"I have to find another path. Divine my own future. One uniquely mine. Not a page from someone else's book. Not a fate that begins and ends on page one. ''
--BATGIRL
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Comic Book History
Who is BATGIRL?
Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl, is the niece and adopted daughter of Commissioner Gordon. She was Batgirl for many years until a tragic event paralyzed her from waist down. Barbara reinvented herself as the wheel-chair bound Oracle, an international super-hacker and invaluable computers expert for heroes everywhere. Batgirl made her debut Detective Comics #359 (January 1967), she was created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.
At age 13, Barbara's parents were tragically killed in an automobile accident. After the accident, her uncle, James Gordon and his wife (also named Barbara), adopted their orphaned niece.
At a young age, Barbara wanted to be a "super-hero", when she moved to Gotham she found her inspiration in Batman.
The young Barbara tried to learn as much as he can about the Batman. She trained hard physically and is equally committed academically.
She wanted to join the police academy and asked her cop father, James Gordon, but he just laughed and said that she did not even meet the height requirements. A little annoyed Barbara planned to crash The Gotham City Police Department's Million Dollar Masquerade Ball dressed up in a homemade "female" version of Batman's suit. Her plan took a slight turn when she arrived in the ball and costumed criminals took hostage the people present. Now Barbara Gordon has to step up and claim what she always dream of, being a superhero. Thus on that night Batgirl was born.
She would earn the trust of Batman, who revealed his secret identity to her as the millionaire Bruce Wayne. She would be sworn in by Batman to uphold justice and fight crime everywhere, making her dream of becoming bona fide superhero come true.
As Batgirl and working alongside the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin, Babs started to flirt with the younger vigilante, which later would turn into a budding romance.
Tragedy would strike Barbara Gordon, while in her civilian identity, Batman's deadliest enemy - The Joker showed up on her house and shot her. The bullet hit her spine and paralyzed her from the waist down.
For months, she was depressed knowing she could no longer be a costumed crime fighter, and then she realized that she could continue fighting crime in a different avenue. She devoted most of her time to developing one of the world's most complex and powerful computer systems and set to work accumulating information, she then took the name "Oracle."
As Oracle, Barbara needed operatives to do the legwork, so she founded the team Birds of Prey. She also serves as the information broker to costumed heroes throughout DCU.
With a recent major shake-up in the DC Universe, we would see Barbara Gordon up, running, wearing her old duds and returning as Batgirl.
ANIMATED APPEARANCE/S
The Adventures of Batman
Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, made her first animated appearance in the 1968 series The Adventures of Batman. Jane Webb provided her voice. Barbara Gordon, this time working in the District Attorney's office, made several appearances in both her civilian persona and as her alter ego.
The New Adventures of Batman
The Silver Age Batgirl was a recurring supporting character on the 1977 animated series The New Adventures of Batman. The animated version of Batgirl was very similar to her comic book counterpart, boasting a costume similar to the one seen in the comics, as well as a motorcycle.
Batman: The Animated Series
The character is introduced as Barbara Gordon in the first season of Batman: The Animated Series. In the second season Commissioner Gordon is framed for corruption. Barbara contacts Batman and asks him to appear at a rally to support Gordon, but Batman declines, citing more important things to do. Barbara Gordon decides to impersonate Batman, intending only to be seen in the shadows. However, later the back of her mask would be torn, causing her hair to spill out. Media articles the next day ask the question "Who is Batgirl?”
The New Batman Adventures
In The New Batman Adventures Tara Strong voiced Batgirl. Batgirl's costume was changed to a black body suit with yellow gloves and boots to match her original comic book design.
Batman Beyond
Barbara Gordon appears in Batman: Beyond, no longer the dashing beautiful vigilante she was in her youth but a grim, bitter old woman, voiced by Angie Harmon.
The Batman
Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, appeared on The Batman animated series, voiced by Danielle Judovits.
LIVE MEDIA APPEARANCE/S
Yvonne Craig
Yvonne Craig portrayed librarian Barbara Gordon, and her alter ego Batgirl, in the third season of the Batman television series (1967–1968). Her Batgirl costume incorporated a long red wig to hide her real avocado-style, black hair.
Alicia Silverstone
Batgirl is portrayed by actress Alicia Silverstone in the 1997 movie Batman & Robin. The film's "Barbara Wilson" somewhat resembles the comics' Barbara Gordon. In the movie, Barbara is the niece of Alfred Pennyworth rather than the daughter of Commissioner Gordon. Her costume varies significantly from traditional versions, with no yellow coloring and a domino mask.
Dina Meyer
Dina Meyer plays Barbara Gordon on the WB television series, Birds of Prey. The series was loosely based on the comic book of the same name. We see Gordon here in the role of Oracle, giving information to her two operatives. In some episodes, we see her in her Batgirl costume.
Oracle:
Batgirl:
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POWERS & ABILITIES
Note: Due to the nature of comicbooks being an on-going tale, the character's powers along with his appearance, is in a constant state of flux.
Barbara Gordon does not possess any superhuman powers.
Abilities:
Photographic Memory
Genius-level Intellect
Expert Computer Hacker
Master Detective
Martial Arts Master: trained martial artist. Barbara is an above-average hand-to-hand combatant.
Sources : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon_(New_Earth) : http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Barbara_Gordon_(New_Earth)/Quotes : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Gordon : http://www.comicvine.com/barbara-gordon/29-5368/ : http://www.comicvine.com/barbara-gordon/29-5368/images/
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