Information about Barbara Gordon

Oracle
Barbara as Oracle. Promotional art for Birds of Prey #58 (2003). Art by Ed Benes.
DC Comics First appearance as Batgirl: Detective Comics #359 (January 1967) as Oracle: Suicide Squad #23 (January 1989) Gardner Fox Carmine Infantino
Characteristics Alter ego Barbara Gordon Team affiliations Birds of Prey Batman Family Seven Soldiers of Victory Suicide Squad Justice League Notable aliases Batgirl, Amy Beddoes Abilities Skilled martial artist, Genius-level intellect; Superb hacker Skilled detective Photographic memory

Barbara "Babs" Gordon is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics and related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino. From 1966 to 1988 she was the superheroine known as Batgirl; since 1989 she has been known as Oracle. Barbara Gordon made her first comic book appearance in a story published in Detective Comics #359 titled "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl" (1967).^[1]

Barbara Gordon's persona as Batgirl is one of DC's most recognizable female superhero icons. Gordon's version of Batgirl has been adapted into all media relating to the Batman franchise, including merchandise,^[2][3][4] television,^[5][6] animation^[7][8] and feature film.^[9] During the early seventies, the character was also used to advocate for women's rights.^[10]

Following her retirement as Batgirl in 1988, Gordon was crippled after being shot by The Joker in Alan Moore's .^[11] Although this brought Gordon's career as Batgirl to a final close, editor Kim Yale and writer John Ostrander established Gordon as the DC universe's premier information broker, code-named Oracle.^[12] Barbara Gordon made her first comic book appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989).^[13] Oracle stars in the series Birds of Prey in which she directs the operations of a team of mostly female agents.

Barbara Gordon's Oracle is a pioneer, serving as an icon for people living with disabilities.^[14] Uninhibited by her paralysis, she is a formidable fighter through the use of eskrima, and her intellect rivals that of Batman and the other geniuses operating in the DC universe.^[15][16]

Publication History

Batgirl (1966-1988)

Barbara Gordon debuted in Detective Comics #359 (cover-dated 1967, although the comic was actually released in late 1966) as the daughter of Gotham City's Police Commissioner James Gordon. On her way to a costume ball dressed as a female version of Batman, Gordon intervenes in a kidnapping attempt on Bruce Wayne by the villainous Killer Moth, attracting the Dark Knight's attention and leading to a crime-fighting career.

Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl was preceded by the original Batwoman, and her niece the Bat-Girl. However, Gordon exceeded these earlier figures in popularity, and readers requested for her to appear in other titles. In an open letter to readership in Detective Comics #417 (1971),^[17] DC responded to the fan-based acclaim and criticism of the new character:

I'd like to say a few words about the reaction some readers have to Batgirl. These are readers who remember Batwoman and the other Bat-girls from year's back... They were there because romance seemed to be needed in Batman's life. But thanks to the big change and a foresighted editor, these hapless females are gone for good. In their place stands a girl who is a capable crime-fighter, a far cry from Batwoman who constantly had to be rescued from Batman.[18]

Prior to her comic book debut, Editor Julius Schwartz claimed that he considered the new Batgirl as a vehicle that might attract a female viewership to the Batman television series of the early sixties. When producers William Dozier and Howie Horowitz saw rough concept artwork by artist Carmine Infantino during a visit to DC offices, they optioned the character in a bid to help sell a third season to the ABC television network.^[19] Actress Yvonne Craig portrayed the character in the show's third season.^[20]

Following the comic book debut of Barbara Gordon, Craig also promoted the comic book incarnation of her character. She was featured in photo shoots reading her “favorite comic of all time,” "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl."^[21] While Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl was featured every week in the new season of Batman, DC Comics featured the comic book character on several covers of Detective Comics, often overshadowing Batman and Robin in order to promote her. On the cover of Detective comics #369, Batgirl argues with Batman over whose sidekick Robin should be.^[22][23][24]

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

During the early eighties, Batman editors sporadically put Batgirl into retirement; she resumed her role for special cases. In 1988, Alan Moore discussed with editor Dennis O'Neil, and the two agreed that Barbara Gordon, currently in retirement, was disposable enough for the character’s career to come to a permanent end.

Although events in The Killing Joke exert a great impact on the character, the story has little to do with Gordon. She is deployed as a plot device to cement the Joker’s vendetta against Commissioner James Gordon and Batman. The Joker’s aggravated assault of Barbara Gordon has become a classic example of Women in Refrigerators syndrome, in which “severe injury or death of a female comic book character [occurs] as a means to antagonize a male superhero.”^[25]

Comic book editor and writer Kim Yale discussed how distasteful she found the treatment of Barbara Gordon with her husband, fellow comic writer John Ostrander. Rather than allow the character to fall into obscurity, the two decided to revive her. According to Ostrander,

There were no plans for her in the continuity at that time. We decided that if that happened, we weren’t just going to make her better magically — we wanted to explore what happened when someone like her was crippled and how she would respond."[26]

Both Yale and Ostrander would oversee the development of Gordon's new persona as Oracle for the next several years.

Despite the establishment of Gordon's persona as Oracle, fans of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl have desired to see her mobility restored. Alex Ross and Paul Dini have made attempts to return the character to the status quo. Ross explains in an interview:

Paul Dini had this idea of putting Barbara Gordon in the Lazarus Pit to revive her...I thought it was a great idea, and we pitched then-Batman editor Denny O'Neil with these drawings of that costume design. The idea of using the red instead of the traditional yellow was meant to invoke the idea that coming from the Lazarus Pit, she was in a way, more compromised as a character...And...that went nowhere. Denny shot it down, because, according to him, everybody loves Barbara Gordon as Oracle and as a handicapped character. The theory was that DC didn't have enough handicapped characters, so they weren't going to do anything with Barbara as she was. And the design went into the drawer."[27]

Kate Kane, the modern Batwoman introduced during 52, wears a variant of Gordon's Batgirl costume designed by Ross.^[28]

Regardless of the events which preceded Oracle's creation, her impact on DC Comics has been influential. DC Comics Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Dan DiDio comments,

Insert the text of the quote here, without quotation marks.

