Batgirl is one of the most popular and iconic characters in the DC Comics universe. She is a female counterpart and ally of Batman, who also fights crime in Gotham City. But is Batgirl related to Batman by blood or by choice? The answer is not so simple, as there have been several different women who have taken up the mantle of Batgirl over the years, each with their own backstory and relationship with the Dark Knight.
Contents
Barbara Gordon: The First and Most Famous Batgirl
The first and most famous Batgirl is Barbara Gordon, the adopted daughter of Gotham’s police commissioner James Gordon. Barbara was originally his niece, but he took her in after her parents died in a car accident. Barbara was inspired by Batman and decided to become a vigilante herself, using her skills in martial arts, hacking, and detective work. She also had a crush on Dick Grayson, the first Robin and later Nightwing.
Barbara Gordon is not related to Batman by blood, but she is considered part of his extended family, or the “Bat-family”. She has a close friendship and partnership with Batman, who respects her intelligence and courage. She also has a mentor-protégé relationship with him, as he trained her and provided her with gadgets and equipment.
However, Barbara’s career as Batgirl was cut short when she was shot and paralyzed by the Joker in the graphic novel The Killing Joke. She then became Oracle, a hacker and information broker who helped other heroes from behind the scenes. She eventually regained her mobility and returned to being Batgirl after the New 52 reboot.
Cassandra Cain: The Assassin Turned Hero
The second Batgirl was Cassandra Cain, the daughter of two of DC’s greatest assassins: Lady Shiva and David Cain. Cassandra was raised by her father to be a living weapon, who taught her to read body language instead of speech. She was also employed by Ra’s Al Ghul, the leader of the League of Assassins and one of Batman’s arch-enemies.
Cassandra rebelled against her father and joined Batman’s side during the No Man’s Land storyline, when Gotham was isolated and devastated by an earthquake. She became Batgirl under the guidance of Barbara Gordon, who helped her learn how to speak and socialize. She also developed a strong bond with Batman, who saw her as a daughter figure and eventually adopted her as his legal child.
Cassandra Cain is related to Batman by adoption, but she is also his biological cousin through his mother’s side. This is because Kate Kane, aka Batwoman, is Bruce Wayne’s cousin, and she is also related to Cassandra through her father Jacob Kane, who is David Cain’s brother. This makes Cassandra and Kate half-sisters as well.
Stephanie Brown: The Spoiler Turned Batgirl
The third Batgirl was Stephanie Brown, the daughter of the villainous Cluemaster. Stephanie initially started her superhero career as the Spoiler, a mysterious hero who always “spoiled” her father’s plans. She later became Robin after Tim Drake, the third Robin and later Red Robin, was briefly forced to give up the mantle. However, she was fired by Batman for disobeying his orders and faking her own death.
Stephanie then became Batgirl after Cassandra Cain gave up the role. She was mentored by Barbara Gordon, who helped her improve her skills and confidence. She also had a romantic relationship with Tim Drake, who supported her as Batgirl. She eventually gave up the mantle after the Flashpoint event, which rebooted the DC universe.
Stephanie Brown is not related to Batman by blood or by adoption, but she is part of his extended family as well. She has a complicated but respectful relationship with Batman, who sees her as a valuable ally and friend. She also has a close friendship with Cassandra Cain, who considers her as a sister.
Conclusion
Batgirl is not a single character, but a legacy that has been passed on to different women over time. Each of them has their own unique story and personality, but they all share a common bond with Batman and his mission. They are not related to him by blood (except for Cassandra Cain), but they are related to him by choice and by love. They are part of his family, his team, and his legacy.
