Sunday, November 29, 2020

Character Analysis: Batgirl

 Background


Barbara does not have any initial affiliation with Bruce Wayne in most media. She typically becomes a crime fighter on her own accord, albeit inspired by commissioner Gordon, and Batman(who she has kind of a fan-girlish interest in).In her classical origin, Barbara first became batgirl after wearing a bat-themed costume for a police ball, before stopping a crime while in uniform and then rolling with the idea of being a crime fighter. Other origins generally have her take up the role as a means to protect her father from some eminent criminal or threat.


 In most continuities, she initially clashes with Batman or Robin when they first meet. Bruce eventually gains respect for her abilities, and trains/bankrolls her from then out. She was also infamously crippled by the Joker and became a hacker known as oracle.. Though in recent comic runs she received surgery that let her walk and fight crime again.


In the pre and post-crisis eras, she was the adoptive niece of commissioner Gordon, while in the n52 onward she’s his biological daughter. 




It’s important to note that most of Barbara’s time as Batgirl in the comics was actually pre-crisis. She became Oracle almost immediately when post-crisis began and did not become batgirl again until the N52 reboot.  For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to include both pre/post-crisis info since her storyline wasn’t heavily altered between them.


Pre/post-crisis origin

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Secret-Origins-1986/Issue-20?id=48202#15 


N52 origin



Getting shot and crippled by joker in various continuities

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Batgirl-2011/Issue-1?id=6635#14


Becoming oracle in various continuities 




Armor


Batgirl suite

The Batsuite used by Barbara. It’s lined with kevlar and carbon nanotube fibers. It comes with a military-grade utility belt. The gloves also have flashlights built-in, and there’s an emergency parachute built-in. Stephani Brown’s version of the Batgirl armor was also shown to be insulated.


Cowl

The cowl contains visors for telescopes, microscopic, infrared, and multi-light vision. Can identify people or objects from a distance and has shock plates built into it to absorb damage. Barbara also has a pair of goggles she can wear over the cowl that visualizes radio waves. Bab’s successor Steph also had X-ray vision added into her version of the cowl.



Gas Mask/respirator

A respirator built into the gauntlets of the suite. They can allow Babs to breathe in situations where the area is flooded with gas or fumes.


Cape

The cape portion of the uniform. It can be used to glide block attacks.



Arsenal

Escrima sticks

Handheld sticks weapons Barbara used when she was paralyzed. Steph also used a bo staff when she was Batgirl.


Throwing stars

Contemporary throwing stars. Can be used as a projectile weapon.


Taser

A handheld taser.


Binoculars

Binoculars for long range surveillance.


Batarangs

Shuriken weapons shaped like Bats. Can be thrown as a weapon, to disarm opponents, or hit objects. Most bat characters carry around several variants.


Explosive Batarang

Explosive batarang variants. They explode after a few seconds of being thrown.


Electric Batarang

Batarangs with an electrical charge that stuns opponents.


Ice Batarangs

Batarangs that freeze opponents. Steph used these as Batgirl.


Goop Batarang

Creates a goop that binds opponents. Steph used these as Batgirl.


Double Batarangs

Batarangs that can combine two standard effect cartridges. Such as electricity and goop. Steph used these during her time as Batgirl.


Battarange gun

A gun-like device that can shoot batarangs. Presumably over larger distances and with more accuracy.


Foam gun/bombs

Batgirl has both guns and bombs that can create a foam that smoothers and binds people/objects in place. They can also be used to smother fires.


Mini emp

Electronic disks that can attach to and disable machinery.


Pepper spray/mace

Barbara was shown to carry pepper spray and mace at several points.


Sleeping gas

Batgirl has a minigun that can shoot sleeping gas pellets at a distance.


Concussion bombs

Handheld grenades that explode on impact.


Grappling hook/Bat claw

The standard bat claw grapple device.  Allows Barbara to grapple to high places, swing across buildings like spiderman, bind opponents, ect.


Smoke bombs

Bombs that create a smoke cover good for quick getaways.


Mini laser

Miniature lasers that can be used to cut through bindings, locks, and windows.


Hacking phone/devices

Phones and other devices that can interface with electronics for hacking or recognizance.


Tracer

Tracers that can be placed on objects of people to track their location.


Tranq dart

Tranquilizer darts that can be used to knock out opponents.


Misc


Abilities

Oracle 


When Bab’s got paralyzed she took on the role of “oracle” in the DC universe. A hero who specializes in hacking, information brokering, and giving tactical aid to hereos out in the field.



Information gathering


Hacking/programing


Tactical aid


Back surgery

So starting in the N52 and Rebirth, Barbara returned to the mantle of Batgirl. However, her time as oracle, even post-reboot, is still canon. The explanation is that she got a surgery that gave her a neural implant in her head and spine that essentially allows her to control the lower part of her body despite her spinal injury.


https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Batgirl-the-Birds-of-Prey-Rebirth/Full?id=135759#13

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Batgirl-2016/Issue-27?id=140300#9


Photographic memory

Bab’s has an “edectic” or photographic memory. She perfectly remembers anything she visually see’s even if she’s blacked out due to say alcohol or a drug overdose.


Combat skills

She knows judo, dragon style kung fu, boxing and learned stick fighting after becoming paralyzed. She’s also kept up a longstanding interest in gymnastics and running in some continuities. According to her, she’s trained herself in self-defense since she was 6. She also naturally got training from Batman.


Vehicles

Bike

Baba’s pretty consistently uses a motorcycle to get around. It has boosters and a parachute built-in


Feats

Strength



Speed/agility


Endurance



Scaling

Bab’s should likely be able to compare to Stephany Brown, one of her successors, in combat skill. She also shouldn’t be much less agile than Bruce and has similar armor, so she should be capable of taking similar punishment.


Experience

Detective work


Combat/leadership



Weaknesses

So Batgirl’s biggest weakness is the neural implant in her head and spine that allows her to walk. Naturally if these get damaged she becomes paralyzed again, or her mobility is neutered. Additionally, since they’re electronic you can disrupt them via hacking. In some cases, you can even use them to directly affect her memory and mind.


https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Batgirl-2011/Issue-49?id=23972#19

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Batgirl-2016/Issue-27?id=140300#9

Bab’s has upgraded her tech with more protection after some previous run-ins with malicious AI, however.
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