The most fun thing about the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl for me is that she becomes a hero just because she wants to. She's not driven by a tragic backstory and she wasn't raised by a coven of Ninjas who passed on their Ninja fighting skills to her. She wants to do good so she just does. I think she's the only member of the Batfamily who isn't driven by a dark past or the murder of a parent or both. I enjoy Cassie Cain also, but I got tired of the 90's Batfamily's badassery escalation. Like they tried really hard to outdo the Helena Bertinelli backstory with Cassie. I mean, how do you top Vengeful Mafia Princess? Why with Reformed Preteen Assassin of course!
Great comment Vic Vega! I think we see revenge or rebellion in too many comic characters origins. Barbara takes time out to make superheroing her talent and cause.
Hairstory time! Barbara's "Leia" hair is a hairstyle inspired from some Mexican women of the revolutionary-era Mexico (according to Lucas). More specifically a soldadera women named Clara de la Rocha(she was so badass!, in which a picture was seen displayed in a Star wars exhibition in the Denver art museum. However there is also reference pictures in that exhibit that show native Hopi women of Arizona, however their hairstyles are more akin to Padamé's rather than Leia. It wasn't a very popular mainstream hairstyle so it makes me wonder how the artist came across the hairstyle to be able to give it to Barbara.
Oddly enough, Infantino would draw the actual Princess Leia at the end of his career, just when the Marvel Star Wars comics were starting. Her Leia just looked a lot like Babs Gordon in this comic.
It is so refreshing to see someone who can enjoy comic book stories - whether old or new - simply for their entertainment value rather than judging them for some sort of social relevancy. Its always easy to find tropes of all varieties in comic books (and other media) and they are always worth a chuckle or a sneer or a shrug. But in the end, its all about whatever fun one can find within. Thanks for some excellent and entertaining revues!
Your enthusiasm is so entertaining ....i owned this book and remember how cool it seemed at the time..the art was great and the writing was unimportant , although served the story ...
My favorite Batgirl is Barbara Gordon from 2004 The Batman cartoon. She was sassy, clever, confident, and her dynamic with Robin made her a blast to watch.
@@8mad Well season 3 was mostly dedicated to her. Robin didn't had that in season 4 and 5, he shared most of his screen time with Batgirl or some other JL member, so it's not that bad. Unlike poor Ellen Yin, who was in 2 seasons and than was entirely forgotten.
Batgirl was added in Season 2, ahead of Robin, because Robin was unavailable to them. The producers wanted to add Robin in Season 2, but they couldn't because the character was in use on the Teen Titans show. Once Teen Titans ended, Robin was available.
MY favorite Batgirl is also from cartoons. Years ago I was impressed by the vocal performance of what I believe was the animated series of the 90s first Batgirl. The character seemed so warm, upbeat, life affirming. I made a point of checking the credits- it was Melissa Gilbert. I don't think she voiced her very long, and her replacement was fine, but I'll always have a soft spot for her performance.
You can definitely see where Batgirl: Year One evolved from this. I like Babs but she is so much better as Oracle, Stephanie is my favourite Batgirl but I love Cass too.
I always wanted Cassandra Cain as the snake-eyes mute, killer ninja Batgirl, with her own unique skills (three-piece nunchuck *winkwink*) with Luke Fox to fly her around Gotham. Stephanie, I see her as more of a badass Riot police with her own non-lethal shotgun and purple raincoat. And Barbara? I want her as Senator.😍 someone who can actually fix things, introducing Arkham Asylum reforms and standing up to the corrupt Court of Owls. Huntress would be her main bodyguard (love that crossbow😋). Edit: I got carried away...😅
I preferred Steph as Robin better TBH, shame the neat idea of her as Robin was used as a prop to fuck her over in War Games, and IMHO she deserved a second shot as Robin.
@@juanyusee8197 I love her as Robin, I'm happy she's getting more recognition for that role those days. I see Batgirl as Steph's Nightwing or Red Hood, the role that she grows into after being Robin (and Spoiler)
Love Cassandra Cain. At one point I used to own every issue of Batgirl with Cassandra Cain and want to see her as Batgirl in either animated dc shows or in live action. Not counting Birds of Prey since she wasn't Batgirl.
@@Deoxys911 In the book? To me she was a born killer but she chose to use her skills to do the right thing. I read the book when i was young and didn't even realize she was any kind of Asian until years later, but my point stands that she was a silent bad ass. She couldn't speak and she started off in a broken Gothem abandoned and ruled by gangs, Can't remember the detals but she ends up becoming Batgirl and is blessed in the role by BAtman when he comes back to the city. Cassy Cain earned the right to be Batgirl, she didn't steal the moniker she was given it because she truly dissevered it. And in the comic i hear out of all the bat family, maybe other then Batman's son, Cassandra is the only one who would WANT to be Batman, not even the original Robin wants that.
I had a whole tangent about her episode on Star Trek TOS Whom Gods Destroy but it ultimately had nothing to do with anything except my love of Star Trek so I cut it lol
@@CasuallyComics She made such a better green slave girl than Susan Oliver. Of course Yvonne Craig was actually a dancer, and choreographed her own dance in that one. Another great cameo by Yvonne Craig was in the spy-spoof _In Like Flint_ with James Coburn, in which she plays a Russian ballerina who is infatuated with western go-go dancing! (Both the Flint movies are hilarious.)
