Exclusive Preview: BATGIRL #22

We may all be celebrating around here but things have been a little down in the Gordon family. In a confrontation with her brother, James Jr, Batgirl (and the Commissioner) believe he is dead and Batgirl is to blame. (Make sure you're reading SUICIDE SQUAD for more an update on James Jr).

If you've seen the cover to BATGIRL #22, you know it doesn't look good for our hero. Check out this exclusive preview for next week's issue courtesy of DC Comics.

BATGIRL #22

Following the recent massive trauma she’s suffered, Barbara Gordon tries to move on with her life—without Batgirl!

Written by: Gail Simone

Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Jonathan Glapion

Cover by: Alex Garner

Color/B&W: Color

Page Count: 32

U.S. Price: 2.99

On Sale Date: Jul 10 2013

10/10 would teardrop again

Maybe she'll quit and become something else while someone new (or not introduced yet... CASSANDRA CAIN!!!) can take up the mantle.

Her face in the 3rd panel in the 4th picture looks so weird to me

Barbara </3

If she were to stop being Batgirl I would only be happy if Cass or Stephanie came back, but with Barbara still being a strong role in the series.

DUN DUN DUUUUUUNNNNN.

Is Batgirl selling well? Is it one of DC's highest?

Looks great

Very poignant. I feel her pain.

#22 Sold 42,600 copies, and was the 15th highest selling DC title that month, not including annuals.

Edted: I meant to say #20. Sorry. :/

The hole war that's going to be wagged by Barbara and Commissioner Gordan is beyond stupid Gordan knows his son is a serial killer he saw his wife point a gun at James Jr and don't get me started on Barbara Gordan sr she is beyond awful for not telling Gordan the full story and just running out of town. This plot is just so contrived and stupid.

Calling it. Babs will become Oracle again (only not crippled this time) and either Cassie or Steph will take over.

I would really like Cassie back but if someone else becomes Batgirl doesn't that just take away the point of Babs leaving? So maybe she'll just create her own identity. Like Dick becoming Nightwing.

Wow. I haven't read the series but this is powerful stuff. I think I am going to give it a try.

The Nightwing annual solicit reads "Barbara Gordon no longer fighting under the Bat".

wait did they kill James Gordon Jr. I haven't beenr eading Batgirl

she "killed" him in issue 19 but if you read Suicide Squad 20 you will find out he's alive and neither her or her father know it

oh look a killing joke reference once again,...

James Gordon Jr got from awful to interesting in just 1 issue with Suicide Squad

And then Gail Simone announces she's leaving Batgirl.

*sigh* We can dream, right?

The cover is the best part, look at that cover. It's flawless!

Fuuuuu! that cover!

Here the figures since the relaunch, I have also included the overall ranking for all comics incl. DC, MARVEl, Etc

There is no issue of Batgirl in September according to the solicits

Batgirl #1 - Splitterregen - 81,489 - Rank: 12

Batgirl #2 - Cut Short, Cut Deep - 75,227 - Rank: 14

Batgirl #3 - A Breath of Broken Glass - 62,974 - Rank:18

Batgirl #4 - An End to Dreams - 53,975 - Rank: 23

Batgirl #5 - A Candy Full of Spiders - 51,327 - Rank: 26

Batgirl #6 - A House Made of Spun Glass - 47,836 - Rank: 30

Batgirl #7 - A View From Below - 45,685 - Rank: 30

Batgirl #8 - No Darker Shadow - 43,990 - Rank: 33

Batgirl #9 - In the Line of Fire - 58,710 - Rank: 24

Batgirl #10 - All Snug in Their Beds - 47,050 - Rank: 38

Batgirl #11 - Heart of Cold Steel - 45,004 - Rank: 36

Batgirl #12 - Every Time I Fail - 43,804 - Rank: 38

Batgirl #0 - A Fire in the Heavens - 50,441 - Rank: 29

Batgirl #13 - A Blade of Memory - 50,074 - Rank: 36

Batgirl #14 - A Courtship of Razors - 77,468 - Rank: 17

Batgirl #15 - Collision Part Two: Engagement - 75,341 - Rank: 13

Batgirl #16 - Collision, Part Three: Ceremony - 72,470 - Rank: 17

Batgirl #17 - Endure the Flame - 65,751 - Rank: 18

Batgirl #18 - The Mask of Ashes - 51,677 - Rank: 30

Batgirl #19 - A Blade From the Shadows - 45,939 - Rank: 37

Batgirl #20 - A Splinter Where My Heart Should Be - 42,600 - Rank: 46

Batgirl #21 - Enclosure - Figures not released yet

@falconer: You want her fans to rage like they did the last time?

@longbowhunter: well that could just be referencing the fact that the cut the bat symbol of her costume after she "killed" Jame Jr. She felt she didn't deserve to wear Batmans symbol after she broke Batman Inc. Rule #1.