Oracle (1988-Present)

Oracle (anonymously) made her first comic book appearance aiding the Suicide Squad in issue #23, acting on behest of the government as a member of Task Force X.^[29]

In the following two years, Oracle, under pen of Ostander and Yale, made guest appearances in various DC titles until her identity was revealed to be Barbara Gordon in Suicide Squad #38 (1990). In 1992, Dennis O’Neil gave Barbara Gordon’s Oracle a starring role in #1, where she became Batman’s sole source of information. This newly forged partnership established Oracle’s status as Batman's intellectual equal.^[30]

The success of Chuck Dixon’s Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey (1996)^[31] lead to the comic series Birds of Prey starring the two title characters. Kim Yale and John Ostrander tell the origin of Oracle in "Oracle: Year One," a story arc contained in Batman Chronicles #5.

Since the launch of Birds of Prey, Oracle has become a high-profile figure in the superhero community - she has gone beyond her ties to the Batman Family and forged alliances with groups such as Justice League of America and the Seven Soldiers of Victory.

Gail Simone took over as writer of Birds of Prey with issue #56, taking the series in a "Bold New Direction!" In an interview with Columnist Jennifer Contino, Simone explains her fondness of Barbara Gordon:

Kim Yale and John Ostrander picked up the character and made her into a brilliant master computer operator and one of the most fascinating characters in comics. From there, Chuck Dixon did wonderful things with her in his Birds of Prey run...She’s fantastic because even just sitting in a chair in a dark room by herself, she’s tremendously compelling. The DCU without her would be a much less interesting place.[32]

Fictional character history

Silver Age

In her original adventures during the Silver Age, Batgirl is depicted as a librarian by day, and a spirited crimefighter by night. After a handful of guest appearances in Batman stories, she was given her own back-up strip in Detective Comics. The character was fleshed out considerably, with the shy, mousy, bookworm version of Barbara Gordon giving way to a more modern, confident character. Devoid of her plain-Jane glasses and hair bun, Barbara dates a succession of boyfriends, including Vietnam-veteran-turned-private-investigator Jason Bard.

In addition to her appearances in both Detective Comics and Batman, Batgirl made a guest appearance in World's Finest Comics where she met Superman, Supergirl, Bat-Mite, and Mxyzptlk for the first time.^[33] She also fights alongside the Justice League of America against the villainous Queen Bee. Supergirl and Batgirl encounter again in Adventure Comics #381 when both heroines separately investigate a female criminal gang.^[34]

Her back-up stories appear sporadically in Detective Comics until the mid 1970s. Although she occasionally partners with Robin, she more frequently works with Jason Bard, a Vietnam War veteran with a chronic knee injury who becomes a private detective. Bard is a romantic interest of Barbara's, as well. Batgirl reveals her secret identity to her father (who had already discovered it on his own), and serves as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She moves to Washington, D.C., intending to give up her career as Batgirl and in June 1972, appeared in a story entitled "Batgirl's Last Case."^[35]

Editor Julius Schwartz brought her back a year later in Superman #268^[36], in which she has a blind date with Clark Kent, establishing their friendship, and fights alongside Superman. Batgirl and Superman team up twice more, in Superman #279 and DC Comics Presents #19. She also teamed up with Supergirl in Superman Family #171, although their first meetings were actually in the late 1960s, and the two became close friends, epitomized by the fact that Batgirl would later deliver Supergirl's eulogy during the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline.^[37]

Bronze Age

In 1975, DC created the Batman Family comic book, which ran for 20 issues. Batgirl was one of the main features in the book, frequently teaming with Robin. Dick Grayson (Robin's alter ego) served as Gordon's summer intern, building a friendship between the two. Soon they discover each other's alternate identities. While Gordon dates Senator Tom Cleary, Dick Grayson, who is dating fellow college student Lori Elton, develops an unrequited crush on Gordon. Gryason is rewarded in one installment when Batgirl kisses Robin on the cheek at the end of a successful adventure, however, this is the farthest the relationship apparently developed in this era. The "Dynamite Duo" of Batgirl and Robin fight the criminal organization M.A.Z.E., supervillains Huntress, Sportsmaster, the Outsider, and Duela Dent, who later appeared in the Teen Titans as the Harlequin.

Batgirl meets Batwoman in Batman Family #10, when the retired superheroine returns to crime-fighting. The two fight Killer Moth and Cavalier, and learn about each other's secret identities.^[38]They form a friendship and team up twice more in Batman Family, and again alongside the Freedom Fighters giving the two a total of four appearances together. In Batman Family #17 Batgirl meets Helena Wayne, the Huntress and daughter of the Batman and Catwoman in the parallel universe Earth-Two. When Batman Family ended at issue #20, stories featuring these characters were merged with Detective Comics, beginning with issue #481 in 1979, and Batgirl continued her adventures there. Even after the "Batman Family" feature left Detective Comics, Batgirl continued to appear in the back-up stories through issue #519 (October 1982).

After a short-term absence, Gordon returns to Gotham City and takes a job as a social worker, fighting villains such as Lady Snake and the Velvet Tiger. Supergirl visits Gotham and shares an adventure with her. Later, Batgirl is shot by Commorant and almost dies of her wounds; while recovering, she has a serious crisis of purpose and briefly retires. After a talk with Batman, however, she faces down and captures Commorant, and returns to crimefighting.

