WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #6!
While the New 52 era of DC Comics is controversial, one undeniable highlight was Batgirl’s iconic black and gold costume, which many still agree is one of her best looks even ten years later. However, this costume is more than just a striking design—it symbolizes a new chapter for Barbara Gordon following her return from the ‘dead.’
… the golden Batgirl insignia now extends into bat wings across her shoulders, resembling Nightwing’s blue bird emblem…
Set for release on January 8, 2025, Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 will continue the epic three-sided war between the ever-growing evil vampire army, the human resistance, and Damian Wayne’s vampire guerrilla fighters. The solicitation teases the long-awaited battle finally coming to a head, with the added drama of new foes targeting Mister Miracle and his baby.
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DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #6 (2025) |
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Release Date: |
January 8, 2024 |
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Writers: |
Matthew Rosenberg |
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Artists: |
Otto Schmidt |
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Cover Artist: |
Otto Schmidt |
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Variant Covers: |
Ejikure & Mark Spears |
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Green Arrow, Damian Wayne, and the rest of the heroes bring the fight to Batgirl and her blood-sucking army. With the world on a collision course with total destruction, a new foe enters the fray…and they’re on the hunt for Mister Miracle. The vampire/human battlelines are about to be permanently redrawn! |
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While fans eagerly await this pivotal issue, they can tide themselves over with Ejikure’s variant cover, which features Batgirl’s New 52 costume. This marks the shocking return of Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon, who was previously thought to be dead.
Batgirl’s New 52 Costume Returns in DC vs. Vampires: World War V Variant Cover
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Ejikure for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025)
One of the standout elements from Barbara Gordon’s New 52 era was the debut of her iconic black and gold Batsuit—widely considered one of her best and most beloved costumes. This design kept the essence of her classic look but introduced a sleeker style and striking color scheme, elevating it to a top-tier outfit. Fans are now treated to its return in Ejikure’s variant cover for World War V #6, though with some notable changes, including the nightmarish twist of red glowing eyes peeking out from the cowl, marking this costume as one worn by the evil Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon of Earth-63.
But the glowing red eyes aren’t the only change. While the suit retains the recognizable black and gold color scheme of Barbara’s New 52 costume, there are key design changes that may even improve upon the original. One of the most striking updates is the expanded golden Batgirl insignia, which now extends into bat wings across her shoulders, resembling Nightwing’s blue bird emblem. Additionally, the DC vs. Vampires version features accents of orange and blue along her arms and legs, and her golden utility belt has been given a sleeker design. Altogether, Ejikure’s variant offers an epic reimagining of Barbara’s New 52 suit.
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Main Cover by Otto Schmidt for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #5 (2024)
While it’s unclear if this black and gold costume will appear in the narrative, it would be a fitting addition, marking Barbara’s return after being presumed dead following a bombing by one of Damian’s guerrilla fighters in issue #1. Although Otto Schmidt’s main cover for issue #5 hinted at Batgirl’s return, fans have only now received official confirmation through the synopsis for issue #6, which directly referenced the Vampire Queen. Given Batgirl’s ‘return from the dead,’ a new costume would be an apt way to signify her reclaiming her thrown.
DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #6 will be released on January 8, 2025, from DC Comics!