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When her father, James Gordon suffered a stroke, Batgirl largely retired from her crime-fighting activities. Barbara watched over him while he was hospitalized. Some criminals tried to murder Gordon while he was recovering. Barbara worked with Batman to stop them and Gordon recovered in time to witness her heroic actions.<ref>As revealed in ''Detective Comics, #533'' (December 1983).</ref>
  
When her father, James Gordon suffered a stroke, Batgirl largely retired from her crime-fighting activities. Barbara watched over him while he was hospitalized. Some criminals tried to murder Gordon while he was recovering. Barbara worked with Batman to stop them and Gordon recovered in time to witness her heroic actions.<ref>As revealed in ''Detective Comics, #533'' (December 1983).</ref>
   
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A couple of years later, when it was clear that a [[Crisis on Infinite Earths|crisis]] of epic proportions was upon them, Barbara hesitantly donned her Batgirl suit again. Before leaving her house she called Supergirl whom she hadn’t seen in months. Barbara confessed she felt frightened and completely helpless in the face of global annihilation because she had no powers unlike her friend. [[Linda Danvers|Linda]] replied heroism isn't a matter of powers.<ref>As revealed in ''DC Comics Presents, #86'' (October 1985) and ''Crisis on Infinite Earths, #4'' (July 1985).</ref> That was to be their final conversation. Shortly after, Supergirl would die fighting the [[Anti-Monitor]]. Batgirl delivered Kara's eulogy at her funeral.<ref>As revealed in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths, #7'' (October 1985).</ref> After the universal reset, Barbara Gordon's existence and history was completely altered, transforming her into a different person,<ref>In ''Secret Origins #20'' (1987), Barbara Gordon's origin is rebooted by author Barbara Randal. Following the reboot, Barbara Gordon is born to Roger and Thelma Gordon, making her Jim Gordon's niece and adopted daughter. Within the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl, including her first encounter with Batman as a child, studying martial arts under the tutelage of a sensei, memorizing maps and blue prints of the city, excelling in academics in order to skip grades, and pushing herself to become a star athlete. In this [[Post-Crisis]] continuity, Supergirl does not arrive on Earth until after Gordon has established herself as Oracle. For more, see: [https://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon_(New_Earth) Barbara Gordon (New Earth) at the DC Database].</ref> existing on a [[New Earth|different reality]].
 +
A couple of years later, when it was clear that a [[Crisis on Infinite Earths|crisis]] of epic proportions was upon them, Barbara hesitantly donned her Batgirl suit again. Before leaving her house she called Supergirl whom she hadn’t seen in months. Barbara confessed she felt frightened and completely helpless in the face of global annihilation because she had no powers unlike her friend. [[Linda Danvers|Linda]] replied heroism isn't a matter of powers.<ref>As revealed in ''DC Comics Presents, #86'' (October 1985) and ''Crisis on Infinite Earths, #4'' (July 1985).</ref> That was to be their final conversation. Shortly after, Supergirl would die fighting the [[Anti-Monitor]]. Batgirl delivered Kara's eulogy at her funeral.<ref>As revealed in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths, #7'' (October 1985).</ref>
  +
  +
After the universal reset, Barbara Gordon's existence and history was completely altered, transforming her into a different person,<ref>In ''Secret Origins #20'' (1987), Barbara Gordon's origin is rebooted by author Barbara Randal. Following the reboot, Barbara Gordon is born to Roger and Thelma Gordon, making her Jim Gordon's niece and adopted daughter. Within the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl, including her first encounter with Batman as a child, studying martial arts under the tutelage of a sensei, memorizing maps and blue prints of the city, excelling in academics in order to skip grades, and pushing herself to become a star athlete. In this [[Post-Crisis]] continuity, Supergirl does not arrive on Earth until after Gordon has established herself as Oracle. For more, see: [https://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon_(New_Earth) Barbara Gordon (New Earth) at the DC Database].</ref> existing on a [[New Earth|different reality]].
   
   

Revision as of 04:26, 28 November 2019

You may be looking for the Batgirl Disambiguation Page.
SuperFriends Comic Book Character
Filmation Character
Batgirl
Batgirl 2 (Batman Family 19)
Information
Real name: Barbara Gordon
AKA: Babs
Species: Human
Homeworld: Earth
Universe: Earth-One
Earth-1A
Hair: Red
Relatives: Jim Gordon (father)[1]
Occupation: Librarian
Superhero
Congresswoman
Base: Gotham City
Affiliations: Batman Family
Voiced/Played: Jane Webb[2]
Dania Cericola[3]
Melindy Britt[4]
Mika Doi[5]
Masumi Miyazaki[6]
Barbara Gordon (Detective Comics 409)

Barbara Gordon
Image from Detective Comics, #409/2 (March 1971).

