What is Batgirl?
[[File:Batgirl Barbara Gordon.jpg|thumb|Cosplayer as Batgirl.]] '''Batgirl''' is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by [[DC Comics]]. The character is one of [[Batman]]'s side-kicks and a member of the [[Batman family|Batman Family]] similar to [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]. There have been several women to take the position over the years. == Publication history == Batgirl was created as Betty Kane by [[Bill Finger]] and [[Sheldon Moldoff]], first appearing in ''Batman'' #139 (1961). 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). [[Huntress (Helena Bertinelli)|Helena Bertinelli]] first appeared as Batgirl in ''Batman: Shadow of the Bat'' #83 (1999). Cassandra Cain was created by Kelley Puckett, Damion Scott and Alex Maleev, first appearing as Batgirl in ''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #120 (1999). Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe started acting on her own as Batgirl in ''Birds of Prey'' #96 (2006). Stephanie Brown took the position in ''Batgirl'' (Volume 3) #1 (2009). == Fictional character biographies == === Bette Kane === The original Batgirl during the Silver Age was '''[[Bette Kane]]'''. This was later removed from continuity, and the character was reintroduced under the alias [[Flamebird]]. === Barbara Gordon === The most well-recognized Batgirl is '''[[Barbara Gordon]]''', daughter of [[Jim Gordon (character)|Commissioner Gordon]], and the original in modern continuity. She was Batgirl for many years until the [[Joker (comics)|Joker]] shot her through the spine during the events of ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke|The Killing Joke]]'' and paralyzed her. Barbara still fought crime from her wheel-chair as [[Oracle]], an international super-hacker and invaluable computers expert for heroes everywhere. === Cassandra Cain === '''[[Cassandra Cain]]''', daughter of the assassin [[David Cain]], became the next Batgirl while seeki