Alright, Bat-Fans and beyond! The hype is real, the cowl is (presumably) shiny, and we're all buzzing about Batman: The Brave and The Bold finally bringing Damian Wayne's Robin into the cinematic fold. Awesome, right? Absolutely. But while we're mentally prepping for peak Bat-brat sass and some serious father-son crime-fighting, a little Bat-shaped question mark has popped into my head, and I bet I'm not the only one wondering: What in the Gotham-shaped world are they gonna do with Barbara Gordon?
See, this isn't just some random character we're talking about. We’re talking about the OG Batgirl, the one who made purple gloves a fashion statement in the face of danger. We’re talking about Oracle, the brains in the chair who redefined resilience and proved that a true hero can’t be sidelined, no matter what. So, yeah, the filmmakers have a teensy little task on their hands. They can't just, like, have her watering plants in Wayne Manor (unless those plants are secretly dispensing intel, in which case, genius!). We need to talk about the Babs-shaped elephant in the Batcave. How do you honor both the high-flying hero and the information-age icon?
The Weight of the Batgirl Legacy
Before we get to the big dilemma, we have to respect the foundation. For so many of us, Barbara Gordon is Batgirl. She wasn’t a sidekick’s girlfriend or a love interest to a hero; she was a certified G, a standalone force of nature who put on her own cape and cowl and went out to fight crime in a city full of darkness.
Her tenure as Batgirl is legendary. She’s smart, capable, and just as much a hero as the big boys. She carved her own path, and for a long time, she was one of the few female heroes in the Bat-Family getting consistent shine. To pretend that part of her story doesn't matter would be a massive disservice to her character and to the fans who grew up with her as a symbol of female empowerment in comics. You can't just erase that.
The Transformative Power of Oracle
But then… there's the part of her story that, for me, truly made her iconic. In the legendary The Killing Joke, the Joker commits an act so horrific it changed the entire DC universe. Barbara is shot, leaving her paralyzed. It was a brutal, controversial moment that, honestly, felt like a cheap shot against a beloved hero.
And then, a funny thing happened. The creatives and the character herself refused to be defined by that tragedy. Barbara Gordon became Oracle. From her hidden lair in the clocktower, she became the greatest information broker in the DCU. She wasn’t just a hero; she was the source of hope, a guiding light for every hero in the street. She was Batman's eyes and ears, the Birds of Prey's leader, and a beacon of inspiration for people with disabilities who finally saw themselves represented as a hero, a genius, and a formidable force in the universe. Her time as Oracle didn’t just save the character; it elevated her to a new level of importance.
The "Problem" for The Brave and The Bold
Here's where the new movie’s timeline becomes a problem. Damian Wayne’s introduction as Robin suggests a relatively early point in Batman's career. So, where does Barbara Gordon fit in? If she's Batgirl, it means we don't get the Oracle we love and respect. If she's Oracle, it means we're skipping one of the most formative parts of her story—and that could feel rushed or, worse, unearned.
It’s the ultimate "have your cake and eat it too" dilemma. We want the thrill of her high-flying Batgirl days and the profound depth of her time as Oracle. So, what's a filmmaker to do?
Possible Solutions and Creative Approaches
I've been thinking about this a lot, probably more than I should, and I’ve come up with a few ideas for how to tackle this Babs conundrum.
First, there's what I'm calling "The Mentor in the Shadows" approach. This is my personal favorite. The movie would introduce Barbara Gordon as an already established Oracle. Maybe she's a retired Batgirl, with her past referenced in a few quick lines of dialogue or a framed picture in her lair. This would immediately establish her experience and respect, positioning her as a vital mentor to both Bruce and Damian. It honors her legacy without having to re-tell a story we’ve seen countless times, and it gives us the awesome, inspiring Oracle right from the start. Plus, imagine the banter between her and Damian—it would be pure cinematic gold.
Then there's the "Flashback Approach," which is a bit more conventional, but could still work. You introduce present-day Barbara as Oracle, but pepper the film with short, punchy flashbacks of her as Batgirl. This could be a great way to show a parallel between her and Damian, highlighting the difference between Bruce's two protégés. It would be a slick way to give a nod to her past, but it runs the risk of feeling a bit disjointed. It's like flipping through a really great photo album, but you’re in the middle of a high-speed chase.
Finally, there's the riskiest, but maybe most interesting idea: The Dual Role. What if we get a post-Oracle Barbara who is both Oracle and Batgirl again (think the comic storylines where she's able to walk again)? While a bit complex, it would offer a chance to explore a truly unique version of the character, combining her physical prowess with her tactical genius. The only downside is it might get a little messy for a general audience who isn't up to date on every single comic book arc. You don't want them getting whiplash trying to figure out if she's a Batgirl or a tech-wiz or both.
My Desired Outcome (Don't @ Me!)
Look, I'm not here to prove my opinion is the only one that matters. But if I had a magic lasso, I would wish for Solution #1: The Mentor in the Shadows. I think it’s the most elegant and respectful approach. It acknowledges the tragedy that made her who she is without having to show it on screen in a potentially exploitative way. It gives us a wise, powerful, and already-established Oracle, which is the version of the character that holds the most power and inspiration today.
Giving us Oracle right away sends a message: this is a hero who overcame unimaginable hardship and is now an invaluable part of the Bat-Family, not in spite of her disability, but with a new perspective because of it. It would be an incredibly powerful and genuine way to introduce her to a new audience.
So, what do you think? Am I on the right track, or am I completely off my rocker? Drop a comment below and let's get a conversation going. Let's figure out how we can make sure Babs gets the movie she deserves!