After her back-up series of stories ended, Gordon continued to be Batgirl, but increasingly felt inconsequential in a world filled with super-powered heroes. Finally, after capturing the Commorant again in Batgirl Special #1 (1988), Gordon retires her Batgirl persona. Although, in later stories, she occasionally gets back into costume for special cases.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Main article: Crisis on Infinite Earths

Crisis on Infinite Earths was a limited mini-series published in 1985 which was written in order to reduce the complex history of DC Comics to a single continuity. Although Batgirl is a featured character, her role is relatively small in the Crisis storyline. In a conversation with Supergirl, Barbara confesses the potential destruction of all reality has left her feeling worthless and frightened.^[39] Although Supergirl tries to console her, Batgirl's depression remains. Following Supergirl's death, Batgirl gave her eulogy at a publicly held memorial service in Chicago.^[40] The conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths changed DC Universe continuity in many ways. Following the reboot, Barbara is born to Roger and Thelma Gordon, and she is Jim Gordon's niece/adopted daughter in current canon.

In #6,^[41] it is revealed that although Barbara Gordon is the niece of James Gordon, there is a possibility he may be her biological father due to the fact that he dated her mother Thelma before she married Roger Gordon.

Post-Crisis, Supergirl does not arrive on Earth until Barbara has established herself as Oracle; many adventures she shared with Batgirl are now retroactively described as having been experienced by Power Girl. In addition, Gordon and Grayson have been lovers at some time in the past, and they recently were briefly engaged before calling it off. ^[42]

Secret Origins

In Secret Origins# 20: Batgirl and the Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite (1987),^[43] Barbara Gordon's origin is rebooted to conform her characterization to the Morden Age of Comics. Within the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl. While trailing a thief in Gotham city, she explains how having a photographic memory never lets her forget a face.^[44] It is revealed her childhood friend Marcy would often create dolls who were female versions of male superheroes- Supergirl, Marvelousgirl, Rocketgirl and lastly, Batgirl. The two children spent hours daydreaming of becoming superheroes. For Gordon, aspiring towards heroism was an outlet for dealing with her father's alcohol abuse.

After her father's death, her uncle, James Gordon is awarded guardianship of the young Barbara Gordon. At the age of 13, she begins to continuously memorize police reports, books on espionage and anything note worthy in her adopted father's library. When reading yet another police case in her father's office, she hides herself in a corner as she hears footsteps approaching. To her utter shock, she peers from around a file cabinet to see Commissioner Gordon and Batman conversing. From that point forward, she composes a list of qualifications needed to become Batman's future partner. She enrolls in martial arts class the following weekend, memorizes maps and blue prints of the city, excels in academics in order to skip grades and pushes herself to become a star athlete.^[45]

Eventually, Gordon graduates from high school two years ahead of schedule and gains admission to Gotham State University at the age of 16. She also trains privately with a sensei as opposed to working out in group sessions. After earning her Master's degree in information systems, her father invites her to the policeman's ball, where she decides to show up in costume as Batgirl. On her way to the event, she spots Killer Moth and his henchmen attempting to rob Bruce Wayne and distracts them long enough for him to escape. Bruce Wayne returns to the scene as Batman after Batgirl has defeated the gang and the two exchange introductions. When Batman warns her she is playing a dangerous game, Batgirl responds, "You don't know what I'm capable of, but you'll learn." ^[46]

Modern Age: Exit Batgirl, Enter Oracle

The Modern Age of Comics had significant changes to the comic book industry as characters became darker and psychologically complex, abandoning the light-hearted themes of earlier ages. In , the Joker shoots Barbara, intending to drive her father James Gordon into madness.^[47]The bullet severs her spine, permanently paralyzing her from the waist down. Gordon is grief-stricken upon learning the extent of her injuries, as is her ally and off-on again lover Dick Grayson, the original Robin currently known as Nightwing.

Initially, Gordon's paralysis plunges her into a state of reactive depression. However, she soon realizes that her aptitude for and training in information sciences have provided her with tremendous skills that could be deployed to fight crime. In a world increasingly centered on technology and information, she possesses a genius-level intellect; photographic memory; deep knowledge of computers and electronics; expert skills as a hacker; and graduate training in library sciences.^[48] One night, Gordon has a dream in which an all-knowing woman (similar to Oracle at Delphi of Greek mythology) has her own face, it's then that she adopts Oracle as her codename. She serves as an information broker, gathering and disseminating intelligence to law enforcement organizations and members of the superhero community.

Oracle has also trained under the tutelage of Richard Dragon, one of DC's premier martial artists, to engage in combat (using eskrima) from her wheelchair. She develops her upper-body strength and targeting skills with both firearms and batarangs.^[49]

In her first mission as Oracle, Gordon assists her father on an extremely difficult murder investigation; upon the mission's completion she takes her services to the Suicide Squad. For a time she relocates to Belle Reve prison in Louisiana to work with the team under the alias of "Amy Beddoes". After leaving the Suicide Squad, she returns to Gotham City and aids Batman and his protegés, as well as many other heroes. In her second appearance as a hacker in the DC Comics universe, Barbara was featured in the 12-issue mini-series The Hacker Files.^[50] She joins the Justice League of America, serving as the team's primary information and communications resource; she currently holds inactive status with the team. Since an alternate-reality Batgirl/Barbara Gordon was granted posthumous honorary membership in the League after sacrificing herself to save Damage and defeat Parallax, two different Barbara Gordons have been members of the Justice League: one as Oracle, the other as Batgirl.^[51]

Batgirl: Year One

Main article:

In 2003, DC Comics revised Barbara Gordon’s origin with the mini-series . Much like her original origin, Gordon is a highly gifted child, but initially desires to join law enforcement rather than becoming a vigilante. When she tries to tell her father, Commissioner James Gordon, he scoffs at the idea and states he will not let her become a cop. In addition to the heated argument with her father, Gordon is belittled by her martial arts instructor about her height and apparent timidity, increasing her frustration about being a victim of sexism.^[52]

Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she infiltrates the headquarters of the Justice Society of America, leaving a personalized letter to the Black Canary hoping to become her apprentice. When Gordon appears at the designated meeting spot she left in the letter, to her dismay, she finds Wildcat instead. Wildcat tells her Black Canary is on a mission and cannot be bothered. He also discourages Gordon from pursuing a career in crime-fighting.

