Batgirl: Year One
Encyclopedia
Batgirl: Year One is a comic book mini-series published by DC Comics
in nine parts, from February to October 2003, and then compiled into trade paperback form. Written by Scott Beatty
and Chuck Dixon
, with art by Alvaro Lopez
and Marcos Martin
, the mini-series shows how modern Barbara Gordon
became the first Batgirl
.
and the crosshairs of aspiring supervillains.
The story opens in media res, with Barbara Gordon dressed as Batgirl, facing down the villain Killer Moth
at a ball. Through narration, Barbara relates the Greek myth of the prophet Cassandra
, who wore a mask to hide her shame from those who ridiculed and ignored her prophecies, even after they came true.
The story then flashes back to days earlier, at the home she shares with her father, Gotham City
police captain James Gordon
. Barbara asks for permission to join the GCPD as a detective, but he adamantly forbids it, saying that one cop in the family is enough. Frustrated, Barbara applies for a job as an FBI field agent, but is similarly dismissed for her youth and stature.
Seeing the traditional avenues of crime-fighting closed to her, Barbara finds inspiration in the exploits of costume vigilantes, particularly the superheroine Black Canary
, a member of the Justice League of America. Using information gleamed from her dad’s office and the assistance of computer hacking friends, Barbara breaks into the headquarters of the Justice League's sister organization, the Justice Society of America
, and leaves a note asking to meet with Black Canary so she can become her apprentice.
Part 2: Future Tense
Barbara arrives at the meeting point the next night, only to be confronted by the JSA member Wildcat instead. He tells her that he didn't forward Barbara's letter to Black Canary, but knows she wouldn’t be interested, and advises Barbara to give up her aspirations. After Barbara leaves, Wildcat talks to Doctor Fate
, who predicts "triumph and tragedy" in Barbara’s future.
Disheartened, Barbara falls into a slump for several days. Her father attempts to console her by inviting her to a masquerade ball
for police officers and Gotham's elite. Barbara decides to use the opportunity to get back at her dad and shows up dressed in a modified Batman costume, poking fun at her dad’s controversial dealing with the vigilante. But before she can make her presence known, the ball is interrupted by Killer Moth who wants to kidnap Bruce Wayne.
Captain Gordon intervenes but is knocked unconscious. Barbara, in full costume, engages Killer Moth and lets Bruce Wayne escape, bringing the story to the point where it originally began. Wayne makes it to his car where he prepares to don the attire of his alter-ego, Batman
, and calls his sidekick, Dick Grayson
, aka Robin, for assistance.
Barbara chases Killer Moth into a nearby forest, but he escapes via helicopter leaving her to be confronted by Batman and Robin.
Part 3: Afterglow
Batman demands to know who she is and tells her she has no right to wear his symbol. Defiant, Barbara points out that nobody gave him the right to do what he does either. Their stand-off is cut short as Killer Moth returns in his copter and opens fire with a machine gun, loudly taunting Batman, Robin, and "Batgirl". The three scatter and Killer Moth is chased away by police helicopters.
Barbara makes it home before her father and a young officer named Jason Bard
, swings by to check on her. She pretends to be ill and explains she didn't make the masquerade ball. The next morning, her father asks about last night but she repeats the same lie. Captain Gordon appears to accept it, but leaves behind a newspaper featuring an obscured photograph of Batgirl and a scrap of costume left at the scene, leaving her to wonder if he suspects more. Nonetheless, she builds on the Batgirl persona and begins to foil crimes around Gotham. After investing in new equipment, Barbara decides to test her rappelling rope by swinging off of a skyscraper, unaware that Batman and Robin are watching her scale the building.
Meanwhile, a disgraced Killer Moth tries to convince a gangster named Tony Bressi to hire him for protection, but Bressi dismisses him for getting publicly beaten by a girl. Later it is revealed that Killer Moth's true identity is that of bankrupt ex-millionaire, Cameron Von Cleer, who actually owes money to Bressi.
Part 4: Cave Dwellers
Barbara leaps off the skyscraper and all goes well until her rope snaps mid-descent. Robin swoops in to catch her, admitting that Batman cut her rope with a batarang
since the rope she was using would have either sliced her hands off or dislocated her arms once it went taut. Still incensed, Barbara tries to attack him but he knocks her out with sleeping gas.
