DC Just Depowered A Major Hero, and It’s For the Best

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Superheroes are often divided into those with natural powers and those who rely on their own skills. Heroes with powers have a significant physical advantage, while those without powers must compensate through intense training, intelligence, and fighting ability to be effective. A prime example is Batman, who doesn’t just overcome his lack of superpowers – he often succeeds where even incredibly powerful heroes would struggle. Batman has consistently pushed his own limits to protect others, and he’s inspired others to do the same.

The heroes known as the Bat-Family are all exceptional, pushing beyond the limits of ordinary humans. Batgirl recently gained magical abilities, allowing her to manipulate her blood into various shapes. However, as of Batgirl (2024) #19, those powers have been removed. While she had them for three issues, this change is ultimately a good thing. Batgirl works best as a hero relying on her skills, and it’s common for characters like her to not have lasting superpowers.

Batgirl’s Blood Turned Against Her

Batgirl recently discovered a family connection to the dangerous Blood of Wu crime syndicate. Each member has magical abilities linked to their blood, gained through a ritual honoring their Spirit World deity, the Midnight Eye. In the latest issue, Batgirl’s own blood unexpectedly activated, giving her similar powers – if she can master them. However, because she views her blood relatives as a painful past, this new power is causing her immense internal conflict. She journeyed to the Spirit World with her allies, Jade Tiger and Jaya, and encountered Lin, the previous leader of the Blood of Wu. Lin offered to train her, but only if she helped him prevent his late father from taking over his body.

The heroes reached the top of the Midnight Eye’s tower and discovered that Lin’s father was responsible for unlocking Cass’s abilities. He’d used a surge of Alpha Energy in a desperate attempt to avoid death, intending to take over Lin’s body, but this process unintentionally cursed Batgirl. Lin cleverly manipulated the Midnight Eye into naming him as a champion, then convinced the god to lift the curse from Cass. The Midnight Eye agreed, and Cass lost her powers, becoming an ordinary human again. As a favor for freeing Cass, the Midnight Eye warned Batgirl that he would call upon her services in the future, before the heroes returned to the normal world.

A Hero Without Power Is Not Without Strength

Honestly, I’m really glad Cass doesn’t have superpowers. From the start, she’s always been amazing because of her incredible fighting skills, and giving her powers would just take away from that. It’s hard enough to give a hero powers they didn’t have before, but with Cass, it feels especially wrong. She’s defined by being a master fighter without any powers at all – she practically is the peak of what someone can achieve through training and skill. Plus, a big part of her story is about her struggling to connect with people, and learning to be more ‘normal’. If she suddenly had powers, that whole arc would be ruined. It’s always been about her trying to find her place, and being different from her family, and powers would just erase that.

Giving ordinary heroes superpowers usually doesn’t work well. Their stories and conflicts are often built around not having powers, so adding them creates problems. Most heroes are designed with their abilities as a key part of who they are and the obstacles they overcome. Introducing new powers can disrupt everything, especially if they aren’t carefully considered and don’t fit the hero’s overall story. For example, a hero focused on fighting petty crime suddenly gaining immense strength would fundamentally change their adventures, and rarely for the better.

Batgirl #19 is on sale now!

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2026-05-09 20:12