Gail Simone to Leave Batgirl?

[El Sombrero]

Also, not to mention:

"I have not left Batgirl" = Gail didn't leave the book on her own terms
"I have not left Batgirl" = Gail will be leaving shortly, whenever that can be officially announced

Note the total lack of specifics

[Aquacatlungfish]

Bleeding Cool tend to be very accurate about rumours, they predicted Andy Diggle on Action, Snyder and Lee on MoS etc etc. If they report on a rumour it's probably true. Pluus we already know that Duane is leaving BoP, it's extremely likely Snyder is leaving Swampy with 3 other ongoings and miniseries and she didn't say "I'm not leaving Batgirl" hinting that it may happen soon so there is still a chance that she might leave, she hasn't renewed her contract and has made a big deal about it but she has set up multiple plot threads like the "Tiresome Trio" back for revenge and she does adore the character.

[batGRRRl4ever]

I'm aware that the disgruntled vocal minority likes Bab's, as a support character, but unfortunately for them Barbara Gordon the Dominoed Daredoll better known as BATGIRL is confirmed to have Ms. Gail Simone continue to grace us with her superlative and magical writing for the immediate future as the STAR of her own ongoing! YAY!

[GoldStarz]

I'm aware that the disgruntled vocal minority likes Barbara Gordon, as a support character, but unfortunately for them, the Dominoed Daredoll better known as Batgirl is confirmed to have Ms. Gail Simone continue to grace us with her superlative and magical writing for the immediate future as the STAR of her own ongoing!

I'm assuming that you're replying to me, to which I respond, did you even read what I wrote? Oh and while we're on the topic, the way you keep saying the same thing over and over and ignoring other people's arguments really doesn't help your own.

[batGRRRl4ever]

One has to HAVE an argument to reply to, which I haven't seen yet. Only the usual disgruntled vocal minority grinding teeth with baseless opinions and that their hopes were dashed because the rumour was dispelled and the high selling New 52 Batgirl title will continue under the stewardship of the superlative writer Ms. Gail Simone, who will continue to build the 50K in current readership to even greater heights!

[toastedbread]

I don't know - while I'm aware that the phrasing does leave wiggle room, I'm inclined to take it at face value; Simone doesn't strike me as the sort to play word games. When she left Firestorm, she continued to comment on her work on the book generally, leaving some to assume the rumour was false, but I don't think she ever came out with a direct statement on the matter, in fact her refusal to do so was fairly conspicuous.

I'm also aware that BleedingCool is often quite accurate. The original article stated the editor's own doubts about the veracity of the rumours, though the retraction notes apparent inside sources supporting the notion that earlier in the week Simone leaving was the expected outcome.

To be honest, the whole thing reads, to me - and obviously I'm nothing but an uninformed observer - as Simone almost walking off and then a last-minute deal being struck. It fits with Simone's posts about the frustration of working in comics last week, as well as her silence regarding the rumours until now, even though she was actively engaging with fans on other topics when the rumours were circulating. (She previously responded to the same question - are you leaving Batgirl? - with a much more ambiguous statement).

I suppose it would even explain the caution of her statement if she's agreed to stay on the book but it was a near thing, she may still not be entirely happy with the situation. Although now I'm speculating wildly, so I'll stop and simply say, I'm glad she's sticking around.

[batGRRRl4ever]

I think you actually made a pretty good simulation of what probably went down. Editorial may have tried to foist that Villians crossover idea onto her and she balked, especially since writers like Morrison & Williams get to ignore mandated crossovers. She probably just wants to get out more story since she's spent so much hard work laying out the world building the first year and now wanting to get to write the payoff.

[LoneNecromancer]

I think you actually made a pretty good simulation of what probably went down. Editorial may have tried to foist that Villians crossover idea onto her and she balked, especially since writers like Morrison & Williams get to ignore mandated crossovers. She probably just wants to get out more story since she's spent so much hard work laying out the world building the first year and now wanting to get to write the payoff.

Night of the Owls and Death of the Family aren't mandated crossovers. Snyder said that pretty early on, and even so, Morrison and Williams had stories they were telling that had both been planned for months well before the reboot began, so it makes sense why they wouldn't be part of a random crossover.

Besides the #0 month I can't think of any examples of crossovers in the New 52 that haven't involved willing writers.

[Brack360]

Gail chooses her words carefully. An entirely possible meaning of "I have not left Batgirl" could be "I have not left Batgirl (the character), even though I am leaving Batgirl (the book)." Perhaps to replace Swierczynski on BOP?

[Brave Sir Robbin]

So Simone has stated that she has not left Batgirl. I hope that means she is staying indefinitely. I really, really hope she means that. The short line she uses to give her position leaves a lot of room for interpretation. I hope that Bleeding Cool was accurate but that once DC had to face Simone would not keep up with the book, they made whatever concessions they had to in order to keep her. So while she was planning to leave, now she is staying. I know her DC contract is up so she can walk away, so by saying she has not left Batgirl, I hope she means that she is staying for now.

[CagedLeo730]

Bleeding Cool tend to be very accurate about rumours, they predicted Andy Diggle on Action, Snyder and Lee on MoS etc etc. If they report on a rumour it's probably true. Pluus we already know that Duane is leaving BoP, it's extremely likely Snyder is leaving Swampy with 3 other ongoings and miniseries and she didn't say "I'm not leaving Batgirl" hinting that it may happen soon so there is still a chance that she might leave, she hasn't renewed her contract and has made a big deal about it but she has set up multiple plot threads like the "Tiresome Trio" back for revenge and she does adore the character.

Bleeding Cool has been wrong before. They were wrong about Kyle Higgins leaving Nightwing and The Robins book by Jeff Lemire. Sometimes their info is out-of-date. Plans change all the time at DC so the final results can be different than the initial rumor.

[JasonTodd428]

Bleeding Cool has been wrong before. They were wrong about Kyle Higgins leaving Nightwing and The Robins book by Jeff Lemire. Sometimes their info is out-of-date. Plans change all the time at DC so the final results can be different than the initial rumor.

Exactly, which is why I don't put much stock in rumors myself.

Gail has been very careful with her word choice here and very ambiguous as well. That turn of phase could work both ways. I think it's a little early to say whether or not she is remaining on Batgirl myself because of that. Personally, she could stay or go and I wouldn't care. Her Batgirl has been hot and cold for me thus far. Some issues are really good but others not so much.

[ffritts]

well if she does then I will try the book again. if not then well.... I won't. Her writing this Barbara is not for me.

[maximiliani]

On her tumblr on the 25th Gail has mentioned back in Nov she was asked to write a prominent female DC heroine she has not written before.


I Have Been Asked…

…to take over an iconic female character that I have never gotten a chance to write before.

It’s going to be interesting, if I do it. There’s definitely some baggage, but also a lot of potential.

Thinking about it!


Considering the term take over, that seems to insinuate the book already exists, and considering the limited number of female lead solos, many are thinking she might be picking up (along with Batgirl) or moving to Supergirl which to my knowledge is not selling as much as it should or could be, which seems to be a problem Supergirl has had in the last few years.

[Desaad]

You'll notice she doesn't say "iconic DC female character".

Looks like she's leaving.