Barbara Gordon will always be the definitive Batgirl. The original outfit & the current costume is rather good. The premise of Barbara planning to use the costume for a party was also used as a premise in DC's Batman Adventures comics. Oddly, Yvonne Craig once guest starred in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea's infamous episode, Turn Back the Clock (infamous as its run time used stock footage from the movie The Lost World to pad out it out), and remarked on how 'old' Richard Basehart (Admiral Harriman Nelson) was; yet she was already 30-31 when she played Batgirl on the TV series.
ah I do kinda love that Bruce collects rare books since this way back, remember in under the red hood when Jason send him some books to prove it was indeed him cause apparently collecitng first editions is a thing they did? I love that XD
Babs is my favorite Batgirl mostly because of Yvonne Craig's work on the 60s era TV show. That's the image that comes to my mind when I hear the Batgirl name over all the other incarnations of the character. She did great work as Oracle, but I prefer her on the ground kicking butt.
I’ve only now discovered the awe and mystery that is the Casually Comics channel, but I am instantly under the spell of this quirky Nerd Goddess. Love the commentary for delivering intelligent, funny, and informative spin with a great flash-cut editing style. As to this video in particular, I have loved Batgirl all my life ever since the mesmerizing Lady Yvonne ruled my childhood fantasies. I still have not forgiven Alan Moore for the KJ, but I have to say, the character’s rebirth as Oracle is one of the great comeback stories for any comic figure.
animefan25 Yes, that was actually a planned presentation film to preview the Batgirl character to the sponsors. Yvonne Craig noted in Comics Scene Magazine #10 that in the concept film, Batgirl was supposed to be more serious than what her character ended up in the TV series.
Just discovered this channel. I appreciate your optimism in reviewing heroes that you like and dislike. Love your Batman voice-a cross between Sideshow Bob and Christian Bale. Keep the episodes coming!!
My favorite is definitely Yvonne Craig. I was mostly into Marvel as a kid, but of course liked Batman too. (Just not as much as Spider-Man.) So besides the Christopher Reeve movie, and that awful Nicholas Hammond Spider-Man, and the hit-and-miss Hulk TV show, Adam West's Batman was the front runner for me in the late '70s. I watched it after school. And that's where I first saw Batgirl. Or, rather, Yvonne Craig...in purple and yellow! I was instantly in love. She was my first crush on a TV/movie star. There was Princess Leia, of course. But I only got to see her once at the movies. I got to see Yvonne every day after school, at least when the third season was doing its reruns. She was smart, sassy, wearing tight purple and yellow--in case I didn't mention it. :) Sure, she didn't ever punch anyone. But if I did notice that, I didn't care. Her kicks were awesome. And she did get captured a lot. But so did Batman and Robin. Her debut in comics was before my time. Looking back now, seeing your video, I think her character was better established in the comics. Yvonne's Batgirl didn't practice judo. :) I never cared for any of her other incarnations. But I was enraged with what they did to her character in the Killing Joke: not just upset. I felt betrayed by the sensationalist writers, who pandered to the messed up minds of my fellow comic book readers. That, and Death in the Family, and finally the Death of Superman ended my reading of comics. It wasn't just the violence (as I love horror movies), but the needless violence, obviously meant to promote the sell of comics.
I had this issue when it was first published and watched her on the Batman TV show back then. Barbara Gordon is my favorite Batgirl and her original costume is the one that’s my favorite.
Putting some of the dated sexism aside, I really dug this origin for Barbara Gordon's turn as Batgirl. She really has a go getter attitude. It really shines here and unlike how Batman gaslit Kathy Kane into giving up her career as Batwoman, (Side note, the reason I didn't comment on that video was because I knew nothing about her character aside from her appearance in the comic series 52) Babs actually gets Bat's recognition after she saves both him and Robin. Just a whole lot of fun.
Thank you💜💛 i watched the old Adam West Series as a child andas you show her cortume it just blow my mind... Because it has the exact same colors i absolutley love today... I guess early Influences stick to a degreee...
I have such a fondness for Batman 66. It was my first introduction to superheroes, and I can actually remember the first episode I saw Batgirl in. Had a big impact on me I guess.
Yvonne Craig was born to play a superheroine. Seriously, watch her not only in Batman but also Star Trek and the spy spoof Our Man Flint: Craig has the stylishness, athleticism and snappy one liners of an action star way ahead of her time. Much as I love Adam West, Craig was more of a badass. Barbara Gordon, whether as Batgirl or Oracle, is also a great character. It’s surprising we haven’t had a live action version for 20 years.
That Batman voice is absolutely to die for 🤣, I like the origin story and happy they explained each step from why to the how. Sasha it's safe to say you're our favorite Bat-Girl 😁
Loved this post Sasha! I started collecting comics in the early 70's and went out of my way to find old issues with the original Batwoman/Bat-Girl (They were actually originally aunt/niece. They became cousins post Infinite Crisis). I loved these two characters just as much as I loved Barbara Gordon, The 80's Freedom Fighters and Batman Family where Batgirl and Batwoman finally meet were nirvana for this reader!!! This post was a fantastic trip down memory lane. Keep up the great work!!