Barbara Gordon 2 (NAB 1977)

Barbara Gordon
Image from The New Adventures of Batman (1977).

Batgirl (NAB 1977)

Batgirl
Image from The New Adventures of Batman (1977).

Barbara Gordon was the daughter of Commissioner Gordon. In her 'Batgirl' persona she is the ally of the Batman. She also served as a member of the United States Congress.


Background Information

In the parallel universe of Earth-One, Police Commissioner James Gordon’s little girl had aspirations of being a superhero. Her hero was the young and handsome Superboy.[7]

As a teenager, Barbara’s penchant for heroism, would lead her to eavesdrop on her father one evening in his study as he spoke with the mysterious, shadowy figure, the Batman. She became infatuated with the hero and eventually turned him into an idol. And unbeknownst to her father, she soon became quite proficient in all forms of combat training.[8]

Years later, Barbara graduated summa cum laude with a Ph.D in Library Science from Gotham State University, soon becoming Gotham’s chief librarian. In addition to her secret combat training, she had plenty of time to learn about a wide variety of subjects and meet many people in different fields of research.[9]

On the occasion of the Policemen’s Masquerade Ball, Barbara wanted to impress her dad by showing him that she’s not a plain-Jane little girl. She created a costume inspired by the Batman, eagerly awaiting the mid-night unveiling. As she drove to the party hotel, she came across her daddy’s millionaire friend Bruce Wayne being kidnapped by a gang of costumed men (we learn later it was for ransom money). Wearing her bat costume, she impulsively rushed in and beat the villain with the skill and confidence that made it seem as if she was born to be a crimefighter. She soon was able to help Batman and Robin capture the Killer Moth.[10]

After the excitement of the initial success, she decided to keep fighting crime as a close ally of Batman while working as the head-librarian at Gotham's Main Public Library.

It would not be long before she met the famed Supergirl. But it was not the way she intended. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite threw them into a dangerous alternate dimension to get them out of the way as they pulled a prank on Superman and Batman. After several days Batgirl and Supergirl managed to break the dimensional barrier just in time to save their mentors from being blasted into another dimension.[11] Both girls befriended each other during their adventure, and would team up more times.

Over the next few years, Barbara started going out on her own as Batgirl to investigate crimes.[12] During this time she met Jason Bard, a private investigator and Vietnam veteran, whom she started dating. She worked alongside him to solve cases as Batgirl.[13]

When Barbara learned of a murder at Hudson University, she tried to solve the case by herself unaware that Robin was keeping a close eye on her. Batgirl was captured by an unknown assailant[14] and eventually saved by Robin and together, they captured the killer.[15]

On one occasion, Batgirl failed in an attempt to prevent a robbery from a known felon. Angry with herself and frustrated, she confronted her father demanding that she run for Congress in his place. In her angered tirade, she reveals her secret identity to her father (who had already discovered it on his own). Her platform would be prison reform … law that creates order, not disorder. And with that, she tosses her mask into the political arena.[16]

Soon, her desire to protect society, led her to hold a political office. During the summer of 1972, the youth of Gotham elected her to Congress. After being elected, Barbara flew to Washington, D.C., to serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives leaving everyone and everything behind, including her relation with Jason Bard and her career as Batgirl in Gotham City.[17] Despite her newfound duties as a Congresswoman, Barbara managed to find time in her busy schedule to resume her Batgirl activities in and around Washington, D.C.[18]

While in Washington, Barbara summoned Dick Grayson to be her assistant. In reality they were secretly fighting crime and developed a flirtatious relationship, even though Barbara was several years older.[19] The two paired up to defend a foreign dignitary. Young Barbara was assigned to overlook the activities of Princess Evalina who is visiting the country on a political assignment. Together, Robin and Batgirl stop the criminal organization known as MAZE[20] from murdering the foreign Princess.[21] This would not be their first encounter with MAZE. On the next occasion, the two prevail in defeating this foe.[22]

Over the next few years, Barbara served as a successful Congresswoman. She even traveled to China on a diplomatic mission, fighting crime along the way.[23]

In the Spring of 77', Batgirl teams up with the retired 'Batwoman' (aka Kathy Kane) against the Killer Moth and the Cavalier to stop the crooks. Barbara and Kathy soon learned each other’s identities. Kathy decides to remain in retirement.[24]

