| Batgirl: Year One | |
|---|---|
 Cover to Batgirl: Year One. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Publication date | 2003 |
| Number of issues | 9 |
| Main character(s) | Barbara Gordon Batman Robin Black Canary |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Scott Beatty Chuck Dixon |
| Artist(s) | Alvaro Lopez Marcos Martin |
Batgirl: Year One is a 9-issue mini-series published during 2003. Written by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon, the series depicts Barbara Gordon's origin as Batgirl.
Contents |
Synopsis
A recurring theme is the precognition Barbara sometimes feels she experiences, similar to Cassandra. This foreshadows the tragedy leading into her future role as Oracle.
The story begins with Barbara Gordon having an internal monologue while battling Killer Moth and his henchmen. Dressed in a female version of Batman's costume, Barbara makes an appearance at The Gotham City Police Department's "Million Dollar Masquerade Ball." Soon after she arrives, Barbara rushes to the aid of her adoptive father Police Chief Commissioner James Gordon who has been assaulted by the villain. While Commission Gordon lays unconscious, Barbara is able to prevent Bruce Wayne from being hit with the same energy weapon which incapacitated her father. Flashbacks within her mind retell the series of events which have lead up to her first battle with a supervillain.
Barbara is called "Batgirl" for the first time by Killer Moth; it then becomes her permanent alter ego.
She breaks into the Justice Society headquarters to get their attention, leaving a note to her idol Black Canary asking for guidance. She later helps Black Canary stop Killer Moth and his new partner Firefly.
Batman and Robin engage in a good cop/bad cop relationship with Batgirl, testing her potential over several nights. With the assistance of Alfred, Batgirl and Robin stop a rampage by Blockbuster. Barbara eventually earns the respect of Batman as a crime-fighter, although her father suspects her vigilantism and does not approve.
Beginnings
- Barbara argues with her uncle/adoptive father over her choice of career. While she wishes to join law enforcement when she is old enough, James Gordon scoffs at the idea and insists he will not allow his daughter to become a cop.
- While taking a martial arts class, her instructor belittles her on the basis of gender. Although Barbara pretends to be intimidated by her sensei, she quickly overtakes him with relative ease.
- When applying for an internship with the F.B.I., her interviewer tells her she does not meet the minimum height requirement to become a field agent.
Confrontations
- Batgirl's first encounter with Batman and Robin proves to be unpleasant. While she is angry with Batman's automatic dismissal of her capabilities, she is repulsed by Robin having a romantic interest in her.
- A potential romance between Barbara and policeman Jason Bard begins during the story.
Continuity
Several years after the publication of Crisis on Infinite Earths which permanently altered the history of the DC comic Universe, the company steadily began to publish mini-series' rebooting the origins of its major characters. Batgirl: Year One makes several changes to Barbara Gordon's origin myth in order to reestablish her characterization in the Modern Age of Comics. Notable changes from the characters Silver Age origin include:
- Batman is no longer Barbara's idol. While the Silver Age Barbara Gordon fashioned a Batgirl costume out of admiration for the Dark Knight, in Batgirl: Year One she does so as a practical joke to play on her father. The Black Canary serves as her source of inspiration.
- This story takes place around the fourth year of Batman's career. Robin's role has been established, but James Gordon is still a Captain.
- Barbara's age and height are significantly changed. In the Silver Age origin, Barbara was 21 years old and stood at 5'11. She was generally depicted as an empowered and independent woman. In Batgirl: Year One, Barbara is at least 16-18, having graduated from college (early) and applied for field duty with the FBI, which rejected her application on the grounds that she was too short (the GCPD rejects her on the same grounds). She is portrayed as a constant victim of sexism, which in itself plays its part in her developing an interest in vigilantism, to prove a point.
External links
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