Batgirl
From DC Database
This is the Batgirl disambiguation page.
It serves to clarify the difference between several closely named or closely related articles.
A = Appearances · CA = Chronological Appearances · G = Gallery · Q = Quotes
Contents |
Batgirl • Batwoman
None
A · CA · G · Q |
 Earth-One A · CA · G · Q Silver Age Batgirl |
 New Earth A · CA · G · Q Silver Age-Modern Age, now known as Oracle |
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Other Media
Batman
The Silver Age Batgirl was actually based upon a character first featured in the 1966 live-action Batman television series. Actress Yvonne Craig played the role of Barbara Gordon – daughter of Gotham City police commissioner, James Gordon. ABC submitted an eight-minute movie-short to studio executives featuring an encounter between Batgirl and Killer Moth. The promotional footage proved satisfying enough, that they included the character in the third season premiere episode, "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin". Although this proved to be the final season of series production, Batgirl managed to make 26 appearances before cancellation. Craig's portrayal of Batgirl led DC Comics executive editor Julius Schwartz to re-envision the character for their comic line, and Barbara Gordon debuted that same year in Detective Comics #359 (cover dated January, 1967). In her first live-action adventure, Batgirl found herself the victim of the villainous Penguin who kidnapped Barbara with the intent of marrying her. It was the Penguin's hope that as the son-in-law to Gotham City's police commissioner, he would be exonerated from his past crimes. Batman and Robin attempted to rescue her, but Barbara managed to extricate herself, swinging into action as Batgirl. She even managed to save the Dynamic Duo from being dipped into a vat of boiling water.
Episode Appearances
- 3x01 "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin"
- 3x02 "Ring Around the Riddler"
- 3x03 "The Wail of the Siren"
- 3x04 "The Sport of Penguins" (1)
- 3x05 "A Horse of Another Color" (2)
- 3x06 "The Unkindest Tut of All"
- 3x07 "Louie the Lilac"
- 3x08 "The Ogg and I" (1)
- 3x09 "How to Hatch a Dinosau" (2)
- 3x10 "Surf's Up! Joker's Under!"
- 3x11 "The Londinium Larcenies" (1)
- 3x12 "The Foggiest Notion" (2)
- 3x13 "The Bloody Tower" (3)
- 3x14 "Catwoman's Dressed to Kill"
- 3x15 "The Ogg Couple"
- 3x16 "The Funny Feline Felonies" (1)
- 3x17 "The Joke's on Catwoman" (2)
- 3x18 "Louie's Lethal Lilac Time"
- 3x19 "Nora Clavicle and the Ladies' Crime Club"
- 3x20 "Penguin's Clean Sweep"
- 3x21 "The Great Escape" (1)
- 3x22 "The Great Train Robbery" (2)
- 3x23 "I'll Be a Mummy's Uncle"
- 3x24 "The Joker's Flying Saucer"
- 3x25 "The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra"
- 3x26 "Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires"
The 2003 CBS movie Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt featured a breif cameo from the Barbara Gordon/Batgirl character, portrayed by Erin Carufel. Yvonne Craig, unlike her onscreen co-stars Adam West and Burt Ward, did not return for the movie.
Birds of Prey
Barbara Gordon was a feature character in the short lived Birds of Prey television series which aired on the WB network from October of 2002 until February of 2003. Played by actress Dina Meyer, Barbara Gordon functioned as the handicapped coordinator of a group of young female vigilantes operating in a Gotham City of the near-future. Her origin in the series closely mimicked that shown in the comic books, including an encounter with the Joker, which led to her paraplegia and wheelchair use. The series was peppered with flashbacks showing Meyer wearing a version of the traditional Batgirl costume, and in the series finale, she briefly regained the ability to walk and adventured as Batgirl one final time.
The Batman
In September of 2005, Batgirl made her first appearance on the Kids WB animated series, The Batman. Coincidentally, she appeared in the premiere episode of season three, the same as her live-action predecessor Yvonne Craig did on the first Batman TV series. Voiced by Danielle Judovits, she was introduced in a two-part episode entitled "Batgirl Begins". The story title was derived as a wink towards the 2005 Christopher Nolan film, Batman Begins. This episode became significant as the first instance where the character of Batgirl was introduced in a film series or television program prior to that of Robin. Robin's character was not introduced until the season four premiere episode "A Matter of Family". In this series, Barbara assumed the identity of Batgirl in order to rescue her father from the clutches of her former friend, Poison Ivy. During this adventure, she crossed paths with the Batman, and managed to rescue her father without revealing her secret identity. Batgirl insinuated her way into the Dark Knight's lifestyle, despite Batman's persistent discouragement over her chosen profession. She even succeeded in determining that Batman was actually Bruce Wayne, but Wayne managed to manipulate circumstances to ensure the safety of his secret identity. For a brief period, Barbara dismissed her belief that Bruce and the Batman were one and the same. She continued to aid the Dark Knight against the likes of the Joker and Clayface, and even piloted the heavy duty Batbot armor. For all of his efforts however, Bruce could not convince Barbara to give up this risky lifestyle, and she constantly complained that Batman was keeping her "out of the loop". Before long, Barbara discovered that Batman had taken on an official partner – the young aerialist known as Robin. Barbara was infuriated, but Batman soon took her into his confidence and revealed his true identity to her. Bringing her down into the Batcave, he supplied her with a utility belt and Batgirl became one of Batman's official partners. She currently serves as a perfunctory sidekick, working alongside (sometimes reluctantly) her teammate, Robin.
Episode Appearances
- 3x01 "Batgirl Begins Part 1"
- 3x02 "Batgirl Begins Part 2"
- 3x03 "A Dark Knight to Remember"
- 3x05 "RPM"
- 3x06 "Brawn"
- 3x07 "The Laughing Cats"
- 3x08 "Fleurs du Mal"
- 3x10 "The Apprentice"
- 3x11 "Thunder"
- 4x02 "Team Penguin"
- 4x05 "Strange New World"
- 4x06 "The Breakout"
- 4x07 "Artifacts" (as Oracle)
- 4x08 "Two of a Kind"
- 4x09 "Seconds"
- 4x12 "The Joining Part 1"
- 4x13 "The Joining Part 2"