Barbara wakes up in the Batcave
and is left with Robin, who gives her a tour of their operations. He takes her to a soundstage where she successfully runs through an elaborate combat simulation, complete with live gunfire. Barbara cites this as proof she is as capable as them, but when Batman asks her why she wants to do this, she is unable to give a clear answer- except that she simply can, and she believes Gotham needs all the help it can get. Still unimpressed, Batman has Robin knock her out once more with sleeping gas.
Barbara wakes in front of her house, without her cowl on. She realizes this means that they know who she is, and frets that they might talk to her father. But later in the day, Barbara receives a package from Robin containing spare crime fighting gear, including the correct rope for swinging off buildings, and a note assuring her that Batman will come around.
Part 5: Moth to a Flame
Rejected by Gotham’s underworld and his own henchmen, Killer Moth finds an opportunity to salvage his reputation when he is approached by a pyromaniac named Garfield Lynns. Looking for an outlet for his sadistic tendencies, Lynns offer to help Killer Moth exact revenge on Batgirl and form a criminal partnership. Lynns adopts the costumed persona of "Firefly", complete with a devastating flamethrower
. The duo’s first criminal act is intimidating Tony Bressi into hiring them.
Part 6: Bird of Prey
Tony Bressi tries to get rid of Firefly and Killer Moth by staging an elaborate frame-up; he orders two of his own henchmen to kidnap Captain Gordon while wearing costumes similar to Killer Moth and Firefly, kill him in a secluded area, call the real Killer Moth and Firefly to the location, while simultaneously informing the police to their whereabouts, and thereby framing them for Gordon’s murder. The doppelgangers succeed in abducting Gordon, while killing one of his friends, wounding Officer Bard, and setting fire to an office building in the process.
Barbara finds out about her father’s abduction and arrives at the scene as Batgirl where Jason tells her he heard the henchmen mention Bressi’s greenhouse
outside of Gotham. Barbara prepares to head there but bumps into Black Canary who is also investigating the crime. Canary, believing Batgirl to be an ‘official’ associate of Batman, offers to tag along.
The pair arrive at the greenhouse and Bressi’s henchmen, still in costume, take Gordon and flee. On the way to the greenhouse, the real Killer Moth and Firefly spot Black Canary and Batgirl chasing their doppelgangers. Bressi's henchmen end up leading all four pursuers to Tony Bressi’s home, where the real Killer Moth and Firefly ambush everyone.
Part 7: Hearts Afire
Firefly deduces Bressli’s plans and brutally incinerates the doppelgangers, but also ignites a fuel tank which causes an explosion. In the confusion Barbara evacuates her father and the costumed villains escape the premises. Barbara leaves Black Canary to watch over Gordon, Bressi, and deal with the cops, but has to return home on foot as her Batcycle has been destroyed.
Gordon returns to Police Headquarters the same night and calls for a meeting with Batman, only to be met by Robin. Gordon asks if Batman is "expanding the franchise", but Robin assures him that Batgirl has nothing to do with them. Exasperated, Gordon leaves, telling Robin that Batman needs to put a stop to Batgirl or he will do it himself.
The next evening Barbara visits Officer Bard in the hospital. Barbara thanks Jason for trying to save her dad, but he feels that he failed nonetheless and acknowledges that his injury means he will have to leave the force. Barbara reassures him that he will be able to find work in other fields. Before the two can bond any longer, they are interrupted by her father who also came to visit. Embarrassed, Barbara leaves and goes on patrol as Batgirl to clear her head.
While dispatching a mugger, Barbara meets Robin who presents her with a new Batcycle and invites her to join him on an emergency call. The pair ride their bikes into Gotham’s subway network where the emergency is taking place.
Part 8: Seasoned Crime-Fighter
Batgirl and Robin arrive at a subway platform where they arrest an aspiring criminal named the Condiment King
for harassing passersby. Bemused and unimpressed, Barbara wonders how a harmless nuisance constitutes an emergency, but Robin tells her that he was just a detour — the real emergency is a hostage situation on one of the trains. As they talk, Robin shocks Barbara by planting a kiss on her. Without saying another word, the pair continues down the subway tunnels towards the runaway train.
