WARNING: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!Batgirl has seen countless redesigns over the years, especially in her various Elseworlds incarnations, but she’s always remained recognizable as the Barbara Gordon we know and love. That is, until now. Her latest look is her most strikingly dark transformation yet, making her nearly unrecognizable—and solidifying her role as the "Ruler of Earth."
Her new look serves as an outward reflection of her internal evolution.
Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires universe has put Barbara Gordon through some dramatic changes, from a new Batgirl suit to becoming the queen of all vampires, and more recently, claiming the title of "Ruler of Earth." However, her journey to power hasn’t been without its challenges.
As fans who’ve been following the series will remember, her quest for control led to her being blown up by Damian Wayne—a fate that many believed had claimed her life. Yet, it was later revealed that she survived, though not without scars. Fast forward to DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6, where fans witness a striking new addition to Barbara’s look: a regal cloak that further cements her status as a sovereign ruler.
Batgirl Solidifies Her Status as Earth’s Ruler With Her New Look
Comic Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt
Before the release of DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6, fans had already seen the brutal scarring Batgirl endured from Damian Wayne’s attack that took place in issue #1. However, issue #6 introduces a regal cloak that, when paired with Barbara's scarring and redesigned cowl, makes her nearly unrecognizable. The cloak is utterly ostentatious, made from a dark purple material that’s almost black, wrapping around her shoulders and pooling at the ground, complete with a grandiose fur collar. The cloak’s full coverage, which hides her Batgirl suit, is a key reason she’s now so unrecognizable and also falls in line with her sovereign status.
Typically, Batgirl is still easily identifiable outside of her suit, thanks to her iconic looks and fiery red hair. But with her burn injuries, she’s now primarily bald, taking away one of her most identifying features. It’s the combination of her facial scarring, lack of hair, and the addition of the cloak that makes the Batgirl of Earth-63 one of the most unrecognizable versions of the character to date. Her bat-themed cowl is now the main element that helps readers identify her, though even this cowl is drastically different from her usual design.
Barbara Gordon’s New Look Is the Final Nail in the Coffin of Her Batgirl Legacy
Comic Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt
What is particularly brilliant about Batgirl’s constantly evolving look in DC vs. Vampires, which becomes more unrecognizable with nearly each issue, is how it serves as an outward reflection of her internal evolution. Throughout DC vs. Vampires, Barbara has undergone a dramatic transformation from the noble, loyal hero she once was into a power-hungry, emotionless monster. The cloak, which covers most of her batsuit—once a symbol of her heroism—now feels entirely fitting, as she is now the farthest thing from a hero. It will be interesting to see if, at some point, Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon fully sheds her Batgirl identity.
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DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 is available now from DC Comics!
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