Barbara Gordon Takes Mantle as "The Bat" in Absolute Batman #24, Batman Kills Jim Gordon
In a jaw-dropping twist from the Absolute Universe, Barbara Gordon is officially "The Bat" in Absolute Batman #24. This isn't just a new costume; it's a radical character transformation. Creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta confirmed the reveal at HeroesCon, with DC EIC Marie Javins present.
Fans have long known Barbara in this universe as a principled GCPD officer, daughter of former mayor Jim Gordon, secretly aiding Batman. She even kept parts of his tech after their encounters. But now, the stakes are sky-high. Batman himself murdered her father, Jim Gordon. This brutal act, coupled with her disillusionment with the GCPD, pushes her to vigilantism.
She'll don her father's coat, armed with parts of Batman's suit and helmet. This isn't just another Bat-legacy story. It's Barbara forging a new path, using elements of the hero—and the killer—who shaped her world. What she builds next could define the Absolute Universe.
“Batman himself murdered her father, Jim Gordon.”
Catzye Take
This is a massive shake-up for Barbara Gordon, moving far beyond a simple Batgirl reinterpretation. Fans will want to watch how this deeply personal tragedy shapes her new identity and what it means for the Absolute Universe's take on heroism. It's a bold, dark direction.
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