Barbara Gordon

Barbara Gordon
Not to be confused with the homonymous character Barbara Gordon, ex-wife of James Gordon.
Barbara Gordon
Batgirl by Nowlan.jpg
Barbara Gordon as Batgirl.
Promotional art for Legends of the DC Universe #10 (Nov 1998).
Art by Kevin Nowlan.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance as Batgirl:
Detective Comics #359
(January 1967)
as Oracle:
Suicide Squad #23
(January 1989)
Created by Gardner Fox
Carmine Infantino
In-story information
Team affiliations Batman Family
Birds of Prey
Seven Soldiers of Victory
Suicide Squad
Justice League
Partnerships Dick Grayson, Black Canary, Huntress
Notable aliases Batgirl, Oracle, Amy Beddoes
Abilities

Skilled martial artist,
Genius-level intellect;

Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino. At the request of the producers of the 1960s Batman television series, DC editor Julius Schwartz called for a new female counterpart to the superhero Batman that could be introduced into publication and the third season of the show simultaneously. The character subsequently made her first comic book appearance as Batgirl in Detective Comics #359 titled, "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl" (1967). Written as the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon, her civilian identity is given a doctorate in library science and she is employed as head of Gotham City Public Library, as well as later being elected to the United States Congress.

In addition to appearing in other DC publications, teaming with notable characters such as Superman and Supergirl, she receives her first starring role in Batman Family which debuted in 1975, partnered with the original Robin, Dick Grayson. Following the editorial retirement of her Batgirl persona in Barbara Kesel's Batgirl Special #1, Alan Moore's graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke depicts the Joker shooting her through the spinal cord in her civilian identity and leaving her a paraplegic. In subsequent stories, editor Kim Yale and writer John Ostrander establish the character as a computer expert and information broker known as Oracle. Providing intelligence and computer hacking services to assist other superheroes, she makes her first appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989). She is featured in the one-shot comic Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey (1996) written by Chuck Dixon, which later became the monthly title Birds of Prey starring both characters. The series depicts her as a great intellect uninhibited by her paralysis, skilled in the martial art of eskrima. Employing Black Canary as her partner and field agent, Oracle later operates as the leader of a full team of female crimefighters who engage in global espionage missions, under writer Gail Simone. In 2011, following a company wide relaunch of all DC Comics titles, the character's mobility is restored via physical rehabilitation and she is given a starring role in the eponymous Batgirl monthly comic.

Barbara Gordon is described as one of the most popular characters to appear during the Silver Age of Comic Books and is also regarded as a pop icon due to her appearances in the Batman television series and continued media exposure. She has achieved similar popularity in the Modern Age of Comic Books under the Birds of Prey publication and as a disability icon. The character has been the subject of academic analysis concerning the roles of women, librarians and people living with disabilities in mainstream media. The events of The Killing Joke, which led to the character's paralysis, as well as the restoration of her mobility, has been a subject of debate among comic book writers, artists, editors and readership. Viewpoints range from sexism in comic books, to the limited visibility of disabled characters and the practicality of disabled characters existing in a fictional universe where magic, technology, and medical science exceed the limitations of the real world. Barbara Gordon, as both Batgirl and Oracle, has been adapted into various media relating to the Batman franchise, including television, film, animation, video games, and other merchandise. In 2011, IGN ranked Barbara Gordon 17th in the Top 100 Comic Books Heroes.[1]

Contents

Publication history

Detective Comics, Batman Family and other appearances (1967-1988)

The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl. Cover by Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson.

Prior to the introduction of Barbara Gordon, the Batwoman character and her side-kick Bat-Girl appeared in Batman-related publications, but were eventually removed at the direction of editor Julius Schwartz for being outdated and unrealistic. Schwartz stated that he had been asked to develop a new female character in order to attract a female viewership to the Batman television series of the 1960s.[2] When producers William Dozier and Howie Horowitz saw rough concept artwork of the new Batgirl 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. Infantino reflected on the creation of Batgirl, stating "Bob Kane had 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 girl 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 almost got her own TV show."[3] Yvonne Craig portrayed the character in the show's third season.[4] Barbara Gordon and alter ego Batgirl debuted in Detective Comics #359, "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl" (1967), as the daughter of Gotham City's Police Commissioner James Gordon. In the debut story, while driving to a costume ball dressed as a female version of Batman, Barbara Gordon intervenes in a kidnapping attempt on Bruce Wayne by the super villain Killer Moth, attracting Batman's attention and leading to a crime-fighting career. Although Batman insists she give up crime-fighting because of her gender, Batgirl disregards his objections.[5]

In her civilian identity, Dr. Barbara Gordon Ph.D. is depicted as a career woman with a doctorate in library science, as well as being head of Gotham City public library, "presumably one of the largest public libraries in the DC Comics version of reality."[6] Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl exceeded the earlier Bat-Girl and Batwoman characters in popularity, and readers requested for her to appear in other titles. Although some readers requested that Batwoman also continue to appear in publication, DC responded to the fan-based acclaim and criticism of the new character in an open letter in Detective Comics #417 (1971),[7] stating: "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 years 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 [by] Batman."[8]

Batgirl continues to appear in DC Comics publications throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, as a supporting character in Detective Comics, in addition to guest appearances in various titles such as Justice League of America,[9] World's Finest Comics,[10] The Brave and the Bold,[11] Action Comics,[12] and Superman.[13] In the mid-1970s, Batgirl reveals her secret identity to her father (who had already discovered it on his own), and serves as a member of the United States 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."[14] Julius Schwartz brought her back a year later in Superman #268 (1973),[15] 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. 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. The character is given a starring role in DC's Batman Family comic book which debuted in 1975.[16] The original Robin Dick Grayson became her partner in the series and the two were frequently referred to as the "Dynamite Duo: Batgirl & Robin." Batgirl meets Batwoman in Batman Family #10, when the retired superhero briefly returns to crime-fighting (before Kane is murdered by the Bronze Tiger). The two fight Killer Moth and Cavalier, and learn each others secret identities. Batwoman retires once again at the conclusion of the story, leaving Batgirl to continue crime-fighting.[17] Although this series ended after three years of publication,[18] Batgirl continued to appear in back up stories published in Detective Comics through issue #519 (October 1982).

Crisis on Infinite Earths, a limited miniseries published in 1985, 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—she delivers Supergirl's eulogy in issue seven of the 12-part series.[19] The conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths changed DC Universe continuity in many ways. Following the reboot, Barbara Gordon is born to Roger and Thelma Gordon, and she is Jim Gordon's niece/adopted daughter in current canon. Post-Crisis, Supergirl does not arrive on Earth until after Gordon has established herself as Oracle; many adventures she shared with Batgirl are retroactively described as having been experienced by Power Girl. In Secret Origins #20: Batgirl and the Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite (1987),[20] Barbara Gordon's origin is rebooted by author Barbara Randal. Within the storyline, Gordon recounts the series of events that lead to her career as Batgirl, including her first encounter with Batman as a child, studying martial arts under the tutelage of a sensei, memorizing maps and blue prints of the city, excelling in academics in order to skip grades, and pushing herself to become a star athlete.

Batgirl Special and Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

The Joker critically injures Barbara Gordon in Batman: The Killing Joke.

