Barbara Gordon

Barbara Gordon
Batgirl and Oracle — the definitive iterations of the character. Art by Kevin Maguire and Karl Kesel, and colors by Anthony Tollin. From Who's Who In The DC Universe (vol. 1) #7 (February 1991). Birthday = September 23
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	As Batgirl: Detective Comics #359 (December 31st 1966) As Oracle: Suicide Squad #23 (January 10th 1989)
Created by	As Batgirl: William Dozier (idea) Julius Schwartz (concept) Gardner Fox (writer) Carmine Infantino (artist) As Oracle: John Ostrander (writer) Kim Yale (writer)
In-story information
Alter ego	Barbara Joan Gordon
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Justice League Birds of Prey Batman Family Seven Soldiers of Victory Suicide Squad Batman Incorporated GCPD Young Justice Justice League United
Partnerships	Batman Nightwing Robin Batgirl/Orphan Batgirl/Spoiler Huntress Black Canary
Notable aliases	Batgirl Amy Beddoes Oracle
Abilities	Genius-level intellect Trained computer scientist and security hacker Highly skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant Utilizes high-tech equipment and weaponry Expert detective Indomitable will Eidetic memory

Barbara Gordon is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The character was created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino. Dozier, the producer of the 1960s Batman television series, requested Schwartz to call 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!" in January 1967, by Fox and Infantino,^[1] allowing her to be introduced into the television series, portrayed by actress Yvonne Craig, in the season 3 premiere "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin", in September that same year.

Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon, the sister of serial killer James Gordon Jr. and is initially employed as head of the Gotham City Public Library. Although the character appeared in various DC Comics publications, she was prominently featured in Batman Family which debuted in 1975, partnered with the original Robin, Dick Grayson, whom she has a history of working closely and being romantically involved with. In 1988, following the editorial retirement of the character's Batgirl persona in Batgirl Special #1, the graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke depicts the Joker shooting her through the spinal cord in her civilian identity, resulting in paraplegia. In subsequent stories, the character was reestablished as a technical advisor, computer expert and information broker known as Oracle. Becoming a valuable asset providing intelligence and computer hacking services to assist other superheroes, she makes her first appearance as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989) and later became a featured lead of the Birds of Prey series. In 2011, as part of DC Comics The New 52 relaunch, Barbara recovered from her paralysis following a surgical procedure and returned as Batgirl. Barbara has since featured in the eponymous Batgirl monthly title as well as Birds of Prey and other Batman books. Following the events of Joker War, Barbara returned to her Oracle role while recovering from an injury, and continues to operate as both Batgirl and Oracle after the 2021 Infinite Frontier event.

The character was a popular comic book figure during the Silver Age of Comic Books, 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 disabled icon. The character has been the subject of academic analysis concerning the roles of women, librarians, and disabled people in mainstream media. The events of The Killing Joke, which led to the character's paralysis, as well as the restoration of her mobility, have also 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 disabilities existing in a fictional universe where magic, technology, and medical science exceed the limitations of the real world.

As both Batgirl and Oracle, Barbara Gordon has been featured in various adaptations related to the Batman franchise, including television, film, animation, video games, and other merchandise. Aside from Craig, the character has been portrayed by Dina Meyer, Alicia Silverstone (as Barbara Wilson), and Jeté Laurence, and has been voiced by Melissa Gilbert, Tara Strong, Danielle Judovits, Alyson Stoner, Mae Whitman, Kimberly Brooks and Briana Cuoco among others. Barbara Gordon appeared in the third season of the HBO Max series Titans as the new commissioner of Gotham City portrayed by Savannah Welch.^[2] The character was slated for a solo film set in the DCEU, starring Leslie Grace in the title role and intended to be released on HBO Max. The film was canceled in August 2022. In 2011, Barbara Gordon ranked 17th in IGN's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes".^[3]