s temporary (like say a 6-issue storyline) because Barbara Gordon’s friends in Burnside were a huge part of what made that run so enjoyable, so I’m not sure separating her from them long-term would be a good move. Batgirl #1 will be available July 27th.

h/t CBR