Speculation: Two Barbara Gordons?

[elias_A]

I'm pretty sure DC would like Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl since that is (sadly) still the version most people associate with the name.

On the other hand, they probably don't want to lose her as Oracle, and she is too old anyway.

So I suddenly had this nasty thought: What if they introduce a second, teenager Barbara, which could be a clone or from an alternate earth?
On DC's own 52 webpage they report that some people exist in two versions after crisis:
http://www.dccomics.com/sites/52/?action=headlines&i=5681

I have to admit, from DC's point of view, one Babs being Oracle and the other, younger one being Batgirl would probably be a good scenario, and might actually have some interesting possibilities (love triangle with Nightwing etc.)

But of course, that is no excuse for the horrible way they treated the character of Cassandra Cain in Robin OYL. Even if they did not want her as Batgirl anymore, she could still be given a mini-series, become a supporting character, or at least be retired with respect for the fans which bought her series until just months ago.

Until now I have been optimistic that DC would provide an expanation that Robin OYL did not show the "real" Cass. The popular theory that Batgirl should not distract from Batwoman never made sense to me - I cannot imagine anyone confusing the two. But thinking of this possible new scenario, I am starting to finally lose hope - they maybe really only wanted to construct a "dramatic" reason why there is a vacancy for the Batgirl position. Who cares if Batgirl fans feel like they have been kicked in the stomach, right?

[Armless Penguin]

I'm almost certain DC will try to rectify Cassandra Cain somehow. After the massive outcry from fans and the fact that one of the first questions even asked at Saturday's panel was when she'll be fixed, they really have no choice.

Now while slightly intriguing, the whole duel Barbaras thing would feel slightly like a cop-out. Possible though.

[IamtheRock3]

naaa the multiple Earth thing will only ADD to the confusion


DC has All stars..they may go that route

or they could aimed at younger girls that has it own continuty..like they did with mary Jane

But really two barbra running around may confuse folks.

[Kara Zor El]

It's an interesting idea. We had an alternate Barbara Batgirl in Zero hour but she was killed of course. I'd rather keep things the way they are and just have a new Batgirl who Oracle trains up and works closely with. If they get her character right and she's enjoyable then over time we'll come to accept her as most of us did Kyle Rainer.
Other than that with all the magic and powers in the DCU they could always fix Btagirls back and make her younger, and she could create a hologram of herself (like the guy in Star Treck Voyager) who plays the Oracle role.
Or she could have an invisable mobile base that floats over Gotham,which she does her Oracle bit in and then when needed, she could glide out and do some Batgirl stuff.
Us girls can multi-task you know.

[prand_2002]

Two Barbara Gordans? Maybe one of them is Jason Todd.

[OverMaster]

Two Barbara Gordans? Maybe one of them is Jason Todd.

No. It's a Clayface!

[rick]

While certainly if they are going to have a Batgirl it would be far preferable that it be Barbara Gordon instead of the execrably awful Cassandra Caine, the odds of it actually ever being Barbara are zero to nill.

If I was going to take a guess, I would bet pretty evenly that the next person to take on the Batgirl role, might just turn out to be someone named “Bette”.

[DonC]

Two Barbara Gordons is a bad idea. It's overly complicated to have two versions of any character around.

Potential New Fan: "Who's this guy?"

Comic Store Owner: "That's Superboy."

Potential New Fan: "Cool, but who's this guy?"

Comic Store Owner: "That's Superboy Prime."

Potential New Fan: "Riiiiight. Say, where's the nearest video game store?"

[Jack Zodiac]

Two of any character in the same universe (unless it's Booster Gold) is a horrible idea.

[Mon-el]

Since I have already read Birds of Prey #96 that comes out this week.

I agree with the speculation that their might be 2 Barbara Gordons running around.

[agentofthebat]

Since I have already read Birds of Prey #96 that comes out this week.

I agree with the speculation that their might be 2 Barbara Gordons running around.


what clues gave you that?

[Gingold]

I'm almost certain DC will try to rectify Cassandra Cain somehow. After the massive outcry from fans and the fact that one of the first questions even asked at Saturday's panel was when she'll be fixed, they really have no choice.


12 guys on the internet is a massive outcry? I think most people are pretty ambivilent about Cassandra to be honest.

[Damo]

12 guys on the internet is a massive outcry? I think most people are pretty ambivilent about Cassandra to be honest.

Back that statement up, please.

There are more than 12 people on this site alone that have expressed extreme dislike for her characterization. Her book sold solidly, better than many books still in publication. The other day Dan Didio made a joke along the lines of how we didn't have the real Hal Jordon back, the followed it up with a joke about how maybe that was a good lead-in to talking about Cassandra - CBR reports that resulted in quite booing. The very first question when DC opened up a Q&A to the fans at CCI was about fixing Cassandra. Gail Simone has expressed that it sounds like bad handling of the character. Maybe this is not the "massive outcry" of good old H.E.A.T., but it does not sound like people being ambivalent about Cassandra to me.