DC officially retired the hero in the one-shot comic Batgirl Special #1 (July 1988), written by Barbara Kesel.[21] Later that year, she appears in Alan Moore's Batman: The Killing Joke. In this graphic novel, the Joker shoots and paralyzes Barbara Gordon in an attempt to drive her father insane, thereby proving to Batman that anyone can be morally compromised. Although events in The Killing Joke exert a great impact on the character, the story has little to do with her.[22] She is deployed as a plot device to cement the Joker’s vendetta against Commissioner Gordon and Batman. In 2006, during an interview with Wizard, Moore expressed regret over his treatment of the character calling it "shallow and ill-conceived."[23] He stated prior to writing the graphic novel, "I asked DC if they had any problem with me crippling Barbara Gordon—who was Batgirl at the time—and if I remember, I spoke to Len Wein, who was our editor on the project," and following a discussion with then-Executive Editorial Director Dick Giordano, "Len got back onto the phone and said, ‘Yeah, okay, cripple the bitch.'"[23] Although there has been speculation as to whether or not editors at DC specifically intended to have the character's paralysis become permanent, Brian Cronin, author of Was Superman A Spy?: And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed (2009) noted that DC had hired Barbara Kesel to write the Batgirl Special specifically to retire the character and set her in place for The Killing Joke.[24] Gail Simone included the character's paralysis in a list of "major female characters that had been killed, mutilated, and depowered", dubbing the phenomenon "Women in Refrigerators" in reference to a 1994 Green Lantern story where the title character discovers his girlfriend's mutilated body in his refrigerator.[25] 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, fellow comic writer John Ostrander. Rather than allow the character to fall into obscurity, the two decided to revive her as a character living with a disability.[26]

Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey and other appearances (1989-2011)

Yale and Ostrander oversaw the development of Barbara Gordon's new persona as Oracle for the next several years.[26] The character made her first comic book appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23, anonymously offering her services to the government's Task Force X.[27] In the following two years, Oracle, under pen of Ostrander and Yale, made 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 Squad in issue #48 following an invitation from Amanda Waller. In 1992, Dennis O’Neil wrote Oracle as Batman’s sole source of information in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1. This newly forged partnership established Oracle’s status as Batman's intellectual equal.[28] She is subsequently featured in the 12-issue miniseries The Hacker Files (1993).[29] In "Oracle: Year One"—a story arc contained in The Batman Chronicles #5 (1996)—Yale and Ostrander tell the origin of Barbara Gordon's new persona as Oracle. 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. One night, she 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. She trains under the tutelage of Richard Dragon, one of DC's premiere 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.[30]

The success of Chuck Dixon’s Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey (1996) led to the comic series Birds of Prey starring the two title characters.[31] During Chuck Dixon's crossover series Nightwing: Hunt for Oracle,[32] Barbara Gordon and Dinah Lance meet in person and establish a long-term friendship. 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. In 2000, the first Batgirl monthly comic was launched with Cassandra Cain as the title character. Oracle appears as a supporting character throughout the series, acting as a mentor to the new Batgirl, alongside Batman. Gail Simone took over as writer of Birds of Prey with issue #56, taking the series in a "Bold New Direction!" In an interview, Simone explained her fondness for Barbara Gordon stating: "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."[33] Simone integrates the Huntress into the comic, making her a central character in the series as Oracle's secondary field agent. In 2003, comic book authors Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon revised Barbara Gordon’s origin with the miniseries Batgirl: Year One.[34] Gordon is a highly gifted child having graduated from high school early, but initially desires to join law enforcement as opposed to vigilantism in the previous origin myths.

Oracle as she appears infected with the Brainiac virus. Art by Adriana Melo.

During the 2004 crossover event Batman: War Games,[35] 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. In the events comprising Gail Simone's Birds of Prey: Between Dark and Dawn (2005),[36] and Birds of Prey: The Battle Within (2005),[37] Oracle is possessed by arch-villain Brainiac, an artificial intelligence entity, in order 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 supernatural abilities 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. However, this proves to be short-lived; Gordon remains paralyzed.

During the company wide crossover Infinite Crisis (2005),[38] Oracle teams with the Martian Manhunter in Metropolis to coordinate a counterstrike to the Secret Society's global jailbreak. The renewed romance between Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson is also cut short by the Infinite Crisis storyline.[39] When DC continuity jumps forward one 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. Oracle continues to lead the Birds of Prey, and expands the ranks of the operation. In Birds of Prey #99, Black Canary leaves the team and the Huntress becomes the team's de facto field leader, while Big Barda has been brought in as the group's 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 will do so "when Hell freezes over."[40] In the crossover event Countdown to Final Crisis (2007),[41] Oracle dispatches the Question and Batwoman to capture Trickster and Piper following their role in the murder of Bart Allen. 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. In issue #5 of the comic book series The All-New Booster Gold (2007),[42] the title hero is given the mission of traveling back in time in order to prevent "a tragedy that he discovers never should've happened—the Joker shooting and paralyzing Barbara Gordon, Batgirl."[42] Although Booster Gold 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.

In "Whitewater," Gail Simone's final story arc on Birds of Prey (2007),[43] Oracle and her team struggle for power with Spy Smasher, a government agent who has taken over the Birds of Prey organization. Eventually, Spy Smasher is forced to admit her defeat and returns control of the Birds of Prey organization to Oracle. At the conclusion of the arc, Oracle also adopts Misfit into the Birds of Prey. Sean McKeever temporarily took over as author of Birds of Prey, writing issues #113-117, Birds of Prey: Metropolis or Dust (2008). The following arch of the series Birds of Prey: Platinum Flats (2008) is written by Tony Bedard. In the company-wide 2008 Final 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 make desperate attempts to stop Darkseid, even attempting to shut down the entire Internet. Unfortunately, they both fail and those affected ended up mindless slaves of Darkseid. Freed from Darkseid's control after the restoration of the Multiverse, 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 still used by tech-savvy criminals. However, the Calculator, preventing her moves, takes control of the Kilg%re, gaining the ability to thrive in cyberspace by controlling digital and cybernetic avatars, and tracks Oracle down with his newfound powers. Even though Oracle foils him, she starts doubting her abilities and fears she's losing her edge and brilliance, which results in her disbanding the Birds of Prey team to do some soul-searching.[44] Birds of Prey received cancellation in early 2009, with the final issue being #127.

Oracle is subsequently featured in a limited series written by Kevin VanHook titled Oracle: The Cure, a crossover arch with Batman: Battle for the Cowl (2009). The story chronologically follows the events of Final Crisis and Batman R.I.P. (2008). Oracle has returned to Gotham, and although the Birds of Prey are disbanded, she continues to summon them to help Nightwing and Robin deal with the growing crime in Gotham. The Calculator's plans finally come to their fruition, and Kuttler, hoping to save his 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. Oracle, now living in a dilapidated rented apartment in Gotham, becomes aware of Kuttler's activities after "Cheesefiend", one of her informants, is brutally killed, with the Anti-Life Equation itself, after coming in contact with Babbage.[45] Hoping to stop the Calculator and prevent 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 means of an advanced supercomputer programmed to track the chunk of data left behind by Babbage. However the Calculator discovers her attempts, swearing vengeance upon her.[46] She manages to defeat Calculator, rendering the Anti-Life Equation's fragments useless.[47]

In 2009, the Batgirl comic book was relaunched with Stephanie Brown starring as the title character. Although Oracle initially tries to discourage Brown from crime-fighting, she eventually comes to accept her as Batgirl. In addition, she also mentors the Calculator's daughter, Wendy Harris, who was crippled following an attack at Titans Tower.[48] Oracle later takes a job as an assistant professor at Gotham University.[49] During the Green Lantern limited series Blackest Night, Hal Jordan crashes into the Bat-Signal after a fight with the Black Lantern Martian Manhunter. Oracle and Commissioner Gordon are both present.[50] Origins & Omens hints towards an involvement in the storyline. After sending Green Lantern's intel to every superhero community across the planet of the Black Lanterns, the Gordons find themselves being attacked by the original Dark Knight's deceased rogue gallery members, whom are all reanimated by the Black Lantern Corps. Oracle and her father are forced to fight for their lives as they witness the Black Lanterns are massacring everyone on sight at Gotham Central. During the crisis, Oracle is rendered unconscious by an explosion and is possessed by Deadman, who uses Oracle's body to save Commissioner Gordon from the reanimated King Snake and the Trigger Twins. After being rescued by Batman, Robin, and Red Robin, the Gordons were attacked by Batman and Red Robin's parents with their saviors, the reanimated Graysons and the Drakes. While Grayson and Drake battle the Black Lanterns, Robin takes the Gordons to their underground base where Alfred tends her and her father's wounds.[51]

In Greg Rucka's Detective Comics #862, Barbara Gordon is approached by Huntress and Renee Montoya (the new Question) for help in tracking down a mysterious criminal who ordered a hit on them. Montoya is flabbergasted upon discovering that "Commissioner Gordon's daughter" is a superhero.[52] In 2010, Birds of Prey was relaunched with Gail Simone returning to write the comic. The first arch is a tie-in with the Green Lantern Brightest Day limited series. Oracle reforms the Birds of Prey, this time with Dove and the recently resurrected Hawk as members.[53] A new villainess calling herself the White Canary begins menacing the Birds, and publicly reveals Black Canary's civilian identity and frames her for a murder. While the team contends with White Canary in the streets of Gotham, Oracle is kidnapped by her former associates, Savant and Creote.[54][55] This is eventually revealed to be a ruse in order to trick White Canary. Following the team's victory against White Canary, Oracle fakes her death during a battle with Calculator.[56] With most of the criminal underworld now believing that she is dead, Oracle cuts off ties with all but a select few Gotham heroes, and is shown refusing to help Blue Beetle, Manhunter, and Booster Gold when they attempt to call her for assistance during battle.[57]