After facing rejection from the Justice Society of America and harboring anger at her father, Gordon attends the Gotham City Police Department's annual Ball wearing a home-made version of Batman's costume. Intending to reveal her identity to Commissioner Gordon and the Ball, she finds Killer Moth attempting to rob the revelers at event. "Batgirl" now finds herself taking on the crazed criminal in order to protect the citizens of the Policeman’s Ball.

Although Batman and Robin proclaim they wanted nothing to do with her, they eventually accepted her as a capable crime-fighter, after they take an active role in training her as Batgirl. Towards the end of the story arc, Dick Grayson arrives to give her a new costume, and he subtly reveals to her that he and Bruce Wayne are, in fact, Batman and Robin.^[53]

Birds of Prey

Main article: Birds of Prey (comic book)

Following her paralysis and recovery from depression, Oracle founds the Birds of Prey, a team of female heroes, whom she employs as agents and extended members of the Batman team. In Birds of Prey # 42 it is revealed why Power Girl maintains a sense of animosity towards Oracle. The first mission to which she assigned Power Girl (as her first agent) goes awry and several deaths result from it. At that time, Power Girl's abilities would fluctuate at random, leaving her uneasy about taking on high-risk assignments. Power Girl accuses Oracle of having poor leadership skills and severs her connection to her. Regardless of their animosity, she has continued to help Oracle on occasion.

After her unsuccessful partnership with Power Girl, Oracle later joins forces with the superheroine Black Canary.^[54] The two find each other to be kindred spirits, both having lost their original abilities yet managing to overcome their respective handicaps. During the crossover series Hunt for Oracle,^[55] Barbara Gordon and Dinah Lance meet in person and establish a long-term friendship. Closer than ever, they form the nucleus of the Birds of Prey organization. While Oracle serves as the basic head of operations, Black Canary becomes her full-time employee and field agent.

During the "No Man's Land" storyline, Oracle employs various teenagers to be her eyes and ears on the street. One of these young agents is Cassandra Cain; she later saves Jim Gordon's life. Oracle realizes that Cassandra is actually one of the world's top martial artists; it is revealed that her father, David Cain, had trained her to be a weapon from infancy. Oracle agrees to Cassandra taking up the Batgirl mantle, and becomes Cassandra's mentor.

During the "Sensei and Student" arc, Helena Bertinelli, The Huntress, is employed by Oracle as a full-time agent, having performed well on two previous missions.^[56]

Batman: War Games

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During the storyline, Black Mask commandeers Oracle's computers and satellites and engages in a fight to the death with Batman. In order to prevent Batman from killing his adversary, Oracle initiates the Clock Tower's self-destruct sequence, provoking Batman to rescue her rather than continue the battle. This results in the destruction of Gordon's home and headquarters in the clock tower. Subsequently, Oracle decides to move on, and leaves Gotham City altogether. She cuts her ties with Batman, and after a temporary world trip with her team, relocates to Metropolis.

Towards the conclusion of the earlier storyline Between Dark and Dawn, Oracle is attacked by an energy beam directed at her brain which causes her to have a seizure.^[57] Terrified she will die without immediate medical attention, Black Canary calls in a favor from Superman, who transports both of them to the hospital. Superman informs Ms. Gordon that after consulting the doctors and performing scans of his own, believes there is no permanent damage. It is also implied Superman knows that Barbara Gordon is Oracle.^[58]

It is revealed that arch-villain Brainiac, an artificial intelligence entity, has possessed Oracle in order to become a biological being. Because of her innate intelligence, Brainiac believes her worthy of serving as his biological mother. Oracle overpowers Brainiac and expels him from her body.

After Oracle and her team have established themselves in Metropolis, she realizes the advanced virus delivered by Brainiac remains in her body despite his absence. The virus steadily causes cybernetic attachments to sprout all over her body. Oracle develops cyberpathic powers that allow her to psychically interact with computer information systems. Although she loses these abilities after the virus is rendered dormant following an operation by Doctor Mid-Nite, she discovers she can move her toes.^[59] However, this proves to be short-lived; Gordon remains paralyzed.

During this time, Gordon reveals her identity as Oracle to her father Commissioner Gordon. She goes further and admits that she was also Batgirl. He admits that he had already deduced that she was the original Batgirl, but is shocked to learn she is "the great and powerful Oz."^[60]

Batman interrupts their conversation, demanding an explanation for why members of Oracle's team (specifically Huntress) are still operating in Gotham City. Batman attempts to intimidate Oracle into abandoning Huntress' plan to stop mafia gang war in Gotham; she stands her ground, stating she has made the mistake of not trusting Huntress one too many times. She demands Batman leave her home and adds he is not to interfere with her operations. Batman later discovers Huntress' plan succeeded, and, for the first time, compliments her on a job well-done.

Although Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson (the superhero now code-named Nightwing) re-ignite their romance, Gordon ends the relationship when she feels Grayson is being over-protective of her. In truth, the villain Blockbuster is attacking all areas of Nightwing's life. Oracle and Nightwing still love each other and remain in each other's lives; after the destruction of Blüdhaven by The Society, Grayson proposes and Gordon accepts.

