Batgirl

“	Watch your back, woman. I'm coming to get you. I don't buy your lies. No killing is justified. Ever.	„
	~ Batgirl

Barbara Gordon Jr. is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The character was created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino. Dozier, the producer of the 1960s Batman television series, requested Schwartz to call for a new female counterpart to the superhero Batman that could be introduced into publication and the third season of the show simultaneously. The character subsequently made her first comic-book appearance as Batgirl in Detective Comics #359, titled "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" in January 1967, by Fox and Infantino, allowing her to be introduced into the television series, portrayed by actress Yvonne Craig, in the season 3 premiere "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin", in September that same year.

Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon, the sister of serial killer James Gordon Jr. and is initially employed as head of the Gotham City Public Library. Although the character appeared in various DC Comics publications, she was prominently featured in Batman Family which debuted in 1975, partnered with the original Robin, Dick Grayson, whom she has a history of working closely and being romantically involved with. In 1988, following the editorial retirement of the character's Batgirl persona in Batgirl Special #1, the graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke depicts the Joker shooting her through the spinal cord in her civilian identity, resulting in paraplegia. In subsequent stories, the character was reestablished as a technical advisor, computer expert and information broker known as Oracle. Becoming a valuable asset providing intelligence and computer hacking services to assist other superheroes, she makes her first appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989) and later became a featured lead of the Birds of Prey series. In 2011, as part of DC Comics The New 52 relaunch, Barbara recovered from her paralysis following a surgical procedure and returned as Batgirl. Barbara has since featured in the eponymous Batgirl monthly title as well as Birds of Prey and other Batman books. Following the events of Joker War, Barbara returned to her Oracle role while recovering from an injury, and continues to operate as both Batgirl and Oracle after the 2021 Infinite Frontier event.

The character was a popular comic book figure during the Silver Age of Comic Books, due to her appearances in the Batman television series and continued media exposure. She has achieved similar popularity in the Modern Age of Comic Books under the Birds of Prey publication and as a disabled icon. The character has been the subject of academic analysis concerning the roles of women, librarians, and disabled people in mainstream media. The events of The Killing Joke, which led to the character's paralysis, as well as the restoration of her mobility, have also been a subject of debate among comic book writers, artists, editors, and readership. Viewpoints range from sexism in comic books, to the limited visibility of disabled characters and the practicality of disabilities existing in a fictional universe where magic, technology, and medical science exceed the limitations of the real world.

As both Batgirl and Oracle, Barbara Gordon has been featured in various adaptations related to the Batman franchise, including television, film, animation, video games, and other merchandise. Aside from Craig, the character has been portrayed by Dina Meyer, Alicia Silverstone (as Barbara Wilson), and Jeté Laurence, and has been voiced by Melissa Gilbert, Tara Strong, Danielle Judovits, Alyson Stoner, Mae Whitman, Kimberly Brooks and Briana Cuoco among others. Barbara Gordon appeared in the third season of the HBO Max series Titans as the new commissioner of Gotham City portrayed by Savannah Welch. The character was slated for a solo film set in the DCEU, starring Leslie Grace in the title role and intended to be released on HBO Max. The film was canceled in August 2022. In 2011, Barbara Gordon ranked 17th in IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes".

Gallery

Barbara Gordon (as Batwoman) in DC Revisioned

Barbara Gordon (as Huntress) in Wonder Woman: Tales of Sisterhood

Batgirl with Kara Zor-El / Supergirl

Batgirl with Spider-Gwen

Concept of Barbara Gordon as Robin in Batman Unleashed

Powers and abilities

• Genius-level intellect
• Trained computer scientist and security hacker
• Highly skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant
• Utilizes high-tech equipment and weaponry
• Expert detective
• Indomitable will
• Eidetic memory

Appearances in Idea Wiki

Iago PUC's ideas

• Batgirl appears in Comic Con Incorporated, where she is a roomer in the titular fictional hotel and is roommates with Supergirl.
• Batgirl is a main character in the Justice League/Teen Titans Animated Universe, voiced by Kath Soucie.
• Barbara Gordon is also in Iago PUC's second version of Idea Wiki's DC Animated Film Universe, voiced by Peyton List.
  • Appearing as Batgirl in Justice League: Battle for the Multiverse, she alongside the Justice League and the Titans battle against Brainiac's spawns while encountering superheroes from parallel dimensions. She becomes very close friends with Earth-38 Supergirl, who (during the final battle) even entrusts her in the use of the deceased Oliver Queen's arrows and bow.
  • She is also a main character in Wonder Woman: Tales of Sisterhood. Following the events of Dark Knights, Barbara has taken up the mantle of Huntress to honor her mentor Helena Bertinelli after her death. She also became the leader of the Gotham Shadows, and one of Wonder Woman's honorary Amazons.
• Barbara Gordon (as Oracle) appears in Marvel/DC Heroes Unite!, voiced by Ali Hillis. While she is a non-playable character, Barbara plays a supporting role in the story, monitoring the superheroes' activities in the Hall of Justice's control room.
• Barbara Gordon is a playable character in Lego Teen Titans, voiced again by Kimberly Brooks. She plays a role in the story as Oracle, helping the Titans on their battles against Brother Blood's Brotherhood, and later against Trigon. Her Batgirl alias is unlockable in the hub of the game.
  • Additionally, the DC Super Hero Girls version of Batgirl is available via DLC, within the "DC Super Hero High" Pack.
• Barbara Gordon appears in Batman: Knight of Gotham, voiced by Ashley Johnson. This version became Bruce Wayne's adopted daughter after her parents were killed. Growing up, inspired by Bruce's crusade as Batman, Barbara operates as his first sidekick Robin.

Coolot1's ideas

• Barbara Gordon / Batgirl appears in DC: Unlimited Rebirth, voiced by Andrea Baker.
• Barbara Gordon / Oracle appears in Batman: Arkham Aftermath, voiced by Erica Lindbeck.

Moon Silvight's ideas

• TBD
• TBD
• TBD

Joint ideas

• Batgirl appears in Multiverse Unity: Pokémon Justice, voiced by Janet Varney. She is depicted as a member of the Teen Titans, and a Pokémon trainer like a majority of the featured superheroes.
• Batgirl is a playable character in DC vs. Sega, voiced by Ashley Johnson. She serves as a main character in the story. In her Arcade Battle ending, she mentions to have decided to learn more about the Phantom Thieves, and is shown having formed a bond with Makoto Yuki / Leader.
• Barbara Gordon appears as the main female protagonist in Batman Unleashed, voiced by Cristina Vee. This version goes by the alias of Robin, and becomes Batman's first sidekick.
• Batgirl appears in DC Friends, voiced by Jessica McKenna.
• Batgirl is a main character in the Community Gotham Cinematic Universe (CGCU), portrayed by Jane Levy.
• Batgirl is a main character in Batman: Shadow Paths.
• Barbara Gordon / Batgirl / Oracle in Meet the Birds of Prey, voiced by Ellie Kemper.

External links

• Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) on Wikipedia
• Batgirl / Oracle on DC Database

DC Comics media

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