In Grant Morrison's Batman: The Return (2010), an installment of the limited series Bruce Wayne: The Road Home (2010), Batman enlists Oracle's to help him run Batman Incorporated, a new global team of Batmen. He tasks her with helping him fight crime on a virtual front, and shows her a new modified Batgirl design that acts as her virtual avatar.[58] Oracle is later shown directing Cassandra Cain, now known as Blackbat, on a mission in Hong Kong, where she captures some heroin smugglers for Batman.[59] In Scott Snyder's Black Mirror storyline, Barbara Gordon is kidnapped by her brother, James Gordon Jr., who had returned to Gotham after a lengthy absence to become a serial killer.[60] He stabs her in both of her legs, positioning the knives so that if she removes them, she will bleed to death. As she slowly bleeds, she is able to use her wits to distract him long enough for Nightwing and Commissioner Gordon to arrive and defeat her brother.[61]

Batgirl and The New 52 (2011-present)

In September, 2011, following the company-wide relaunch, Barbara Gordon stars in a new Batgirl series—one of The New 52 titles featuring the company's most iconic characters. The conclusion of the limited series Flashpoint (2011) establishes a new continuity with the DC Universe, with all characters regressing to an earlier age and stage in their careers, while remaining in a modern timeline. DC Senior VP of Sales, Bob Wayne, explained that with each of their titles reverting back to issue #1, "our creative teams have the ability to take a more modern approach—not only with each character, but with how the characters interact with one another and the universe as a whole, and focus on the earlier part of the careers of each of our iconic characters."[62] Wayne also stated that "The Killing Joke still happened and she was Oracle. Now she will go through physical rehabilitation and become a more seasoned and nuanced character because she had these incredible and diverse experiences.[62] Public reaction to the change has been mixed, and has included criticism that DC has delivered a serious blow to the diversity of their character lineup, as well as being disrespectful of the power the character had gained as a symbol to the disabled community in her role as Oracle.[63][64][65] Dan Didio, Co-Publisher of DC Comics explained the decision by stating that "[w]e didn't want to turn our back on the diversity issue, but she'll always be the most recognizable [Batgirl]. We are working with concerns to diversify the line. We're always looking to reposition to be reflective of today's audience."[66] Gail Simone, who will be writing the series, stated: "For many years, I got to write the character as Oracle, and there is to this day, no character who means more to me. This is classic Barbara as she was originally conceived, with a few big surprises. It’s a bit of a shock, to be sure, but we’re doing everything we can to be respectful to this character’s amazing legacy, while presenting something thrilling that a generation of comics readers will be experiencing for the first time ... Barbara Gordon leaping, fighting, and swinging over Gotham. Now, when citizens of that city look up, they are going to see BATGIRL. And that is absolutely thrilling."[67]

In the new, revised continuity, the events of The Killing Joke took place three years before the current storyline, and while it is established she was paraplegic during that time, Barbara Gordon is written as having recently regained her mobility. Her father encourages her to continue living with him, following her recovery, but she declines, determined to lead a life of independence. A recent college graduate, she leases her first apartment with a roommate and resumes her work as Batgirl. With no financial backing, she operates with only her costume, array of weaponry, motorcycle, and her father's police communiqué to investigate criminal activity. She continues to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, causing her to hesitate in battle when exposed to gunfire that could result in receiving new spinal damage.[68] Prior to release, Batgirl #1 sold out at the distribution level with over 100,000 copies printed in its first run according to Diamond Comic Distributors. Along with Action Comics #1, Justice League #1, Batman #1, Batman and Robin #1, Batman: The Dark Knight #1, Detective Comics #1, Flash #1, Green Lantern #1, and Superman #1, retailers were required to order a second printing.[69][70] Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly states in a review of the first issue: "The artwork is okay though conventional, while Simone’s script tries to tie up of the end of the previous Barbara Gordon/Oracle storyline and setup up the new Batgirl. Her formula: murderous villains, blood splattering violence and high flying superheroics mixed with single-white-female bonding ... plus a cliffhanger ending to the first issue that offers a nifty [segue] into the new world of Barbara Gordon and Batgirl."[71] The New York Times critic George Gene Gustines wrote: "Unlike some of the other DC comics I read this week, Batgirl achieves a deft hat trick: a well-shaped reintroduction to a character, an elegant acknowledgement of fundamental history and the establishment of a new status quo. This is a must-buy series."[72] Earning a B+ rating in a review from Entertainment Weekly, Ken Tucker writes that Simone "[takes] her Birds of Prey storytelling powers and focuses them on the newly revived Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. The result is a burst of exhilaration, as Barbara/Batgirl revels in her new freedom even as she encounters a so-far not-terribly-chilling villain called Mirror."[73]

Additionally, Barbara was not included in the new Birds of Prey title. In the first issue of that series, Black Canary offers the recently-healed Barbara a spot on the new Birds of Prey roster, but Barbara declines, instead suggesting that Katana take her place.[74]

Alternative versions

Various alterations of the Barbara Gordon character have appeared in storylines published in and out of mainstream continuity titles. Variants of the character within continuity often appear in stories which involve time travel, such as the crossover limited series Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, a follow-up story preceded by the 1985 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths which altered mainstream continuity. Notable imprints of DC Comics such as Elseworlds and All Star DC Comics have also featured alternate versions of the character. The Elseworlds imprint takes the company's iconic characters and places them in alternate timelines, places and events making heroes "as familiar as yesterday seem as fresh as tomorrow."[75] Barbara Gordon, as both Batgirl and Oracle, has made several appearances in Elseworlds comics since 1997. The character is given starring roles in the noir-style storyline Thrillkiller: Batgirl & Robin (1997),[76] its sequel Batgirl + Batman: Thrillkiller '62 (1998),[77] and the one-shot comic Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl (1998).[78] In addition, the character has supporting roles in JLA: The Nail (1998), JLA: Created Equal (2000),[79] Superman & Batman: Generations (2003),[80] and Batman: Year 100 (2006).

In 2005, DC Comics launched its 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. Similar to Elseworlds, All Star is not restricted to continuity and establishes a fresh perspective for the latest generation of readership. According to Dan DiDio, "[t]hese 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."[81] An alternate Barbara Gordon was adapted into Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder (2005) as a teenage Batgirl. In addition, another variation of the character had been set to star in an eponymous All Star Batgirl title, written by Geoff Johns; however, the series was canceled prior to publication.[82]

Critical and editorial commentary

One could argue that curing Barbara and allowing her to be Batgirl again would simply allow her to do more good fighting crime than she ever could in a wheelchair, but then you look insensitive to the ability and usefulness she has in other capacities as Oracle. Conversely, you could say that removing Barbara from her wheelchair drastically alters her character, but then wouldn't that indicate that this is a character defined by her handicap? This begs the question of why so many fans adore her: is it because she's a bold and daring leader that rivals the Calculator in brains? Or is it because she's all of that, but stuck in a wheelchair? Think about the question, and surely many of you will find an answer you don't like.

Joey Esposito, CraveOnline, 2009[83]

In the aftermath of Batman: The Killing Joke, Barbara Gordon's paralysis has been the subject of debate, with arguments in favor of, and against, restoring her mobility. Writers, artists, editorial staff and critics have spoken in great length about the nature of subject, citing responses from readership, issues of sexism, diversity and representation, as well as other considerations that have impacted decisions regarding the character's portrayal.

