Marvel's upcoming Heroes Reborn series has revealed a new, very DC-inspired costume design for Gwen Stacy in their future one-shot issue, Night-Gwen.
SyFy Wire released both the official cover and origin story preview for this version of Gwen Stacy who, in the Heroes Reborn alternate reality where the Squadron Supreme are Earth's Mightiest Heroes, works as a psychiatrist at Ravencroft Asylum. However, unbeknownst to all, Dr. Gwendolyn Stacy secretly moonlights as the masked vigilante Nightbird, taking her name from Squadron member Nighthawk. Alongside the cover, Marvel also included a Nightbird character model showcasing various elements of her costume, including a yellow mask and black face-cover combination, metallic wrist gauntlets, a black, blue and yellow bodysuit, complete with a yellow hawk emblem evoking the appearance of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl.
"...every costume must tell its own story," said Night-Gwen artist Javier Garrón. Describing the thought process behind Gwen's outfit, Garrón explained that "we had Gwen modeled after her mentor, Nighthawk, but very much a superhero in her own right. I wanted her to keep the color codes and main outline in the shoulders (so the silhouette would be reminiscent of Nighthawk's) and mask. Give it a modern but slightly classical favored touch. She has some armored parts and a more contemporary construction and tailoring of elements (like the neck, or how the cape and chest symbol assemble)."
Garrón continued, "But the main section of the costume is spandex. She has a full face mask but the lower part can be dismantled and keep only the more classic top part (which is also a nod, in its shape, to Nighthawk). She has her hair loose, not covered by the mask, but the hairstyling is more complex as we do these days."
Heroes Reborn will take place in a world where key events prevented the Avengers from forming and altered the personalities of various Marvel characters, with only Blade remaining aware of the correct timeline. Alongside Gwen, Marvel previously unveiled an alternate version of Miles Morales who was similarly inspired by Nighthawk and became his protegé, Falcon. Falcon will appear in the issue Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron as part of a Champions-like team alongside alternate versions of Ms. Marvel and Nova, who also modeled themselves after Squadron members Power Princess and Doctor Spectrum under the titles 'Girl Power' and 'Kid Spectrum.'
Heroes Reborn: Night-Gwen #1, written by Vita Ayala and illustrated by Javier Garrón, will release in June 2021.
Source: SyFy Wire