( CNN ) It recalled one of the most memorable moments in comic book history , but for critics on social media , one comic book cover went too far , and it 's now been pulled . DC Comics pulled the cover for the upcoming `` Batgirl '' # 41 , which portrays the Joker threatening a frightened Batgirl with a gun , with `` Joker makeup '' on her mouth . The Twitter hashtag # changethecover had been trending since Friday , when the cover was revealed . It 's a variant , aka an optional cover , which tends to grab the attention of collectors but wo n't be the main cover seen in most stores . For the month of June , DC 's variant covers are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic villain . The cover recalls Barbara `` Batgirl '' Gordon 's encounter with the Joker in the classic story `` The Killing Joke . '' In it , he brutally attacked Barbara , kidnapping her , and it was heavily implied that she was sexually assaulted . After being shot , the character remained in a wheelchair for decades , until DC retconned Barbara 's fate in 2011 , allowing her to walk again and be Batgirl . The criticism of the cover spread over a few days , though others defended it with their own hashtags . DC Comics ( owned by Time Warner , which also owns CNN ) said in a statement late Monday that artist Rafael Albuquerque 's cover was going to be pulled . `` Regardless if fans like Rafael Albuquerque 's homage to Alan Moore 's THE KILLING JOKE graphic novel from 25 years ago , or find it inconsistent with the current tonality of the Batgirl books -- threats of violence and harassment are wrong and have no place in comics or society , '' they said . `` We stand by our creative talent , and per Rafael 's request , DC Comics will not publish the Batgirl variant. `` Albuquerque said in his own statement , `` My Batgirl variant cover artwork was designed to pay homage to a comic that I really admire , and I know is a favorite of many readers . 'The Killing Joke ' is part of Batgirl 's canon and artistically , I could n't avoid portraying the traumatic relationship between Barbara Gordon and the Joker . '' He continued , `` For me , it was just a creepy cover that brought up something from the character 's past that I was able to interpret artistically . But it has become clear , that for others , it touched a very important nerve . I respect these opinions and , despite whether the discussion is right or wrong , no opinion should be discredited . He concluded , `` My intention was never to hurt or upset anyone through my art . For that reason , I have recommended to DC that the variant cover be pulled . I 'm incredibly pleased that DC Comics is listening to my concerns and will not be publishing the cover art in June as previously announced . '' Albuquerque added in a tweet on Monday night that he was never threatened ( the `` threats '' DC referenced were aimed at those objecting to the cover , per `` Batgirl '' writer Cameron Stewart ) . Stewart tweeted more : `` I stand behind Rafael as an artist and a friend , and think he made the right decision . The cover was not seen or approved by anyone on Team Batgirl and was completely at odds with what we are doing with the comic . So , we have the creators of the book and the artist himself all agreeing that the cover was inappropriate . There 's no 'censorship ' here . '' That did n't stop the controversy on social media . It was just the latest brouhaha involving portrayals of women in comic books and variant covers in particular . In September , Marvel Comics canceled future variant covers from artist Milo Manara after a `` Spider-Woman '' No . 1 variant cover caused an uproar for being `` over-sexualized . '' ( The company later said there was no connection between the two events . )
Comic book portraying ##girl with Joker makeup and gun to her face has stirred controversy . critics say it is too violent , repetitive and out of tune with the tone of the series . DC Comics says the scene recalls a memorable moment in Batgirl 's life .