Commentary in favor of Batgirl

Reacting to The Killing Joke and Barbara Gordon's later character development as Oracle in Batman: Gotham Knights, Ray Tate, a reviewer at Comics Bulletin, wrote "[t]here 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. There are countless examples of Batman employing that which is only theoretical in his fight against crime. His knowledge of stem cell technology should surpass that of the real world. There is simply no reason for Barbara Gordon to be confined to that wheelchair."[84] Regarding her representation as a character living with a disability, and her effectiveness as a hero compared to her incarnation as Batgirl, Tate asserts "[i]t's ridiculous to think somebody wakes up thinking how lucky they are to be confined to a wheelchair, and yet the attitude around DC and among the fans is that Oracle is the better character over Batgirl because of her handicap. Rubbish. Batgirl has fought more crime and done more to aid Batman as Batgirl than she has as Oracle. Batgirl has saved Batman's life on numerous occasions. Oracle has not. Barbara in this incarnation is not a bad character, but she is not better because she no longer hunts the night in cape and cowl.[84] Shannon Cochran in an article for Bitch magazine entitled "The Cold Shoulder: Saving Superheroines from Comic-book Violence" noted a long history of inequality regarding the treatment of female heroes. She quotes Gail Simone, who discussed the gender difference regarding the treatment of Batman and Batgirl regarding paralysis: "Both had their backs broken [Batman broke his in a dramatic Batcave confrontation with the villain Bane; Batgirl broke hers when she was ambushed in her home and shot in the spine by the Joker, never given a chance to fight]. Less than a year later, Batman was fine. Batgirl—now named Oracle—was in a wheelchair and remained so for many years.”[23] Artist Alex Ross and writer/producer Paul Dini have made attempts to return the character to her original conception. Ross explained in an interview that he and Dini had planned to restore her mobility by placing her in a Lazarus Pit, a naturally occurring chemical pool in the DC universe that has rejuvenating effects when a person is submerged within it. He stated that "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 ... 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."[85] Kate Kane, the modern Batwoman introduced during 52, wears a variation of what would have been Gordon's new Batgirl costume designed by Ross.[86]

Commentary in favor of Oracle

Without much fanfare, Barbara Gordon has become the most popular handicapped character since Charles Xavier ... There WAS some idea of her being a role model ... We wanted her to cope with what had happened to her and becoming, in many ways, more effective as Oracle than she ever was as Batgirl. And we knew that others with disabilities might look at her and feel good reading about her ... I don't think people 'dance around' her disabilities as they don't want to focus on them, but on her character. These shouldn't be stories about a disabled person; they are stories about a compelling fascinating character who HAPPENS to be in a wheelchair and I think that's correct. Barbara isn't her handicap; there's more to her than that.

John Ostrander, Comic Book Resources[87]

Although critical reception of Barbara Gordon's evolution into Oracle have been mixed among critics and other observers, according to John Ostrander: "We have, over the years, on those occasions when I have 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 part in creating Oracle."[87] Supporters of Oracle argue that the Barbara Gordon character provides a greater service to DC Comics and its readers as a disabled character, regardless of the events that caused her paralysis. In her persona as Oracle, Barbara Gordon is not limited to the Batman Family, serving a unique and universal role in the DC universe. DC Senior Vice President Dan DiDio comments, "Some stories ... are so strong that undoing them would be a crime. The DCU would be a lesser place without [former Flash Barry Allen]'s sacrifice, or the crippling of Barbara at the hands of the Joker."[88] The character went through possible restoration during Birds of Prey when she is infected with microscopic machines known as nanites by the super villain Brainiac, which attempted to repair her DNA. Marc Dipaolo, author of War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film (2011) commented that DC writers and editors would not allow her to recover completely, and that "[t]he decision was made because there were not enough handicapped superheroes in the DC Universe to justify 'curing' one, and because it would have been odd to see Barbara Gordon escape from her wheelchair in the world of fiction when [Christopher Reeve] never had that opportunity."[89]

Restoration of the character's mobility and aftermath

In June 2011, DC announced that Barbara Gordon would be returning to the role of Batgirl in September 2011, in her own eponymous monthly comic, as part of a company-wide relaunch of all of their titles. In addition, former Birds of Prey writer Gail Simone would be writing the series.[67] This announcement became one of the most controversial aspects of the DC Comics relaunch.[90] Supporters of Barbara Gordon in her persona as Oracle have expressed dismay over losing an iconic character for the disabled community. Journalist and blogger Jill Pantozzi, who is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, stated that "people being disabled is part of the real world, it is essential it be part of the fictional world as well... Writer Kevin Van Hook did a great job showing what disabled individuals have to go through in the mini-series Oracle: The Cure. It’s that type of honestly I expect more of ... While some diverse characters were mishandled over the years, Oracle was always treated with the utmost respect but this move is the most disrespectful I’ve seen in a long time."[63] Gail Simone responded directly by stating that at times when others had attempted to restore Gordon's mobility, she fought to keep her as a disabled character, even in light of requests from readers who also had disabilities that wished to see the character healed.[91] However, part of her reasoning for reversing her decision and writing Batgirl with Gordon as the title character was that "[a]rms and legs get ripped off, and they grow back, somehow. Graves don't stay filled. But the one constant is that Barbara stays in that chair. Role model or not, that is problematic and uncomfortable, and the excuses to not cure her, in a world of purple rays and magic and super-science, are often unconvincing or wholly meta-textual. And the longer it goes on, the more it has stretched credibility. But now, everything has changed. If nearly everyone in the DCU, not just Batgirl but almost everyone, is now at a much earlier stage in their career, then my main objection no longer applies, because we are seeing Barbara at an earlier starting point."[91] Former Batman writer and editor Dennis O'Neil and Oracle co-creator John Ostrander have expressed disappointment over the change. O'Neil stated that during his tenure at DC, "[W]e had hoards of people in spandex beating up criminals ... We didn't have anybody like Oracle, who overcame a disability and was just as valuable and just as effective in a way that didn't involve violence."[92] However, he also stated that from an alternate point of view, "Barbara Gordon's perception in the mainstream public as Batgirl would be a very valid consideration."[92] Ostrander continues to view Oracle as a stronger character than Batgirl, but has also expressed faith in Gail Simone's skills as a writer. He commented that "[t]imes change and characters and people evolve. I changed things when I wrote characters, including changing Barbara to Oracle. Others do the same for this era ... Gail Simone is a good friend and a wonderful writer and I'm sure her work will be wonderful."[92]

Characterization

Silver Age

At the time of her conception, Barbara Gordon's character was intended to reflect the women's liberation movement as an educated, career-oriented young woman, as well as a capable crime-fighter. Batgirl is considered to be one of the most popular character to have emerged during the Silver Age of Comic Books.[6] In The Supergirls: Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, and the History of Comic Book Heroines (2009), author Mike Madrid states: "While she embodied the spirit of a new wave of liberated superheroines, in the backdrop of the history of comic books, Batgirl carried on the tradition of the gutsy female vigilantes of the '40s who struck out on their own to right wrongs."[5] Although she is discouraged by Batman to engage in crime-fighting, she defiantly ignores his objections.[93] Her career choice as a librarian is speculated to be due in part to the fact that it works as a convincing cover for her much more dangerous work as Batgirl. In an effort to conceal her identity from not only her enemies, but her father, Commissioner Gordon, Batman and Robin, she initially conforms to appearance and personality traits stereotypical of a librarian. In her civilian identity, she is seen with her hair "tied up tightly in a bun. And she's wearing traditional conservative—not to say dowdy—clothing. In other words, she embodies the stereotypical image of the female librarian of the day-busy doing clerical tasks while attired and made up in such a way as to guarantee to minimize whatever physical attractiveness she might possess beneath her frumpy exterior."[6] Although her introduction was intended to embody feminist ideology, aspects of her persona were also considered to be sexist, such as the fact that "[m]uch of her arsenal was carried in a batpurse attached to her utility belt[.]"[93]

Bronze Age

In spite of shortcomings in her characterization during the late 1960s, "by the early 1970s, Batgirl had matured, using her keen intellect, athletic dexterity, and burgeoning detective skills to solve petty and not-so-petty thefts."[93] However, by the end of the Bronze Age of Comic Books in the mid-1980s (and with the dark, gritty influence of Frank Miller's work on the Batman related titles), Batgirl became less valuable to the franchise "where there was not as much room for a librarian fighting crime in high heels."[24] As such, Barbara Gordon becomes increasingly skeptical of her effectiveness as Batgirl until she decides to give up crime-fighting permanently.[93]