AMEN

I liked Stephanie Brown

@cellphonegirl:

I would like more Cassie as replacement. But Barabara after this event, she could become Oracle but be a "walking Oracle".

Now here are some questions if Barbara quits will Steph Brown return as Batgirl? Will someone else take up the mantle a second time, or will a new character becime Batgirl? Better yet will Gordon continue to hunt down whoever donns the batgirl costume or just the original?

IF, IF Barbara quits Batgirl, who should pick up the mantle?

Place your vote here IF she does quit being Batgirl.

Personally - It would be Cassandra Cain 100%

Regarding Cassandra

according to Grant Morrison, he said that she will be appearing in the "New 52" somewhere. But beyond that, he hasn't said anything else regarding her reappearance.

Also, IF Barbara does quit, I definitely would like to see her take up becoming Oracle once again, because to be honest, even though I like her as Batgirl, who quickly became one of my favourite characters, she really shined when she was Oracle.

People raging on the internet, what a surprise. That being said, anyone that is a genuine fan of this book needs to... no longer exist.

Never read this book and I never will until Steph is brought back. That being said, I can't see a change being made. Didio has made it clear he hates Steph, is indifferent to Cass thinks taking Oracle away was the right decision. Plus, is the there a book out there with a bigger rotation of artists?

@falconer:

The entire DCwomenkickingass tumblr site fanbase no longer existing?

That's kind of harsh.:P

@falconer said:

@akintoussaint said:

@falconer: You want her fans to rage like they did the last time?

People raging on the internet, what a surprise. That being said, anyone that is a genuine fan of this book needs to... no longer exist.

And that's your opinion. I'm personally enjoying this book and by some of the comments on here, it would seem others are as well. But I doubt anyone will as forceful in sharing their opinion as yourself.

@black_claw said:

Calling it. Babs will become Oracle again (only not crippled this time) and either Cassie or Steph will take over.

Hopefully Steph. I know most would say Cassandra, but I couldn't really get into Cass as Batgirl, and I loved Steph's run with Babs helping behind the scenes so I'd personally love to see that back. If Babs did give up and it happened to be Cass to take over I'd likely still give it a go. I'd still be interested to see that.

What seems to be the problem with this particular group of people?

I'm only a casual follower, and not a tumblr member.

@v_scarlotte_rose: Get tumblr, you get to stalk your favorite creators ;)

@v_scarlotte_rose: Only joking.Bad taste i know.That why i changed it.

I do that with Twitter. :)

@mangakid1995: I haven't the fuzziest as to the implications. I don't read Batgirl.

@thecupcakeavenger: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It just so happens that anyone that likes this book has a wrong opinion.

@fallbrigade: this just in cassandra cain is the new lady shiva lol jk

Even if they change the "batgirl" (I hope not) I hope Barba stays in the tittle...=(

omg this is so horribly bad

Commissioner Gordon

or, the guy who prohibited Barb to have anything to do with the police, which on part inspired Barb to become Batgirl(at least in her good origin)

is taking his daughter to bonding act on A SHOOTING RANGE!!!

If that is not enough he is telling his daughter to imagine someone real to shot at while she is using the gun.

Because that is such a great idea to do on someone with PTSD!

is...

I have never seen such a pityful and pathetic portray of a character who is supposed to be strong female role model.

This is the worst most whinney, worst written and stupid soup opera Ever!

how can this characters get worse?

@azura_thena: it has been pretty lackluster up to her killing James Jr. so now is a good time to pick it up

We'll never see it, unfortunately. Apparently, Dan Didiot hates Stephanie Brown. She basically a "blacklisted" character. I'm surprised they haven't tried to kill her off in one panel like they did to Artemis during that "Culling" non-event.

Never really understood this 'Dan hates Step therefore she's banned from the new52' thing.It just doesn't make sense.Regardless of his personal feelings about the character It not like he's writing the book.

People want this characters therefore they should get it.Don't think the character will sell? That's what team books are for.Pair her up with Cass.Hell Team them up with Misfit and some other young female character and BOOM.Mini birds of prey.If nothing cause then to the fanbase happy.:P

Might we get back Casandra Cain or Steaphany brown

What if Harper Row became Batgirl?

I think that would get quite a mixed response, based on opinions I've seen of her.

@v_scarlotte_rose: I was wondering that myself. For all everyone has complained about her taking up the Robin mantle, I don't think her as Batgirl was ever really considered.

@akbogert: I suppose there was just more reason to discuss a potential replacement Robin before now.

I would not like it if barbara quit. If she did i would prefer stephanie, Cassandra was always boring to me, and i doubt she could hold her oen series.

@joethebigitalianguy: I thought Steph is Spoiler in the new 52.