Does Barbara Gordon Ever Walk Again

Barbara "Barb/Babs" Gordon is a superheroine and member of the Batman Family. Created by William Dozier, Julius Schartz, Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino, she is the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon and an ally of Batman and Dick Grayson. From 1967 to 1988, she operated as the superheroine Batgirl, serving as the second character to use the identity. Barbara continued to operate, though was forced into retirement due to her crippling during Batman: The Killing Joke.

From 1989 to 2011, Barbara operated as the information broker Oracle, using her skills in Information Technology to assistance both the Batman Family and other superheroes. Nether the identity, she was a fellow member and leader of the superhero squad Birds of Prey. Barbara returned to the Batgirl identity during 2011's The New 52, headlining both the fourth and fifth volumes of the Batgirl comic series, and various Birds of Prey titles. Following 2020s, she was reintegrated into the Oracle role, serving as a supporting graphic symbol to Batman and a main graphic symbol in the Batgirls comic series.

As Batgirl, Barbara Gordon has been described equally one of the near popular characters to appear during the Silver Historic period of Comic Books. She also became a pop culture icon due to her appearances in the 1960s Batman television serial and continued media exposure. During the early 1970s, the character was besides used as an advocate for women'southward rights. However, her treatment in The Killing Joke has often come up under criticism, often existence cited as an infamous example "fringing" characters. However, her development as Oracle by John Ostrander and Kim Yale in the aftermath has ofttimes been praised. Barbara Gordon is the almost-often adapted version of Batgirl in media relating to the Batman franchise, including films, television, animation and video games. Due to this, she is ofttimes the graphic symbol near well-known and pop associated with the Batgirl identity.

Contents

• ane History
  • 1.1 Batgirl (1966–1988)
  • 1.2 Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
  • 1.three Oracle (1988–2011)
  • 1.iv Disquisitional and Editorial Commentary
  • 1.5 Silver Age
  • 1.half dozen Statuary Historic period
  • 1.7 Modernistic Age: Exit Batgirl, Enter Oracle
  • 1.8 Birds of Prey
  • 1.9 Final Crunch and Beyond
  • 1.10 Blackest Night
  • 1.11 New 52
  • ane.12 DC Rebirth
  • ane.13 Infinite Borderland
• ii Powers and abilities
  • 2.1 Martial Arts
  • 2.2 Technological skill
  • ii.3 Information banker
• 3 Relationships
  • 3.ane Family unit
  • 3.2 Romance
• 4 Gallery
• five In Other Media
  • 5.one Live-Activity
    • v.1.1 Film
    • 5.ane.ii Goggle box
  • 5.2 Animation
    • five.two.one DC Blithe Universe
    • 5.2.2 Young Justice
  • v.3 Video Games
    • 5.3.1 LEGO Series
    • v.3.two Batman: Arkham series
    • 5.iii.3 Gotham Knights
• 6 Notes
• 7 Trivia

History

Batgirl (1966–1988)

Batgirl.

Editor Julius Schwartz claimed that when planning the new Batgirl's comic book debut, he had considered the character to be a vehicle that might concenter a female viewership to the Batman television series of the sixties. When producers William Dozier and Howie Horowitz saw crude concept artwork by artist Crimson Infantino during a visit to DC offices, they optioned the character in a bid to help sell a tertiary flavour to the ABC goggle box network. Actress Yvonne Craig portrayed the character in the show's third season. When interviewed on his involvement with creating Batgirl, Infantino states-

Batgirl came up in the mid-'60s. The "Batman" TV producer called Julie and said Catwoman was a hit, could we come upward with more female characters? Julie called me and asked me to practise that. I came up with Batgirl, Toxicant Ivy and one I called the Grey Pull a fast one on, which Julie didn't like as much. Bob Kane had a Bat-Girl for about three stories in the '50s, but she had nothing to do with a bat. She was like a pesky daughter version of Robin. I knew we could do a lot better, so Julie and I came up with the real Batgirl, who was so popular she most got her own TV show.

Barbara Gordon and alter ego Batgirl debuted in Detective Comics #359 (encompass-dated 1967, although the comic was actually released in belatedly 1966) equally the daughter of Gotham City's Police force Commissioner James Gordon. Barbara Gordon'south Batgirl had been preceded by an earlier Bat-Girl character, which was depicted as niece and sidekick to Batwoman. Gordon exceeded these earlier figures in popularity, and readers requested for her to appear in other titles. In an open letter of the alphabet to readership in Detective Comics #417 (1971), DC responded to the fan-based acclamation and criticism of the new graphic symbol.

I'd like to say a few words about the reaction some readers take to Batgirl. These are readers who retrieve Batwoman and the other Bat-girls from year's back... They were there considering romance seemed to exist needed in Batman's life. Just thanks to the big change and a foresighted editor, these hapless females are gone for good. In their identify stands a daughter who is a capable crime-fighter, a far cry from Batwoman who constantly had to exist rescued from Batman.

Barbara as Batgirl defeats her start villain, Killer Moth.

Following the comic book debut of Barbara Gordon, Yvonne Craig also promoted the comic book incarnation of her character. The extra was featured in photo shoots reading her "favorite comic of all time," "The Meg Dollar Debut of Batgirl." While extra Yvonne Craig as Batgirl appeared every week in the new season of Batman, DC Comics featured Batgirl on several covers of Detective Comics, ofttimes overshadowing Batman and Robin in order to promote the new heroine. On the comprehend of Detective Comics #369, Batgirl argues with Batman over whose sidekick Robin should be.

