Batgirl. One of the most quintessential allies of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, the initial incarnation of the character first appeared in Batman #139 (April 1961), presented as a female counterpart to our famous superhero. Under the costume at the time was Betty Kane, the niece of Kathy Kane (aka Batwoman), but the character simply disappeared in 1964. Batgirl was reintroduced in 1967, with Barbara Gordon under the mask, destined to become the more iconic Batgirl.
Batgirl is a crime fighter in Gotham City who regularly appeared in Detective Comics, Batman Family and several other DC books until 1988. However, Barbara Gordon decided to retire from crime-fighting before her whole life was transformed by the Joker. This event altered the trajectories of both Barbara Gordon and Batgirl. In 1999, in the “No Man’s Land” storyline, Batgirl returned to action as someone else finally assumed the mantle. Not long after that, Batgirl headlines her own title for the first time since her introduction.
Over the years, several characters have taken on the mantle of Batgirl, from the most famous, Barbara Gordon, to our favourite, the trained assassin, Cassandra Cain. Read on to discover all the Batgirls!
Where to start with Batgirl?
As DC reminds us, the butt-kicking hero named Batgirl has been a vital part of Batman’s team and a role model for girls everywhere, squaring off against mobsters, assassins, super-villains and more. Though many young women have worn the cowl—from unassuming librarian Barbara Gordon to deadly mute assassin Cassandra Cain to teen vigilante Stephanie Brown—all have made their distinct mark on the DC Universe. The company celebrated Batgirl for her 50-year anniversary with an omnibus collecting the best of Batgirl stories. A perfect way to become more familiar with the famous sidekick. A perfect way to become more familiar with the character.
- Batgirl: A Celebration of 50 Years
This collection spans 53 years — from 1961 to 2014 — beginning with the debut of Betty Kane, the original Bat-Girl. Collects Batman #139; Detective Comics #359; Batgirl: Year One #4; Detective Comics #371; Detective Comics #422; Detective Comics #423; Detective Comics #424; Batman Family #9; Detective Comics #518; Detective Comics #519; Batgirl Special #1; Batman Chronicles #5; Birds of Prey #8; Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120; Batgirl #8; Batgirl #45; Batgirl (Volume 3) #4; Batgirl (Volume 3) #13; Batgirl (Volume 4) #0; Batgirl (Volume 4) #35.
Betty Kane, the Silver Age Batgirl
Meet Betty Kane, our first Bat-girl (with a hyphen), part of the Silver Age era. She was introduced, with Batwoman, as a way to counter the accusations of a homosexual subtext between Batman and Robin. Both of them were created to serve as romantic interests for our dynamic duo.
The teenage niece of Batwoman (Kathy Kane), Betty decided to fight crime after discovering her aunt’s dual identity. Like Robin, she’s a bright, enthusiastic, and athletic young woman. As she didn’t live in Gotham full-time, she was quite limited in what she could do, but she was still generally determined to prove herself.
In the end, she didn’t really have the time to reveal all her potential, as Betty disappeared, along with Batwoman, in 1964. She came back in the 1970s and joined the Titans West. But Crisis on Infinite Earths happened, and Bat-Girl was no more after that. Betty became Bette, known as Flamebird for a short time.
Recommended Reading (for all the lovers of the silver age, don’t hesitate to offer your recommendations in the comments):
- Batman #139
- Batman #153
- Batman #159
- Detective Comics #322
- Teen Titans #50-52
Barbara Gordon, the most famous Batgirl
The first “Batgirl” without the dash, Barbara Gordon is also the most famous Batgirl of them all. Created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino, Barbara Gordon first appeared in the pages of Detective Comics #359 published in January 1967. As she was the result of a request by Schwartz to create a new female counterpart to Batman following the Adam West television show, she was introduced in the season 3 premiere of Batman in September of that same year.
Barbara Joan Gordon is the daughter of Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon. She first worked as head of the Gotham City Public Library. She became a vigilante superhero for completely altruistic reasons and didn’t need help from Batman and Robin to catch criminals. While Babs may lack resources (she doesn’t have Bruce Wayne’s bank account), she makes up for this with her other abilities. She is a skilled martial artist with a genius-level intellect and photographic memory. As if that weren’t enough, Barbara is also a computer whiz.
Ultimately, Barbara Gordon is a fighter, a compassionate woman who can punch hard when necessary. Like Dick Grayson with Robin, she helped define what it means to be Batgirl.
Recommended Reading:
- Batgirl Year One – This re-imagining of Batgirl’s origins by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon (the duo behind Robin: Year One) is a perfect entry point for the character and it’s considered one of her best stories.
Depending on what you like, you can then read one (or both) of those runs:
- Batgirl Returns – After more than 20 years as Oracle, DC rebooted its universe with New52 and reestablished Barbara Gordon as Batgirl with Gail Simone as the helm of the series, in which Babs is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
- The Batgirl of Burnside – Needing a change, Batgirl moves to Burnside under the creative team made of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr. It gives a more youthful, lighter and social media-savvy Batgirl series. To discover this run, DC Comics will soon release Batgirl of Burnside: DC Compact Comics Edition.
To know more about Babs, check out our Barbara Gordon reading order.
