At the time this was published, DC was attempting to both establish Huntress as a combined-Earth Gothamite (on Earth 2 she came by this organically as Bruce and Selina's daughter)and as the perceived 'winner' in the 'which character is more worthwhile?' stakes between she and Barbara-as-Batgirl. The story reflected comparisons that were being made already elsewhere. Timing-wise, IIRC, Helena's next appearance was in the glaringly-inappropriate (some might say suicidal) Jim Lee belly-exposing costume.