Batgirl became a lighthearted difference from the tortured characters of Batman and Robin, each depicted as fighting crime to avenge the death of their parents. Gordon's motivation for crime fighting was written as being completely altruistic and, unlike Batwoman and Bat-Girl, independent of a male person superhero. In her noncombatant identity, Dr. Barbara Gordon Ph.D. is non merely depicted equally an independent woman with a doctorate in library science, she is head of Gotham City public library; "presumably one of the largest public libraries in the DC Comics version of reality." The character'south civilian career every bit a library professional, coupled with her alter-ego every bit a crime-fighter is considered to exist symbolic of the women's empowerment movement of the 1960s.

Barbara as Batgirl

Batgirl continued to announced in DC Comics publications throughout the late sixties and seventies every bit a supporting character in Detective Comics, in addition to guest appearances in various titles such as Justice League of America, World'due south Finest Comics, The Brave and the Bold, Action Comics and Superman. The graphic symbol was also given a starring function in DC's Batman Family comic volume which debuted in 1975. The original Robin Dick Grayson became her partner in the series and the two were frequently referred to equally the "Dynamic Duo: Batgirl & Robin." Although this series ended later on three years of publication, Batgirl continued to appear in dorsum upwards stories published in Detective Comics until DC officially retired the heroine in the ane-shot comic Batgirl Special #1 (1988). Although permanently retired, Barbara Gordon's incarnation as Batgirl remains ane of the most popular and high profile characters of the Silverish Age of Comic Books.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

Barbara is crippled during The Killing Joke

As the years went on, nonetheless, Barbara found her function as Batgirl less and less fulfilling, and she somewhen more or less retired. That's when The Joker showed up at her house, shooting and paralyzing her and when he kidnapped her Uncle Jim. Batman rescued Jim Gordon, only 19-year-old Barbara Gordon's career as a crime fighter was over. She spent a calendar month in a deep depression.

During the early on eighties, Batman editors sporadically put Batgirl into retirement; the character resumed her role for special cases. In 1988, Alan Moore discussed writing The Killing Joke with editor Len Wein, and the 2 agreed that Barbara Gordon, currently in retirement, was disposable plenty for the graphic symbol'due south career to come to a permanent end. Although events in The Killing Joke exert a great bear upon on the character, the story has little to do with Gordon. She is deployed as a plot device to cement the Joker's vendetta confronting Commissioner Gordon and Batman. Critical reception of The Killing Joke has been mixed — while some commentators have been appalled past the handling of Barbara Gordon, others accept regarded The Killing Joke as one of the greatest Batman stories of all time.

Despite Moore'south writing, Valerie D'Orazio, a erstwhile editor at Acclaim Comics and DC Comics has denounced the book, citing "It doesn't take the perspective of a adult female into account. Information technology doesn't take into account that some women might exist so very disgusted with the volume [and] what happens to Barbara Gordon in it." In response, Laura Hudson, Senior editor of Comic Foundry Mag comments, "You're supposed to be disgusted with what happens to Barbara Gordon...because it's disgusting...Every bit a woman and as an developed, I can bargain with fictional characters performing reprehensible acts towards women... When they're used not gratuitously but for a purpose, as I believe they were in The Killing Joke, that's exactly what they're supposed to practice."

The Joker's aggravated assault of Barbara Gordon has go a classic example of Women in Refrigerators syndrome, in which "severe injury or expiry of a female comic book grapheme [occurs] equally a ways to antagonize a male superhero." Following the release of the graphic novel, comic book editor and writer Kim Yale discussed how distasteful she found the treatment of Barbara Gordon with her husband, young man comic writer John Ostrander. Rather than allow the character to fall into obscurity, the 2 decided to revive her every bit a character living with a disability.

Oracle (1988–2011)

Recognizing she could no longer exist the kind of superhero she had been, she instead devoted all her time to developing one of the world's most circuitous and powerful computer systems and gear up to work accumulating information, renaming herself "Oracle."

Blessed with a photographic retentiveness, Barbara reads dozens of the world's top newspapers and magazines daily. She's also constantly gathering information from other, less public sources, such as the CIA'southward mainframe, not to mention the data networks of the FBI, NSA and Interpol (all without their knowledge or consent).

Oracle has proven an admittedly invaluable resource to the Batman and his allies, equally well as countless other superheroes, few of whom know anything about the person behind the name. Oracle has formed an alliance with fellow heroes Blackness Canary and The Huntress to assist those in need. Together, they are the Birds of Prey, combining their unique abilities and skills in the war against criminal offence and terror.

Both Yale and Ostrander would oversee the development of Barbara Gordon's new persona every bit Oracle for the side by side several years. The graphic symbol made her first comic book appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23, anonymously offering her services to the government's Task Force X. In the post-obit 2 years, Oracle, under pen of Ostrander and Yale, fabricated guest appearances in various DC titles until her identity was revealed to be Barbara Gordon in Suicide Squad #38 (1990) and she officially becomes a member of the Team in outcome #48 following an invitation from fictional government agent Amanda Waller. In 1992, Dennis O'Neil gave Barbara Gordon's Oracle a starring function in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1, where she became Batman'south sole source of information. This newly forged partnership established Oracle'south status as Batman's intellectual equal.