Infinite Crisis

Main article: Infinite Crisis

During the events of Infinite Crisis, Oracle teams with the Martian Manhunter in Metropolis to coordinate a counterstrike to the Secret Society's global jailbreak. The renewed romance between Gordon and Grayson is also cut short by the Infinite Crisis storyline. Alexander Luthor's master plan to recreate the multiverse relies upon diverting the attention of the world's heroes. Nightwing is severely injured in the battle for Metropolis, and Oracle stays by his side as he recovers. When Batman asks Nightwing to join him on his quest to recreate Batman, Grayson is torn because of his engagement to Gordon. She returns the engagement ring because she feels that Dick needs a soul-searching quest as much as his mentor, and understands that she and Grayson aren't ready for marriage. Nightwing goes with Batman, but leaves Gordon a note, the ring, and a photograph of them as Robin and Batgirl, promising to come back to her.^[61]

One Year Later

Main article: One Year Later

A year after the events of Infinite Crisis, Oracle and her team continue to work in Metropolis. Oracle works with Batman, although not on a regular basis as before — she prefers to work primarily with her own agents. Oracle is not immediately aware of Cassandra Cain's retirement as Batgirl, nor her subsequent take-over of the League of Assassins. Cain becomes a sore point with Oracle; she slaps Misfit, a metahuman girl who temporarily took the mantle of Batgirl, for merely mentioning Cassandra's name.

Oracle continues to lead the Birds of Prey, and expanded the ranks of the operation. In Birds of Prey #99, Black Canary leaves the team, having decided to devote herself to raising her adopted daughter, Sin. Huntress remains as the team's de facto field leader, and Big Barda has been brought in as the group's heavy-hitter alongside a larger, rotating roster.^[62] Oracle also makes an attempt to reforge her alliance with Power Girl, however, when Oracle invites her to rejoin the team, she replies that she'll do so "when Hell freezes over."^[63]

In "Whitewater," Gail Simone's final story arc on Birds of Prey,^[64] Oracle and her team struggle for power with Spy Smasher, a government agent who has taken over the Birds of Prey organization. After the completion of a mission in Russia in which the team rescues the resurrected Ice, Barbara challenges Spy Smasher to a hand-to-hand fight: the winner takes the Birds of Prey. Although Barbara wins the fight, Spy Smasher reneges on the deal. Every agent Oracle has ever employed, male and female, appears to provide support. Black Canary leads the group and, deploying reason and threats, convinces Spy Smasher that the Birds of Prey cannot exist without Oracle in charge. Spy Smasher is forced to admit her defeat. At the end of the issue, Oracle finds Misfit, discovers she's an orphan, and adopts her into the Birds of Prey.

Countdown to Final Crisis

Main article: Countdown (DC Comics)

In Countdown,^[65] Oracle dispatches the Question and Batwoman to capture Trickster and Piper following their role in the murder of the Flash. She struggles to keep the identities of the world's heroes from being stolen and coordinates the response to a global crisis engineered by the Calculator, a villainous hacker and information broker. At the same time, the Legion of Super-Heroes members Karate Kid and Triplicate Girl storm her headquarters, demanding her assistance. Unfortunately, Oracle was busy trying to keep Calculator from hacking her system, and so she attempted to send them away. After defeating the lesser computer hacker, Oracle runs a series of test on Karate Kid and discovers that he is dying of some unknown illness, and she then sends him out to locate someone who might be able to help him.

Later, after discovering that Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow has proposed to Black Canary, Oracle tries to talk her out of the marriage, reminding her of all the times that Oliver Queen cheated and hurt her. In the end, however, Lance states that her love for Queen is too deep to just give up. Black Canary then asks Oracle to be her maid of honor at the wedding, which Oracle agrees to do.

Powers and abilities

In her early adventures as Batgirl, Barbara Gordon took numerous self-defense classes in addition to have a long term background in gymnastics and is described as being a "star athlete." Although she never became a master of any style of martial arts, she still proved herself to be a formidable fighter.^[66]

Prior to her career as a vigilante, Barbara Gordon developed many technological skills, including vast knowledge of computers and electronics, expert skills as a hacker, and graduate training in library sciences. Gordon also naturally possess a genius-level intellect and photographic memory.^[67]

Oracle places her considerable skills and knowledge at the disposal of many of the DC universe's heroes. She is a formidable opponent, capable of hacking and retrieving information from private satellites, military installations, government files, even the properties of Lex Luthor.^[68] Batman, himself a genius with a wide knowledge base and access to vast information resources, routinely consults Oracle for assistance.

Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, Oracle trains in the martial arts, and has extensive skills with eskrima fighting sticks and batarangs; she customarily keeps a pair of eskrima sticks stored in the armrests of her wheelchair as a contingency.

Alternate versions

Elseworlds

Main article: Elseworlds

Elseworlds is an imprint of DC Comics which takes place outside of mainstream continuity. It's purpose is to take the company's iconic characters and place them in alternate timelines, places and events making heroes "as familiar as yesterday seem as fresh as tomorrow." Barbara Gordon, as both Batgirl and Oracle, has made several appearances in Elseworlds comics since 1997.^[69]

Thrillkiller: Batgirl & Robin

In Thrillkiller: Batgirl & Robin, Barbara Gordon is a rebellious young woman in the early 1960s. Alienated from her father, Commissioner Gordon, due to the unsolved murder of her mother. She becomes a thrill-seeking vigilante with her boyfriend, a circus acrobat named Richard Greystark, who used the alias Dick Grayson. Barbara is a wealthy heiress, receiving a large inheritance from the death of her mother. Dick is later killed by one of their opponents, which horribly affects Gordon. Bruce Wayne plays supporting character in this series. Unlike his canon counter-part, the Thrillkiller Wayne's parents were murdered by their household servants. Bruce was left without an inheritance due to the massive debt his parents owed. With her vast fortune, Gordon was able to purchase Wayne Manor and thus began her career as Batgirl.^[70]