When they find the train, Robin informs Barbara that Blockbuster, a deformed behemoth of a man is aboard, terrorizing the passengers. Inside, Barbara baits Blockbuster into fighting her while Robin evacuates the passengers to another car. Barbara’s fight with Blockbuster leads onto the roof of the train where Blockbuster attempts to crush her head, but she is spared when a slab of overhanging concrete knocks him out.
Robin and Batgirl truss up Blockbuster and steer the train towards the next station where the police are waiting. Robin tries to kiss Barbara again but she pushes him away. When the train pulls into the station, Captain Gordon finds Blockbuster but not the young crime-fighters. But, he does finds a lock of Barbara’s red hair in Blockbuster’s hands which causes him to rush home.
Barbara changes back into her civilian clothes and bids goodbye to Robin. When she makes it back home, she is confronted by her father who has been searching her room. Before either of them can say anything he receives an emergency call and rushes out of the house. Barbara follows him and finds that GCPD Headquarters has been set ablaze by Firefly and Killer Moth. Barbara decides to suit up as Batgirl once again.
Part 9: Ashes & Blood
Killer Moth and Firefly survey their handiwork from the roof of the very building they set alight, and begin to make their escape via helicopter. Batgirl lassos a rope and tethers herself to the aircraft. Firefly sees her but orders his pilot to take off anyways and the helicopter flies through Gotham with Batgirl in tow. Batman and Robin arrive with their own aircraft but concede they don’t have a way to ground the villains without killing them or Batgirl, so they wait to see what she can do.
While being dragged through the air, Barbara pulls off a risky maneuver which causes the helicopter to crash on a rooftop while she falls into a rooftop pool, narrowly avoiding death. An injured Killer Moth and Firefly are apprehended by Batman and Robin while Barbara watches from a distance, chagrined that while she did all the work they'll be getting all the credit.
The story flash forwards a few days later. Barbara still hasn't spoken to her dad but feels that her Batgirl career is over no matter what. However, she is invited by Batman to the Batcave where she runs through another obstacle course, but against simulations of his most dangerous enemies. Batman warns her that if she doesn’t walk away from being Batgirl right now, this will be her future from here on out. Steadfast, Barbara completes the challenge anyways. Batman leads her outside, to the grave of Thomas
and Martha Wayne
where he reveals his identity as Bruce Wayne, allowing Barbara to finally understand the reasons behind his mission. Barbara swears an oath of loyalty to Batman and his ideals, but asks a final favor in return.
On the roof of Gotham Headquarters, Batman arrives with Batgirl to meet Captain Gordon. Batman tells Gordon that he wishes to take Batgirl under his wing and asks for approval. Reluctant, Gordon says he’ll allow it, but forbids Batman from taking on any more proteges. Immediately after Batman and Batgirl leave, Gordon exits through the stairwell and is surprised to be greeted by Barbara, who asks if he was expecting someone else; the ‘Batgirl’ Batman brought along was actually Robin in disguise.
The next day, Barbara helps Jason Bard move into an office where he plans to work as a private investigator
. Jason asks Barbara about her own plans and she reveals an interest in politics, but isn’t really sure. The scene then switches to her dressed as Batgirl, confronting Scarecrow
alongside Batman and Robin. Barbara narrates that while she could keep worrying about what her life could become, she rather focus on the now.
, which permanently altered the history of the DC Comics Universe, the company steadily began to publish mini-series rebooting the origins of its major characters. Batgirl: Year One makes several changes to Barbara Gordon's origin myth in order to reestablish her characterization in the Modern Age
. Notable changes from the character's Silver Age
origin include:
The story also inserts themes and motifs which foreshadow her transformation into the information broker Oracle:
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
in nine parts, from February to October 2003, and then compiled into trade paperback form. Written by Scott Beatty
Scott Beatty
Scott Beatty is an American author who has written comic books and encyclopaedias based on DC Comics characters.-Biography:Beatty has worked extensively for the popular comic book publisher DC Comics since the mid '90s...
and Chuck Dixon
Chuck Dixon
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, best known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.-Biography:Dixon grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, reading comics of all genres...