Oracle.

The success of Chuck Dixon'southward Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey (1996) lead to the comic series Birds of Casualty 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, the Oracle character has get a loftier-profile figure in the DC Comics universe - moving across her ties to the Batman Family and forging alliances with groups such as the Justice League of America. Gail Simone took over as author of Birds of Prey with consequence #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 grapheme and fabricated her into a brilliant master computer operator and one of the most fascinating characters in comics. From in that location, Chuck Dixon did wonderful things with her in his Birds of Prey run...She'due south fantastic because even only sitting in a chair in a night room by herself, she'south tremendously compelling. The DCU without her would exist a much less interesting place.

Throughout the course of the grapheme'south history, Barbara Gordon's intelligence has been ane of the graphic symbol'south defining attributes. According to BusinessWeek, Oracle is listed equally ane of the top 10 most intelligent fictional superheroes appearing in American comics and is the simply female character to appear on the list.

Critical and Editorial Commentary

Despite the establishment of Gordon'due south persona as Oracle, some observers accept argued for the character'due south mobility to be restored. Reacting to Batman: The Killing Joke and Barbara Gordon's later grapheme development as Oracle in Batman: Gotham Knights, Ray Tate, a reviewer at Comics Bulletin, writes,

Let's get this out of the way first. There is absolutely no reason why Barbara Gordon should be in a wheelchair. Alan Moore and Brian Bolland meant The Killing Joke as an imaginary tale dealing with the iconography of Batman and the Joker...[Batman] himself is a certifiable genius in biochemistry. In that location are countless examples of Batman employing that which is only theoretical in his fight against crime. His knowledge of stalk cell technology should surpass that of the existent world. There is simply no reason for Barbara Gordon to be bars to that wheelchair.

Regarding Gordon'south representation as a grapheme living with a disability, and her effectiveness as a hero compared to her incarnation as Batgirl, Tate comments,

It's ridiculous to think somebody wakes up thinking how lucky they are to be confined to a wheelchair, and nevertheless the mental attitude around DC and among the fans is that Oracle is the better graphic symbol over Batgirl because of her handicap. Rubbish. Batgirl has fought more than offense and done more to assist Batman equally Batgirl than she has as Oracle. Batgirl has saved Batman's life on numerous occasions. Oracle has non. Barbara in this incarnation is not a bad character, but she is not ameliorate considering she no longer hunts the night in cape and cowl.

Alex Ross and Paul Dini take made attempts to return the character to her original conception. Ross explains in an interview:

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

Kate Kane, the modernistic Batwoman introduced during 52, wears a variant of Gordon'due south Batgirl costume designed by Ross. Some contend that the Barbara Gordon grapheme provides a greater service to DC Comics and its readers in her current status, regardless of the events which preceded Oracle's creation. DC Senior Vice President Dan DiDio comments, "Some stories... are so potent that undoing them would be a criminal offence. The DCU would exist a lesser place without Barry'southward cede, or the crippling of Barbara at the easily of the Joker." Although disquisitional reception of Barbara Gordon's evolution into Oracle take been mixed among critics and other observers, according to John Ostrander- "We have, over the years, on those occasions when I take worked with the character, gotten some letters from those who have disabilities of one stripe or another and all have been very supportive. I feel very proud for my function in creating Oracle." Ostrander has also spoken nigh the value of Oracle to both DC Comics and its fan base:

What makes the runaway success of the Oracle character more remarkable is that it began during an era where bleak heroes with large guns were ruling the day. Without much fanfare, Barbara Gordon has become the well-nigh popular handicapped character since Charles Xavier. In fact, Oracle's nature every bit a handicapped superhero and a function model is almost never mentioned by the company or fans...There WAS some idea of her being a part model, I think... We wanted her to cope with what had happened to her and condign, in many ways, more effective every bit Oracle than she ever was as Batgirl. And nosotros knew that others with disabilities might look at her and feel skilful reading about her...I don't think people 'dance effectually' her disabilities as they don't want to focus on them but on her character. These shouldn't exist stories well-nigh a disabled person; they are stories about a compelling fascinating character who HAPPENS to be in a wheelchair and I call up that'southward correct. Barbara isn't her handicap; there's more than to her than that.

Silverish Historic period

Barbara Gordon's classic Batgirl costume was designed past artist Scarlet Infantino. In her original adventures during the Silver Age of Comics, Batgirl is depicted as a librarian by day, and a spirited crime-fighter by night. In her debut story, while driving to a costume brawl dressed as a female version of Batman, Barbara 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. Subsequently a scattering 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 than modern, confident character. Devoid of her plain-Jane glasses and hair bun, Barbara dates a succession of boyfriends, including Vietnam-veteran-turned-individual-investigator Jason Bard. In addition to her appearances in both Detective Comics and Batman, Batgirl made a guest appearance in World'south Finest Comics #169 (1967) where she met Superman, Supergirl, Bat-Mite, and Mxyzptlk for the start fourth dimension. She also fights alongside the Justice League of America against the villainous Queen Bee. Supergirl and Batgirl encounter again in Adventure Comics #381 (1969) when both heroines separately investigate a female criminal gang.