A sequel, Batgirl + Batman: Thrillkiller '62, teams Batgirl with Bruce Wayne as Batman. During this story, Barbara Gordon takes up the Robin mantle in honor of Dick.^[71]

Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl

Main article:

In the one-shot comic Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl, Barbara Gordon is a wealthy novelist and a take-no-prisoners Batgirl in a world where Batman and Superman didn not exist. She is darker than in mainstream continuity due to shooting death of Jim Gordon, who was killed when he saved Thomas, Martha and Bruce Wayne from a street thug. Other heroes both fear and respect Batgirl. She and Supergirl become crimefighting partners and friends. In this story, Bruce Wayne's playboy behavior is not an act, as his parents are alive and have taken Babs in. Bruce is not only her foster brother, but also serves as her "Alfred".^[72]

Superman & Batman: Generations

Main article:

Barbara Gordon is James Gordon's granddaughter in Superman & Batman: Generations. Towards the end of the series she serves as President.^[73]

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham

The Lovecraftian Elseworld Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham features a version of Oracle. Completely paralyzed following an undisclosed accident, Barbara Gordon's artificial voicebox also gives her the power to speak to the dead.^[74]

JLA: Created Equal

Main article:

In JLA: Created Equal, Barbara Gordon becomes the Green Lantern after she is given Kyle Rayner's power ring. The ring was found by an amoral comedienne named Maria Contranetti, who used the ring for her own purposes until it was taken away by the Justice League.^[75]

Amalgam Comics

Main article: Amalgam Comics

In the Amalgam Comics title Bruce Wayne, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. as part of a series of comics produced by both DC and Marvel Comics, Barbara Gordon and Marvel superheroine Black Cat are merged together as Black Bat.^[76]

All Star DC Comics

Main article: All Star DC Comics

In 2005, DC Comics launched it's All Star imprint- an ongoing series of comics designed to pair the company's most iconic characters with the most acclaimed writers and artists in the industry. All Star is not restricted to continuity and establishes a fresh perspective for the latest generation of readership. According to Dan DiDio, "These books are created to literally reach the widest audience possible, and not just the comic book audience, but anyone who has ever wanted to read or see anything about Superman or Batman."^[77]

All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder

Main article: All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder

In All Star Batman and Robin #6, a fifteen year old version of Barbara Gordon dons a homemade costume and becomes Batgirl. Reducing the character to her iconic roots, Frank Miller establishes Gordon as a thrill seeker. Her father, Commissioner James Gordon has growing concern over Batman's influence in Gotham. While he praises Batman for effectively undermining the corrupt operations of the city's police department, he shows discontent over the Dark Knight's urban legend inspiring the youth of the city to emulate him.^[78]

All Star Batgirl

In an interview with Wizard magazine, Geoff Johns announced that he will team with J.G. Jones in an All Star Batgirl series. Johns stated: "We’re doing the first six issues, the first of which will hit in late 2007 well after J.G. and I are done with 52, so it’s monthly. It’s a mystery revolving around Barbara Gordon and Arkham Asylum, why she’s become Batgirl and more importantly why she remains Batgirl. It’s essentially our Batman: The Long Halloween or Superman For All Seasons for Batgirl."^[79] This series will not follow the continuity of Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin, giving Barbara Gordon two independent featured roles in DC's All Star imprint.

Alternate storylines

• Numbers of the Beast: In Batman #666 (by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert), Barbara Gordon is the Police Commissioner in a dystopian future Gotham. She wears her hair short, making her appearance closer to Ellen Yindel, the commissioner in The Dark Knight Returns. Gordon dogs Damian Wayne, who has taken up the Batman mantle after the death of his father. When asked why she pursues Batman so ruthlessly, she replies, "That monster was responsible for the death of... of a good friend. He can't be trusted."^[80]

Adaptations into other Media

Television

Batman

Main article: Batman (TV series)

Barbara Gordon and Batgirl were portrayed by Yvonne Craig in the third season of the Batman television series (1967-1968). Her Batgirl costume incorporated a long red wig to hide her avocado-style black hair.

In a promotional short,^[81] librarian Barbara Gordon encounters billionaire Bruce Wayne and his "youthful ward" Dick Grayson at the city library. As Gordon and Wayne become acquainted, Killer Moth and his henchmen (in full costume) discuss a plan of attack. One henchman suggests taking Bruce Wayne hostage, but Killer Moth is reluctant, due to Wayne's alleged friendship with Batman. Moth directs the group to kidnap Wayne's business acquaintance instead, who also happens to be a billionaire. When Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson realize the presence of their adversaries, they quickly leave the library to change into Batman and Robin.

Meanwhile, Gordon is locked in the library's office by Killer Moth's henchmen, however, it is revealed there is a secret chamber within the office where she changes in Batgirl. When Batman and Robin arrive to apprehend Moth and his gang, all parties are shocked at the arrival of a Batgirl. Batman, Robin and Batgirl defeat the villains with relative ease and Batgirl vanishes without revealing her secret identity.

The promotional short was able to renew the series for a third season and add Batgirl to its regular cast. Batgirl's official debut was in the episode "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin."^[82] When The Penguin kidnaps Commissioner Gordon's daughter Barbara, the dynamic duo make it their mission to rescue her. Pretending to be locked behind a secured door, Barbara makes her transformation into Batgirl and assists Batman and Robin in defeating the Penguin. During the episode, Alfred Pennyworth discovers her secret identity but vows never to reveal it.

