Interview: 60 Second Bat-Chat with Babs Tarr

BabsTarrBanner

Batgirl #35 has taken the comic community by storm, and one of the creators at the center of the creative whirlwind is artist Babs Tarr. Not just new to Batgirl, but new to comics interiors entirely, Tarr took a few minutes to share some thoughts on her first issue.

Matt Santori: How did the opportunity to illustrate the ongoing adventures of Batgirl come about?

Babs Tarr: It was very a much surprise! Cameron [Stewart] emailed me out of the blue and asked if I would be interested, and of course I said yes!!! It was so crazy because I had never drawn a comic before and my art style is very different from anything I saw on DC’s website!

batgirl-7-87209MSG: What led to the decision to make Batgirl’s costume much more utilitarian and move away from the overriding aesthetic of the New 52?

BT: Cameron actually had the base done and I added the detailing to the costume so the utilitarian-ness of it was his lead!

MSG: Batgirl has traditionally been one of the least over-sexualized female heroes at DC, and your take on her new look reinforces that history quite well. What’s your particular take on illustrating Barbara both in and out of costume?

BT: I try to keep her youthful and sexy! Her costume is sexy, but not sexual.

Outside the suit, I tried to give her her own style and it’s tomboy inspired but still cute! I figure if she’s in grad school and she’s fighting crime, she might not have tons of time to be a fashionista.

MSG: What kind of details are you looking to put into Batgirl’s new surroundings in Burnside?

BT: Her hood is very Brooklyn inspired! There are lots of coffee shops and bicycle stores with lots of trendy hipsters on the corners.

MSG: What kind of character designs have you been developing for Barbara’s supporting cast and Batgirl’s nemeses, and do you have any particular favorites so far?

BG_35_14_COLOR_FINAL_580alt_543822252e1a97.13679779BT: My favorites so far are The Jawbreakers! But they don’t show up until issue #36. On a whole, I’m just trying give each character a style so they feel more real. That’s probably my favorite thing to work on.

MSG: Why do you think the initial announcement had such a profound effect on the fan community, inspiring artists everywhere to contribute sketches of the new look?

BT: I think it hit a ch​ord with a lot of people, because it was something that they wanted and didn’t have yet. The timing was just right.

MSG: Any final thoughts or special teases for the Comicosity audience about your debut issue on Batgirl?

BT: I have a lot of hidden easter eggs in the pages!! See if you can find them.

Babs Tarr’s first issue of Batgirl, #35, has gone into a second printing, with issue #36 arriving in stores on November 12, 2014.

 

Authors

Related posts

Top