Her redundancy stories announced sporadically in Detective Comics until the mid-1970s. Although she occasionally partners with Robin, she more ofttimes 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'due south, besides. 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. Business firm of Representatives. She moves to Washington, D.C., intending to give up her career every bit Batgirl and in June 1972, appeared in a story entitled "Batgirl's Last Case." Editor Julius Schwartz brought her dorsum a yr after in Superman #268 (1973), in which she has a blind date with Clark Kent, establishing their friendship, and fights aslope Superman. Batgirl and Superman squad up twice more, in Superman #279 and DC Comics Presents #nineteen. Batgirl also guest-starred in other Superman related titles such as #453 of Adventure Comics, and in Superman Family #171, where she teams with Supergirl.

Statuary Age

In 1975, DC created the Batman Family comic book, which ran for xx issues. Batgirl was one of the main features in the book, frequently teaming with Robin. Batgirl meets Batwoman in Batman Family #10, when the retired superheroine returns to crime-fighting. The ii fight Killer Moth and The Condescending, and learn about each other's secret identities. When Batman Family ended at issue #twenty, stories featuring these characters were merged with Detective Comics, beginning with consequence #481 in 1979, and Batgirl continued her adventures there. Even later the "Batman Family" feature left Detective Comics, Batgirl continued to appear in the dorsum-upwardly stories through issue #519 (October 1982).

Barbara Gordon every bit portrayed early in her Batgirl career.

Crisis on Infinite Earths, a limited mini-series published in 1985, was written in order to reduce the circuitous history of DC Comics to a single continuity. Although Batgirl is a featured graphic symbol, her role is relatively small- she delivers Supergirl'south eulogy at the conclusion of the story. The determination of Crisis on Space Earths changed DC Universe continuity in many ways. Following the reboot, Barbara Gordon is built-in to Roger and Thelma Gordon, and she is Jim Gordon's niece/adopted daughter in current canon.

Mail service-Crisis, Supergirl does not go far on Globe until Gordon has established herself equally Oracle; many adventures she shared with Batgirl are now retroactively described as having been experienced by Power Daughter. In Secret Origins #xx: Batgirl and the Golden Historic period Dr. Mid-Nite (1987), Barbara Gordon'southward origin is rebooted by author Barbara Randal. Inside the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl, including her offset encounter with Batman equally a child, studying martial arts nether the tutelage of a sensei, memorizing maps and blue prints of the metropolis, excelling in academics in order to skip grades and pushing herself to become a star athlete.

Modern Age: Go out Batgirl, Enter Oracle

The Modern Age of Comic Books had significant changes to the comic book manufacture as characters became darker and psychologically complex, abandoning the lite-hearted themes of earlier ages. After her back-up series of stories ended, Barbara Gordon continued to be Batgirl, merely increasingly felt inconsequential in a world filled with super-powered heroes. Afterward capturing the Commorant in Batgirl Special #1 (1988), Gordon retires her Batgirl persona. In Batman: The Killing Joke (1988), the Joker shoots Barbara, intending to drive her male parent James Gordon into madness. 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 marry and off-on again lover Dick Grayson, the original Robin currently known equally Nightwing.

Initially, Gordon'south paralysis plunges her into a state of reactive depression. Nevertheless, she shortly 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 retentivity; deep knowledge of computers and electronics; skilful skills equally a hacker; and graduate grooming in library sciences. 1 night, Gordon has a dream in which an all-knowing woman (similar to Oracle at Delphi of Greek mythology) has her ain face, it'south and then that she adopts "Oracle" every bit her codename. She serves as an data broker, gathering and disseminating intelligence to police force enforcement organizations and members of the superhero community. In "Oracle: Year One," Oracle also trains nether the tutelage of Richard Dragon, one of DC's premier martial artists, to engage in gainsay (using eskrima) from her wheelchair. She develops her upper-body strength and targeting skills with both firearms and batarangs. In her second appearance as a hacker in the DC Comics universe, Oracle is featured in the 12-issue mini-serial The Hacker Files (1993).

In 2003, comic book authors Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon revised Barbara Gordon'south origin with the mini-serial Batgirl: Yr One Gordon is a highly gifted child having graduated from high schoolhouse early, but initially desires to join law enforcement as opposed to vigilantism in the previous origin myths.

Former Batgirl

Birds of Casualty

Post-obit 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. After her unsuccessful partnership with Power Girl, Oracle after joins forces with the superheroine Blackness Canary. During Chuck Dixon'south crossover series Hunt for Oracle, Barbara Gordon and Dinah Lance meet in person and establish a long-term friendship. They form the nucleus of the Birds of Casualty arrangement. While Oracle serves every bit the basic caput of operations, Black Canary becomes her full-time employee and field agent.

During the 2004 cross-over upshot State of war Games, Black Mask commandeers Oracle's computers and satellites and engages in a fight to the death with Batman. In order to preclude Batman from killing his adversary, Oracle initiates the Clock Tower's self-destruct sequence, provoking Batman to rescue her rather than continue the boxing. This results in the destruction of Gordon's abode and headquarters in the clock belfry. Subsequently, Oracle decides to move on, and leaves Gotham Urban center altogether. She cuts her ties with Batman, and after a temporary world trip with her team, relocates to Metropolis.