Your Batman voice is spot-on! I remember reading this story in a TPB when I was a kid, and my young mind was confused at Robin constantly hitting on Batgirl. Older, dirty-old-man me totally gets it, though.
I think the origin is great! I must confess that my favorite Batgirl is Stephanie Brown (or more accurately Stephanie Brown/Barbara Gordon). I loved the way she grew into the role and the mentoring/assistance that Barbara Gordon (Oracle) provided during each night's patrol.
I think her origin is one of the most well written in comics. Although, she should have been written as a love introduction for Batman. Having a Ph. D she would have been about ten years too old for Robin. I would have thought that DC would have wanted to avoid all Ms. Robinson vibes at all cost. I know that the Graduate was not yet a movie. That’s all I could think of. I wish that there was this much effort in the comic book writing today (side eye at Gwen Poole and her lets make me the most powerful mutant ever).
LMAO I can't! The Batmetal Batman voice coming from the Golden Age Bruce/Batman is killing me! Never change! ♥️♥️♥️ -THK 💕 Also, I'd have gone with, "Mothspitality"
I'm a comics fan from way way back, and have been binging your vids for the past week. Just love your content, and how thoroughly you delve into subjects. Subscribed!
I'm glad I found your channel. The videos I've watched over the past few days have been very good, informative, and accurate on the historical front--and a lot of You Tubers get historical facts wrong. I loved the Batman Family Batgirl and Robin team-ups in the 70s. And because of the hyphen, I always figured Kathy Kane's character was pronounced Bat-GIRL vs. BATgirl. Good videos! I look forward to the next one.
The TV to Comic path is definitely an interesting one. Firestar comes to mind too. Though she never really caught on that much in comics. I know she has been in several different teams, but really, the height of her career was Spidey and Friends in the early 80s. I really enjoyed The Wunder Twins coming to comics - they were far more interesting in comics than they ever were on the SuperFriends.
You should totally cover Barbara goes to Washington lol. I always liked Barbara better as Oracle, I think that evolution of her character was such a strong story line and meaning character development.
Yep, Barbara was my first Batgirl and I craved her in anything she could be in. Carmine Infantino was a great character designer and made the original Spider-Woman issues fun and a little spooky. His style of hands, body arch, and even character close up was always clever and professional. Love your Batman readings. Keep up the great work!!
The origin for Barbara Gordon Batgirl here is solid. John Ostrander did a similarly solid origin story for her as Oracle called "Oracle Year One" that was constructed in such a way that it MIGHT have been inspired by this story.
@@OomaGooma Hell yes...I know him for the first popular incarnation of Suicide Squad and The Spectre, the latter of which featured in a series I consider his magnum opus. Also wrote a nice family saga in The Kents.
i had recently turned 7 and my mom brought me home 3 new comic books one evening. i only recall one of them and it was THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF BATGIRL. LOVED IT. {I had a cool mom that liked comic books and rock & roll)
Babs is my fav by far. Precrisis Babs, Kara, Hal, and Barry are all my favorite DC heroes. Love the Batman voice. Your vids are great. You should get in touch with the Friday Night Tights crew over on the Nerdrotic channel. New fav comics channel, keep em comin!
I have the Millenium reprint of this book and was always intrigued with Batgirl. So imagine my surprise as when I got older and started going backwards in Batman's history did I find there was a Batgirl prior to Barbara Gordon. Another awesome video.
For the time period and the character they were trying to introduce I think it works well. I'm only loosely familiar with DC Canon and lore so I don't have a particularly strong opinion on it, but I enjoyed learning about it. I really like the channel and I think this format works for your delivery style.
Nice video Sasha. Loving your videos. Well researched and presented; keep up the great work. As always, the introduction of Batwoman and Bat-Girl are kinda complicated. DC knew from market research that kids shared and traded their comics, so that each individual issue could be read by three or four kids. They knew that the audience for The Adventures of Superman tv show with George Reeves was about 40% (IIRC) girls, and that girls frequently read Batman and Superman comics second hand. As superheroes slumped in popularity in the Silver Age, the introduction of female characters like Batwoman and later Supergirl was an attempt not only to further placate the likes of Fredric Wertham, but also to try to get girls to buy superhero comics rather than read traded copies. (I think this is documented in Gerard Jones' Men of Tomorrow book... not sure.) The Batman tv show likewise had a strong female demographic, and DC again figured they could try to get the girls to buy the comic. I remember reading an interview with Julius Schwartz (I forget where -- one of these days I'll hunt through the shelves and try to find it!) that detailed the origin of Batgirl (Barbara Gordon.) Schwartz asked Carmine Infantino to develop a new female bat character, and (as you note in your video) Infantino produced a few sketches. Dozier (or was it Horwitz?) saw the concept art on a visit to the DC offices, liked the idea, and licensed Batgirl to appear in the tv show.
