As the sequel to Batman ’89 approaches its release, artist Joe Quinones previews how Batgirl may have looked in Tim Burton’s world. After the initial announcement of a fall release for Batman ’89: Echoes hit the internet, returning Quinones has teased what’s to come through his Twitter page. As a result, readers already have been promised a Harley Quinn based on Madonna and a Jeff Goldblum-inspired Scarecrow.
Now, readers get their first look at Batgirl, in the Joe Quinones cover art for Batman ’89: Echoes #2, written by Sam Hamm, with art throughout from Quinones.
As seen below, the cover features the Madonna-esque Harley Quinn in the forefront, as the shadow of late Joker looms in the background –while off to the side is Batgirl, in the shadows, waiting to strike.
Batgirl Debuts In The Burtonverse With Echoes #2
Batman ’89 served as a continuation of Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. Without acknowledging the events of Joel Schumacher’s sequels, the six-issue series was as an examination of what may have happened if Burton followed through with his sequel, largely borrowing elements audiences would’ve seen in his Batman III, tentatively titled Batman Continues. Batman ’89: Echoes follows Batman ’89, apparently borrowing elements this time from what would’ve been Schumacher’s third film, Batman Triumphant, which had plans to incorporate Madonna as Harley Quinn, alongside a villainous Scarecrow. While it isn’t known whether Tim Burton planned to use Batgirl, the prior limited series established Barbara Gordon’s presence in the Burtonverse.
How Will Barbara Becomes Batgirl?
The conclusion of Batman ’89 #6, feature Catwoman sending the commissioner’s daughter, and fiance to the late Harvey Dent, a box of sensitive information, including a photograph unveiling Bruce Wayne’s alter ego. In the same letter, she teased to Barbara that in the future, she hoped to be to her a friend, guide, but most notably, “your oracle.” If the tease is to be taken at face value, the implication is that when Batman ’89: Echoes arrives, Selina Kyle will be transitioning into the Oracle of the Burtonverse as Barbara transitions into becoming a vigilante. The bigger implication here is that Catwoman will train Barbara to become a crime fighter.
While the concept itself is interesting, and will connect the characters on a deeper level than DC’s main canon typically does, it could also become a troubling scenario for Batman. It should not be forgotten that Batman ’89 #6 also depicted Bruce and Selina having a falling out, after the latter kills Dent in the midst of his self-destructive Two-Face run, setting up a conflict that will continue to play out in Batman ’89: Echoes. Selina believes that Harvey was too far gone to keep alive, while Bruce adamantly sticks to his no-kill rule. In molding Barbara to become her version of Batman, a better Batman, Catwoman may put Batgirl into conflict with Batman.
Batman ’89: Echoes #2 will be available December 26, 2023 from DC Comics.