Modern Age

Robin Anne Reid, in her 2008 book, Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy: Overviews notes a lack of characterization given to Barbara Gordon by Alan Moore in Batman: The Killing Joke, stating, "Barbara Gordon was not portrayed as the intelligent and resourceful woman who assumed the Batgirl persona; she was portrayed as a coco-serving homemaker overly concerned with the mess her father was making cutting and pasting news clippings."[94] Following the character's recreation as Oracle, she is shown having overcome her paralysis at the hands of the Joker by utilizing her intellect to once again engage in crime-fighting as an information broker. One defining characteristic is her sense of morality, which differs from that of Batman and her primary field agent Black Canary. Oracle has demonstrated a willingness to use lethal force, such as in Chuck Dixon's Birds of Prey issue #10, "State of War", which contradicts the methodology used by her closest allies and most DC Comics characters. Dixon stated an interview that "[s]he's less morally conflicted than other characters. She's very 'means to an end' oriented. She sees that sometimes you have to kill to save lives. She's not comfortable with that but accepts it. She would do anything to avoid using deadly force but, when push comes to shove, she'll drop the hammer."[95] She demonstrates a similar moral ambiguity in Gail Simone's Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds when she argues with Black Canary over using illegally obtained information, which denies criminals the right of due process.[96] Although the Huntress has never been opposed to using lethal force, she also comes into conflict with Oracle over the fact that she will use the psychological impact of a mission to subconsciously manipulate her field agents into conforming to her ideology.[97]

As part of DC Comics' 2011 line-wide title relaunch, The New 52, Barbara Gordon's paralysis, and her identity of Oracle, were retconned as lasting only a temporary span of time. In the Batgirl series (volume 4) that was launched in September 2011 as part of the retcon, Gordon is younger, a recent college graduate, and has resumed her activities as Batgirl, though the trauma of the events of The Killing Joke still manifests itself when confronted with an opponent who points a gun at her.[98] In a September 2011 interview, Gail Simone stated, "I'm enjoying writing Batgirl at this stage in her life. She's younger, she doesn't know everything, she's been immersed in school and her life-plan. Events conspire to change that plan, and she's nervous about that. I love writing Barbara under pretty much any conditions, but this really is a key time for her."[99]

Powers and abilities

Martial artistry

According to the character's fictional biography, Barbara Gordon took numerous self-defense classes in judo and karate, earning brown belts, prior to her tenure as Batgirl and is described as being a "star athlete."[20] Although not as proficient as other prominent DC characters such as Black Canary or The Huntress, she's still considered a very skilled martial artist and an outstanding acrobat, having been further trained by Batman himself. Following the events of The Killing Joke, Barbara Gordon continued to train in the martial arts as Oracle, despite being paralyzed from the waist down. She has extensive skills with eskrima fighting sticks, small firearms, and batarangs; she customarily keeps a pair of eskrima sticks stored in the armrests of her wheelchair as a contingency.

Intelligence and technological skill

Gordon is written as having a genius-level intellect and naturally possessing a photographic memory.[100] She is described by Gail Simone as the most intelligent member of the Batman family and among all characters having operated out of Gotham City.[101] Prior to the character's 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. Like Batman, Barbara Gordon originally used a wide variety of computer electronics and gadgets during her early adventures as Batgirl. These included an infrared scanner built into the cowl of her costume, various bat-inspired weaponry, and the Batcycle. According to Gail Simone, Oracle maintains control over the twelve technologically advanced satellites that were created by Lex Luthor during his tenure as President of the United States.[102]

Information broker

As Oracle, Barbara Gordon places her considerable skills and knowledge at the disposal of many of the DC universe's heroes.[100] She is a skilled hacker, capable of retrieving and dispersing information from private satellites, military installations, government files, and the properties of Lex Luthor.[97] Batman, himself a genius with a wide knowledge base and access to vast information resources, routinely consults Oracle for assistance. Writer and editor Dennis O'Neil, who first established Oracle as Batman's intellectual equal and source of information, stated that "[i]t was logical for her to be there in Batman's world ... Batman would need someone like that."[92]

Cultural impact

Since her debut in DC Comics publication, and fueled by her adaptation into the Batman television series in 1967, Barbara Gordon has been listed among fictional characters that are regarded as cultural icons.[103] Author Brian Cronin, in Was Superman A Spy?: And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed (2009) notes that following her 1967 debut, "Batgirl was soon popular enough to appear regularly over the next two decades and Yvonne Craig certainly made an impression on many viewers with her one season portraying young Ms. Gordon."[24] Similarly, Cronin states that following the publication of The Killing Joke, Barbara Gordon—in her new persona as Oracle—became "more popular, in fact, than she was when she was Batgirl. She even gained her own title, Birds of Prey, about her and a group of superhero operatives she organizes[.]"[24] The character has been the subject of analysis in academia, regarding the portrayal of women, librarians, and those living with disabilities in mainstream media. Throughout the course of the character's history, Barbara Gordon's intelligence has been one of her defining attributes. According to BusinessWeek, she is listed as one of the top ten most intelligent fictional superheroes appearing in American comics, and is the only female character to appear on the list.[104] In 2011, IGN ranked Barbara Gordon 17th in the Top 100 Comic Books Heroes.[1]

Feminist interpretations

In The Supergirls: Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, and the History of Comic Book Heroines (2009), author Mike Madrid states that what set Barbara Gordon as Batgirl apart from other female characters was her motivation for crime-fighting. Unlike Batwoman who preceded her, "she wears his symbol on her chest, but she is not his girlfriend or faithful handmaiden."[5] Because of the fact she does not pursue a romantic interest in Batman, "Batgirl is a female Batman can actually regard as a brilliant peer and a partner in the war on crime, the same way he would a male."[5] Historian Peter Sanderson observed that while "Barbara Gordon initially conformed to hackneyed stereotypes as a dowdy librarian ... her transformation into Batgirl could be seen in retrospect as a symbol of the emerging female empowerment movement of the 1960s. (Moreover, by the 1970s Barbara had given herself a makeover even in her 'civilian identity' and ran for Congress.)"[105] In The Image and Role of the Librarian (2002), Wendi Arant and Candace R. Benefiel argue that her portrayal as a librarian is considered to be significant to the profession, in that it is represented as a valuable and honorable career. Even in light of the fact that the character abandons it in order to run for United States Congress, Barbara Gordon is seen as being given a "career switch that even most librarians would consider a step up."[6] In the essay "Librarians, Professionalism and Image: Stereotype and Reality" (2007), Abigail Luthmann views the character less favorably, stating that "[t]he unassuming role of librarian is used as a low-visibility disguise for her crime-fighting alter-ego, and while her information-locating skills may have been useful to her extra-curricular activities no direct examples are given."[106]

In the 1980s, Barbara Kesel, after writing a complaint to DC Comics over the negative portrayal of female characters, was given the opportunity to write for Barbara Gordon in Detective Comics. Robin Anne Reid, in Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy: Overviews (2009) wrote that "Kesel's version of Batgirl established her as a character separate from Batman and Robin: a woman motivated to do what men do, but alone and in her own way. Her Secret Origins (1987) and Batgirl Special (1988) countered the victimized and objectified presentation of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in Alan Moore's acclaimed The Killing Joke (1988)."[94] She notes that Kesel's interpretation of the character emphasized her intelligence, technological skill, and ability to overcome fear. Commenting on Barbara Gordon's eventual evolution into Oracle, she states "[m]any readers and individuals within the industry believe that Barbara Gordon became a 'better' character after she was paralyzed, but few people comment on specifics of the event that allowed her to become that 'better' character."[94] In Superheroes and Superegos: Analyzing the Minds Behind the Masks (2010), author Sharon Packer wrote that "[a]nyone who feels that feminist critics overreacted to [Gordon's] accident is advised to consult the source material" calling the work "sadistic to the core."[107] Brian Cronin noted that "[many] readers felt the violence towards Barbara Gordon was too much, and even Moore, in retrospect, has expressed his displeasure with how the story turned out."[24] Jeffrey A. Brown, author of Dangerous Curves: Action Heroines, Gender, Fetishism, and Popular Culture (2011) noted The Killing Joke as an example of the "inherent misogyny of the male-dominated comic book industry" in light of the "relatively unequal violence [female characters] are subjected to."[25] While male characters may be critically injured or killed, they are more than likely to be returned to their original conception, while female characters are more likely to receive permanent damage.[25] Reid states that although speculation behind the editorial decision to allow the paralysis of the character to become permanent included the idea she had become outdated, "if audiences had grown tired of Batgirl, it was not because she was a bad character but because she had been written badly."[94]

