Gail Simone's proposal for Batgirl

[The Cool Thatguy]

Cut and paste from the DC boards

What Might've been: Gail Simone's Batgirl Pitch
Posted: Jun 14, 2006 2:55 PM Reply


While trying to keep down my lunch after reading the preview of Robin 151, I decided to repost the pitch that Gail Simone made for what to do next with Cassandra.

From Gail, reposted from Chuck Dixon's board:

I was asked to come up with a direction for Batgirl, something new that would give her a fresh platform. I gave it a ton of thought, and the direction I came up with was this (obviously this is the abridged version):

Batgirl saves this minister, a guy who preaches to the homeless of Gotham City, a real get-down-into-it guy, from a vicious robbery. He's beaten badly, and Batgirl lashes out at the gang viciously, until he begs her to stop. He's forgiven them, let the police handle it, he says.

Batgirl is utterly baffled. She doesn't get it. Forgiveness for those who kill and injure innocents isn't part of the batcode. She starts visiting the minister in the hospital. He talks to her, not to convert her, but the belief he has in God is so moving and unshakable, that she comes to think of him as incredibly strong. Everything about him is the opposite of Batman--he's at peace, he doesn't believe in violence, and above all, he's got the joy of God in him, in every part of him. He tells her he used to be a bad, violent man, and the book changed him. The idea appeals to and terrifies her.

So, even though she can barely, barely read, she buys a bible, and at first, she's afraid to even open it. It must be a dangerous and powerful book to change men's hearts so. Each sentence is a struggle at first, and she has to call Oracle and Robin and Alfred to have words explained to her. But one day, bam, she gets it.

From then on, she is truly devout, truly converted. She wears a white bat outfit and starts looking out for the most vulnerable of Gotham's residents, runaways, immigrants, homeless people, mentally ill people, etc, because that's what she understands the minister would do. She still issues righteous beatings because she's a little bit old testament, but she talks scripture with both the minister and the gang members. She believes.

And after a while, she gets a new nickname...many people don't call her Batgirl anymore, she becomes to them, the Angel of the Bat. And for the first time, she's genuinely happy.


Okay, here's the thing. I am not religious. In fact, I am an atheist, and you guys know I'm liberal as all hell. But I too believe Conservatives and religious people have been represented cheaply and unfairly (sometimes stupidly) in comics. When I turned in my pitch/outline (and I wasn't pitching for the book, just being asked what direction I might see for it), the editor instantly thought I meant it in a condescending way...like she would be religious, but would be shown to be naive, or that it would be just a fad, from an intellectual standpoint.

But that's not what I meant at all. I meant that she REALLY believes, and isn't stupid OR ashamed. Is in fact proud of it. Quotes the bible. Asks questions about matters of faith and scripture. And that she would be using her very dark knowledge in a redemptive way. I felt, and feel, that religious readers are often spoken down to in comics, and this would be a character change that would be fascinating for non-believers as well. But no cheating. No smirking. No trying to put in a knowing wink to the parts of the audience who aren't themselves religious.

The weird thing is, the idea actually seemed sort of radical, apparently, as I don't believe they thought it could be carried off sincerely. I don't see why not...it's a character. Her belief system doesn't have to match the writer's, or I couldn't write Dr. Psycho and Chuck couldn't write, say, anyone who isn't a gun nut (I'm kidding!!! Love ya, Chuck!).

Anyway, that was my idea, Angel of the Bat. For whatever reason, that idea seems a thousand times more controversial than having her be the head of the League of Assassins.

I'm not bitter about it, and hopefully I can revisit the idea somewhere, but with all the grim, hopeless characters in the bat-verse, I thought it would be delightful and seditious to do the exact opposite and present a sincere, hopeful and positive version of the character. Batman's reaction alone would be priceless.

So, I did try, anyway!

Gail

[Effect]

I thought her idea for Batgirl and that new direciton would have been pretty interesting. I think part of the charm and like of the different members fo the Bat family are how they all attempt to fight crime but it's their methods (some work as a team more, others are known to kill much to Batman's disappointment, others provide support now, etc) and differences from Batman that make them interesting. They aren't Batman clones but at times can be just as dark and badass.

This idea would have been a pretty good addition in relation to all of the other members.

[1138]

That is a neat idea and would definitely bring some nice variety to the Bat books. Hell, it'd even be nice to see Batman put confidence in her as long as she's effective. Would be a lot more genuine gesture of the "new" Batman than all the handjobs and reach arounds he's giving out to everyone and everything in the current Faces arc.

[Den]

I like it. I'm not sure if it could carry its own title or anything, but it would be cool to see a white sheep of the Bat Family as it were.

[Chewbaccacabra]

I'm an agnostic myself, but I think this is a good idea. Religious fans would appreciate it. It's definitely a market segment that is not appealed to.