I feel Stephanie Brown could've been my favourite Batgirl if she had more time in the role, otherwise I fell it may be Barbara but that might be me taking into account her development as Oracle
I agree that it's actually a really well plotted out origin. All bases covered and Batgirl has turned out to be a pretty amazing character in all of her iterations. Keep your mind in the gutter. That's where all the fun is anyway. Oh and in the 60s a lot of suburbs were actually pretty woody.
Have you done videos on The Hulk? I've just started reading the originals from 1962, and the Hulk character goes through a LOT of changes that I didn't expect. First he's grey and articulate, changing form at night, then he's green and has a machine to change back and forth, etc etc.
I agree with you that this Batgirl empowered women of her day, without over shadowing Batman. Neither character looked weakened to make the other look stronger. Sure there was some underestimation but that was 'normal' with this being her first time out. Yes there was some put down about her being 'just a girl', but they did change their minds - and change the minds of the readers too. Babs is a strong woman figure in her own right without putting down the men around her. When even though is from the 60s still feels fresh today!!
It is fascinating to see the simpler times of the 60's, and 70's through this more modern lens, just try to remember that comic books were aimed at children, and preteens, primarily so they are a reflection of that. Certainly some writing was superior, and not limited in its scope of storytelling, but this was not the standard nor should it be expected to. Batgirl's 60's origin shows the Silver Age standard of trying to leave as little wiggle room as necessary when giving a backstory to a new character, and it permeated through to the modern era. It is how storytelling was taught. Thank you for yet another Perfectly Profound piece on present-day pulp-parables,....PEACE patroness principal Puzzler.
Barbara is my fav Batgirl, but I won’t lie, Cassandra Caine was pretty awesome. I especially liked her relationship with Babs in Cassandra’s solo series.
The most fun thing about the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl for me is that she becomes a hero just because she wants to.
She's not driven by a tragic backstory and she wasn't raised by a coven of Ninjas who passed on their Ninja fighting skills to her. She wants to do good so she just does. I think she's the only member of the Batfamily who isn't driven by a dark past or the murder of a parent or both.
I enjoy Cassie Cain also, but I got tired of the 90's Batfamily's badassery escalation. Like they tried really hard to outdo the Helena Bertinelli backstory with Cassie. I mean, how do you top Vengeful Mafia Princess? Why with Reformed Preteen Assassin of course!
Who am I Batman.? Show me yours, and I'll show you mine.
Batmobile. Mothmobile. Mothman. Batman. I smell a.lawsuit.
I'm.Batgirl, Damnit!
Great comment Vic Vega! I think we see revenge or rebellion in too many comic characters origins. Barbara takes time out to make superheroing her talent and cause.
@@johnbockelie3899 That's the smell of Mothman's just attack, of course.
love the "Batman voice" made me lol
Yeeessssss the Christian Bale voice is awesomeness!!!!
@@jmguinn7029 Christian who?
I couldn't stop laughing at that voice. lol
Awesome, but then I loved all the voices.
Great Christian Bell impression 💜💙💜
Hairstory time!
Barbara's "Leia" hair is a hairstyle inspired from some Mexican women of the revolutionary-era Mexico (according to Lucas). More specifically a soldadera women named Clara de la Rocha(she was so badass!, in which a picture was seen displayed in a Star wars exhibition in the Denver art museum. However there is also reference pictures in that exhibit that show native Hopi women of Arizona, however their hairstyles are more akin to Padamé's rather than Leia.
It wasn't a very popular mainstream hairstyle so it makes me wonder how the artist came across the hairstyle to be able to give it to Barbara.
Oddly enough, Infantino would draw the actual Princess Leia at the end of his career, just when the Marvel Star Wars comics were starting. Her Leia just looked a lot like Babs Gordon in this comic.
It is so refreshing to see someone who can enjoy comic book stories - whether old or new - simply for their entertainment value rather than judging them for some sort of social relevancy. Its always easy to find tropes of all varieties in comic books (and other media) and they are always worth a chuckle or a sneer or a shrug. But in the end, its all about whatever fun one can find within. Thanks for some excellent and entertaining revues!
*laughs in X-Men*
Well said
Your enthusiasm is so entertaining ....i owned this book and remember how cool it seemed at the time..the art was great and the writing was unimportant ,
although served the story ...
My favorite Batgirl is Barbara Gordon from 2004 The Batman cartoon.
She was sassy, clever, confident, and her dynamic with Robin made her a blast to watch.
Agree!!! I LOVED her! Was sad when she was kind of pushed to the side when Robin entered the scene though. She was so much fun.
@@8mad Well season 3 was mostly dedicated to her. Robin didn't had that in season 4 and 5, he shared most of his screen time with Batgirl or some other JL member, so it's not that bad.
Unlike poor Ellen Yin, who was in 2 seasons and than was entirely forgotten.
Batgirl was added in Season 2, ahead of Robin, because Robin was unavailable to them. The producers wanted to add Robin in Season 2, but they couldn't because the character was in use on the Teen Titans show. Once Teen Titans ended, Robin was available.