Despite views that present the character's Batgirl persona as a symbol of female empowerment, a long-held criticism is that she was originally conceived as an uninspired variation of Batman "rather than standing alone as leader, such as Wonder Woman" who had no pre-existing male counterpart.[108] In analyzing stereotypes in gender, Jackie Marsh noted that male superheroes (such as Batman) are depicted as hyper-masculine and anti-social, "while female superheroes are reduced to a childlike status by their names" such as the Batgirl character.[109] Professor James B. South, chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Marquette University, stated that Barbara Gordon's character development as Oracle gave her a sense of independence she could not achieve as Batgirl. During her tenure as Batman's protege, "she seems to develop her own style of fighting as Batgirl, [but] she's still basically following in Batman's footsteps."[92] Following The Killing Joke, her recreation as Oracle, and the launch of Birds of Prey, "we see Barbara Gordon as a team leader and her transformation from a girl into a woman."[92]

Representation for the disabled

Following the character's reinvention as the information broker Oracle, she has been regarded as a symbol of empowerment for those living with disabilities. In Unleashing the Superhero in Us All (2008), author T. James Musler notes that "[f]or quite sometime, any handicap was considered insurmountable" citing Franklin D. Roosevelt as an example, who was never photographed in a wheelchair to avoid a perception of weakness.[110] In reference to Barbara Gordon, he states "[r]ather than quitting crime fighting, Barbara combines her intellect and computer skills to help the superhero community by gathering and passing along information."[110] Her character thus signifies that "[n]o longer is a handicap overwhelming, a person can live a strong good life, handicap or not."[110] Unlike her earlier incarnation as Batgirl, "[a]s Oralce, Barbara Gordon is arguably the first true librarian-as-super-hero yet seen in a mainstream comic book (as opposed to a super-hero who happens to be a librarian in his/her private life)."[6] Wendi Arant and Candace R. Benefiel note that Oracle exerts her influence over the DC Universe primarily from home, putting "to full use the information science skills [she] learned on her way to her Ph.D."[6] In her new persona, "the physically challenged but superbly resourceful Oracle occupies a unique place in the annuals of superhero-dom—the 'information goddess' as crime stopper."[6] James B. South's chapter "Barbara Gordon and Moral Perfectionism" in the 2004 book Superheroes and Philosophy analyzes how the changes in her life "from librarian to Batgirl to Oracle" drive her to pursue a higher self, illustrating the philosophical theory of moral perfectionism.[111]

In other media

Yvonne Craig poses in the Batgirl costume from the television show, holding the cape open. The costume consists of a purple bodysuit, cowl, gloves, boots, a yellow cape and belt.
Yvonne Craig as Batgirl.

Portrayed by Yvonne Craig, the character's first adaptation outside of comic books took place in the third season of Batman (1967). Les Daniels, in Batman: The Complete History (2004) wrote that the goal of ABC was to "attract new audience members, especially idealistic young girls and less high-minded older men."[2] According to Craig: "I used to think the reason they hired me was because they knew I could ride my own motorcycle ... I realized they hired me because I had a cartoon voice."[2] A shared criticism of Batgirl and other female superheroes in television at the time (such as Wonder Woman and the Bionic Woman), is that she was not allowed to engage in hand-to-hand combat on screen.[103] As such, "her fights were choreographed carefully to imitate the moves of a Broadway showgirl through the use of a straight kick to her opponent's face rather than the type of kick a martial artist would use."[103] However, Craig has also stated: "I meet young women who say Batgirl was their role model ... They say its because it was the first time they ever felt girls could do the same things guys could do, and sometimes better. I think that’s lovely."[112] During the early 1970s, Craig portrayed Batgirl once again in a public service announcement to advocate equal pay for women.[108] Since Batman, the character has had a long history of appearances in television and other media.[108] As Batgirl, Barbara Gordon plays a supporting role in a string of animated series, voiced by Jane Webb in The Batman/Superman Hour (1968), Melendy Britt in The New Adventures of Batman (1977), Melissa Gilbert in Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Tara Strong in The New Batman Adventures (1997), Danielle Judovits in The Batman (2004), Mae Whitman in Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008)[108] and Alyson Stoner in Young Justice (2011). The Batman series also showcased the character's first animated adaptation as Oracle, voiced by Kellie Martin in the episode "Artifacts" (2007).

Dina Meyer starred as Barbara Gordon in the television series Birds of Prey (2002). It became the first adaptation to show the character's progression from Batgirl to Oracle, which included her paralysis at the hands of the Joker. Meyer commented on her character's complex history stating: "She's multidimensional. She was a former superhero. She was extremely active physically for years, fighting alongside Batman. The unfortunate incident with the Joker took away the use of her legs ... but rather than give up and throw in the towel, as she could've done so easily, she went and studied escrima (a martial art), got stronger in her mental state and, while helping out her father on a case one day, realized she had a knack for solving mysteries. And all of a sudden she became this computer genius."[113] Overall, the series received criticism for its emphasis on aesthetics over plot.[114][115] It aired for one season before receiving cancellation. Variations of the character that have been apated into other media include an elderly Barbara Gordon, voiced by Stockard Channing and Angie Harmon in Batman Beyond, who after retiring as Batgirl, became commissioner of Gotham City police, and the Barbara Wilson/Batgirl character portrayed by Alicia Silverstone in the feature film Batman & Robin (1997).[108]

In addition to live-action television and animation, the character has appeared in a number of video games included in the Batman franchise. She appears in The Adventures of Batman & Robin and Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu voiced by Tara Strong. She is also in Batman: Dark Tomorrow for the first time as Oracle.[116] She also appears in LEGO Batman for the PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, and PlayStation Portable.[117] She plays a supporting role as Oracle in Batman: Arkham Asylum for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, serving as Batman's guide through Arkham, and is voiced by Kimberly Brooks. Alfred Pennyworth will serve as Batman's new guide in the upcoming sequel, Batman: Arkham City. In an in-depth overview of the game's demo published in Game Informer, it is mentioned that a line of dialogue indicates that within the game, nobody has been able to contact Oracle as of late.[118] She also acts as the primary contact for hero characters as Oracle in DC Universe Online, voiced by Kathy Catmull for the for the PC and the PlayStation 3. She assists the player through the tutorial and will offer comments and advice throughout the game including a guided tour of the JLA Watchtower.