This is actually something I've been thinking about recently. I had a student at school last year I found was a big comic fan. She's a 16 year old very religious girl and I found her reading Kingdom Come in my class. Turned out she was also drawing and writing her own comic based on the Teen Titans, but with a Christian slant to it. She had converted Raven to a white costumed Christian super hero. I took a look at it, and while amaterurish, I can definitely see her doing big things in the future with more training in the field. This girl had a script and several full length comics she had drawn and colored herself starring the Teen Titans.

[DarthAstuart]

wow. not only is this a really savvy smart pitch, with tons of story potential, but given the runaway success of Passion of the Christ and Chronicles of Narnia, I'd think DC would be drooling to tap into that christian market.

My opinion of DC has plummeted, and my opinion of Gail Simone continues to soar.

[matrix]

that's would have so worked with her person, past..why this didn't approve is beyond me.

[Den]

wow. not only is this a really savvy smart pitch, with tons of story potential, but given the runaway success of Passion of the Christ and Chronicles of Narnia, I'd think DC would be drooling to tap into that christian market.

This is a good point. If the character and strories with her were treated with respect, you might get a good shot at tapping into some powerful word of mouth in certain churches for the positve.

[Young Avenger]

After reading this proposal Cass current characterization doesn't seem half bad.

[jerrymcl89]

wow. not only is this a really savvy smart pitch, with tons of story potential, but given the runaway success of Passion of the Christ and Chronicles of Narnia, I'd think DC would be drooling to tap into that christian market.

My opinion of DC has plummeted, and my opinion of Gail Simone continues to soar.

The interesting thing about it, and why I think it could have worked, is that Gail really is not religious. For that reason, I don't think it could have really tapped heavily into the religious conservative market, but could have instead been an examination of faith (and of Cassandra, as well) that could work for the mostly non-religious comics readership, in a way similar to how Gaiman's Sandman dealt with a lot of issues of faith.

[shaxper]

I would have bought this book in a second.

I'm not religious...at all, but I have deep respect for sincere faith and what it can do to people who are truly open to it and not just clinging to it in order to support a point of view. This would have been a fascinating presence in the Bat-family, forcing Bruce, Tim, and Dick to consider the power of faith...something that's always been suspiciously absent in that dark cave of vengeance.

[Mia]

I'm an agnostic myself, but I think this is a good idea. Religious fans would appreciate it. It's definitely a market segment that is not appealed to.

This pitch was already posted on the YABS board.I just found it trite and simplistic. Not to mention heavy handed. If that treatment was done, as it stands, I wouldn't touch it. The authors heart is in the right place. But I am afraid that she just does not get what being a Christian is all about. And it sort of explains why I don't want religion--Chirstianity to be addressed in comics I'm afraid that it just won't be done properly. The best treatment I have seen touch on Christianity is in a discussion between Mr. Terrific and Dr. Mid-Nite.

[shaxper]

But I am afraid that she just does not get what being a Christian is all about. And it sort of explains why I don't want religion--Chirstianity to be addressed in comics I'm afraid that it just won't be done properly.

That's a very broad generalization. The very reason that we have so many sects of Christianity is that different people have different ideas of what being a Christian is. Get a Morman and a Catholic in a room together and see for yourself. How about adding a Jew for Jesus for fun? In Gail's very concise and generalized synopsis, she appears to be exploring the nature and power of faith itself more than the specific sectarian beliefs of a religious group. To say that she's missed the boat on Christianity by doing this is a bit presumptuous. There is no fundamental core of beliefs that guides all Christians other than "look to the book". Even faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God and personal savior is not of primary importance in all sects of Christianity. From my guess, I'd say Batgirl's minister friend is a very liberal Methodist, but even labelling him as such misses the boat. This concept is about the power of faith, not the specifics of Christianity.

[Mia]

That's a very broad generalization. The very reason that we have so many sects of Christianity is that different people have different ideas of what being a Christian is. Get a Morman and a Catholic in a room together and see for yourself. How about adding a Jew for Jesus for fun? In Gail's very concise and generalized synopsis, she appears to be exploring the nature and power of faith itself more than the specific sectarian beliefs of a religious group. To say that she's missed the boat on Christianity by doing this is a bit presumptuous. There is no fundamental core of beliefs that guides all Christians other than "look to the book". Even faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God and personal savior is not of primary importance in all sects of Christianity. From my guess, I'd say Batgirl's minister friend is a very liberal Methodist, but even labelling him as such misses the boat. This concept is about the power of faith, not the specifics of Christianity.

I guess you missed the point I was trying to make.

[Beast]

Man, if they would have done this book.... it would have been the first DC title I ever started reading.

I love the pitch. It's fresh, unique, and different than the rest of the stuff on the market. :)