@@richardgarcia618 Yeah you right about Robin, but Batgirl was added in season 3)
MY favorite Batgirl is also from cartoons. Years ago I was impressed by the vocal performance of what I believe was the animated series of the 90s first Batgirl. The character seemed so warm, upbeat, life affirming. I made a point of checking the credits- it was Melissa Gilbert. I don't think she voiced her very long, and her replacement was fine, but I'll always have a soft spot for her performance.
You can definitely see where Batgirl: Year One evolved from this. I like Babs but she is so much better as Oracle, Stephanie is my favourite Batgirl but I love Cass too.
I will forever love her as Oracle! Imo none of the "development" since then has held a candle to how amazing she was in that role.
@@CasuallyComics Agreed.
I always wanted Cassandra Cain as the snake-eyes mute, killer ninja Batgirl, with her own unique skills (three-piece nunchuck *winkwink*) with Luke Fox to fly her around Gotham.
Stephanie, I see her as more of a badass Riot police with her own non-lethal shotgun and purple raincoat.
And Barbara? I want her as Senator.😍 someone who can actually fix things, introducing Arkham Asylum reforms and standing up to the corrupt Court of Owls. Huntress would be her main bodyguard (love that crossbow😋).
Edit: I got carried away...😅
I preferred Steph as Robin better TBH, shame the neat idea of her as Robin was used as a prop to fuck her over in War Games, and IMHO she deserved a second shot as Robin.
@@juanyusee8197 I love her as Robin, I'm happy she's getting more recognition for that role those days. I see Batgirl as Steph's Nightwing or Red Hood, the role that she grows into after being Robin (and Spoiler)
Love Cassandra Cain. At one point I used to own every issue of Batgirl with Cassandra Cain and want to see her as Batgirl in either animated dc shows or in live action. Not counting Birds of Prey since she wasn't Batgirl.
Or mute. Or an assassin. Or a ninja.
Bruce Wayne , Billionare. Barbra Gordon , Librarian.
CC favorite Batgirl ever since i read the Book Adaptation of No Mans Land
@@Mord12gp I actually somehow didn't even realize Cassandra was Batgirl at one point, so I'm curious, what made her so amazing in the role?
@@Deoxys911 In the book? To me she was a born killer but she chose to use her skills to do the right thing. I read the book when i was young and didn't even realize she was any kind of Asian until years later, but my point stands that she was a silent bad ass. She couldn't speak and she started off in a broken Gothem abandoned and ruled by gangs, Can't remember the detals but she ends up becoming Batgirl and is blessed in the role by BAtman when he comes back to the city.
Cassy Cain earned the right to be Batgirl, she didn't steal the moniker she was given it because she truly dissevered it. And in the comic i hear out of all the bat family, maybe other then Batman's son, Cassandra is the only one who would WANT to be Batman, not even the original Robin wants that.
I was so in love with Yvonne Craig. (Note: I was about 3 when she debuted on _Batman,_ but I grew up with _Batman_ in syndication.)
I had a whole tangent about her episode on Star Trek TOS Whom Gods Destroy but it ultimately had nothing to do with anything except my love of Star Trek so I cut it lol
@@CasuallyComics She made such a better green slave girl than Susan Oliver. Of course Yvonne Craig was actually a dancer, and choreographed her own dance in that one.
Another great cameo by Yvonne Craig was in the spy-spoof _In Like Flint_ with James Coburn, in which she plays a Russian ballerina who is infatuated with western go-go dancing! (Both the Flint movies are hilarious.)
Dude you're old.
@@ryanallison9307 I am? Let me check on that... -time passes- Yup. I'm old.
I only say this because I use to watch the same show but was in love with Catwoman both Catwomen.
Whenever there is the sexy librarian trope now I can only see the Margot Robbie SNL skit in my head. 😆
Babs is my favorite Batgirl -- always has been, always will be.
Barbara Gordon will always be the definitive Batgirl. The original outfit & the current costume is rather good.
The premise of Barbara planning to use the costume for a party was also used as a premise in DC's Batman Adventures comics.
Oddly, Yvonne Craig once guest starred in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea's infamous episode, Turn Back the Clock (infamous as its run time used stock footage from the movie The Lost World to pad out it out), and remarked on how 'old' Richard Basehart (Admiral Harriman Nelson) was; yet she was already 30-31 when she played Batgirl on the TV series.
6:47 Way to sneak one past the comics code, Infantino. Holy “special protein diet”, Batman!!
I know right?
Sasha has such a great speaking voice. Tons of good Batgirl info. Thank you for this one.
ah I do kinda love that Bruce collects rare books since this way back, remember in under the red hood when Jason send him some books to prove it was indeed him cause apparently collecitng first editions is a thing they did? I love that XD
Given that he's the world's greatest detective, it's a hobby that makes sense on multiple levels.
Babs is my favorite Batgirl mostly because of Yvonne Craig's work on the 60s era TV show. That's the image that comes to my mind when I hear the Batgirl name over all the other incarnations of the character. She did great work as Oracle, but I prefer her on the ground kicking butt.