Helena Bertinelli, Temporary Batgirl
An earthquake hits Gotham and the government chooses to evacuate, abandon and isolate those who choose to remain in the city during the No Man’s Land event. As Bruce Wayne leaves the city to lobby the government to provide continued aid to Gotham (unsuccessfully), the people of Gotham believe that Batman has abandoned them. Helena Bertinelli, more commonly known as Huntress, decides to help Gotham by assuming Batman’s role. She stitches herself a Bat-costume, which will later become Cassandra Cain’s iconic costume.
For a short time, Helena Bertinelli holds the mantle of Batgirl. However, Batman’s high standards even during a time of massive crisis get in the way, and she chooses to give up the costume in order to fight on her own terms, rather than having to blindly follow his orders. Soon afterwards, Bruce Wayne offered the role of Batgirl to Cassandra Cain.
What to read:
- Batman: No Man’s Land Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116-121, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #51-57, Batman #563-568, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-88, Detective Comics #730-735, Catwoman #72-74, Robin #67, The Batman Chronicles #16-17, Nightwing #35-37, Batman: No Man’s Land (Collector’s) #1, Batman: No Man’s Land Gallery #1, and Young Justice In No Man’s Land #1.
To know more about Helena, check out our Helena Bertinelli reading order.
Cassandra Cain, the first Batgirl with her own series
Created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott, Cassandra Cain first appeared in Batman #567 (July 1999) during the ‘No Man’s Land’ storyline. With the blessing of Batman and, most importantly, Oracle, she then became Batgirl and got her own solo series.
Cassandra Cain is the daughter of two deadly assassins, David Cain and Lady Shiva. Raised to be the ultimate weapon, her father never taught her to speak or read. She was also deprived of human contact during her childhood to make body movement her primary means of communication. This training has given her the ability to read body language and predict her opponents’ next moves. In short, Cass is the most lethal member of the Batfamily. Like all members, she is devoted to protecting human life.
Recommended Reading:
- Shadow of the Batgirl – This original graphic novel by Sarah Kuhn is a reinterpretation of her origin story and the perfect way to be introduced to the character.
- Batgirl (Volume 1) – Cassandra Cain headlines the first Batgirl solo title, penned by Kelly Puckett and Damion Scott.
To know more about Cass, check out our Cassandra Cain reading order.
Charlotte “Charlie” Gage-Radcliffe, the Second Temporary Batgirl
Created by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott, Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Gage-Radcliffe first appeared in Birds of Prey #96. She caught Barbara Gordon’s attention when she decided to fight crime as Batgirl, complete with homemade costume.
Charlie has superpowers: she can teleport, heal quickly, and has superhuman strength. She is also a big fan of Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl and wanted her approval to become the new Batgirl. However, Barbara tried to talk her out of becoming a superhero, but failed. Charlie agreed to stop being Batgirl, but not to stop fighting crime. After that, she became Misfit.
What to read:
- Birds of Prey: Blood and Circuits
Collects Birds of Prey Vol. 1 #96-103
Stephanie Brown, the snarky Batgirl
Created by Chuck Dixon and Tom Lyle, Stephanie Brown made her first appearance as a plot device in Detective Comics #647–649 (June-July 1992). The daughter of the third-rate villain the Cluemaster, she wanted to ‘spoil’ his plans and became the vigilante Spoiler as a result. She crossed paths with Batman and Robin, becoming a foil and love interest for Tim Drake. When the latter quit being Robin, Stephanie took on the mantle for a short time. She was heavily trained by Batman and received martial arts training from Batgirl.
She had a whole superhero career before becoming Batgirl, a mantle she took after Cassandra Cain gave her the costume. Although Barbara was initially reluctant, Steph quickly proved that she was worthy of the name and Barbara allowed her to continue as Batgirl, even designing her a costume and training her.
Of all the Batgirls, Stephanie is the snarkiest. Just because she doesn’t brood like Batman doesn’t mean she’s not an intense and driven person. In fact, she has had to prove her worth on more than one occasion and fight for her place in the family.
Recommended Reading: Stephanie Brown’s run as Batgirl has been reprinted in two trade paperbacks:
- Batgirl: Stephanie Brown Vol. 1
Collects Batgirl (vol. 3) #1–12 - Batgirl: Stephanie Brown Vol. 2
Collects Batgirl (vol. 3) #13-24, Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Batgirl #1 and Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! #1.
To know more about Steph, check out our Stephanie Brown reading order.
Who’s the current Batgirl?
Since 2021 and DC’s Infinite Frontier relaunch, Barbara Gordon has alternated between her roles as Oracle and Batgirl. She has supported Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown to operate as Batgirls, sharing the title. The three of them even worked together in the Batgirls comic for a short time.
As of right now, Cassandra Cain is the main Batgirl, as she starred in her own Batgirl book:
- Batgirl Vol. 1: Mother
Collects Batgirl (2024) #1-6. - Batgirl Vol. 2: Bloodlines
Collects Batgirl (2024) #7–11.
These days, Barbara Gordon primarily acts as Oracle, but occasionally suits up as Batgirl, appearing as a supporting character in several titles, including Nightwing at the moment. Similarly, Stephanie Brown still acts as Batgirl when she makes appearances, although she is not tied to any particular title and only appears sporadically.