Barbara Gordon, as both Batgirl and Oracle, is a character that I and many other readers love, but she hasn’t lived up to her potential in recent comics. Comic book writer Gail Simone has spoken out about Batgirl being sidelined in DC’s current status quo, and her words offer a solution to giving her the prominence she needs.
In a recent Reddit AMASimone answered fan questions about her current comic book projects, as well as her past work with DC Comics. When asked what she thinks about Barbara Gordon’s role in the DC cinematic universe, the former Batgirl and Birds of Prey writer provided the following response:
Over time, I think changing her back to Batgirl was probably a mistake. I miss her being the glue of the DC Universe and that’s something Marvel doesn’t have. I made the best stories I could. I love Batgirl. But I always thought she would return to the role of Oracle someday, which would make it livable.
According to Simone, Barbara Gordon being Batgirl instead of Oracle caused her to no longer be “the glue of the DC Universe“, as she is no longer as vital to the hero community as she once was. Batgirl deserves more respect, and I believe that would require her to become Oracle again.
Barbara Gordon Becoming Batgirl Again Diminished Her Role in DC Lore
As Oracle, Barbara was an important member of the Justice League
Many fans may know Barbara Gordon as Batgirl first, but her identity as Oracle used to be much more prominent in DC lore. After the Joker shoots her in the spine, Barbara loses the ability to walk, resulting in the retirement of the Batgirl mantle. In the story “Oracle: Year One: Born of Hope”, Bárbara adapts to her new life by learning the martial art of escrima sticks so she can fight in her wheelchair.. She also sets up an elaborate computer network and becomes the Justice League’s valuable informant. As Oracle, Barbara overcomes her difficulties to be a hero in her own way.
“Oracle: Year One: Born of Hope” by John Ostrander, Kim Yale and Brian Stelfreeze can be found at The Batman Chronicles #5, now available from DC Comics!
However, despite Barbara’s importance to the DC Universe as Oracle, the controversial New 52 reboot changed everything by “curing” her disability with a surgical procedure and forcing her to perform as Batgirl again. Simone, who wrote Barbara as Oracle in her fan-favorite film Birds of Prey series, was then tasked with writing her as Batgirl. Considering your experience writing both versions of Barbara Simone’s insights into Barbara Gordon’s character regression carry tremendous weight. Reverting Barbara back to her Batgirl identity erases everything she built as Oracle, and DC still hasn’t fully reestablished her former status.
Batgirl’s inability to commit to being an oracle holds her back
Barbara Gordon no longer has a true role in the DC Universe
Barbara can technically juggle the roles of Batgirl and Oracle in DC’s current continuity, but Oracle is treated more as a secondary role for her rather than her real identity. The characters refer to her as Oracle, but she will then spring into action as Batgirl, which goes against everything her role as Oracle meant. She even calls herself “Oracle-slash-Batgirl” in 2024 Birds of Prey #12 by Kelly Thompson and Javier Pina, illustrating how inconsistent their current status is. This lack of commitment to the Oracle’s personality causes Barbara to take a backseat when she previously held the community of heroes together.
Oracle has empowered a generation of disabled comic book readers as the brains behind the Justice League, while Batgirl is simply another vigilante running around Gotham.
Not only is Barbara being neglected, but To make matters worse, the Justice League replaced her. In The Flash #15 by Simon Spurrier and Vasco Georgiev, it appears that the Oracle’s role in Justice League has been taken over by a disembodied Red Tornado, who operates the network of heroes and relays information behind the scenes. Her position in the League held by another hero further proves to me that Barbara has been marginalized. Deprived of her own solid place in DC lore, Batgirl is stuck alternating roles in the Birds of Prey or shadowing love interest Nightwing.
Batgirl could return to the spotlight by embracing Oracle
The return of Cassandra Cain’s Batgirl could free Batgirl to be Oracle again
In my opinion, as someone with a disability, trying to erase Barbara Gordon’s history as Oracle diminishes her strength and willpower. By becoming Oracle, she demonstrated that she could still be a superhero as a wheelchair user, but the surgery she underwent to become Batgirl again erased that aspect of her identity that was previously central to her narrative. Oracle Empowered a Generation of Disabled Comic Book Readers as the mastermind behind the Justice League, while Batgirl is simply another vigilante running around Gotham. She’s not even the only Batgirl, although that could be the key to regaining the respect she’s lost.
While it doesn’t seem likely that Barbara’s disability will factor into her characterization anytime soon, that doesn’t mean she can’t be Oracle full-time. Cassandra Cain is leading a new ongoing series as Batgirl, and so an opportunity arose for Barbara to step down and let Cassandra be the sole Batgirl. Barbara is currently working with the Birds of Prey as Oracle, so she can easily hang up her Batgirl cowl and dedicate herself entirely to these tasks. I am sure that Batgirl can become an integral part of the DC Universe again – but she can only do that as Oracle.
Fans can find Barbara Gordon currently co-starring in the ongoing 2023 film Birds of Preyavailable now in collected editions and individual issues from DC Comics.
Source: Reddit