I’ve only now discovered the awe and mystery that is the Casually Comics channel, but I am instantly under the spell of this quirky Nerd Goddess. Love the commentary for delivering intelligent, funny, and informative spin with a great flash-cut editing style. As to this video in particular, I have loved Batgirl all my life ever since the mesmerizing Lady Yvonne ruled my childhood fantasies. I still have not forgiven Alan Moore for the KJ, but I have to say, the character’s rebirth as Oracle is one of the great comeback stories for any comic figure.
If I remember correctly, Batgirl was in an unaired episode from the 60s series where she faced Killer Moth.
animefan25
Yes, that was actually a planned presentation film to preview the Batgirl character to the sponsors. Yvonne Craig noted in Comics Scene Magazine #10 that in the concept film, Batgirl was supposed to be more serious than what her character ended up in the TV series.
If she has a PhD then she’s at least 10 years older then robin.
Unless she was a child genius and went to college really early.
@@fallwitch Yeah, I heard she skipped 2nd grade.
FlyingV2112 * lol I heard she skipped ahead in her reading and spelling exercises.
She Doogie Howsered school.
Detective Stamos is on the case!
Just discovered this channel. I appreciate your optimism in reviewing heroes that you like and dislike. Love your Batman voice-a cross between Sideshow Bob and Christian Bale. Keep the episodes coming!!
My favorite is definitely Yvonne Craig. I was mostly into Marvel as a kid, but of course liked Batman too. (Just not as much as Spider-Man.) So besides the Christopher Reeve movie, and that awful Nicholas Hammond Spider-Man, and the hit-and-miss Hulk TV show, Adam West's Batman was the front runner for me in the late '70s. I watched it after school.
And that's where I first saw Batgirl. Or, rather, Yvonne Craig...in purple and yellow! I was instantly in love. She was my first crush on a TV/movie star. There was Princess Leia, of course. But I only got to see her once at the movies. I got to see Yvonne every day after school, at least when the third season was doing its reruns. She was smart, sassy, wearing tight purple and yellow--in case I didn't mention it. :)
Sure, she didn't ever punch anyone. But if I did notice that, I didn't care. Her kicks were awesome. And she did get captured a lot. But so did Batman and Robin. Her debut in comics was before my time. Looking back now, seeing your video, I think her character was better established in the comics. Yvonne's Batgirl didn't practice judo. :)
I never cared for any of her other incarnations. But I was enraged with what they did to her character in the Killing Joke: not just upset. I felt betrayed by the sensationalist writers, who pandered to the messed up minds of my fellow comic book readers. That, and Death in the Family, and finally the Death of Superman ended my reading of comics. It wasn't just the violence (as I love horror movies), but the needless violence, obviously meant to promote the sell of comics.
I had this issue when it was first published and watched her on the Batman TV show back then. Barbara Gordon is my favorite Batgirl and her original costume is the one that’s my favorite.
"Again, three days" LMAO.
Damn I thought Barbara was always a highschooler, but she started out as a grown librarian. Learned something new.
Putting some of the dated sexism aside, I really dug this origin for Barbara Gordon's turn as Batgirl.
She really has a go getter attitude. It really shines here and unlike how Batman gaslit Kathy Kane into giving up her career as Batwoman, (Side note, the reason I didn't comment on that video was because I knew nothing about her character aside from her appearance in the comic series 52) Babs actually gets Bat's recognition after she saves both him and Robin. Just a whole lot of fun.
Sasha, you have the Worst, most adorable batman voice I have ever heard. I love it!!!
Thank you💜💛
i watched the old Adam West Series as a child andas you show her cortume it just blow my mind... Because it has the exact same colors i absolutley love today... I guess early Influences stick to a degreee...
I have such a fondness for Batman 66. It was my first introduction to superheroes, and I can actually remember the first episode I saw Batgirl in. Had a big impact on me I guess.
Yvonne Craig was born to play a superheroine. Seriously, watch her not only in Batman but also Star Trek and the spy spoof Our Man Flint: Craig has the stylishness, athleticism and snappy one liners of an action star way ahead of her time. Much as I love Adam West, Craig was more of a badass.
Barbara Gordon, whether as Batgirl or Oracle, is also a great character. It’s surprising we haven’t had a live action version for 20 years.
@4:53 "This 'Batgirl' costume really does things for me!" You are NOT ALONE, Barbara!
The Batman voice is hysterical
That Batman voice is absolutely to die for 🤣, I like the origin story and happy they explained each step from why to the how. Sasha it's safe to say you're our favorite Bat-Girl 😁
Loved this post Sasha! I started collecting comics in the early 70's and went out of my way to find old issues with the original Batwoman/Bat-Girl (They were actually originally aunt/niece. They became cousins post Infinite Crisis). I loved these two characters just as much as I loved Barbara Gordon, The 80's Freedom Fighters and Batman Family where Batgirl and Batwoman finally meet were nirvana for this reader!!! This post was a fantastic trip down memory lane. Keep up the great work!!
Your Batman voice is spot-on! I remember reading this story in a TPB when I was a kid, and my young mind was confused at Robin constantly hitting on Batgirl. Older, dirty-old-man me totally gets it, though.