In the events comprising Gail Simone'south Birds of Prey: Between Nighttime and Dawn (2005), and Birds of Casualty: The Battle Within (2005), Oracle is possessed by arch-villain Brainiac, an artificial intelligence entity, in society to become a biological being. Although Oracle overpowers Brainiac and expels him from her body, the advanced virus delivered by him remains 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 Medico Mid-Nite, she discovers she can move her toes. Still, this proves to be curt-lived; Gordon remains paralyzed.

During the visitor wide cross-over Infinite Crisis (2005), Oracle teams with the Martian Manhunter in Metropolis to coordinate a counterstrike to the Hush-hush Society's global jailbreak. The renewed romance between Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson is likewise cut short by the Infinite Crisis storyline. When DC continuity jumps forrard one year later the events of Infinite Crisis, Oracle and her team go on to work in Metropolis. Oracle works with Batman, although not on a regular basis as before. Oracle continues to lead the Birds of Prey, and expands the ranks of the performance. In Birds of Prey #99, Black Canary leaves the squad and The Huntress becomes the team's de facto field leader, while Big Barda has been brought in as the grouping'south heavy-hitter alongside a larger, rotating roster; 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 practice and so "when Hell freezes over." In "Whitewater," Gail Simone's final story arc on Birds of Casualty (2007), Oracle and her squad struggle for power with Spy Smasher, a government amanuensis who has taken over the Birds of Casualty organization. Eventually, Spy Smasher is forced to admit her defeat and returns control of the Birds of Casualty system to Oracle. At the determination of the arc, Oracle also adopts Misfit into the Birds of Prey.

In Countdown (2007), Oracle dispatches the Question and Batwoman to capture Trickster and Piper following their role in the murder of the Wink. She struggles to keep the identities of the world'due south heroes from beingness stolen and coordinates the response to a global crisis engineered by the Reckoner, a villainous hacker and data banker. In result #5 of the comic book series The All-New Booster Gold (2007), the title hero is given the mission of traveling dorsum in fourth dimension in society to prevent "a tragedy that he discovers never should've happened — the Joker shooting and paralyzing Barbara Gordon, Batgirl." Although Booster Gilt makes several attempts to prevent the events which took place in Batman: The Killing Joke, he ultimately fails and Barbara Gordon's chronological history remains unchanged.

Final Crisis and Beyond

In the Last Crisis storyline, Darkseid, who has finally gained control of the Anti-Life Equation attempts to put the mind-control equation on the Internet. Both Oracle and Mister Terrific brand drastic attempts to finish Darkseid, even attempting to shut down the entire Internet. Unfortunately, they both neglect and those affected ended up mindless slaves of Darkseid.

Freed from Darkseid's control after the restoration of the Multi-verse, she attempts to shut down the criminal Unternet set up by her opposite number, the Calculator, as a Darkseid-free replacement for the regular Internet and yet used by tech-savvy criminals. However, the Calculator, preventing her moves, takes control of the Kilg%re, gaining the ability to thrive in net past controlling digital and cybernetic avatars, and tracks Oracle down with his newfound powers. Fifty-fifty though Oracle foils him, she starts doubting her abilities and fears she'southward losing her border and brilliance, which results in her disbanding the Birds of Prey team to practise some soul-searching.

Post-obit the events of Batman: RIP and the Final Crisis, Oracle has returned back to Gotham Urban center, and although the Birds of Casualty are disbanded, she continues to summon them to aid Nightwing and Robin deal with the growing crime in Gotham following the supposed death of Bruce Wayne.

The Computer'due south plans finally come to their fruition, and Kuttler, hoping to save her dying daughter Wendy takes on the Babbage alias and begins prowling the digital world of Alta Viva, a virtual world game, for fragments of the Anti-Life Equation unleashed by Darkseid. Barbara, now living in a dilapidated apartment in Gotham, becomes aware of Kuttler'south activities when Cheesefiend, ane of her informants, is brutally killed, with the Anti-Life Equation itself, subsequently coming in contact with Babbage.

Hoping to end the Figurer and foreclose him from piecing together the fragments of the Anti-Life Equation in his possession, Oracle travels to Hong Kong, hoping to steal them back by the ways of an avant-garde supercomputer programmed to runway the clamper of data left behind by Babbage. However the Calculator discovers her attempts, swearing vengeance upon her. She manages to defeat Calculator, curing the Anti-Life Equation's fragments.

Working with Leslie Thompkins, Barbara has begun to mentor the Calculator's daughter, Wendy, who was crippled post-obit an assault at Titans Tower, which took the life of her brother Marvin. Recently information technology came to Barbara'south attention (thanks to Dick Grayson) that Cassandra Cain has in one case once more stepped down from the function of Batgirl, and has been replaced by Stephanie Brown. However seeing Stephanie as an impulsive young girl, Barbara tries to talk her out of existence Batgirl. When a new recreational drug known as "Thrill" is striking the streets of Gotham, Barbara and Stephanie piece of work together to stop the drug trade which they observe to be run by Scarecrow and Black Mask.