[Agentum]

Make it two Blue Beetle, Ted Kord alive again, they can keep that new brat for those that think he is kewl.

[Steel Spider]

Make it two Blue Beetle, Ted Kord alive again, they can keep that new brat for those that think he is kewl.

I like the new Blue Beetle. The character is being written well, IMO.

As for another Barbera, I would prefer it if there was only one. And Barbera should NEVER be brought into ASB&R as in that book she'll most likely be a stripper who wears the Batgirl costume as part of her act.

[Stephane Garrelie]

For me, Barbara Gordon is the only real Batgirl.:)

[Karl J. Barnes]

Two Barbara Gordans? Maybe one of them is Jason Todd.

YES! He could be the first transvestite superhero!

[Agentum]

For me, Barbara Gordon is the only real Batgirl.:)
I agree, the 90s version was too kewl and unreal to me, i don't want no more wonderkids showing up and be better than everyone (well like the new Supergirl), so if they introduse a new woman bat i hope there is some that have something to learn from the older characters.

How long will it take before this thread is full of whining about that Kain Batgirl:D

[shaunyc56]

I agree, the 90s version was too kewl and unreal to me, i don't want no more wonderkids showing up and be better than everyone (well like the new Supergirl), so if they introduse a new woman bat i hope there is some that have something to learn from the older characters.

How long will it take before this thread is full of whining about that Kain Batgirl:D


I didn't like that she was unbeatable either, that bores the hell out of me. I really didn't care for Cass, and as far as I'm concerned making Babs either able to walk again, younger and able to walk again, or a different earth Barbara coming into continuity is better that Cass. Her characterization in Robin OYL was bad, and it was unfair to her, but I'm not mad she's a villian. I'd like to see her as a better villian and not so 1 dimensional, but I like the unbeatable martial artist being evil, or at the very least, crazy.

[Agentum]

Yes a good story can make most characters seems good, but i think they put to much weight on the "cool" stuff with the character, the basic idea was not so bad.

Maybe she will serve better as a villain really.

[PersonaDark]

Personally, I feel Barbera was one of the few characters to suffer the shock value treatment but came out of it a better character. Babs giving up being Oracle and the great characterization she gained in the process to go swing around in tights again seems ten steps back than a step forward. And a alternate reality Babs wouldn't be as interesting either, since it was done before in Zero Hour if I remember correctly and just muddles things.

So yeah, I disagree with her walking again, or a Babs clone. Give me back my Batgirl, who wasn't just a unbeatable martial artist but a gifted woman who for her gifts, had to struggle with normal life. (Well, before OYL made her a petty bitch anyway, and even before the fat guy fixed it so she could talk. I kinda liked her silent but didn't mind too much since she wasn't as freaking chatty as she is now.)

[heretic]

While certainly if they are going to have a Batgirl it would be far preferable that it be Barbara Gordon instead of the execrably awful Cassandra Caine, the odds of it actually ever being Barbara are zero to nill.
Are you _trying_ to start a flamewar?

HTG

[heretic]

I agree, the 90s version was too kewl and unreal to me, i don't want no more wonderkids showing up and be better than everyone (well like the new Supergirl), so if they introduse a new woman bat i hope there is some that have something to learn from the older characters.Given that Puckett's entire run had Cass learning from others (little things like being human and relating to others more than fighting I admit), I am rather confused by this statement....

How long will it take before this thread is full of whining about that Kain Batgirl:D
Longer than it took the bashing to start it seems. :rolleyes:

I can accept that for many Babs = Batgirl (although I think they sell the whole Oracle thing short), but Miss Cain is an interesting and (used to be) a well-developed character in her own right.

HTG

[DLH1970]

I can accept that for many Babs = Batgirl (although I think they sell the whole Oracle thing short), but Miss Cain is an interesting and (used to be) a well-developed character in her own right.

HTG


I don't think that people sell Oracle short, it's just that Barbara as Batgirl is so iconic. She's the one most everybody thinks of when you say Batgirl. Even DC has to admit that whenever a cartoon, toy, statue, bust or action figure is made, it's Barbara Gordon as Batgirl.

[Jack Zodiac]

Make it two Blue Beetle, Ted Kord alive again, they can keep that new brat for those that think he is kewl.

I do kind of like the new kid, Jaime. He's pretty funny and his suit's insane. I'd love it if a New Earth-2 or whatever version of Ted were around, though. One for the League, one for the Titans. :)

And for a character like Blue Beetle, really, you could honestly imagine two of them in the same universe. Ted and Jaime are two completely different people with the same mantle. Two Barbara Gordons is a bit out there, especially if they took a firm stance on trying to keep them both in one universe.

[MrSuslov]

Lots of people who make more money than I do think a two-state strategy would solve many problems with the Israelis and the Palestinians, so why wouldn't a two-Babs strategy work? :p After having read the two Superbuddies TPBs, I have to say that anything which leads to the return of Ted Kord can't be all bad.

I've got no opinion, up or down, on Cassandra Cain. (That being said, I wish I could find that cartoon linked here of her trying to convince Batman to keep her as Batgirl.)