I think the origin is great! I must confess that my favorite Batgirl is Stephanie Brown (or more accurately Stephanie Brown/Barbara Gordon). I loved the way she grew into the role and the mentoring/assistance that Barbara Gordon (Oracle) provided during each night's patrol.
I'm so glad I found your channel. I've been working my way through the back catalog and really digging your work.
I like that her suit is a makeshift outfit very practical and ideal for that on the go vigilante
That reversible handbag would do well on QVC
“You did bad and you should FEEL bad.” 😂😂😂
I think her origin is one of the most well written in comics. Although, she should have been written as a love introduction for Batman. Having a Ph. D she would have been about ten years too old for Robin. I would have thought that DC would have wanted to avoid all Ms. Robinson vibes at all cost. I know that the Graduate was not yet a movie. That’s all I could think of. I wish that there was this much effort in the comic book writing today (side eye at Gwen Poole and her lets make me the most powerful mutant ever).
I cannot unhear your Batman voice. Thank you - it's what I needed. Love your show.
LMAO I can't! The Batmetal Batman voice coming from the Golden Age Bruce/Batman is killing me! Never change! ♥️♥️♥️
-THK 💕
Also, I'd have gone with, "Mothspitality"
I can definitely see how Batgirl: Year One pulled some things from this story in its updated retelling of her origin.
I'm a comics fan from way way back, and have been binging your vids for the past week. Just love your content, and how thoroughly you delve into subjects. Subscribed!
I'm glad I found your channel. The videos I've watched over the past few days have been very good, informative, and accurate on the historical front--and a lot of You Tubers get historical facts wrong. I loved the Batman Family Batgirl and Robin team-ups in the 70s. And because of the hyphen, I always figured Kathy Kane's character was pronounced Bat-GIRL vs. BATgirl. Good videos! I look forward to the next one.
The TV to Comic path is definitely an interesting one. Firestar comes to mind too. Though she never really caught on that much in comics. I know she has been in several different teams, but really, the height of her career was Spidey and Friends in the early 80s. I really enjoyed The Wunder Twins coming to comics - they were far more interesting in comics than they ever were on the SuperFriends.
My favorite version of the Wonder Twins was the Smallville version, the two most loveable screw-ups you could ever meet.
"No for real we have receipts." Lol Love it.
This comics universe is so vast and your reviews are a great guide - look forward to the next one
Batgirl (Barbara) has always been my favorite bat family character.
Love your videos, legit chuckle a lot
Old comics are fun. I miss the thought bubble inner monologue.
Just found your channel over the weekend. Love the videos!🤘🏿
Keep up the good work!
You should totally cover Barbara goes to Washington lol. I always liked Barbara better as Oracle, I think that evolution of her character was such a strong story line and meaning character development.
OK, that comic looked so good I had to stop the video and track it down before I watched to the end. See you in a year when I find it!
I always knew your Batman voice was great but your Robin voice is just *chef's kiss*
The "basement storeroom of the library" has enough room for a full gym? OK, just go with it
Barbara was my first exposure to Batgirl and you always remember your first
Everytime you say "and while you're down there" my mind goes right to the gutter 🤷♂️😍
The Batman voice is pure gold!
I am LIVING for your Batman voice
Batgirl has always been my favorite superhero since I was a kid. Her and Wally West.
Yep, Barbara was my first Batgirl and I craved her in anything she could be in. Carmine Infantino was a great character designer and made the original Spider-Woman issues fun and a little spooky. His style of hands, body arch, and even character close up was always clever and professional. Love your Batman readings. Keep up the great work!!
Barbara Gordon and Batgirl was always a welcome guest star on TV. I loved the way they added her swinging "KICK" to the Animated Opening credits!
This was such a great round up of Batgirl's origins. Love!
The origin for Barbara Gordon Batgirl here is solid. John Ostrander did a similarly solid origin story for her as Oracle called "Oracle Year One" that was constructed in such a way that it MIGHT have been inspired by this story.
@@OomaGooma Hell yes...I know him for the first popular incarnation of Suicide Squad and The Spectre, the latter of which featured in a series I consider his magnum opus. Also wrote a nice family saga in The Kents.
Gotta say I am loving that comic book shelf in the back.
I remember buying this issue off the rack and being mesmerized by the artwork Infantino seemed to capture that 60s POP
i had recently turned 7 and my mom brought me home 3 new comic books one evening. i only recall one of them and it was THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF BATGIRL. LOVED IT. {I had a cool mom that liked comic books and rock & roll)
Babs is my fav by far. Precrisis Babs, Kara, Hal, and Barry are all my favorite DC heroes. Love the Batman voice. Your vids are great. You should get in touch with the Friday Night Tights crew over on the Nerdrotic channel. New fav comics channel, keep em comin!
OMG your voices are so good! Barbara is the only Batgirl for me.
I have the Millenium reprint of this book and was always intrigued with Batgirl. So imagine my surprise as when I got older and started going backwards in Batman's history did I find there was a Batgirl prior to Barbara Gordon. Another awesome video.
My favorite batgirl was steph but it changed to babs when batgirl of burnside came out
Barbara Gordon...because of a 70s/80s childhood...60's Batman as reruns on Sunday mornings....DCAU did a nice job with her too.