, with art by Alvaro Lopez
Álvaro López
Álvaro López is the drummer from British post trip hop band Second Person. His most well-known project to date has been as drummer/programmer on Second Person's 2004 debut release Chromatography and its follow up The Elements with band-mates Julia Johnson and Mark Maclaine.The Madrid-born...
and Marcos Martin
Marcos Martin
Marcos Martín is a Spanish comic book artist who worked for American comics, illustrating Batgirl: Year One, Doctor Strange: The Oath, Breach. He is the current artist of The Amazing Spider-Man...
, the mini-series shows how modern Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
became the first Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
.
Plot
Barbara Gordon is a bright and eager young woman who has already achieved much in her life but struggles to find her true calling. After graduating college in her teens, Barbara hoped to follow in her father's footsteps and serve as a dedicated officer of the law, but her plans are derailed by her father's over-protectiveness and society's prejudices. This leads Barbara to seize a different path towards her goal and adopt the vigilante persona of Batgirl. As she learns the ropes of the vigilante lifestyle, she finds herself thrown into conflict with BatmanBatman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and the crosshairs of aspiring supervillains.
Synopsis
Part 1: MasqueradeThe story opens in media res, with Barbara Gordon dressed as Batgirl, facing down the villain Killer Moth
Killer Moth
Killer Moth is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Batman #63 published in 1951. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume with striped purple and green spandex, orange cape and a moth-like mask....
at a ball. Through narration, Barbara relates the Greek myth of the prophet Cassandra
Cassandra
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Her beauty caused Apollo to grant her the gift of prophecy...
, who wore a mask to hide her shame from those who ridiculed and ignored her prophecies, even after they came true.
The story then flashes back to days earlier, at the home she shares with her father, Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
police captain James Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
. Barbara asks for permission to join the GCPD as a detective, but he adamantly forbids it, saying that one cop in the family is enough. Frustrated, Barbara applies for a job as an FBI field agent, but is similarly dismissed for her youth and stature.
Seeing the traditional avenues of crime-fighting closed to her, Barbara finds inspiration in the exploits of costume vigilantes, particularly the superheroine Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
, a member of the Justice League of America. Using information gleamed from her dad’s office and the assistance of computer hacking friends, Barbara breaks into the headquarters of the Justice League's sister organization, the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
, and leaves a note asking to meet with Black Canary so she can become her apprentice.
Part 2: Future Tense
Barbara arrives at the meeting point the next night, only to be confronted by the JSA member Wildcat instead. He tells her that he didn't forward Barbara's letter to Black Canary, but knows she wouldn’t be interested, and advises Barbara to give up her aspirations. After Barbara leaves, Wildcat talks to Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear in books published by DC Comics. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55...
, who predicts "triumph and tragedy" in Barbara’s future.
Disheartened, Barbara falls into a slump for several days. Her father attempts to console her by inviting her to a masquerade ball
Masquerade ball
A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. - History :...
for police officers and Gotham's elite. Barbara decides to use the opportunity to get back at her dad and shows up dressed in a modified Batman costume, poking fun at her dad’s controversial dealing with the vigilante. But before she can make her presence known, the ball is interrupted by Killer Moth who wants to kidnap Bruce Wayne.
Captain Gordon intervenes but is knocked unconscious. Barbara, in full costume, engages Killer Moth and lets Bruce Wayne escape, bringing the story to the point where it originally began. Wayne makes it to his car where he prepares to don the attire of his alter-ego, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, and calls his sidekick, Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, aka Robin, for assistance.
Barbara chases Killer Moth into a nearby forest, but he escapes via helicopter leaving her to be confronted by Batman and Robin.
Part 3: Afterglow
Batman demands to know who she is and tells her she has no right to wear his symbol. Defiant, Barbara points out that nobody gave him the right to do what he does either. Their stand-off is cut short as Killer Moth returns in his copter and opens fire with a machine gun, loudly taunting Batman, Robin, and "Batgirl". The three scatter and Killer Moth is chased away by police helicopters.
Barbara makes it home before her father and a young officer named Jason Bard
Jason Bard
Jason Bard is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Detective Comics #392, which was published in 1969. He appeared in several back-up stories throughout the 1970s and 1980s in Detective Comics.-Pre-Crisis:...
