Batgirlis arguablyBatman’smost loyal soldier in his war on crime, but Cassandra Cain stands on the verge of a dangerous transformation. Agreeing to work with her mother against a deadly assassin organization, this uneasy alliance will push Cass’s morals to the breaking point as each compromise under Shiva’s influence threatens to drag her further down a slippery slope, where one move too far could lead to her fall from Bat-Family grace.
Cass will be forced into complex situations where she must choose: oppose her mother’s actions, ignore them, or even become complicit.
Set to release on July 07, 2025,Batgirl#2 by Tate Brombal, Takeshi Miyazawa, Mike Spicer, and Rob Levin picks up where issue #1 left off, withCassandra Cain and her mother, Lady Shiva, on the run from the Unburied—a deadly group of assassins bent on killing both of them.
In the first issue, Shiva approached Cass to warn her of the Unburied’s threat and persuade her to team up. However, their relationship isn’t a typical mother-daughter bond, plagued by too much bad blood and betrayal, which led Cass to reject her assassin mother’s offer. Yet,the preview for issue #2 reveals that Cass has had a change of heart.
Lady Shiva Is Already Affecting Batgirl’s Decisions (Batman Would Not Approve)
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Jorge Jiménez forBatgirl#2 (2024)
InBatgirl#2, Batgirl and Lady Shiva stand back-to-back, fighting off the Unburied in a battle they ultimately win. However, Shiva is critically injured. Witnessing firsthand the immense threat they face and seeing her mother’s condition, Cassandra makes a decisive choice—without hesitation—to seek out Batman’s help, a decision the Dark Knight would surely approve of. Yet, before Batgirl can contact him,Shiva stops her, convincing Cass to give her one night to prove that involving anyone from the Bat-Family, including Batman, would lead to their deaths.
Reluctantly, Cass agrees, saying, “Fine. No Batman. For now.”While Batgirl’s hesitation is clear, this marks the beginning of a slippery slope. Not only is Cass going against her instincts—such as reaching out to her father for help—but she’s also making a choice that Bruce would undoubtedly disapprove of: trusting Lady Shiva and keeping Batman out of the equation. This may seem like a small decision in the grand scheme, but now that Lady Shiva has a foothold,she will likely influence more of Cass’s choices, potentially leading Batgirl down a dark paththat could compromise her morals and, ultimately, her relationship with Batman.
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While I respect for the trailblazing done by Barbara Gordon and will always love Stephanie Brown, there is no doubt Cass Cain is the BEST Batgirl.
Cassandra Cain: The Last Bat-Kid Bruce Would Ever Expect to Betray Him
Batgirl Is on the Verge of Entering Her Red Hood Era
Batgirl’s decision to ignore her instincts and not contact Batman—choosing instead to work with her morally corrupt assassin mother—is a deeply troubling turn. This choice isn’t just a single misstep;it’s likely the beginning of a dangerous pattern that will see Cass compromise her values and morals even further.While the full extent of these compromises remains to be seen, the potential for Cass to follow a path similar to Jason Todd’s—becoming a Gotham hero who“breaks bad”—is all too real. Batgirl could be on the verge of one of her darkest and most challenging chapters yet, one that will test her beliefs like never before.
If Batgirl compromises her morals while working with Shiva, it will undoubtedly shake Batman to his core.Cass has long been one of his most loyal soldiers, adhering to his ‘No Kill’ rule and other principles with a dedication that mirrors his own.In fact, Bruce trusts her in a way that surpasses even his relationships with his Robins. Their father-daughter bond is one of the strongest in the Bat-Family, rarely marked by conflict. Cass has always been a steadfast believer in Batman’s code, so if she starts pushing its boundaries, it would be nothing short of shocking to both the Dark Knight and the Bat-Family.
Will Lady Shiva Be Successful in Corrupting Batman’s Most Loyal Soldier?
Cover C 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Skylar Patridge forBatgirl#2 (2024)
Batgirl#1 showcased Tate Brombal and Takeshi Miyazawa’s portrayal of Cassandra Cain, capturing her deep admiration for Batman and unwavering commitment to his ‘No Kill’ rule. However, with Lady Shiva now in the picture, Cass’s morals are about to face their ultimate test. By agreeing to work with Shiva, a woman unafraid to kill, Cass will be forced into complex situations where she must choose: oppose her mother’s actions, ignore them, or even become complicit. A moral struggle is inevitable, and it will be intriguing to see just how muchBatgirl’svalues are tested by the end of this run.
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