Why Barbara Gordon as Batgirl Doesn't Work

Quite possibly the most controversial new book to come out of the DC relaunch, Batgirl #1 is somewhat of a letdown. If you haven't read the issue yet, it's decent at best but definitely not one for the buy list and worth a quick skim-through at most. Barbara Gordon is the most recognizable Batgirl, and clearly the most famous to wear the costume. But why doesn't it work?


1) Oracle > Batgirl

It doesn't make sense that after over 20 years of character development as Oracle that the creative heads at DC literally downgrade Barbara back to the role she grew out of. Yes, she was seemingly forced out after being shot and paralyzed by the Joker, but her character developed as a result, and as Oracle she arguably served a larger and better purpose to the entire DC universe, all while being confined to a wheelchair. As Oracle, Barbara lead the all female crime-fighting group the Birds of Prey, trained and mentored future Batgirls (Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown), and was even known to assist the Justice League from time to time. How awesome is that??

2) Barbara Gordon Batgirl = Dick Grayson Robin

The role of Batgirl is similar to the role of Robin in the Batman mythos, and Barbara going back to Batgirl is similar to the idea of Dick Grayson going back to being Robin. Let's face it - it's just a silly thought. YES, Dick made the role famous, and he's obviously the most famous to don the green tights. But he GREW OUT of the role of Robin and matured into his own man as Nightwing, similar to Barbara maturing into her own as Oracle. Nightwing and Oracle both proved to be successful heroes upon graduating from their rookie jobs. Why take a step in the other direction?

3) The premise just isn't "Batgirl"

Although I can easily say that the mute bad-ass Cassandra Cain's is my favorite Batgirl, I just as much enjoyed Stephanie Brown's take as Batgirl. It was a fun, quirky book and she easily fit the role of the adventurous, eager, rookie crime fighter, which is pretty much what Batgirl is. It's clear from the get-go that with Barbara's return, this is a much darker (and almost depressing) Batgirl than we're used to seeing. We get a glimpse of some fun, but not enough to drown out the whole clear negativity of the book. (Post-traumatic stress disorder??) It's not a Batgirl old or even new readers will enjoy.

4) There's too many questions

Amidst all this controversy, there still remains three big questions. First, there's no clear answer as to how Barbara has regained the use of her legs. Yes, it's still only the FIRST issue, but that's a pretty big question that most fans want to know the answer to, and a bad one to leave unanswered. Secondly, the whereabouts of former Batgirls Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown aren't addressed, or if they ever even existed in this universe. (Let's hope so!) And lastly, WHY? Why go back to being Batgirl?

I admit, it's nice seeing Barbara back in the role she made famous. And for continuity nerds like me, it's even better that The Killing Joke still exists in the DCnU. Also, the first issue is just that, the FIRST issue, and obviously there's room for improvement and development. But for now it just doesn't make sense and raises too many questions.

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