, swings by to check on her. She pretends to be ill and explains she didn't make the masquerade ball. The next morning, her father asks about last night but she repeats the same lie. Captain Gordon appears to accept it, but leaves behind a newspaper featuring an obscured photograph of Batgirl and a scrap of costume left at the scene, leaving her to wonder if he suspects more. Nonetheless, she builds on the Batgirl persona and begins to foil crimes around Gotham. After investing in new equipment, Barbara decides to test her rappelling rope by swinging off of a skyscraper, unaware that Batman and Robin are watching her scale the building.
Meanwhile, a disgraced Killer Moth tries to convince a gangster named Tony Bressi to hire him for protection, but Bressi dismisses him for getting publicly beaten by a girl. Later it is revealed that Killer Moth's true identity is that of bankrupt ex-millionaire, Cameron Von Cleer, who actually owes money to Bressi.
Part 4: Cave Dwellers
Barbara leaps off the skyscraper and all goes well until her rope snaps mid-descent. Robin swoops in to catch her, admitting that Batman cut her rope with a batarang
Batarang
A batarang is a roughly bat-shaped throwing weapon used by the DC Comics superhero Batman. The name is a portmanteau of bat and boomerang, and was originally spelled baterang. Although they are named after boomerangs, batarangs have become more like shuriken in recent interpretations...
since the rope she was using would have either sliced her hands off or dislocated her arms once it went taut. Still incensed, Barbara tries to attack him but he knocks her out with sleeping gas.
Barbara wakes up in the Batcave
Batcave
The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, the alternate identity of playboy Bruce Wayne, consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor.-Publication history:...
and is left with Robin, who gives her a tour of their operations. He takes her to a soundstage where she successfully runs through an elaborate combat simulation, complete with live gunfire. Barbara cites this as proof she is as capable as them, but when Batman asks her why she wants to do this, she is unable to give a clear answer- except that she simply can, and she believes Gotham needs all the help it can get. Still unimpressed, Batman has Robin knock her out once more with sleeping gas.
Barbara wakes in front of her house, without her cowl on. She realizes this means that they know who she is, and frets that they might talk to her father. But later in the day, Barbara receives a package from Robin containing spare crime fighting gear, including the correct rope for swinging off buildings, and a note assuring her that Batman will come around.
Part 5: Moth to a Flame
Rejected by Gotham’s underworld and his own henchmen, Killer Moth finds an opportunity to salvage his reputation when he is approached by a pyromaniac named Garfield Lynns. Looking for an outlet for his sadistic tendencies, Lynns offer to help Killer Moth exact revenge on Batgirl and form a criminal partnership. Lynns adopts the costumed persona of "Firefly", complete with a devastating flamethrower
Flamethrower
A flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to project a long controllable stream of fire.Some flamethrowers project a stream of ignited flammable liquid; some project a long gas flame. Most military flamethrowers use liquids, but commercial flamethrowers tend to use high-pressure propane and...
. The duo’s first criminal act is intimidating Tony Bressi into hiring them.
Part 6: Bird of Prey
Tony Bressi tries to get rid of Firefly and Killer Moth by staging an elaborate frame-up; he orders two of his own henchmen to kidnap Captain Gordon while wearing costumes similar to Killer Moth and Firefly, kill him in a secluded area, call the real Killer Moth and Firefly to the location, while simultaneously informing the police to their whereabouts, and thereby framing them for Gordon’s murder. The doppelgangers succeed in abducting Gordon, while killing one of his friends, wounding Officer Bard, and setting fire to an office building in the process.
Barbara finds out about her father’s abduction and arrives at the scene as Batgirl where Jason tells her he heard the henchmen mention Bressi’s greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
outside of Gotham. Barbara prepares to head there but bumps into Black Canary who is also investigating the crime. Canary, believing Batgirl to be an ‘official’ associate of Batman, offers to tag along.
The pair arrive at the greenhouse and Bressi’s henchmen, still in costume, take Gordon and flee. On the way to the greenhouse, the real Killer Moth and Firefly spot Black Canary and Batgirl chasing their doppelgangers. Bressi's henchmen end up leading all four pursuers to Tony Bressi’s home, where the real Killer Moth and Firefly ambush everyone.
