From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barbara Gordon
is a fictional superheroine appearing in American comic books published by
DC Comics
. She is a vigilante super-hero operating as a member of the
Batman Family
, and (depending on which continuity) the daughter or niece of
Gotham City
's Police commissioner
James Gordon
. Beginning her career as
Batgirl
working alongside
Batman
and the first
Robin
, she is an extremely intelligent detective and martial artist who maintains a civilian identity as a librarian. Following the events of
The Killing Joke
where the
Joker
paralyzed her from the waist down with a gunshot, she began using the name
Oracle
to help Batman and other heroes using a massive world-wide communications and espionage network. There are several others who take up her mantle as Batgirl during this time, including
Cassandra Cain
and
Stephanie Brown
whom she mentors, but she is eventually able to walk again and returns to her position. She is a founding member of the
Birds of Prey
, but has also been involved with the
Justice League
, the
Suicide Squad
and the
Seven Soldiers of Victory
.
Barbara Gordon was created by
Julius Schwartz
,
Gardner Fox
and
Carmine Infantino
after a concept by
William Dozier
, first appearing in
Detective Comics
#359 (1967).
John Ostrander
reinvented her as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989), although this new identity wouldn't be fully revealed until
Suicide Squad
#38 (1990).
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
Jete 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
. 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
but was canceled in August 2022. In 2011, Barbara Gordon ranked 17th in
IGN
's "Top 100 Comic Book Heroes".