Afterward Dick discovers that Barbara has approved of Stephanie every bit Batgirl, he and Barbara had an intense argument over Barbara'southward decision which eventually made him leave to resume his patrol in the urban center. Her father has been trying to set Barbara upward on a blind engagement with Gotham PD'south newest recruit from Declension Metropolis, Detective Nicholas Gage. Afterwards they've finally come across there was a miscommunication between the ii: as Barbara thought the detective was discriminating her because of her inability simply information technology is really because Gage senses Barbara wants to be with someone else (Dick Grayson). His instincts prove to be somewhat true, every bit Dick and Barbara begin working together on a kidnapping case, and despite some early on attitude, begin to flirt playfully like they used to.

Blackest Dark

During Blackest Night, Green Lantern crashes into the Bat-Signal after a fight with the Black Lantern Martian Manhunter. Barbara and Commissioner Gordon are both nowadays. After sending Green Lantern's intel to every superhero community across the planet of the Blackness Lanterns, the Gordon'south detect themselves being attacked by the original Dark Knight's deceased rogue gallery members, whom are all reanimated by the Blackness Lantern Corps. Barbara and her male parent are forced to fight for their lives every bit they witness the Black Lanterns are massacring anybody on sight at Gotham Central. During the crisis, Barbara falls under the control of Deadman, channeling Barbara's athletic adequacy and manifestly using his own super-natural power to permit her to stand on her own two legs, to save Commissioner Gordon from the reanimated King Ophidian and the Trigger Twins.

After being rescued by Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, and Tim Drake, the Gordon's are later beingness attacked by Dick and Tim'due south parents with their saviors, the reanimated Grayson'due south and the Drake's. While Grayson and Drake battle the Black Lanterns, Robin takes the Gordon's to their hole-and-corner base of operations where Alfred Pennyworth tends her and her male parent's wounds.

Barbara is later approached by Huntress and Renee Montoya (the new Question) for help in tracking down a mysterious criminal who ordered a hitting on them through Philo Zeiss.

New 52

Babs explains how she regained the use of her legs

After the events of Flashpoint, Barbara Gordon has recovered from her injuries by the hands of Joker, and has returned to the streets every bit Batgirl.

One of her nights back in action equally Batgirl has her stopping a trio of crooks attempting to murder a couple. The fight near turns sour when one of the crooks launches himself and her out the window. Thankfully, the couple rescued the ii before they could fall (though Barbara had to correct them as they accidentally called her Batwoman). The next morning, despite James Gordon's parental protests, Barbara moves away from abode, moving in with another girl with a more independent streak. Nevertheless, the settling in had to wait - at that place was an attack at a hospital where the criminal she had stopped earlier was staying at.

Arriving at the scene, she found herself confronting a murderer known as The Mirror, whose modus operandi was to kill people who survived major accidents. Barbara attempted to stop him from taking the man's life, simply she institute herself paralyzed when he aimed his gun at her gut, assuasive him to launch the human out the window. The police officer there opted to brand her a murderer for not being able to stop him.

Dorsum with the Birds.

After she reclaimed the Batgirl curtain, Barbara handed over the reigns of the Birds of Prey to Black Canary. When Dinah formed a new team of Birds, Barbara initially declined membership, though agreed to be a part-time member as of issue 6.

DC Rebirth

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Space Frontier

Later the Joker War, Barbara retires as Batgirl and adopts the Oracle persona once again. With Alfred killed past Bane, she takes over as Batman'south main support and helps investigate criminals.

Powers and abilities

Martial Arts

According to the character's fictional biography, Barbara Gordon took numerous self-defence classes in judo and karate prior to her tenure every bit Batgirl and is described as being a "star athlete". She has been trained in Boxing, Judo, Karate, Dragon Style Kung Fu and Escrima. Following the events of The Killing Joke, Barbara Gordon continued to train in the martial arts every bit Oracle, despite being paralyzed from the waist downward. She has extensive skills with escrima fighting sticks, pocket-sized firearms and batarangs; she customarily keeps a pair of escrima sticks stored in the armrests of her wheelchair as a contingency.

Technological skill

Prior to the character's career every bit a vigilante, Barbara Gordon adult many technological skills, including vast knowledge of computers and electronics, adept skills equally a hacker, and graduate training in library sciences. Gordon is likewise written as having a genius-level intellect and naturally possessing a photographic memory. Like Batman, Barbara Gordon originally used a wide variety of reckoner electronics and gadgets during her early adventures every bit Batgirl. These included an infrared scanner built into the cowl of her costume, various bat-inspired weaponry and the "Batgirl Bicycle." Co-ordinate to Gail Simone, Oracle maintains control over the twelve technologically advanced satellites that were created past Lex Luthor during his tenure every bit President of the United States.

Information broker

Oracle places her considerable skills and knowledge at the disposal of many of the DC universe'south heroes. She is a skilled hacker, capable of retrieving and dispersing data from private satellites, military installations, regime files, and the properties of Lex Luthor. Batman, himself a genius with a wide knowledge base and admission to vast information resources, routinely consults Oracle for assistance.

Relationships

Family

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In nigh continuities, Barbara is the daughter of James Gordon, the Commissioner of the Gotham Metropolis Police Department and longtime ally of Batman. She too has brothers Anthony and James Jr.. During the Post-Crunch continuities, Barbara was reimagined as James' niece, her actual father existence his blood brother Roger and her mother beingness a adult female named Thelma. This was due to the and so-recent cosmos of Barbara Eileen Gordon and retrofit the name descrepancy into continuity. Notwithstanding, some issues imply that she was conceived in an thing betwixt James and Thelma.^[one] Following DC's second Flashpoint outcome, Barbara was the daughter of Barbara Eileen, thus named after her mother much alike to J.J. Gordon.

