- Barbara Gordon finally gets a superhero look as Oracle in
Birds of Prey
#12. - Oracle’s new suit reflects her importance and uniqueness in the DC Universe.
- Sin’s chibi world design for Oracle’s suit is ingenious, combining familiar colors with a superhero vibe.
Barbara Gordon has been a fixture in the DC Universe for many years and her role as
oracle
has proven invaluable to the Bat-Family, Birds of Prey, and anyone lucky enough to ally with her. But despite her unparalleled support and skill, Oracle has never had a “superhero look” of her own. Now, with the Birds of Prey roaming the pocket dimension, she’s finally getting a suit to match.
In Birds of Prey #12 by Kelly Thomphon, Javier Pina, Sophie Campbell and Gavin Guidry, the team continues to jump through various redesigns of the pocket dimension they are trapped in, ending up in a chibi-style cartoon world thanks to their teammate Sin. They go looking for Batgirl again and find her trapped in a skyscraper and with a completely new look thanks to the new dimension.
As Oracle, Barbara Gordon spends a lot of time in street clothes and sits behind a monitor as an invisible and almost omnipresent leader of her allies. Sin’s cartoon universe is finally elevates Barbara to a full-time superhero by putting her in a blue-green leotard, complete with cape and characteristic emblem.
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Barbara Gordon has long been Gotham’s most important protector in the role of the Oracle and can now shine as the literal heart of Batman’s operation.
Barbara Gordon finally gets the oracle costume she deserves
Too bad it’s in a temporary alternate dimension
Barbara Gordon is no stranger to the superhero game, having designed her own Batgirl suit during Batman’s earliest years. Although she still sports her classic Batgirl look (and uses the nickname) from time to time, Babs shines differently than the technically savvy oracle. After being left physically unable to fight crime in the “normal” way following a brutal attack by the Joker, she has carved out a new niche for herself and found a new purpose. Creating Oracle was truly a superhero journey and she deserves to be looked at accordingly, even if she spends most of her time behind a screen.
The design combines everything that makes Oracle unique into a suit that absolutely deserves to be seen in the “real” world.
Sin’s chibi world is an unexpected way to present a caped Oracle, but the design is ingenious. The The color green is a standard Oracle color and is often found in the leotard and cape.while the blue of the gloves and boots is reminiscent of an electronic glow. Combined with the emblem on the front of the suit, the whole look perfectly captures the right mood, especially when topped off by Barbara’s signature glasses and long red hair. In short, the design takes everything that makes Oracle unique and packs it into a suit that absolutely deserves an appearance in the “real” world of the DC Universe.
Oracle’s superhero design captures her important role in the DC Universe
Oracle’s wearable tech jumpsuit premiered in “Ghost in the Machine” by Cecil Castellucci, Marguerite Sauvage and Becca Carey from Batman: Urban Legends #2
Despite being a staple of the Bat-Family and the Birds of Prey for so long, Oracle is often just a voice on the other end of a communicator. She has a traditional superhero look, rather than something more casual like her Batman: Urban Legends Upgrade, makes it clear that she is an invaluable member of any team lucky enough to have her. She is the eyes and ears of her allies and acts as their highly attentive guide and detective. Barbara Gordon is one of the most intelligent and resilient heroines in the DCU, and her new costume gives the oracle Role the respect she deserves.
Birds of Prey #12 is now available from DC Comics.
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Birds of Prey #12 (2024) |
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Birds of Prey (2023)
Dinah Lance is one of the DCU’s best fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she’s a fearsome opponent in any situation… but sometimes even Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission from a mysterious new ally and nearly impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badass fighters – Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn – with one goal: rescue without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong?
- writer
- Kelly Thompson
- Pencil artist
- Leonardo Romero
- Ink pen
- Leonardo Romero
- Colorist
- Jordie Bellaire
- Type designer
- Clayton Cowles