Loved the bit about the perfume “if you can smell it through a wall then she’s definitely wearing too much!” 😂😅
I'm glad you talked about this. For a long time she would get left off of lists of characters created for tv.
Your idea on how Batman sounds is hilarious!
Barbara is the best! My favorite member of the Bat Family
Liked the explanation about the costume and why it was so similar to Batman's. I agree, her introduction seems really well thought.
For the time period and the character they were trying to introduce I think it works well. I'm only loosely familiar with DC Canon and lore so I don't have a particularly strong opinion on it, but I enjoyed learning about it.
I really like the channel and I think this format works for your delivery style.
Nice video Sasha. Loving your videos. Well researched and presented; keep up the great work.
As always, the introduction of Batwoman and Bat-Girl are kinda complicated. DC knew from market research that kids shared and traded their comics, so that each individual issue could be read by three or four kids. They knew that the audience for The Adventures of Superman tv show with George Reeves was about 40% (IIRC) girls, and that girls frequently read Batman and Superman comics second hand. As superheroes slumped in popularity in the Silver Age, the introduction of female characters like Batwoman and later Supergirl was an attempt not only to further placate the likes of Fredric Wertham, but also to try to get girls to buy superhero comics rather than read traded copies. (I think this is documented in Gerard Jones' Men of Tomorrow book... not sure.)
The Batman tv show likewise had a strong female demographic, and DC again figured they could try to get the girls to buy the comic. I remember reading an interview with Julius Schwartz (I forget where -- one of these days I'll hunt through the shelves and try to find it!) that detailed the origin of Batgirl (Barbara Gordon.) Schwartz asked Carmine Infantino to develop a new female bat character, and (as you note in your video) Infantino produced a few sketches. Dozier (or was it Horwitz?) saw the concept art on a visit to the DC offices, liked the idea, and licensed Batgirl to appear in the tv show.
I feel Stephanie Brown could've been my favourite Batgirl if she had more time in the role, otherwise I fell it may be Barbara but that might be me taking into account her development as Oracle
I started watching these at work and couldn't stop. They are very entertaining. Congrats Sasha 👍🏿 😁
I'm a fan
Very committed to that Batman voice
Agreed on Cassandra! You go, girl!
I love this origin, well explained. Barbara is number one. Love your choices btw.
I agree that it's actually a really well plotted out origin. All bases covered and Batgirl has turned out to be a pretty amazing character in all of her iterations.
Keep your mind in the gutter. That's where all the fun is anyway.
Oh and in the 60s a lot of suburbs were actually pretty woody.
Batgirl : Year One is well worth a read. 🦇
I can hear your vocal cords Shredding when you do that Batman voice. Way to suffer for you art!
I like the origin here. You're right, it covers all the bases and questions are answered straight away :) I never knew this origin. Thanks!
Great channel & now subscribed. Love that amazing Batman voice.
So loved your story time .
I heard Paste Pot Pete took issue with the idea goo guns can't be threatening....and everyone laughed at him.
Calling him Paste Pot Pete will have people digging to find out who he is. The Trapster
Paul Joyner in the immortal words of Johnny Storm, “ He’ll always be Paste- Pot-Pete to me”.
Love it! Thank you 😊💞
This has always been my favorite character ever since the 70s.
DC really needs to bring back henchmen. I need more Larva and Pupa-esque goons in my literature.
Have you done videos on The Hulk? I've just started reading the originals from 1962, and the Hulk character goes through a LOT of changes that I didn't expect. First he's grey and articulate, changing form at night, then he's green and has a machine to change back and forth, etc etc.
I remember really enjoying the "Year One" treatment of Batgirl's origin. I do enjoy Barbara Gordon Batgirl/Oracle.
I agree with you that this Batgirl empowered women of her day, without over shadowing Batman. Neither character looked weakened to make the other look stronger. Sure there was some underestimation but that was 'normal' with this being her first time out. Yes there was some put down about her being 'just a girl', but they did change their minds - and change the minds of the readers too. Babs is a strong woman figure in her own right without putting down the men around her. When even though is from the 60s still feels fresh today!!
It is fascinating to see the simpler times of the 60's, and 70's through this more modern lens, just try to remember that comic books were aimed at children, and preteens, primarily so they are a reflection of that. Certainly some writing was superior, and not limited in its scope of storytelling, but this was not the standard nor should it be expected to. Batgirl's 60's origin shows the Silver Age standard of trying to leave as little wiggle room as necessary when giving a backstory to a new character, and it permeated through to the modern era. It is how storytelling was taught. Thank you for yet another Perfectly Profound piece on present-day pulp-parables,....PEACE patroness principal Puzzler.
KillerMoth should be the new mascot for Goo-gle.
Barbara is my fav Batgirl, but I won’t lie, Cassandra Caine was pretty awesome. I especially liked her relationship with Babs in Cassandra’s solo series.
I llike Batgirl, but I would like to see you do a video on the original Teen Girl superhero, Mary Marvel!
Smart, kick ass, quick witted, resourceful, never gives up, red headed: Babs is my dream girl!