DC Unveils Hardcore Batgirl Art No Fans Should Miss

Published Nov 8, 2026, 2:31 PM EST Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year. Comic book characters changing their uniforms/costumes happens regularly. Sometimes it’s something big, like an entire wardrobe change. For example, Storm, who always looks good. Other times it’s subtle, like Batman changing from grey and black to all black. The latter is something that changes when a character needs an edge or something to add a little more to them. Alterations usually only happen when someone needs a push or is in the middle of something epic. Cassandra Cain, the current Batgirl, and formerly Orphan, is getting a change in costume because DC Comics recognizes she’s in the process of something incredible. Beyond what's already happened in Tate Brombal's run of Batgirl, Cassie is about to fight her abusive father. That's more than enough to warrant something new. Cassandra Cain's Most Ruthless Look To Date Cassie Cain made her appearance in Batman #567. Even back then, she had the Bat Family logo on her uniform. Fast-forward years later, she’s going by Orphan and wearing something that resembles a ninja or a ronin. Her mask had blacked-out eyes, and the stitching made it look like she was frowning. Years later, after becoming Batgirl again, her uniform looked like the traditional Bat Family garb. It had a utility belt and a simple black-and-yellow theme. Her eyes were now white, but the stitched frown remained. Plus, she has a cape now, too. All of these changes made her look like an official member of the Bat Family. The new image on the cover of Batgirl #27 shows a current approach to Tate Brombal's Batgirl. The uniform is the same, but there’s a twist. Instead of her normal gloves or gauntlets, she has her hands taped up. It’s similar to how a fighter wraps their hands and wrists up for a battle. The restriction of movement prevents combatants from injuring themselves while they’re fighting. Considering that Cassie is always prepared for a brawl, it’s not shocking that she’s taped up. Batgirl's Resemblance To A Classic Wolverine Pose One of the great things about current comic book cover art is how it sometimes resembles moments from the past. For instance, the cover art of Spider-Man #1 by Todd McFarlane is a classic that many artists have paid homage to. There’s also Wolverine #1 with art by Frank Miller and Josef Rubinstein. Speaking of Logan, the pose Cassandra Cain is using is reminiscent of a classic Logan panel. At the end of Uncanny X-Men #132, Wolverine is in the sewer after being slammed there by the Hellfire Club’s Black Bishop, Harry Leland. On the last page, Logan has his claws popped and is ready for round two. Cassie has a very similar look on the cover of Batgirl #27. The only difference is she’s wielding a sword instead of adamantium claws. Uncanny X-Men #132 was a defining moment for Logan. He ran through the Hellfire Club goons with ease and became one of the reasons that the X-Men survived the day. The solicits of Batgirl #27 shows that Cassie could be in the same situation, except with her father, who's hunting her. The description says, “David Cain is on the hunt, and Batgirl is always one step ahead. But how long can she stay there?" This is a fight that’s been a long time coming. David Cain is part of the reason that Cassie couldn’t talk for years, was emotionally stunted, and was used as a weapon. Now that he’s back, it’s time to settle some scores. Since this run of Tate Brombal's Batgirl has been all about Cassandra Cain’s growth, readers should expect this to be a must-read storyline. And if Cassie likes the taped-up hands, maybe that look will stay. Director Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah Writers Christina Hodson