Collected editions

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Top 100 Comic Book Heroes, IGN Entertainment, http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/17, retrieved 2011-07-06 
  2. ^ a b c Les Daniels (2004), Batman: The Complete History, Chronicle Books, p. 113, 115, ISBN 0811842320 
  3. ^ Michael Fitzgerald (2007), Carmine infantino: Decades at DC and Beyond, archived from the original on November 24, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20071124223127/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004812442.cfm, retrieved 2007-11-23 
  4. ^ Les Daniels (1995), DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes, Bulfinch, p. 141, ISBN 0-8212-2076-4 
  5. ^ a b c d Mike Madrid (2009), The Supergirls: Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, and the History of Comic Book Heroines, Exterminating Angel Press, p. 136–138, ISBN 9781935259039 
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Wendi Arant; Candace Benefiel (2002), The Image and Role of the Librarian, Haworth Press, pp. 77–80, ISBN 0789020998 
  7. ^ Detective #417, DC Comics, 1971 
  8. ^ Fred Grandinetti, Remembering Kathy Kane: The First Batwoman, Newsarama, archived from the original on September 29, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20070929132840/http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Batwoman/BatwomanHistory.htm, retrieved 2007-09-19 
  9. ^ Gardner Fox (1968), Justice League of America #60, DC Comics 
  10. ^ Cary Bates (1968), World's Finest Comics #176, DC Comics 
  11. ^ Bob Haney (1968), The Brave and the Bold #78, DC Comics 
  12. ^ Cary Bates (1969), Action Comics #381, DC Comics 
  13. ^ Elliot Maggin (1975), Superman #268, DC Comics 
  14. ^ Detective Comics #424, DC Comics, 1972 
  15. ^ The Amazing Adventures of Superman #268, DC Comics, 1973 
  16. ^ Elliot Maggin (1975), Batman Family #1, DC Comics 
  17. ^ Batman Family #10, DC Comics, 1977 
  18. ^ David Reed (1978), Batman Family #20, DC Comics 
  19. ^ Marv Wolfman (1985), Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics, p. 215, ISBN 1-56389-750-4 
  20. ^ a b Barbara Randal (1987), Secret Origins # 20 Batgirl and the Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite, DC Comics 
  21. ^ Barbara Randall (1988), Batgirl Special #1, DC Comics 
  22. ^ Alan Moore (1988), Batman: The Killing Joke, DC Comics, ISBN 978-0930289454 
  23. ^ a b c Shannon Cochran (2007), "The Cold Shoulder: Saving Superheroines from Comic-book Violence", Bitch 
  24. ^ a b c d e Brian Cronin (2009), Was Superman A Spy?: And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed, Penguin, pp. 45, 47, ISBN 9780452295322 
  25. ^ a b c Jeffrey A. Brown (2011), Dangerous Curves: Action Heroines, Gender, Fetishism, and Popular Culture, University Press of Mississippi, p. 175, ISBN 9781604737141 
  26. ^ a b Brian Cronin (2007), A (Perhaps Unnecessary) Guide to Oracle's Formative Years, http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/02/15/a-perhaps-unnecessary-guide-to-oracles-formative-years, retrieved 2007-09-11 
  27. ^ John Ostrander (2007), Suicide Squad (Vol. 1) #23, DC Comics, ISBN 1401214916, http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=8207 
  28. ^ Dennis O'Neil (1993), Batman: Sword of Azrael #1, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1563891007 
  29. ^ Lewis Shiner (1993), The Hacker Files, DC Comics 
  30. ^ The Batman Chronicles #5, DC Comics, 1996 
  31. ^ Chuck Dixon; Jordan Gorfinkey (1996), Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey, DC Comics, ISBN 156389484X 
  32. ^ Chuck Dixon (2003), Nightwing: Hunt for Oracle, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1563899409 
  33. ^ Jennifer Contino (2006), Interview with Gail Simone, Mania Comics, http://www.mania.com/53133.html, retrieved 2007-09-12 
  34. ^ Chuck Dixon; Scott Beatty (2003), Batgirl: Year One, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1401200800 
  35. ^ Ed Brubaker; Bill Willingham (2004), Batman: War Games, DC Comics, ISBN 1401204317 
  36. ^ Gail Simone (2005), Birds of Prey: Between Dark and Dawn, DC Comics, ISBN 1401209408 
  37. ^ Gail Simone (2005), Birds of Prey: The Battle Within, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1401210960 
  38. ^ Geoff Johns; Phil Jimenez, George Perez, Jerry Ordway, Ivan Reis, Andy Lanning (2005), Infinite Crisis, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1401209599 
  39. ^ Marc Andreyko (2007), Nightwing Annual 2, DC Comics 
  40. ^ Gail Simone (2007), Birds of Prey: Blood and Circuits, DC Comics, ISBN 978-1401213718 
  41. ^ Paul Dini; Sean McKeever (2007), Countdown #39, DC Comics 
  42. ^ a b Geoff Johns; Jeff Katz (2007), The All-New Booster Gold #5, DC Comics 
  43. ^ Gail Simone (2007), Birds of Prey: Whitewater, DC Comics 
  44. ^ Antony J.L. Bedard (2009), Birds of Prey #127, DC Comics 
  45. ^ Kevin VanHook (2009), Oracle: The Cure #1, DC Comics 
  46. ^ Kevin VanHook (2009), Oracle: The Cure #2, DC Comics 
  47. ^ Kevin VanHook (2009), Oracle: The Cure #3, DC Comics 
  48. ^ Bryan Q. Miller (2009), Batgirl #1, DC Comics 
  49. ^ Bryan Q. Miller (2009), Batgirl #3, DC Comics 
  50. ^ Geoff Johns (2009), Blackest Night #2, DC Comics 
  51. ^ Peter J. Tomasi (2009), Blackest Night: Batman #2, DC Comics 
  52. ^ Greg Rucka (2010), Detective Comics #862, DC Comics 
  53. ^ Gail Simone (2010), Birds of Prey #1, DC Comics 
  54. ^ Gail Simone (2010), Birds of Prey #2, DC Comics 
  55. ^ Gail Simone (2010), Birds of Prey #3, DC Comics 
  56. ^ Gail Simone (2010), Birds of Prey #9, DC Comics 
  57. ^ Gail Simone (2010), Birds of Prey #10, DC Comics 
  58. ^ Grant Morrison (2010), Batman: The Return #1, DC Comics 
  59. ^ Grant Morrison (2011), Batman Incorporated #6, DC Comics 
  60. ^ Scott Snyder (2011), Detective Comics #880, DC Comics 
  61. ^ Scott Snyder (2011), Detective Comics #881, DC Comics 
  62. ^ a b Michael Doran (2011-07-01), DC Releases New "The New 52" Info & Answers to Retailers, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-the-new-52-retailer-info-110701.html, retrieved 2011-07-07 
  63. ^ a b Jill Pantozzi (2011-06-06), OP/ED: ORACLE Is Stronger Than BATGIRL Will Ever Be, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/oracle-is-stronger-than-batgirl-110606.html, retrieved 2011-07-07 
  64. ^ Batgirl Triumphant: The Price of Restoring DC Comics' Disabled Heroine, http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/06/06/batgirl-barbara-gordon-disabled/ 
  65. ^ “Fixing” Barbara Gordon’s Legs: The Politics of Retconning a Disability, http://www.sequart.org/magazine/1236/fixing-barbara-gordons-legs-the-politics-of-retconning-a-disability/ 
  66. ^ Jen Doll (2011-08-30), "Comic Fans to Gather in Times Square at Midnight for Launch of 'The New 52'", The Village Voice, http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/08/dc_comics_new_52.php, retrieved 2011-09-03 
  67. ^ a b Michael Doran (2011-06-06), UPDATE 7: More DCnU BATMAN Reveals, BATMAN, INC. Info, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-detective-batman-titles-110606.html, retrieved 2011-07-07 
  68. ^ Batgirl #1 (2011)
  69. ^ Vaneta Rogers (2011-09-12), Ten NEW 52 Titles Exceed 100k, DC Touts Sales Success, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-touts-new-52-sales-success-110912.html, retrieved 2011-09-12 
  70. ^ Mark Langshaw (2011-09-02), 'Action Comics' #1, 'Batgirl' #1 sell out at distribution level, Digital Spy, http://www.digitalspy.com/comics/news/a338458/action-comics-1-batgirl-1-sell-out-at-distribution-level.html, retrieved 2011-09-02 
  71. ^ Calvin Reid (2011-09-08), "The New 52: 'PW Comics World' Reviews DC Comics' New Series", Publishers Weekly, http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/comics/article/48604-the-new-52--pw-comics-world-reviews-dc-comics-new-series.html, retrieved 2011-09-08 
  72. ^ George Gene Gustines; Adam W. Kepler (2011-09-08), "Rating the No. 1's: 'Batgirl' and More", The New York Times, http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/rating-the-no-1s-batgirl-and-more/, retrieved 2011-09-08 
  73. ^ Ken Tucker (2011-09-07), "Comic-book consumer guide: Grading the new DC #1s, 'Batgirl,' 'Detective Comics,' and more", Entertainment Weekly, http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/09/07/batgirl-batman-detective-comics-dc-superman/, retrieved 2011-09-07 
  74. ^ Birds of Prey (vol. 3) #1
  75. ^ M. Keith Booker (2010), Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels, ABC-CLIO, p. 53, ISBN 9780313357466 
  76. ^ Howard Chaykin (1997), Thrillkiller: Batgirl & Robin, DC Comics 
  77. ^ Howard Chaykin (1998), Batgirl + Batman: Thrillkiller '62, DC Comics 
  78. ^ Tom Simmons, Barbara Kesel (1998), Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl, DC Comics 
  79. ^ Fabian Nicieza (2000), JLA: Created Equal, DC Comics 
  80. ^ John Byrne (2003), Superman/Batman Generations II #2, DC Comics 
  81. ^ Rik Offenberger (2007), Dan DiDio: DC Comics' All Star, Silver Bullet Comics, http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/111605849050665.htm, retrieved 2007-09-11 
  82. ^ Ben Morse (2006), HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL STAR, Wizard, archived from the original on 2007-10-12, http://web.archive.org/web/20071012141004/http://wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001559179.cfm, retrieved 2007-11-23 
  83. ^ Joey Esposito (2009-03-30), The Life and Times of Barbara Gordon, CraveOnline, http://www.craveonline.com/comics/articles/146996-the-life-and-times-of-barbara-gordon, retrieved 2011-07-06 
  84. ^ a b Ray Tate (2000-12-31), LINE OF FIRE REVIEWS: Batman Gotham Knights #12, http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/97832472765596.htm, retrieved 2007-11-25 
  85. ^ Dave Johnson (2006), Alex ross: giving batwoman her look, Newsarama, archived from the original on October 11, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20071011204921/http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/Batwoman/BatwomanRoss.html, retrieved 2007-09-12 
  86. ^ Infinite Crisis, DC Comics, 2007, ISBN 978-1401213534, http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=7125 
  87. ^ a b Beau Yarbrough (1999), OSTRANDER ON ORACLE, MARTIAN MANHUNTER AND MARVEL'S WESTERN HEROES, Comic Book Resources, http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=326, retrieved 2007-11-22 
  88. ^ Jordan Justin (2005), WW PHILLY: Crisis counseling with Dan DiDio: DC jumps one year into the future, http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=5129, retrieved 2009-10-01 
  89. ^ Marc Dipaolo (2011), War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film, McFarland, p. 145, ISBN 9780786447183 
  90. ^ Dareh Gregorian (2011-08-29), "She's Bat in Action!", New York Post, http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/she_bat_in_action_khKyEe07oducT2eV8Fk0EJ, retrieved 2011-09-10 
  91. ^ a b Jill Pantozzi (2011-06-09), Gail, Jill and Babs: A Conversation about BATGIRL & ORACLE, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/gail-simone-dicusses-batgirl-and-oracle-110609.html, retrieved 2011-07-07 
  92. ^ a b c d e f Vaneta Rogers (2011-09-07), Why They Endure(d): ORACLE Remembered by Creators, Advocates, Newsarama, http://www.newsarama.com/comics/why-they-endured-oracle-110907.html, retrieved 2011-09-07 
  93. ^ a b c d Gina Renée Misiroglu (2004), The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-book Icons and Hollywood Heroes, Visible Ink Press, p. 724–726, ISBN 9781578591541 
  94. ^ a b c d Robin Anne Reid (2009), Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy: Overviews, ABC-CLIO, pp. 88, 89, ISBN 9780313335914 
  95. ^ Loren Di Iorio (2000-07-28), Chuck Dixon Chats with Loren Di Iorio, Comics Bulletin, http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/96477345452404.htm 
  96. ^ Gail Simone (2003), Birds of Prey #59, DC Comics 
  97. ^ a b Gail Simone (2006), Birds of Prey #80, DC Comics 
  98. ^ Gail Simone (w), Vicente Cifuentes (i). Batgirl v4, 1 (November 2011), DC Comics
  99. ^ Josie Campbell (2011-09-07), Simone Adds "Batgirl," "Fury of Firestorm" to DC's New 52, Comic Book Resources, http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34263, retrieved 2011-09-07 
  100. ^ a b Scott Peterson (1994), A Little Knowledge Showcase 94 #12, DC Comics 
  101. ^ Alex Zalben (2011-07-26), SDCC 2011: The LAST New DC Comics 52 Panel Recap, MTV, http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/07/26/sdcc-2011-the-last-new-dc-comics-52-panel-recap/, retrieved 2011-08-26 
  102. ^ Matt Brady (2007), The simone files i: birds of prey - updated, www.newsarama.com, http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=98825, retrieved 2007-12-19 
  103. ^ a b c Frances H. Early, Kathleen Kennedy (2003), Athena's Daughters: Television's New Women Warriors, Syracuse University Press, p. 187, ISBN 9780313335891 
  104. ^ Joseph Pisani (2006), The Smartest Superheroes, BusinessWeek, http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/05/smart_heroes/index_01.htm, retrieved 2007-11-25 
  105. ^ Peter Sanderson (2007), Comics in Context #67: Catch As Cats Can, IGN, http://comics.ign.com/articles/595/595646p7.html, retrieved 2007-11-22 
  106. ^ Abigail Luthmann, "Librarians, Professionalism and Image: Stereotype and Reality", Library Review 56 (9): 773 
  107. ^ Sharon Packer (2010), Superheroes and Superegos: Analyzing the Minds Behind the Masks, ABC-CLIO, p. 201, ISBN 9780313355363 
  108. ^ a b c d e Claudia Mitchell, Jacqueline Reid-Walsh (2008), Girl Culture: Studying Girl Culture : A Readers' Guide, ABC-CLIO, p. 170, ISBN 9780313339080 
  109. ^ Becky Francis, Christine Skelton (2005), Reassessing Gender and Achievement: Questioning Contemporary Key Debates, Psychology Press, p. 146, ISBN 9780415333245 
  110. ^ a b c T. James Musler (2008), Unleashing the Superhero in Us All, Lulu, p. 62, ISBN 9781435746336 
  111. ^ James B. South (2004), Superheroes and Philosophy, Open Court, pp. 89–101, ISBN 0-8126-9573-9 
  112. ^ Ashley McAllister (2010-08-15), From the Library: Batgirl!, Bitch Media, http://bitchmagazine.org/post/from-the-library-batgirl, retrieved 2011-09-14 
  113. ^ Ian Spelling (2002-09-28), "Meyer's 'Prey' Role Has A Different Twist", Houston Chronicle: 2, ISSN 10747109 
  114. ^ Robert Bianco (2002-10-09), "'Birds' Has Looks But Flies Too Low", USA Today: D.04, ISSN 07347456 
  115. ^ Vince Horiuchi (2002-10-09), "The WB's 'Birds of Prey' Needs Special Powers to Attract Viewers", The Salt Lake Tribune: C.8, ISSN 07463502 
  116. ^ Batman: Dark Tomorrow Bios #8, IGN, 27 February 2003, http://uk.xbox.ign.com/articles/387/387438p1.html, retrieved 6 January 2011 
  117. ^ Game Informer features a two-page gallery of the many heroes and villains who appear in the game with a picture for each character and a descriptive paragraph. See "LEGO Batman: Character Gallery," Game Informer 186 (October 2008): 92.
  118. ^ Game Informer #209