During the third season, Batgirl aided Batman and Robin in solving several mysteries and even saved them from near death on several occasions. Unfortunately, Batgirl's addition to the cast was not enough to save the series from cancellation. Although the promotional short has been mistakenly thought of as a pilot for Batgirl's own spin-off, it is highly unlikely ABC would have agreed to give her her own series since Batman had been in danger of cancellation since the end of its first season. According to the book DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes, Batgirl's addition to the cast "was a sign of desperation. Rating's were down and there was hope that a new character might give the show a shot in the arm."^[83]

Yvonne Craig once again appeared as Batgirl in a 1972 television commercial supporting women's rights (specifically, equal pay).^[84]

Birds of Prey

Main article: Birds of Prey (TV series)

In 2002, Barbara Gordon was adapted as one of the main characters in the WB television series, Birds of Prey, in which she was played by Dina Meyer.^[85] The series was loosely based on the comic book of the same name.

In the 70 minute pilot episode, Alfred Pennyworth narrates the events which have lead to the formation of the Birds of Prey. Years ago, when Batman defended the streets of Gotham City, he fathered a daughter to Catwoman which he never knew about. After the birth of her daughter Helena, Selena Kyle gave up her life as Catwoman and raised her child as a single mother. Bruce Wayne, oblivious to the fact that he has a child, continues to fight crime in Gotham as Batman. Alfred tells that he "had trained many protégés over the years and one of them was Barbara Gordon, who called herself Batgirl."

As Batman and Batgirl continued to fight the Joker for control of the city, the battle came to an end with Joker's loss. However, the Joker swore revenge not on Batman himself, but on those he loved. While a hit-man was sent to murder Catwoman, The Joker, in a scene adapted directly from The Killing Joke, guns down Barbara at her apartment. With Gordon paralyzed and Kyle dead, Batman abandons Gotham never to be seen again.

Seven years later in present day, Barbara Gordon has now become Oracle and has adopted and trained Helena Kyle; the vigilante known as The Huntress. They soon adopt Dinah Redmond and the three vow the protect the city of New Gotham. During the series, Oracle is briefly reunited with Black Canary, described as her original partner in Birds of Prey (and the mother of Dinah Redmond), and in one episode dons the Batgirl costume once more in order to face off with Lady Shiva (while using an electronic device that allows her to temporarily walk again). The series would last a total of thirteen episodes.

Animation

Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder

Main article: Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder

The Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl made her first animated appearance in the 1968 series Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder. Jane Webb provided her voice. Barbara Gordon, this time working in the District Attorney's office, made several appearances in both her civilian persona and as her alter ego in the 1977 Saturday morning animated series The New Adventures of Batman. Despite the fact that Adam West and Burt Ward reprised their roles to provide the voices for Batman and Robin, Batgirl was voiced by Melendy Britt.^[86]

Batman: The Animated Series

Main article:

Barbara Gordon has also appeared as Batgirl, in Bruce Timm's DC Animated Universe. In Batman: The Animated Series, she was voiced by Melissa Gilbert.^[87] Mary Kay Bergman provided her voice in the animated movie . An older Barbara Gordon, now Police commissioner, appeared in Batman Beyond, voiced first by Stockard Channing and later by Angie Harmon. Harmon reprised her role in the film , and Tara Strong provided the voice of the younger Barbara Gordon during flashback sequences. She was introduced as Barbara Gordon in the first season of Batman: The Animated Series two-part episode "Heart of Steel."^[88] In the second season premiere, "Shadow of the Bat" (another two-part episode), Commissioner Gordon is framed for corruption. Barbara contacts Batman and asks him to appear at a rally to support Gordon, but Batman declines, citing more important things to do. Barbara Gordon decides to impersonate Batman, intending only to be seen in the shadows. However, when there is a drive-by shooting, she leaps into action to assist. Robin appears as well, and attempts to grab her, but only succeeds in ripping the back of her mask, causing her hair to spill out. Media articles the next day beg the question "Who is Batgirl?" Gordon decides she can accomplish her goal with greater ease as Batgirl than as a civilian. She discovers who is behind the frame-up and goes to rescue her father, only to complicate the rescue already underway by Batman and Robin. In the end, Batgirl is the one who captures the criminal. Although Batman had been critical of her at first, he changes his mind after witnessing her capabilities.

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

Main article:

In Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, Barbara Gordon is kidnapped by an associate of Mr. Freeze because she is an exact match for a transplant needed to save Freeze's wife. The bulk of the film showcases Barbara Gordon (not in her Batgirl costume) using her skills to evade Mr. Freeze while trying to escape his hideout. Eventually, Batman and Robin locate her, and the three of them manage to destroy Mr. Freeze's hideout and escape.^[89]

The New Batman Adventures

Main article: The New Batman Adventures

During the The New Batman Adventures (and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman) Barbara was voiced by Tara Strong.^[90] After making only a few appearances in Batman: The Animated Series, Batman allows her into the Batcave, and she becomes a main character during The New Batman Adventures. She develops a romantic relationship with Dick Grayson/Robin, but it does not last. Along with all other characters in the series, Barbara's civilian and superhero identity were redesigned. Her Batgirl costume was changed to a black body suit with yellow gloves and boots to match her original comic book design.

Gotham Girls

Main article: Gotham Girls

Babara Gordon is also a featured character in the Flash animated web series Gotham Girls (2002). A joint production of Warner Brothers and Noodle Soup Productions, the series stars Batgirl protecting Gotham City from the criminal activities of Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Although not restricted to the animated continuity, the main characters were adapted from The New Batman Adventures.

