what are your thoughts on one of the batgirls one day becoming batwoman? i know that mantle is tied very closely to kate kane who none of them have much relationship with, but at the same time we want them being heroes for a long time and……… ‘girl’ in a mantle after 30+ is stretching it, right?
I don't think either should be Batwoman. I'll mostly talk about Cass because I see this said about her the most and I have more to say on the subject.
1. Mantles aren't Interchangeable
Most people saying Cass should be Batwoman hear about how she'd be a good Batman and assume Batwoman is the 'Girl' version of Batman. People also want her to 'grow out' of Batgirl and see Batwoman as the 'adult' version of Batgirl. Batwoman isn't the only name either of them could take after Batgirl.
Each of these mantles have their own legacy and meaning, they aren't the same and can't replace each other. Yes, a lot of these titles were created as counterparts of others but if you look even a little beyond the surface you'd see they aren't interchangeable at all.
I personally don't see girl as strictly a 'child' descriptor. The word girl has been used to refer to all age ranges, I've even used it that way in this post already. In fact in Barbara's early appearances as Batgirl she's already an adult.
I'm sure others disagree but I don't think being called Batgirl is going to stop them from being heroes for a long time, nor do I think they have to grow out of the mantle. Being Batgirl is important for both of them, which brings me to the next topic.
2. They're more than just code names.
Many superhero names are important to their holders, they often mean a lot to them. When characters inherent a mantle it's usually a big deal for them. Some characters even see their aliases as part of who they are.
For Steph Batgirl is a second chance, to prove herself to not only everyone around her but also herself. Batgirl is her way of being who she wants to be. Steph wants to be Batgirl and she's not taking no for an answer (in classic Steph fashion).
Cass is in the same boat where Batgirl means a great deal to her. It was given to her by someone she looks up to, it's proof that she can be more than a murderer. Batgirl is a huge part of who Cass is, it's not just a secret identity to her, at one point it was even her only identity.
If Batgirl means so much to both of them I don't believe they'd give it up because it has the word 'girl' in it.
Like I said at the beginning, a lot of people say Cass should be Batwoman when she takes up Bruce's legacy. Batman, like Batgirl, has a lot of meaning to Cass, she puts her faith in Bruce and his values. She wants to live up to and continue on his mission. That's why Cass becoming Batman works while Batwoman doesn't.
Cass would also give zero fucks about being called Batman, she'd love to actually. However both in universe and out of universe people would have a problem with that. I feel the best we'd get without people getting too upset about gender roles is Cass going by 'The Bat'. I don't mind it either way, The Bat sounds cool and mysterious and Cass would be happy enough because it's still Bruce's legacy.