Part 7: Hearts Afire
Firefly deduces Bressli’s plans and brutally incinerates the doppelgangers, but also ignites a fuel tank which causes an explosion. In the confusion Barbara evacuates her father and the costumed villains escape the premises. Barbara leaves Black Canary to watch over Gordon, Bressi, and deal with the cops, but has to return home on foot as her Batcycle has been destroyed.
Gordon returns to Police Headquarters the same night and calls for a meeting with Batman, only to be met by Robin. Gordon asks if Batman is "expanding the franchise", but Robin assures him that Batgirl has nothing to do with them. Exasperated, Gordon leaves, telling Robin that Batman needs to put a stop to Batgirl or he will do it himself.
The next evening Barbara visits Officer Bard in the hospital. Barbara thanks Jason for trying to save her dad, but he feels that he failed nonetheless and acknowledges that his injury means he will have to leave the force. Barbara reassures him that he will be able to find work in other fields. Before the two can bond any longer, they are interrupted by her father who also came to visit. Embarrassed, Barbara leaves and goes on patrol as Batgirl to clear her head.
While dispatching a mugger, Barbara meets Robin who presents her with a new Batcycle and invites her to join him on an emergency call. The pair ride their bikes into Gotham’s subway network where the emergency is taking place.
Part 8: Seasoned Crime-Fighter
Batgirl and Robin arrive at a subway platform where they arrest an aspiring criminal named the Condiment King
Condiment King
The Condiment King is a fictional DC Comics villain created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini for the Batman: The Animated Series. He makes use of various condiments, sometimes capable of causing Anaphylactic shock, as his weapons...
for harassing passersby. Bemused and unimpressed, Barbara wonders how a harmless nuisance constitutes an emergency, but Robin tells her that he was just a detour — the real emergency is a hostage situation on one of the trains. As they talk, Robin shocks Barbara by planting a kiss on her. Without saying another word, the pair continues down the subway tunnels towards the runaway train.
When they find the train, Robin informs Barbara that Blockbuster, a deformed behemoth of a man is aboard, terrorizing the passengers. Inside, Barbara baits Blockbuster into fighting her while Robin evacuates the passengers to another car. Barbara’s fight with Blockbuster leads onto the roof of the train where Blockbuster attempts to crush her head, but she is spared when a slab of overhanging concrete knocks him out.
Robin and Batgirl truss up Blockbuster and steer the train towards the next station where the police are waiting. Robin tries to kiss Barbara again but she pushes him away. When the train pulls into the station, Captain Gordon finds Blockbuster but not the young crime-fighters. But, he does finds a lock of Barbara’s red hair in Blockbuster’s hands which causes him to rush home.
Barbara changes back into her civilian clothes and bids goodbye to Robin. When she makes it back home, she is confronted by her father who has been searching her room. Before either of them can say anything he receives an emergency call and rushes out of the house. Barbara follows him and finds that GCPD Headquarters has been set ablaze by Firefly and Killer Moth. Barbara decides to suit up as Batgirl once again.
Part 9: Ashes & Blood
Killer Moth and Firefly survey their handiwork from the roof of the very building they set alight, and begin to make their escape via helicopter. Batgirl lassos a rope and tethers herself to the aircraft. Firefly sees her but orders his pilot to take off anyways and the helicopter flies through Gotham with Batgirl in tow. Batman and Robin arrive with their own aircraft but concede they don’t have a way to ground the villains without killing them or Batgirl, so they wait to see what she can do.
While being dragged through the air, Barbara pulls off a risky maneuver which causes the helicopter to crash on a rooftop while she falls into a rooftop pool, narrowly avoiding death. An injured Killer Moth and Firefly are apprehended by Batman and Robin while Barbara watches from a distance, chagrined that while she did all the work they'll be getting all the credit.