Romance

Barbara Gordon has been romantically linked to Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing. At a young historic period they shared their passion as Robin and Batgirl. Nightwing was shocked and disturbed to acquire of the effects of the Killing Joke, resulting in Barbara'due south paralysis. Afterwards the events of No Man'southward Country, the 2 fall in love. Before Space Crunch, Nightwing drops to one articulatio genus and proposes. Barbara tearfully accepts. During the Crisis, Grayson was shocked by raw energy, and was taken into care of Barbara'due south arms. When Batman asks Nightwing to help him rediscover himself, Dick is hesitant due to his date to Barbara. She allows him to go, telling him they were non ready for matrimony. Dick sends her appointment ring with a pic of them every bit Robin and Batgirl, promising to render to her when the time is right.

Both bear witness genuine romantic affection towards the other, though not as a couple anymore. Grayson is rejoining the JLA with Starfire, even so a contempo effect of Titans stated that Dick has moved on of his past relationship with her. Barbara's father has start trying to set her up with a hotshot immature detective who've only transferred from Coast City, Nicholas Cuff, although he's apparently more interested in the newest Batgirl (Stephanie Brown) along with the fact that Barbara senses he keeps secrets despite being a supposedly honest police officer.

Another brief romance was with Jason Bard, her ex-fiancee. When Grayson left Gotham and rejoined Koriand'r, Babs found comfort in the young man's arms. The relationship fizzled and the engagement was cancelled. In a Birds of Prey comic book, the two are reunited on a mission. However, this does not last as Babs shoves him out of her life once again in favor of Grayson.

In the New 52, Grayson and Babs take never officially dated, though it is clear they both seem to have feelings for each other. This was kept in following events,

Gallery

• Barbara Gordon/Gallery

In Other Media

Since the character's debut in 1967, Barbara Gordon has been adapted into various media in her change-egos as both Batgirl and Oracle, including alive-action television (such as Batman and Birds of Prey), animated production (Batman: The Animated Serial, The New Batman Adventures, and 2004's The Batman) and video games (DCAU tie-ins, the LEGO DC serial, and the Batman: Arkham series). She likewise served as the inspiration for Barbara Wilson in the 1997 pic Batman & Robin. Barbara has also appeared in diverse video games equally either Batgirl or Oracle, sometime serving as a playable character. Actresses to portray her accept included Yvonne Craig, Dina Meyer, Savannah Welch and Leslie Grace. Barbara has besides been voiced by Jane Webb, Melissa Gilbert, Tara Strong, Mary Kay Bergman, Danielle Judovits, Mae Whitman, Alyson Stoner, Kimberly Brooks, Ashley Greene, and America Young.

Live-Action

Movie

Leslie Grace equally Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in the upcoming film Batgirl

• Barbara served as heavily influence for the version of Batgirl seen in the 1997 pic Batman & Robin. However, the grapheme was heavily reimagined as Alfred's niece "Barbara Wilson".
• An unnamed girl to James Gordon appears in The Dark Knight, played by Hannah Gunn. Her name is never mentioned, due to her mother taking the namesake.
• Barbara Gordon will star in the upcoming HBO Max film Batgirl, played by Leslie Grace. The moving picture volition draw her origin and take influence from the storyline Batgirl: Twelvemonth One.

Television

Yvonne Craig as Batgirl for the 1960s Batman series.

• When the Batman television series of the 1960s sought to renew the plan for a third season, DC editor Julius Schwartz along with artist Carmine Infantino created the "new" Batgirl—Barbara Gordon—at the explicit request of goggle box producer William Dozier. Batgirl's addition to the comic book medium was inspired to tie in with the goggle box programme in order to bring in a female person audience. Yvonne Craig was cast every bit Batgirl later starring in a seven minute promotional short which was presented to the ABC television network. Although Yvonne Craig'southward addition to the cast was able to renew the program for a 3rd season, information technology did non salvage the series from cancellation. In 1972, iii years afterward the Batman television series ended, Craig appeared again as Batgirl in a public service announcement for the United States Department of Labor advocating equal pay. In an interview with Femme Fatales Magazine (1998), Craig describes her experience playing the comic book icon every bit one of her all-time experiences. According to Craig, her portrayal as Batgirl remains a symbol for women's empowerment. "I come across young women who say Batgirl was their function model... They say its considering information technology was the first fourth dimension they ever felt girls could do the same things guys could practise, and sometimes better. I think that'due south lovely."
• In 2002, Warner Bros. produced the television set serial Birds of Prey, loosely based on the comic book series of the same name. Dina Meyer became the showtime actress to portray Barbara Gordon as Oracle. Meyer also portrayed Gordon under her Batgirl alias in several episodes likewise, mostly in flashbacks.
• A younger version of Barbara Gordon, named Barbara Lee Gordon, appears every bit an baby and later child in the fifth season of Gotham. She is conceived following a one-nighttime stand up between her parents James Gordon and Barbara, and is born thanks to the assist of her stepmother Leslie Thompkins. In the final episode "The Offset..." (which picks upwards ten years later), a ten year old Barbara Lee is kidnapped by Jeremiah Valeska and suspended over a VAT of chemicals at the Ace Chemicals institute, which leads to a stand off between her father and Jeremiah. Jeremiah virtually drops Barbara Lee into the chemicals, but Gordon manages to hang onto the rope suspending her. Jeremiah stabs Gordon, but before he can cause farther harm, a shadowy effigy arrives and subdues Jeremiah, before disappearing. Gordon lifts his daughter to safety, wondering who the mysterious saviour was.

