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AdamHughes — Batgirl Cover No 1

Published: 2011-06-11 15:19:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 188219; Favourites: 5228; Downloads: 13538
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Description Year: 2011
Client: DC Comics
Media: Media: Pencil, PITT Pen on Strathmore Drawing paper, then colored with Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Here she is, the new Barbara Gordon Batgirl, courtesy of the coming major DC Comics reboot. I'll be providing the covers for this series, written by the fabulous Gail Simone.

It's a very odd thing for me, to be working on a Barbara Gordon Batgirl. I'm old enough to remember a time before Oracle, when Barbara Gordon being Batgirl was the norm. I know several young people who feel that way because they grew up on the early 1990's BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES, where Babs was Batgirl and there was no Oracle.

But I remember reading the great old Batgirl backup stories in DETECTIVE COMICS, second-hand (both Batgirl and I were created in the same year - 1967). Great art by Carmine Infantino or Curt Swan or GIL KANE. Batgirl was awesome.

I was working in a comic book store in 1988 when THE KILLING JOKE came out. I sold it to people. I was loving the gritty Batman revival in the mid 80s, with DARK NIGHT RETURNS and BATMAN: YEAR ONE. But I, like everyone else, was unprepared for what the Joker did to Barbara Gordon. It had RESONANCE.

When I started working for DC the following year, 1989, a little part of me was sad that I'd never get to draw Batgirl. Barbara Gordon was to be Oracle now, and remain so for the next 23 years. I applaud DC Comics for keeping her in the wheelchair THAT long. Do you think Marvel would keep Jean Grey dead for 23 years, LOL?

So here we are, on the threshold of a new era of DC Comics, one where Batgirl is once again Barbara Gordon. Many fans who have clamored for her return for over 2 decades are probably going to be happy. Here's a link to a wonderful op/ed piece by Jill Pantozzi, representing the fans who would prefer that Babs remain Oracle. Read and think; nay, PONDER. [link]

Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle is a polarizing character, one who'll probably invite great debate over the next few months and beyond the premier of her new book.
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Comments: 474

greatwhiteshark1993 [2022-07-28 09:23:52 +0000 UTC]

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RebellingLemming [2019-03-09 11:17:12 +0000 UTC]

Great art!

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On2XSecretProbation [2018-08-17 19:00:10 +0000 UTC]

A now classic cover!

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Ltdan9 [2017-03-22 15:50:36 +0000 UTC]

Good work, Quick question though. Is adobe photoshop CS2 still being used today? I'm interested in using photoshop for my artwork for the first time and would like to know. Thanks.

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Monomakh [2015-07-30 20:41:57 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful artwork!

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friendlyFATTY [2015-01-10 04:44:42 +0000 UTC]

nice!

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cmethink [2015-01-04 21:53:36 +0000 UTC]

Wow, very nice. Please check my gallery and comment... good or bad. thank you

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JesseLambert [2014-09-02 16:03:14 +0000 UTC]

Amazing!

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AmaranteSabina [2014-07-20 17:32:55 +0000 UTC]

This is one of my favorite covers!

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jesschan [2014-02-24 18:29:31 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous

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Narked [2013-08-30 17:24:28 +0000 UTC]

Great artwork Adam,  Hmmm....wonder if she'll get a new motorcycle? (Preferably without BatMite trying to hump her!)

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QueenBatgirl [2013-08-10 01:17:29 +0000 UTC]

love this picture have it hanging on my wall in a frame !!!!!!!!!!!

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sebeq1313 [2013-05-12 20:21:11 +0000 UTC]

This is hands down my favorite drawing of Batgirl EVER!

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JAYVALENTIN [2013-04-07 20:43:11 +0000 UTC]

Great work Adam your a true master! I'm a new fan and saw a few of your YouTube videos !!! Thanks for your knowledge

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TheDrawingFool [2013-02-09 20:35:45 +0000 UTC]

Love this cover, added Batgirl to my pull list as soon as I found out you were doing the covers

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sebeq1313 In reply to TheDrawingFool [2013-05-12 20:21:34 +0000 UTC]

Agreed!

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Grafight [2013-02-05 06:01:25 +0000 UTC]

one of my all-time favorite depictions of Batgirl. I drew a sketch of this and posted it. Hope you don't mind!

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hodhod24 [2012-12-30 03:56:41 +0000 UTC]

It's weird how cool this is, U actually drew batgirl cooler than catwoman

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Braydenrules [2012-11-02 02:42:57 +0000 UTC]

My goodness! Favorite. Comic Book. Cover. Ever!!!

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MartySalsman [2012-10-30 18:00:27 +0000 UTC]

Nice work!

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BiggestTeenTitansFan [2012-10-18 14:13:38 +0000 UTC]

AGAIN?!
Come on...............

