Barbara's back from her travels in Asia, but she and Burnside are both different from when she left. The preview for Batgirl #7, by Hope Larson and new ongoing artist Christian Wildgoose, finds Barbara back in school, but now in the Library Science program. This is a nice callback to the original concept of Batgirl as a librarian in her secret identity, but a much more modern take, with her emphasis on community, information, and access.

Burnside, meanwhile, has been infused with money, thanks in part to the company Barbara started, and is becoming very gentrified, and filled with new businesses that have sprung up just since Barbara's been out of the country.

One such place is a very unusual club called Angelfish, where Barbara attends a fundraiser that features an indoor pool. This scene is the reintroduction of beloved Batgirl supporting character Alysia Yeoh, who a lot of fans were afraid would never appear again after Rebirth, so it's especially nice to see her here. This is also where Barbara meets a handsome young man who she doesn't yet know is the son of a much less handsome father, Oswald Cobblepott III, aka the Penguin.

Batgirl #7, Part One of "Son of Penguin," features colors by Mat Lopes and letters by Deron Bennett. It goes on sale January 25.

 

Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Art by Christian Wildgoose
Art by Christian Wildgoose
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Here's the official word from DC:

“Son of Penguin” part one! Babs is back in Burnside! But everything’s…different-friends, school, even Burnside itself. Batgirl must determine her next steps when she realizes that the shady new tech mogul moving into her neighborhood is none other than the estranged son of the Penguin!

 

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