The story flash forwards a few days later. Barbara still hasn't spoken to her dad but feels that her Batgirl career is over no matter what. However, she is invited by Batman to the Batcave where she runs through another obstacle course, but against simulations of his most dangerous enemies. Batman warns her that if she doesn’t walk away from being Batgirl right now, this will be her future from here on out. Steadfast, Barbara completes the challenge anyways. Batman leads her outside, to the grave of Thomas
Thomas Wayne
Thomas Wayne is a fictional character in the Batman series of comic books. Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne, and husband of Martha Wayne, as well as a gifted surgeon and philanthropist...
and Martha Wayne
Martha Wayne
Martha Wayne is a fictional character of the Batman series of comic books, published by DC Comics. She is Dr. Thomas Wayne's wife and mother of Bruce Wayne. When she and her husband are murdered during a holdup, young Bruce swears to avenge their deaths by fighting crime...
where he reveals his identity as Bruce Wayne, allowing Barbara to finally understand the reasons behind his mission. Barbara swears an oath of loyalty to Batman and his ideals, but asks a final favor in return.
On the roof of Gotham Headquarters, Batman arrives with Batgirl to meet Captain Gordon. Batman tells Gordon that he wishes to take Batgirl under his wing and asks for approval. Reluctant, Gordon says he’ll allow it, but forbids Batman from taking on any more proteges. Immediately after Batman and Batgirl leave, Gordon exits through the stairwell and is surprised to be greeted by Barbara, who asks if he was expecting someone else; the ‘Batgirl’ Batman brought along was actually Robin in disguise.
The next day, Barbara helps Jason Bard move into an office where he plans to work as a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
. Jason asks Barbara about her own plans and she reveals an interest in politics, but isn’t really sure. The scene then switches to her dressed as Batgirl, confronting Scarecrow
Scarecrow (comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
alongside Batman and Robin. Barbara narrates that while she could keep worrying about what her life could become, she rather focus on the now.
Continuity
Several years after the publication of Crisis on Infinite EarthsCrisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, which permanently altered the history of the DC Comics Universe, the company steadily began to publish mini-series rebooting the origins of its major characters. Batgirl: Year One makes several changes to Barbara Gordon's origin myth in order to reestablish her characterization in the Modern Age
Modern Age of Comic Books
The Modern Age of Comic Books is an informal name for the period in the history of mainstream American comic books generally considered to last from the mid-1980s until present day...
. Notable changes from the character's Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
origin include:
- Barbara's age and height are significantly changed. In the Silver Age origin, Barbara was 21 years old and stood at 5' 11". She was generally depicted as an empowered and independent woman. In Batgirl: Year One, Barbara is at 16–18 years old, having graduated from college early, and applied for field duty with the FBI, which rejected her application on the grounds that she was too short (the GCPD rejects her on the same grounds). She is portrayed as a constant victim of sexismSexismSexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
, which gives her a motive to become a vigilante: to prove a point.
- Batman is no longer Barbara's superhero idol. While the Silver Age Barbara Gordon fashioned a Batgirl costume out of admiration for the Dark Knight, in Batgirl: Year One she does so as a practical joke to play on her father. The Black CanaryBlack CanaryBlack Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
serves as her main inspiration for becoming a vigilante.
- This story takes place around the fourth year of modern Batman's career; Robin's role has been established, but James Gordon is still a Captain.
The story also inserts themes and motifs which foreshadow her transformation into the information broker Oracle:
- Barbara college major was in "Computer ScienceComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
and Data RetrievalData retrievalData retrieval, in database management, involves extracting the wanted data from a database. The two primary forms of the retrieved data are reports and queries....
", she is shown to have has computer hacker friends, displays an interest in gadgets and computers, and has a part-time job as a library researcher (a variation of her pre-Crisis career as a librarian).
- There is a panel in which Robin shows Barbara an image of the JokerJoker (comics)The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
on the Batcave's computer, and he warns her that she should run away if she sees him; and in the final chapter, when she fights simulations of Batman's rogues, Barbara is confronted by a mannequin of the Joker who is drawn similar to how he appears when he cripples her in The Killing JokeBatman: The Killing JokeBatman: The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot superhero graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland. First published by DC Comics in 1988, it has remained in print since then, and has also been reprinted as part of the trade paperback DC Universe: The Stories of Alan...
.
- Barbara comments through narration that she is fighting for control of her life against a fate she has no say in. This could apply to the struggles with her father, Batman, and society to live the life she wants, or serve as an allusion to her fate in The Killing Joke.