The origins of Batgirl are complicated. There have been many incarnations of DC Comics' female crimefighter, from Betty Kane (niece of Batwoman Kathy Kane) in 1961 to Stephanie Brown in 2009.
But the most popular and longest-lasting character to suit up as Batgirl has been Barbara Gordon, daughter of Commissioner James Gordon, Batman's longtime ally. Her origin story has been told more than once, but each version is similar.
Barbara Gordon Becomes Batgirl on TV and in Comics
Barbara Gordon debuted as Batgirl in Detective Comics #359 (January 1967). On her way to a Policeman's Masquerade Ball, Barbara dresses up as a female version of Batman as a prank on her father. But before she can get there, she stumbles across Killer Moth and his gang, who are trying to kidnap Bruce Wayne.
After charging to the rescue and helping Batman and Robin foil Killer Moth's extortion scheme, Barbara decides to keep her secret Batgirl alter-ego. "That Batgirl sure is tops in my book," Commissioner Gordon later tells his librarian daughter. "Too bad you couldn't be a little more like her, Babs!"
Barbara Gordon/Batgirl was created by Carmine Infantino (co-creator of Human Target) and Gardner Fox, along with longtime DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz. Schwartz had wanted to create a strong female character which could be spun off from comics onto the Batman TV show. Yvonne Craig played Batgirl on Batman's final season.
Batgirl's Origin on Batman: The Animated Series
Yvonne Craig's portrayal of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl wouldn't be the last on TV. Batgirl's origin story was retold on the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Shadow of the Bat, Part I" (1993).
In this version, Barbara Gordon impersonates Batman at a rally held in support of Commissioner Gordon, who has been wrongfully accused of bribe-taking. But when she unexpectedly scuffles with some criminals, Barbara's red hair comes loose, revealing that she's no man. Like in the comics, Barbara decides to continue as a crime-fighter on Batman: TAS and its spin-off series.
Retelling the Origin of Batgirl in Batgirl: Year One
By the early 2000s, Barbara Gordon had been succeeded as Batgirl by Cassandra Cain in DC Comics continuity. But in 2003, her origin story was retold in the miniseries Batgirl: Year One (a nod to Frank Miller's influential Batman: Year One).
Batgirl: Year One is modeled on the origin described in Detective Comics #359. This time, Barbara battles Killer Moth in the middle of the Policeman's Ball, and Killer Moth becomes an underworld laughingstock. He teams up with a pyromaniac called Firefly, and swears revenge against Batgirl.
The longer format allowed greater realism and detail. Batgirl is mentored (at first reluctantly) by Batman and Robin, as well as by Black Canary, while Commissioner Gordon does not approve of Batman taking another youngster under his wing. Also, Barbara Gordon's crippling at the hands of the Joker, and her second career as Oracle, are foreshadowed.
Barbara Gordon's Batgirl has proved a fan favorite. No matter the version of her origin story, in each case she falls into the role of Batgirl accidentally. But, after a few missteps, she proves herself to be a hero on an equal footing with Batman.
Luke Arnott - Luke Arnott has a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Western Ontario, where he is currently enrolled in the ...
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