What is Barbara Gordon?
[[File:Yvonne Craig Batgirl.JPG|thumb|Photo of [[Yvonne Craig]] as Batgirl from the television program ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]''.]] '''Barbara Gordon''' is a fictional superheroine appearing in American comic books published by [[DC Comics]]. Barbara Gordon was created by [[Julius Schwartz]], [[Gardner Fox]] and [[Carmine Infantino]] after a concept by [[William Dozier]], first appearing in ''Detective Comics'' #359 (1967). [[John Ostrander]] reinvented her as Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989), although this new identity wouldn't be fully revealed until ''Suicide Squad'' #38 (1990). == Fictional character biography == She is a vigilante super-hero operating as a member of the [[Batman family|Batman Family]], and (depending on which continuity) the daughter or niece of [[Gotham City]]'s Police commissioner [[Jim Gordon (character)|James Gordon]]. Beginning her career as '''[[Batgirl]]''' working alongside [[Batman]] and the first [[Robin (comics)|Robin]], she is an extremely intelligent detective and martial artist who maintains a civilian identity as a librarian. Following the events of [[Batman: The Killing Joke|''The Killing Joke'']] where the [[Joker (comics)|Joker]] paralyzed her from the waist down with a gunshot, she began using the name '''[[Oracle]]''' to help Batman and other heroes using a massive world-wide communications and espionage network. There are several others who take up her mantle as Batgirl during this time, including [[Cassandra Cain]] and [[Stephanie Brown]] whom she mentors, but she is eventually able to walk again and returns to her position. She is a founding member of the [[Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]], but has also been involved with the [[Justice League]], the [[Suicide Squad]] and the [[Seven Soldiers of Victory]]. == In other media == As both Batgirl and Oracle, Barbara Gordon has been featured in various adaptations related to the Batman franchise, including television, film, animation, video games, and other merchandise. Aside from Craig, the character has b