Blitheness

Batgirl equally she appears in The Batman

• Barbara Gordon made her animated debut as Batgirl in the Filmation animated series Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder (originally known as The Batman/Superman Hour) which originally aired on CBS in 1968 with Batgirl playing a supporting function in The New Adventures of Batman; too produced by Filmation and aired on CBS in 1977.
• During the 1990s- later on the Batman franchise experienced a revitalization due to the commercial success of Tim Burton'southward feature film Batman- Barbara Gordon was adapted into the series of animated television programs produced past Warner Bros. This Animation is collectively known as Bruce Timm and Paul Dini'due south DC animated universe. Here, she is portrayed much similar the comics, as the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon. In the last flavour of Batman, she becomes Batgirl in the 2-part episode "Shadow of the Bat". Barbara also stars in the final episode of Batman: the Animated Series, teaming up with Robin to investigate a theft. Barbara additionally plays a big office as herself and her modify-ego in the animated companion motion picture to the serial, Batman and Mr.Freeze: Subzero.
• In 1997, a new animated Batman series aired, continuing where the concluding left off. This time, Barbara as Batgirl is a primal role player, acting aslope Batman, Nightwing, and a new Robin as the patrol the streets of Gotham. She too makes an appearance in the companion motion-picture show to this series, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. She is voiced past Tara Strong.
• Although the DCAU did not stop until the finale of Justice League Unlimited in 2006, Warner Bros. Animation launched a new blithe serial titled The Batman in 2004 which established its ain continuity. Barba was introduced as Batgirl in Season 3 of this series, in the two part episode "Batgirl Begins" (2005), this fourth dimension appearing before a boy wonder even hitting Gotham Urban center, which was completely different from the comics. This serial also marked the animated debut of Barbara Gordon as Oracle with the futuristic episode "Artifacts" (2007).
• She made an appearances in the Batman: The Brave and the Assuming episodes "The Final Patrol" and "The Criss-Cross Conspiracy".
• She stars alongside Supergirl and Donna troy in the DC Nation curt series, Super Best Friends Forever.
• Although she does non appear in Batman: Under the Red Hood, she, more specifically her being crippled past the Joker, was given an indirect reference in the climax to the film, where Jason Todd, while ranting on how Batman doesn't kill the Joker despite all his horrific actions the psychopath did in the by, cited the "friends he'due south crippled", as well as the Joker asking nearly a camera.

DC Animated Universe

Immature Justice

Video Games

• Barbara Gordon, as Batgirl, appears as a supporting graphic symbol in Batman: Vengeance. Tara Strong reprises her role from the serial.
• Barbara Gordon, as Batgirl, is a playable character in Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu.
• Barbara appears as Oracle in cutscenes for Batman: Night Tomorrow, voiced past Cynthia Farrell.
• Oracle is voiced past Kathy Catmull in DC Universe Online.
• Barbara Gordon, equally Batgirl, is a DLC graphic symbol inInjustice: Gods Among The states.

LEGO Series

Batman: Arkham series

Gotham Knights

Notes

• Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-1 era of publication, their beingness post-obit the events of the 1985-86 limited serial Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the grapheme'southward Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New World continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
• The character of Barbara Gordon was created by Gardner Fox and Julius Schwartz.
• While communicating over secure lines, Oracle often refers to herself as "O."

Trivia

• Barbara's birthday is September 23rd.
• In Pre-Crisis continuity, Barbara Gordon was a brown chugalug in judo. In her Mail service-Crisis origin, she has a black belt in karate.
• In Pre-Crisis continuity, Barbara Gordon held a doctorate in history.
• Batgirl was once featured in a one-page advertisement for Hostess Twinkies Cakes. In the story, she must stop jewel thief extraordinaire, Jet-Set Jesse, from robbing a supply of jewels. Batgirl distracts her by throwing her a handful of Hostess snacks before taking her to prison house.
• In Batgirl #45 Souls: Barbara claims that she was 18 years old when she was Batgirl.
• Barbara Gordon graduated summa cum laude with a Ph.D at Gotham State University.
• Her eyes frequently changes colour betwixt blueish and green.
• In Batman #37 Endgame: Jim Gordon claims that he got Barbara'due south tonsils removed at Gotham Pres a twenty-four hour period before the roof of the hospital collapsed.
• In her debut appearance in Detective Comics #359 and in her early appearances, Batgirl's bodysuit color is black, just in the Bronze age comics and in her later appearances, her bodysuit color is gray (like to Batman's). During the "Batgirl of Burnside" run, Barbara'due south costume inverse to a imperial bodysuit.

↑ Batman: Gotham Knights #6

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Source: https://batman.fandom.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon

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