In celebration of International Wheelchair Day, DC released a trailer for The Oracle Code, a young adult graphic novel that will follow a teenage Barbara Gordon. Following a tragic accident that leaves her paralyzed below the waist, the young woman must adapt to her new life and forge a new path, eventually becoming the legendary DC superhero, Oracle.
With the novel, writer Marieke Nijkamp and artist Manuel Preitano hope to offer a fresh twist on one of comic's most famous disables superheroes. Nijkamp herself has been very active in bringing the voices of disabled individuals to the forefront of publishing. She is the editor of the YA anthology Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens and the co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit organization created to promote diversity in children’s literature and publishing
“The Oracle Code is my love letter to Barbara Gordon, to Oracle,” said Nijkamp. “It’s a book for everyone who’s ever felt like the puzzle pieces don’t quite fit, whether they’re in a creepy Arkham institute or simply figuring out themselves. And it’s for every disabled reader who knows they can be a hero too.”
Barbara Gordon made her debut as Batwoman in Detective Comics #359 in January 1967. After retiring the hero in Batgirl: Special #1, Gordon reappeared in Batman: The Killing Joke, where she was paralyzed from the waist down by the Joker. The character was then reestablished as Oracle, a technical expert and computer wizard who would provide intelligence to various heroes, including the Birds of Prey.
THE ORACLE CODE
- Written by Marieke Nijkamp
- Illustrated by Manuel Preitano
- Colored by Jordie Bellaire with Manuel Preitano
- Lettered by Clayton Cowles
- On sale everywhere books are sold on 3/10/2020
- MSRP: $16.99
Written by Marieke Nijkamp and illustrated by Manuel Preitano, The Oracle Code goes on sale on March 10.