After a brief team-up with Robin and Man-Bat in New York City to defeat the menace of the ‘Outsider’,[25] Barbara witnesses the virtual disintegration of Kathy Kane on her front steps. Batgirl and Robin team up to find the cure and restore Batwoman to her normal form.[26] Shortly after this, Batwoman meets Helena Wayne (the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle) from the parallel universe of Earth-Two. Helena had recently adopted the identity of the Huntress to fight crime, so she sought the advice of more seasoned heroines as Batgirl and Batwoman. The three girls shared some stories and advice and they eventually worked together to stop and capture Poison Ivy and Catwoman.[27]

After Barbara failed to get re-elected for Congress, she went back to Gotham City, solving regular crimes and confronting costumed criminals.[28] She eventually found a job as head of the Social Services Department at an Research and Development Company.[29]

When her father, James Gordon suffered a stroke, Batgirl largely retired from her crime-fighting activities. Barbara watched over him while he was hospitalized. Some criminals tried to murder Gordon while he was recovering. Barbara worked with Batman to stop them and Gordon recovered in time to witness her heroic actions.[30]

A couple of years later, when it was clear that a crisis of epic proportions was upon them, Barbara hesitantly donned her Batgirl suit again. Before leaving her house she called Supergirl whom she hadn’t seen in months. Barbara confessed she felt frightened and completely helpless in the face of global annihilation because she had no powers unlike her friend. Linda replied heroism isn't a matter of powers.[31] That was to be their final conversation. Shortly after, Supergirl would die fighting the Anti-Monitor. Batgirl delivered Kara's eulogy at her funeral.[32]

After the universal reset, Barbara Gordon's existence and history was completely altered, transforming her into a different person,[33] existing on a different reality.


Continuity from The Batman/Superman Hour (1968-1969)

Coming Soon!


Continuity from The New Adventures of Batman (1977)

In this series Barbara now works as Assistant District Attorney for Gotham City. Batman and Robin are also aware of her dual-identity.


Powers and Abilities

Powers

None

Abilities


Weakness

Those akin to a normal, mortal, human.


Equipment

  • Batgirl Costume: In her early days, Barbara incorporated her costume in her everyday clothes. Her skirt became a cape, her beret a cowl and her handbag doubled as a utility pocketbook.
  • Utility Belt: As Batgirl, her equipment included Batarangs, smoke bombs, a grappling hook, and some other gadgets. In her early years, she also used a pocketbook, but discarded it as it was too bulky.[41]

Transportation

  • Batcycle: Batgirl rides a specially modified moped.

Weapons


Appearances

Filmation series: The Batman/Superman Hour

Coming Soon!

Filmation series: The New Adventures of Batman

Coming Soon!

Earth-1A Appearance

As a Wax Figure in late 1975:


Gallery

BatmanSupermanAdventures2

Image from Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder (1969)

Image from The New Adventures of Batman (1977)

Image from The New Adventures of Batman (1977)


Notes

  • Batgirl never appeared on the SuperFriends TV Show. She did however appear as a wax-figure in the SuperFriends comic book: Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 (December 1975 / January 1976), confirming her existence in the SuperFriends Universe.
  • The concept for the character of this second[42] 'Batgirl' was created by producer, William Dozier for the 1966 live-action Batman TV series, and first appeared in the season 3, episode 1: "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin" (September 14, 1967).[43] She was played by Yvonne Craig.
  • 'Batgirl' first appeared in the comic books though with her debut in Detective Comics vol.1, #359[44] (cover-dated January 1967, but released in November 1966). The creation of this revised Batgirl character (the first was Elizabeth Kane) was inspired by the pending appearance of Batgirl on the 1966 live-action television series and was introduced by Julius Schwartz, Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.
  • She made her first animated appearance in Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder in 1968 and was also adapted into its successor animated program The New Adventures of Batman in 1977.


External Links


Appearances in Other Media

Batgirl DCAU Batgirl Barbara Gordon, was the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon and Sarah Gordon. Barbara is a skilled crime fighter who caught the attention of Batman, when the renegade artificial intelligence HARDAC attempted to replace the most influential members of Gotham (including James Gordon). Barbara was one of the few who initially felt something was wrong. Using a few skills she picked up from her father, Barbara managed to help Batman save everyone. When Commissioner Gordon is framed by the notorious villain Two-Face, Barbara dons a bat costume and finds that the uniform fits her better than she had first imagined. Whether they like it or not, Batman and Robin soon realize that they have a new red-headed ally in the form of Batgirl. In her daily life, Barbara is a student at Gotham State University. Her academic skills are matched only by her gymnastic ability, which she utilizes to her full advantage as Batgirl. Batman and Robin learn to trust and rely on Batgirl's contribution to eradicating Gotham's criminal element. Barbara lives in a private townhouse near Gotham's trendy Park Ridge. A service lift in Barbara's bedroom closet runs down to the secret basement where Barbara stores her Batgirl crimefighting gear. In addition to costumes and weapons, the basement also serves as garage for Batgirl's highly-advanced Batcycle, a gift from Batman.