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ganon2 [2012-10-13 07:59:12 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic art, and while I don't follow the comics very much, I have always thought of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl first and foremost, and while I'm sure Cassandra and Stephanie did fine, I am very happy to see her back on the streets kicking butt. Guess it's just my innate(or inane) attraction to redheads. I'd love for this to be widescreen so I could use it as a wallpaper.

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King1cheetah [2012-10-07 22:25:35 +0000 UTC]

OMG I LOVE ART WORK AND COMICS

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Jathlo88 [2012-09-22 11:43:30 +0000 UTC]

This cover is great and this series has been one of my faves of the new52.

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Emerson-Fialho [2012-09-18 19:39:05 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful artwork!

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Marie11pr [2012-09-12 08:13:37 +0000 UTC]

I LOVE this! SO alive! It's THE perfect cover for her being BACK as Babs!

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scorpionet69 [2012-08-01 22:31:44 +0000 UTC]

Definitely one of the best Batgirls, nice work!

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Phantombatman [2012-07-26 09:13:39 +0000 UTC]

Excellent, you are my favorit artist, love your work!

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Treewoman [2012-07-13 18:59:45 +0000 UTC]

I'm so glad Barbara is back as Batgirl, and your covers have been wonderful! As for Marvel...well they're sure giving Jean Greyead a go! *L* What I admire about Babs, though, is they didn't just kill her off; she had to transform, and so did the writers and artists who portrayed her. That's a lot harder, and a lot more praiseworthy in my mind, than the half-ass treatment Marvel gave the "Jean Issue." So go Babs! And thanks for turning out such great art. I've read her as Oracle, and as much as I love her that way, her return as Batgirl marked the first DC purchase I've made in about 10 years.

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Gabbo87 [2012-07-03 03:46:58 +0000 UTC]

Cool

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Mystic-Jay [2012-06-23 15:38:27 +0000 UTC]

i'm so glad the reboot got babs out of her wheel chair! i was so excited to see her on the streets again!

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TheDUDERulez [2012-06-21 18:10:11 +0000 UTC]

The cover looks good and the costume is cool, but how the hell did she become uncrippled!? Did the bullet just miss? Why not have her suit give her extra strength or have her use robotic legs or something?

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KiddoPerez [2012-06-20 10:59:49 +0000 UTC]

i like how you did the hair, and she's beautiful here ! congrats

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MirebenWitch [2012-06-11 07:29:31 +0000 UTC]

superbe!

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Maurandjane [2012-05-31 16:55:54 +0000 UTC]

Great !

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Unicornlovesdeer [2012-04-29 02:51:18 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful!

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VoodoomanDan [2012-04-09 13:36:46 +0000 UTC]

Your style never ceases to amaze me. Fantastic piece!

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studmuffintommee [2012-03-31 12:05:33 +0000 UTC]

Love it very much!!!

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ManuDGI [2012-03-28 02:55:34 +0000 UTC]

Great work Adam, i like the expression in her face, the colors are very good

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Esbe77 [2012-03-28 02:29:08 +0000 UTC]

Wow... your piece is altogether awesome! Maybe they'll separate Batgirl and Oracle, giving a new character with Oracle, who knows?

Your artwork remains truly great, an amazingly detailed yet not too detail-heavy Batgirl... once again, your art never fails to amaze me

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Eerie-Innocence [2012-03-23 02:08:58 +0000 UTC]

Dude. You made my favorite Batgirl cover! I have this issue. Love it!

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minlshaw [2012-03-19 09:53:41 +0000 UTC]

I hadn't bought a new monthly in about a decade when I decided to take a chance on a few New 52s, and the one that called to me most was Batgirl. It's easily my favorite read these days and it's nice to enjoy that monthly thrill again. This cover is one of my favorites by anyone, ever. It perfectly captures the tone of the entire book: kinetic, whimsical and full of promise. I think I'd actually buy a poster of this one if DC wanted to sell it. I'm actually contemplating buying one of the Graphitti Designs T-shirts and you should know it's been ages since I've done that.

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PrimeT1ME21 [2012-02-26 02:55:34 +0000 UTC]

I love your pictures man. My daughter loves Batman and Batgirl.

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Blegedjod [2012-02-13 15:30:19 +0000 UTC]

perfect, love it,

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WillPhantom [2012-02-13 00:46:30 +0000 UTC]

Adam Hughes....... drawing Batgirl!?????! I guess I've only got two wishes left.....

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LouieDeMartinisART [2012-01-11 17:37:21 +0000 UTC]

Nice!

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MjP-70 [2011-12-22 10:51:50 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work!

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Davinxi [2011-12-22 02:01:49 +0000 UTC]

dude, if u didnt had me with the awesome picture and ur unique technique, u had me at all the background information u wrote down thanks a lot!

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Re6ilient [2011-12-19 08:09:47 +0000 UTC]

i love it!

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GCARTIST85 [2011-12-18 07:05:16 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for letting us add your Amazing work to our gallery!

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