Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #5As DC continues to expand its Absolute Universe, it needs to introduce its take on Batgirl as soon as possible. The series has planted the seeds for Barbara Gordon to don her own cape and cowl, ing Bruce Wayne in his mission. Additionally, establishing Barbara as Bruce’s first costumed ally in the Absolute Universe reaffirms her own legacy of heroism in the DC Universe, while also honoring aspects of the character’s legacy.

In Absolute Batman #5 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Batman is on the run from the Party Animals and the GD after his disastrous attempt at confronting the former. Just before Bruce escapes into the sewers, he’s hit by Barbara Gordon’s police car, as in this continuity she serves as a beat cop. When she points her gun at Bruce while he escapes into the sewers, she hesitates, ultimately letting him go, even as she possibly gets a glimpse at his face.

Additionally, Barbara lies to the dispatch radio, telling them that she didn’t find Batman. Her final appearance in the issue is of her looking at the cowl Batman left behind as he escaped.

Batgirl Is Poised to the Absolute Universe Sooner Rather than Later

Absolute Batman #5 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles

While Barbara’s next steps in Absolute Batman could go in any direction, perhaps the most likely direction is that Barbara will adopt the identity of Batgirl in the Absolute Universe, becoming Bruce’s first costumed ally. While Batman has only just established himself in the Absolute Universe, the events of this issue make it clear that he needs all the help he can get. While his childhood friends from Crime Alley are already serving as his Bat-Family, Bruce has always been defined by an impressive coterie of costumed allies, with Barbara being one of the most well known.

Bruce’s approval is far from a necessity for Barbara’s origin story, setting a precedent for her to become Batgirl without Bruce’s direct involvement...

Alternatively, it’s possible that Barbara may take on a career of vigilantism without Bruce’s knowledge. Many interpretations of Barbara Gordon’s origins as Batgirl, such as 2003’s Batgirl: Year One by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beaty, Marcos Martin, and Alvaro Lopez, depict Barbara acting on her own or even in defiance of Bruce telling her to stop being Batgirl before being brought into the fold. Bruce’s approval is far from a necessity for Barbara’s character, setting a precedent for her to become Batgirl without Bruce’s direct involvement, unlike the many Robins Bruce has worked with in mainstream continuity.

While Barbara’s current occupation as a member of the GD may complicate this path, her time as a police officer may not be for long. With Hamilton Hill close to becoming Gotham’s new mayor, as well as him having a connection to Black Mask, the GD themselves are sure to become more corrupt. As such, it’s not hard to imagine Barbara striking out on her own, fueled by her own dissatisfaction with the system and the direction of the GD to become a costumed vigilante, leading to her crossing paths with Batman.

Absolute Batgirl Would Be a Different Take on the Character, But No Less Heroic

Even in Another Universe, Barbara Gordon Will Find Her Way as Batgirl

One of the core tenets of the Absolute Universe has been the way it reimagines iconic characters by changing aspects of their origins, such as Absolute Batman showing readers a version of Bruce Wayne who was never raised with the wealth and resources of his DCU counterpart. Barbara’s backstory in the Absolute Universe already differs from her mainstream depictions by casting her as a police officer, a role which only a few adaptations of the character have had. Her career as Batgirl would have to begin in a different place than most versions of her character.

Barbara Gordon debuted as Batgirl in 1966's Detective Comics #359 by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, Sid Greene, and Gaspar Saladino in a story appropriately called "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!"

Should Barbara become Batgirl and, by extension, the Bat-Family, then the dynamics of the Bat-Family in the Absolute Universe will differ even more than they already have. This universe’s Bat-Family is made up of of Batman’s iconic rogues gallery, now recast as Bruce’s childhood friends from Crime Alley. As such, she’d have a different dynamic with them than her mainstream counterpart. Additionally, Batgirl being Batman’s first costumed ally also serves as a notable departure from the norm, with the role of his first sidekick typically being filled by Dick Grayson.

DC's Absolute Universe Needs to Expand Its Gotham Roster in 2025

Barbara Gordon Would Be the Perfect Next Step

Despite these differences, Barbara becoming the Absolute Universe’s Batgirl still captures the essence of the character, as well as the essence of the Absolute Universe. Despite it starting out in a more dire place than most mainstream versions of the DC Universe, heroism still finds a way to flourish within the Absolute Universe, as evidenced by the existence of Batman and other heroes. Barbara becoming Batgirl furthers this theme and demonstrates that the actions of these heroes have a positive effect on the world around them, inspiring more people to do good and become heroes in their own right.

DC Comics is expanding its Absolute Universe, and the publisher needs to introduce Batgirl as soon as possible. Barbara’s place in the Absolute Universe already primes her to begin her crime fighting career in a different place than her mainstream counterpart, also giving her a much different relationship with Bruce than in the main continuity. However, her becoming Batgirl would show that, despite the dire straits of the Absolute Universe, heroes will find ways to emerge, demonstrating the heroic nature that is at the core of Barbara Gordon’s character.

Absolute Batman #5 is available now from DC Comics.