This version of Batgirl is based on the Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1999), and The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999) produced for the Cartoon Network.
- For more on Batgirl see article at 'DCAU'


References

  1. ↑ In the Earth-One continuity, James Gordon is the adopted father and actually uncle by blood relation. It is possible that the same is the case in the Earth-1A universe. In fact, in the Season 6 episode The Fear, Dick Grayson mentioned that the commissioner's niece wanted to dance with him, and although she was never revealed to be Babs, it's very possible that's who he was referencing. To my knowledge though, there's never been any episode that states she is his niece, so it's just left to speculation.
  2. ↑ Jane Webb provided the voice of the character on the English version of Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder.
  3. ↑ Dania Cericola provided the voice of Batgirl on the Italian dub of The Adventures of Batman and The New Adventures of Batman.
  4. ↑ Melindy Britt provided the voice of the character on the English version of The New Adventures of Batman.
  5. ↑ Mika Doi provided the voice of Batgirl on the Japanese dub of The New Adventures of Batman.
  6. ↑ Masumi Miyazaki provided the voice of Batgirl on an alternate Japanese dub of The New Adventures of Batman.
  7. ↑ As revealed in Adventure Comic, #453 (September/October 1977).
  8. ↑ As revealed in Untold Legend of the Batman, #3 (September, 1980).
  9. ↑ As revealed in Untold Legend of the Batman, #3 (September, 1980).
  10. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #359 (January 1967) and recounted in Untold Legend of the Batman, #3 (September, 1980).
  11. ↑ As revealed in World's Finest Comics, #169 (September 1967).
  12. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #384/2 (February 1969); #385/2 (March 1969); World's Finest Comics, #189 (November 1969); Adventure Comics, #381 (June 1969); #388/2 (June 1969); #389/2 (July 1969).
  13. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #392/2 (October 1969); #393/2 (November 1969); #404/2 (October 1970).
  14. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #400/2 (June 1970).
  15. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #401/2 (July 1970).
  16. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics #422/2 (April 1972) and #423/2 (May 1972).
  17. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics #424/2 (June 1972).
  18. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #4 (March/April 1976) and #6 (July/August 1976).
  19. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #1 (September/October 1975) and #3 (January/February 1976).
  20. ↑ MAZE is a criminal organization that murdered people for a profit under blood money contracts.
  21. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #5/1 (May/June 1976).
  22. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #11 (May/June 1977).
  23. ↑ As revealed in Batman, #311 (May 1979).
  24. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #10 (April, 1977).
  25. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #13 (September 1977).
  26. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #14 (October, 1977).
  27. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #17 (May, 1978).
  28. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #490/2 (May 1980).
  29. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #491/5 (June 1980); #492 (July 1980); #493/5 (August 1980); #494/3 (September 1980); #495/3 (October 1980); #512/2 (March 1982) and #513/2 (April 1982).
  30. ↑ As revealed in Detective Comics, #533 (December 1983).
  31. ↑ As revealed in DC Comics Presents, #86 (October 1985) and Crisis on Infinite Earths, #4 (July 1985).
  32. ↑ As revealed in Crisis on Infinite Earths, #7 (October 1985).
  33. ↑ In Secret Origins #20 (1987), Barbara Gordon's origin is rebooted by author Barbara Randal. Following the reboot, Barbara Gordon is born to Roger and Thelma Gordon, making her Jim Gordon's niece and adopted daughter. Within the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl, including her first encounter with Batman as a child, studying martial arts under the tutelage of a sensei, memorizing maps and blue prints of the city, excelling in academics in order to skip grades, and pushing herself to become a star athlete. In this Post-Crisis continuity, Supergirl does not arrive on Earth until after Gordon has established herself as Oracle. For more, see: Barbara Gordon (New Earth) at the DC Database.
  34. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #7 (September/October 1976).
  35. ↑ As revealed in Batman, #197 (December 1967).
  36. ↑ As revealed in Batman Family, #18/3 (June/July 1978).
  37. ↑ As revealed in Batman, #197 (December 1967).
  38. ↑ As revealed in Untold Legend of the Batman, #3 (September, 1980).
  39. ↑ As revealed in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe, #2 (April, 1985).
  40. ↑ As revealed in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe, #2 (April, 1985).
  41. ↑ As revealed in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe, #2 (April, 1985).
  42. ↑ For more on the first Bat-girl, See: Elizabeth Kane (Bat-Girl).
  43. ↑ Man of Two Worlds; 2000 (Schwartz Autobiography)
  44. ↑ Go to the DC Database for more on Detective Comics, #359
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