WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Shadow of the Batgirl: A Graphic Novel, by Sarah Kuhn and Nicole Goux, available now.

The DC Ink original graphic novel Shadow of the Batgirl takes place outside of regular DC continuity. Still, the reality to which it takes readers is similar, but with small changes here and there that make Cassandra Cain's origin a bit more grounded, modern and rooted in the titular shadow of the first Batgirl. The book leaves Cassandra's story pretty much unchanged: the daughter of David Cain, she was raised to become the ultimate assassin. She wasn't taught to read or speak -- instead, she was trained to kill.

However, Cassandra eventually leaves this life behind and takes refuge in a library. There, Cassandra meets Barbara Gordon. Barbara is already in a wheelchair and she tells stories of Batgirl's heroic feats. Here, the graphic novel reveals an important change to Batgirl mythology. In Shadow of the Batgirl, Barbara Gordon's original costume -- and the only one she wore throughout her heroic career -- is her popular Batgirl of Burnside outfit.

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In December 2014, as part of DC's DC You relaunch, Barbara Gordon moved to the Burnside neighborhood of Gotham City. There, she discarded her Bruce Wayne-funded Batgirl armor and designed a new suit for herself made up of purple leather, a snap-on cape and yellow boots to operate as Burnside's own vigilante. It was a back-to-basics approach for the character. It served as a new beginning and became a signature moment in the character's history. In fact, while Barbara is no longer wearing this costume in the main continuity, the Batgirl of Burnside has already become iconic -- a defining fixture of the character's history.

The importance of this homemade costume transcends into Shadow of the Batgirl, which confirms that -- in this take on the DC Universe -- the Burnside of costume is the first and only suit Barbara put on during her time as Batgirl. She shows old newspaper articles of her exploits and her DC You era costume is clearly recognizable.

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Batgirl of Burnside

Given that the suit is homemade, it makes sense to re-imagine it as Barbara's original costume in a modern era. It has all the signature elements that make it a Batgirl outfit, but it also shows how she stands on her own, can make her own suit and isn't locked in Bruce Wayne's shadow.

What's more, the suit becomes even more symbolic in Shadow of the Batgirl when, at the end of the graphic novel, Barbara passes it on to Cassandra Cain and encourages her to take her place as Batgirl. Cassandra ends up modifying the suit to make it her own, but it still offers the basis for Cassandra's costume. Therefore, the Burnside costume isn't just one of Barbara's costumes anymore: It's perhaps her most important. Now, it's even become a part of Cassandra Cain's legacy.

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