Justice League

Main article: Justice League (TV series)

The character in this continuity also made several brief cameo appearances in the Justice League series. Once in "The Savage Time" (Part I), in the alternate timeline where she can be seen kissing an alternate Dick Grayson (this was confirmed by the producers of the show). She was also mentioned briefly in "Comfort and Joy,"^[91] when Clark Kent asks his mother where Supergirl was. Mrs. Kent responded, "She's skiing with Barbara." Batgirl and Supergirl had been established as close friends in the New Batman Adventures episode "Girl's Night Out."

Justice League Unlimited

Main article: Justice League Unlimited

Originally, Barbara Gordon was going to appear in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Double Date" scripted by Birds of Prey author Gail Simone. The episode would been Oracle's animated debut, but because of the restrictions on Batman-related characters, Gordon was replaced with Green Arrow and The Question.^[92]

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

Main article:

In the movie Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Gordon appears briefly when she calls Bruce to find out who the Batwoman is. She expresses jealousy, and Bruce dodges the issue by faking cellular phone problems. This is the only scene in which Gordon appears.^[93]

Batman Beyond

Main article: Batman Beyond

In "Rebirth", the pilot for Batman Beyond, an aging, retired Bruce Wayne tells Terry McGinnis to take evidence to "Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon." McGinnis is prevented from doing so, which leads to him becoming the new Batman. In later episodes, McGinnis meets her, and she resents Wayne dragging another kid into his world, but she develops respect for the new Batman when he assists her in defending her husband, Gotham District Attorney Sam Young, from the assassin Curare. She also proves that she is still skilled with a batarang. During the series Gordon also reveals to Terry that she and Bruce developed a romatic relationship at one point, stating that "on the streets it was like ballet."

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

Main article:

In Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the Joker kidnaps Robin (Tim Drake) and brainwashes him to be "Joker Junior." Joker tells Drake to kill Batman, and he instead kills the Joker. Batman and Batgirl bury the Joker under Arkham Asylum and cover the events with the aid of Commissioner Gordon. It is strongly suggested that these events are what ended Gordon's career as Batgirl. When the Joker seemingly returns from the dead, Terry goes to her when Bruce refuses to talk about how he knows that this cannot be the Joker. She not only tells him how the real Joker died, but also explains her history with the original Batman and helps reconcile the friendship between the two.

The Batman

Main article: The Batman (TV series)

In 2005, the Barbara Gordon Batgirl began appearing on the The Batman animated series, voiced by Danielle Judovits.^[94] On the show, Barbara is a normal teenager who is best friends with Pamela Isley. After an incident at Chlorogene with Temblor and Batman, Pamela transforms into the villainous Poison Ivy. Inspired by the Dark Knight, Barbara makes a costume and primitive version of his weapons to become Batgirl. Although she appears before Robin in this series, Robin still becomes Batman's "official partner," which Batgirl resents at first. Batman finally lets her into the fold and revealed his secret identity to her. An older version of Barbara, in the guise of Oracle, voiced by Kellie Martin, also appears in the Season Four episode "Artifacts". Her appearance, set in 2027, shows her using a wheelchair and operating as control center for Batman. She mockingly claims to have trouble remembering that Dick Grayson changed his codename from "Robin" to "Nightwing".

Film

Batman & Robin

Main article: Batman & Robin (film)

The Barbara Gordon Batgirl was the inspiration for the Barbara Wilson version that was portrayed by actress Alicia Silverstone in the 1997 movie Batman & Robin. In the movie, Barbara is the niece of Alfred Pennyworth.^[95]

Batman Begins

Main article: Batman Begins

In Batman Begins, a child is seen briefly at Detective James Gordon's apartment. Through the window, the detective's wife was nursing their two-year old child. According to Dennis O'Neil's novelization, the infant was a young Barbara Gordon. The detective's wife's was also named Barbara, and is played by Ilyssa Fradin. ^{[96] [97]} Her maiden name was Kean, much like the comics' version. ^[98] However, the child seen in Gordon's apartment is meant to be his infant son, James Jr. Naming the child Barbara may have been an error on the author's part, considering the child will return in The Dark Knight, played by Nathan Gamble.

Video games

Barbara Gordon has also been adapted into several video games as both payable and non-playable characters. She appears as Oracle in the video games ^[99] and as Batgirl in the video game, ,^[100] and Batman Vengeance.^[101] Although, in Batman Vengeance Batgirl is not playable; her role is comparable to Oracle's. These games are available on Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.

Bibliography

• Showcase Presents: Batgirl, Vol. 1 ISBN 1401213677; collects Batman and Detective comics (1967-1998) (Release date 2007) Softcover
• Batman: Batgirl (1997) ISBN 978-1563893056
• (1988) ISBN 0930289455
• Batman: Thrillkiller ISBN 1563894246; collects Thrillkiller: Batgirl & Robin and the '62 special (1998)
• (1998)
• Birds of Prey (1999) ISBN 156389484X
• Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies (2003) ISBN 1563899396
• (2003) ISBN 140120080X
• Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds (2004) ISBN 140120192X
• Birds of Prey: Sensei & Student (2005) ISBN 1401204341
• Birds of Prey: Between Dark & Dawn (2006) ISBN 1401209408
• Birds of Prey: The Battle Within (2006) ISBN 978-1401210960
• Birds of Prey: Perfect Pitch (2007) ISBN 1401211917
• Birds of Prey: Blood and Circuits (2007) ISBN 9781401213718

Sources

• Daniels, Les. DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes. Bulfinch, 1995. ISBN 0-821-22076-4

References

External links

• DC Comics
• Canarynoir: Home of Birdwatching - Birds of Prey
• Cosmic Team Profile
• Gotham Girls
• Titans Tower Profile
• TVObscurities.com - Batgirl Promotional Short
• Barbara Gordon in The Batman

•  • [ e] Batman