cloisismyfairytale:What does Batgirl Futures End really...

cloisismyfairytale:

What does Batgirl Futures End really translate into, to me? The story behind the story (My opinion)

While every review is right, it’s a brilliant way to end Gail Simone’s run on Batgirl, what does it really mean to me?

It’s a giant metaphor for how editorial viewed Batgirl, but also, what she means to fans.

Let me elaborate: we start of with a happy Barbara, she’s getting married. Just when you think hey all is well for Babs finally, James pops out and holds her at gun point. Now the way I see this is editorial at DC Comics, putting out that mandate that BatFam people can’t have happy lives away from the mask, there has to be drama and sorrow. This is pushed further to other factions of the DCU families, where they can’t lead lives away from symbols and masks. They have to be said hero all the time. They can’t possibly have down time to relax and do normal things, oh no! This is absurd. They put on that symbol, that mask, they have to be that version 24/7/365.

Further on, James forces Barbara down a dark path. This again translates into editorial at DC demanding everyone be dark, brooding, gritty and complex. Heaven forbid, that a hero be happy. They’re dedicating their lives to saving the world, so they should be miserable and dark characters. In the New52, no one can be joyful and complex. Have bad times and good. Have a light at the end of the tunnel. Have a home to come back to. No. The mandate for the new52 is dark, darker, darkest. What DC don’t understand is that while this works for Batman specifically, I does not and will not work for everyone. Even members of the BatFamily need a break from the darkness. Dick Grayson is not Bruce, it’s why he’s so beloved, and why his break-away series is doing so well. Barbara Gordon likewise is not Bruce, she too needs a break to just be Barbara, not Batgirl. It’s why there is a secret identity portion to each hero.

Down this dark path, Barbara looses herself, and thus down this road of 30+ issues of Batgirl, Barbara was lost in the mist of darkness demanded by editorial. I mean, I picked up issues of Batgirl and wondered who the heck was this? Barbara’s metamorphosis was literally into a Bane-Batgirl, or as she liked to call herself, The Black Beast. Let’s break that down: Black, darkness, opposite to white and light, and hopeful. Beast, an animal, wild, untamed, no heart, no control. And that’s what Batgirl was turned into, and many heroes were turned into. Mindless killing machines. No hope.

But, these characters have not survived for so long, without the ability to fight through. And love, hope, and the realization of not all is lost, I can still persevere and overcome this shines through. Hope, is symbolized by Stephanie. Perseverance is symbolized by Cass. Love is symbolized by Tiffinay. But more so, they symbolize the hope, love and perseverance of the fans. These three things save Barbara and help her climb out of the abyss of darkness. But what else does the League of Batgirls mean?

Let’s see, women and girls of different ages, cultures, backgrounds, color, and skill. They symbolize the changing of the guard. No longer are fans what DC thinks they are. That target group, moved on from 1890 that DC is stuck in. Comics are expanding beyond the boys only club, and include women, girls, boys, and men, of all ages, of all nationalities, of all colors, of all backgrounds. Because in the search for heroes and beacons of inspiration, we have found comics. And the stories better evolve with the growing audience, away from all gloom and doom, to include all sorts of stories.

This is a wake up call to DC Comics. In my humble opinion.

This is…very, very interesting.

;)