Kelley Puckett in Batgirl Beyond

When Annie Wu and I did Batgirl Beyond a few years back, my old pal Kelley Puckett gave me feedback on an early version of the script. I graciously thanked him here in this second panel. That's the kind of loving, respectful relationship we have.

"Thoroughly enjoyed it, I want more. I need more."

3 Chicks Review Comics podcast on Batgirl Beyond:

"I can't even begin to tell you how excited I've been about this."

Batgirl Beyond reviewed at Batman News

Batman Beyond Unlimited #18 review - Batman News

The bulk of the comic is Batgirl Beyond by Scott Peterson (90′s Batman editor and writer of Batman: Gotham Adventures) and Annie Wu (a relatively new artist whose work can most recently be found in the terrific Hawkeye series) and it’s the best Batgirl story I’ve read since I’ve started reviewing comics....Batgirl and Commissioner Barbara Gordon are two smart, tough female characters that are handled with respect. And as far as being compared with the current New 52 incarnation, there’s no doom and gloom, no self doubt, and no rambling cutesy inner monologue. Babs and Batgirl are capable heroes who can play it serious yet still have an adventure that remains totally fun! This is the kind of Batgirl story I want to read.

"Gordon’s narration is one of the joys of the story."

GeekMom reviews Batgirl Beyond:

Batman Beyond Unlimited #18 introduces a brand-new Batgirl to the DC Animated Universe, and the story, “Batgirl Beyond,” by Scott Peterson and Annie Wu, does so in spectacular fashion.

Unlike the current DC monthly comics, which have ditched all other Batgirls to focus on just one, the DCAU welcomes the legacy and has now-Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon fighting alongside a newcomer dressed in traditional Gotham Bat-garb. 

 Gordon’s narration is one of the joys of the story. 

“Rolling through Crown Point again. Fourth night in a row. First night someone’s blown up my squad car, though.” 

The new Batgirl saves Gordon in the ensuing riot and the former Batgirl sees promise in this new hero, though she’s naturally cautious about sanctioning a vigilante and one who happens to be a teenage girl at that. 

Annie Wu’s art makes the story look like an episode of the animated series, from Gordon leaping off a highway overpass to the current and former Batgirls fighting literally back-to back, to their high/low takedown of the thugs of the villain of the story. 

Credit also goes to Peterson, who was an editor at DC Comics when the last minority Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, was created, and also has a long history with Barbara Gordon. 

Female artist, new heroine, and an African-American heroine too. We need more of all of those things in our comics. 

I handed the comic off to my youngest son, he handed it back about 10 minutes later, pronounced it awesome, and asked when this Batgirl was getting a new series. 

So, hey, DC Digital? When is this Batgirl getting a new series that co-stars Commissioner Barbara Gordon?

Batgirl Beyond: Annie Wu interview

I know. You were thinking Annie Wu couldn't possibly get any more awesome, right?

And then you read this interview at Project: Rooftop. And as she walks you through her thought processes you realize that no matter how badass you think she is, that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. And I don't say that merely because her opinion on superhero footwear perfectly matches that of Melissa Wiley.

[O]ur Batgirl doesn’t have Wayne money the way Terry does. So “homemade” but “futuristic homemade”. And I wasn’t going to have her run in anything higher than flat boots because that’s crazy to me (and by extension, this Batgirl). Instead of putting her in something that enhances her chest like a lot of other female characters, I’m going to make sure she’s well-secured in-costume and a reader will never be distracted about how she’s probably super-uncomfortable or magically keeping any bits in place while she’s doing the important work of kicking some goon’s face in. I also thought, when you’re a teen girl who is teen girl sized but also a costumed vigilante, you’d want to present the most menacing silhouette you can muster so you can strike fear into the hearts of many and whatnot. Posture can only take you so far, so let’s find ways to add to her presence by exaggerating her shoulders, having her cape fall in a certain way. The cape was my one indulgence, by the way — we’ve all seen The Incredibles and even logic tells us they’re bad news but, man, I like the way they look and the silhouette they create. But, even so, I made it removable!

(Not to mention other people finally get to see the other cover designs she came up with.)

Yet more Batgirl Beyond fanart

The first issue of the Batgirl Beyond storyarc I'm doing with the great and powerful Annie Wu won't even be out for about two months, and yet this is (I think) the third piece of Batgirl Beyond fanart. Because Annie Wu + Batgirl = solid comic gold.

More Batgirl Beyond fanart

Hm? What's that? You're wondering if there's more Batgirl Beyond fanart, because Annie Wu is just that amazing?

Why, as a matter o' fact, there is.

Batgirl Beyond fanart

Well, I didn't see this coming. But that Annie Wu, she's so great that one damn piece hits the toobz and it's enough to be inspiring.

Awesome.

Batgirl Beyond love

People do love them some Batgirl.

We went to WonderCon this weekend and the buzz around the new Batgirl Beyond storyarc was most gratifying. I don't think I was on the floor even two hours, yet at least a dozen people came up to me, excited about a new Batgirl.

The internet's had a fair amount to say about it as well and, again, the response has been quite positive indeed.

As the brilliant Annie Wu mentioned, she put a ton of thought into presenting a Batgirl she'd have liked to have seen when she was a kid, and I think it does come through in every panel. And I look forward to being able to share her character designs and other cover sketches—there's no such thing as too much Annie. Or, apparently, Batgirl.

Batgirl Beyond

One of the things that's tough about being a professional writer—besides the non-stop adulation and trying to figure out where to stash all the money—is having to keep silent about projects you're over-the-moon excited about.

So when I got asked to create a new Batgirl for the Batman Beyond universe, for instance? That was tough. When the great Annie Wu came on board as artist? Much, much tougher. When I started seeing her designs? I nearly bit through my lip. When I started seeing her actual pages? And couldn't say anything for half a year?

Oh, the way I do suffer for my art.

It's all worth it, of course. And I was able to console myself by making her cover my desktop image for the past month. And now y'all get to see it, too.

I mean, come on. How ridiculously great does this look?