My "Perfect" Unmasking

I just posted a comment on Siggi's MaskRipper blog where we're discussing our perfect unmasking scenario. So I thought I'd post it on my own blog too for posterity.

---------------

My perfect unmasking, gee... I'm a pan-unmasking guy; I like almost any heroine unmasking. But for the unmasking that would explode my brain: She would have to be Batgirl (or possibly the red suit Spider Woman). She has to be gorgeous, but in a "girl next door" way. Her costume is based on the overall pattern established by some of the cartoon series Batgirls -- jet black suit and mask, yellow boots, gloves and insignia. I think DarkWing Flies Solo's costume got pretty close (except the mask, which I'll get into, and the front zipper, (although i DID like the result!).

I don't like anybody's Batgirl mask. Maybe there's one out their, but I've never seen it. Maybe it's impossible to make right. To me it needs to be all one piece with her cape, even covering her throat but with her hair flowing out a slot in the back. And it needs to be made, at least for the most part, out of substantial, very tight fitting cloth -- but not spandex. Just perfectly fitted cloth. That way it can tear in a struggle (my preferred form if battle damage -- ripped costume) but on good enough that it doesn't shift on her head and takes some real effort to remove once she's defeated. It's not as important to me that it will protect her head like a helmet or anything. My overall goal is a particular way for the mask to come off, which is for the criminal to have to reach his fingers beneath the nose area and pull it up and back over her head until it lays at the nape of her nape of her neck like a hoodie. Don't ask me why, but to me that's the sexiest way of all to unmask Batgirl, and the sexiest mask to use.

There has to be an epic battle where it is completely obvious,

Courtesy of Nostalgic Source

especially to Batgirl, that the only goal is to get her mask. Not too picky about where but I do especially like a scenario where BG is fighting a gang that's working for a Kingpin who wants her mask at any cost. There have to be lots of 'almost unmaskings' during the fight -- little ones where a thug tugs at one of her bat ears to get an advantage, and big ones where it finally looks like she's doomed but she barely gets away. It should be clear that her mask is her weakness and BG should feel that way to. And it may be the influence of the Batman and Wonder Woman shows but my favorite way for BG to finally be defeated is by being gassed -- not chloroform on a hanky but a billowing cloud of white narcotic smoke squirted in her face. And then she should be tied up - hanging from the ceiling, trussed up and thrown on a filthy bed, probably taunted and abused. Or, if the Big Boss is there I like a gang holding her arms behind her back while he slowly has his triumph.

Last of all, Batgirl's motivations are extremely important  to my perfect unmasking. Normal people don't run around in capes challenging criminals. Something's psychologically off, damaged with Barbara Gordon that she does this. Like the original comic book concept I see her as the shy, quiet, fearful (tho hiding it), uptight librarian. I get the feeling she hasn't had many dates, is somewhat reclusive, and may still be a virgin  in her 20's. In many cultures donning a mask confers power. Works for Batman! I think that's why she's Batgirl. Her power is in the mask. But that means having it taken from her is her weakness. When she learns that these men are dedicated only to forcibly unmasking her, it's her greatest fear and the greatest threat they could make. As they get closer to unmasking her she should become more and more panicky, begging, pleading, tears in her eyes. And when they finally carry it out it should utterly ruin her -- perhaps driving her temporarily mad. Weeping hysterically she goes back to her weak, fearful, powerless self, now in the hands of Gotham's most depraved criminals.

There needs to be a powerful sexual undertone to capturing and unmasking her. It can't be a super hero business transaction, just part of the job. Not, "Damn, now you know who I am." It would be sexual in the since that every guy fighting her really wants Batgirl in her tight costume and they're constantly grabbing her in the fight. But also sexual that there a lot of sadism/masochism and bondage/domination in wanting to capture a pretty girl, tie her up, and then use what you know is her greatest vulnerability to destroy her before the whole world.