Further reading

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Barbara Gordon — Primera aparición como Batgirl: Detective Comics Nº 359 (enero de 1967) como Oráculo: Suicide Squad Nº 23 (enero de 1989) DC Comics Creador(es) Gardner Fox Carmine Infantino …   Wikipedia Español

  • Barbara Gordon — Demande de traduction …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Barbara Gordon in other media — Adaptations of Barbara Gordon in other media Created by Gardner Fox Carmine Infantino Original source Comics published by DC Comics First appearance Detective Comics #359 (January 1967) …   Wikipedia

  • Alternate versions of Barbara Gordon — This is a list of the Alternate versions of Barbara Gordon appearing in stories published by DC Comics in which the comic book character has been placed in non canon storylines taking place both in and outside of mainstream continuity. Various… …   Wikipedia

  • Gordon (Batman) — James Gordon Pour les articles homonymes, voir Gordon. Commissaire James Gordon Personnage de Batman …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Gordon — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Gordon est le nom d un clan écossais traditionnel, le Clan Gordon, originaire du Berwikshire (Northumberland). On pense que le mot dérive d un terme celte …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Gordon E. Sawyer — Born August 27, 1905(1905 08 27) Santa Barbara, California, United States Died March 15, 1980(1980 03 15) (aged 74) Santa Barbara, California, United States Occupation Sound engineer …   Wikipedia

  • Barbara Crampton — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Barbara Crampton (27 de diciembre de 1958, Levittown, Long Island, New York, USA) es una actriz y modelo estadounidense. Algunos dicen que nació en 1962. Contenido 1 Carrera 2 Vida personal 3 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Barbara Stanwyck — dans L Étrangleur (1943) Données clés Nom de naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Barbara West — Barbara Joyce Dainton Nom de naissance Barbara Joyce West Naissance 24 mai 1911 Bornemouth, Angleterre Décès 16 octobre 2007 (à 96 ans) Truro, Angleterre Nationalité …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”