Barbara Gordon is one of the most iconic members of Batman’s family, thanks to her legacy as the original Batgirl and her legendary tenure as Oracle. Now, the heroine has officially debuted her greatest redesign ever, transcending her role as a girl genius to become the most powerful interpretation of the character to date.
In case you missed the news, Tom Taylor has returned to launch the sequel to his critically acclaimed Dark Knights of Steel series alongside artist Otto Schmidt. The series is part of DC’s Elseworlds imprint, which consists of stories set in alternate universes outside of DC’s main continuity. Dark Knights of Steel specifically reimagines the DC Universe through a high-fantasy lens, transforming its iconic heroes and villains into medieval counterparts.
Dark Knights of Steel II returns to this high-fantasy setting, and while plenty of familiar faces are back, the sequel also introduces even more of DC’s most iconic characters to this fantasy world. Among the most notable debuts in Taylor and Schmidt’s Dark Knights of Steel II #1 are Aquaman, Talia al Ghul, Jim Gordon, and Barbara Gordon.
Barbara debuts in the comic’s final pages, unveiling what may be the most epic reimagining of the character in her 59-year history. Tom Taylor takes Barbara’s Oracle moniker quite literally, transforming her into a supernatural oracle whose powers seemingly grant her insight and allow her to project a glowing green spectral form of herself. It’s easily the most radical reinterpretation of Barbara Gordon to date, elevating her from a brilliant strategist into a mystical powerhouse.
Everything We Know About Dark Knights of Steel’s New Oracle (So Far)
Comic Pages Come from Tom Taylor’s Dark Knights of Steel II #1 (2026) – Art by Otto Schmidt
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 sees Zala Jor-El, Superman’s sister in this alternate universe, suddenly fall gravely ill. This is especially alarming given her Kryptonian heritage. Her mysterious condition comes to a head after she helps fend off a Kraken, when Kal-El and Diana discover Zala floating face down in the sea. While they manage to pull her from the water, it’s immediately clear that something is terribly wrong.
As the heroes struggle to figure out what has happened to Zala, she suddenly begins bleeding profusely from her nose. While Kal-El and the others have no idea what is happening, readers are given a clue when Barbara, somewhere far away, is startled awake by her Oracle abilities, which have seemingly latched onto whatever is happening to Zala. Barbara’s internal narration explains her powers, stating, “It is my curse to see. I see what is, not what will be. So I cannot change what I am shown. I am not a soothsayer nor a prophet. I am an Oracle.”
Jim rushes to his daughter’s side, asking what she saw. Barbara explains that she witnessed Zala and the House of El suffer a terrible betrayal. The final image leaves fans with Barbara’s spectral Oracle visage looming over the Els as Zala continues to bleed. While the specifics of that betrayal remain a mystery, one thing is already clear: this is one of the most creative and compelling reinterpretations of Batgirl / Oracle’s character to date.
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 from DC Comics is now available to read!
