> Which superhero's real name is Barbara Gordon?And the answer: Batgirl.Photo credit: Phantom Stranger[https://batman.fandom.com/wiki/User:Phantom_Stranger] via batman.fandom[https://batman.fandom.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon?file=2062307-batgirl2011_large.jpg].In the DC Comics universe, Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Gotham City'sPolice Commissioner James Gordon, and adopts the alter-ego of Batgirl. Facing backlash after the release of American psychiatrist Fredric Wertham's1954 book Seduction of the Innocent – a release which warned the world of thedelinquent horrors of comic books – DC Comics needed to regain a more familyfriendly appearance. This meant introducing Batwoman, the love interest forBatman, as well as one for Robin, which became Batgirl. Batgirl, whose original alter-ego was Betty Kane, first appeared as Batwoman'ssidekick and niece in 1961 in Batman issue #139. Her introduction led to theeventual creation of the "Batman Family," an anthology series that later ranfrom 1975 to 1978, primarily featuring stories starring supporting characters toBatman. However, Batgirl was left behind in 1964, when new Batman editor JuliusSchwartz deemed her and Batwoman silly, and inappropriate characters. Thecharacter of Betty Kane was later adapted into superhero Hawk Fire. Next up was the iconic Barbara Gordon. Schwartz worked with television producersto create an all-new female character for the 1960s Batman television seriesstarring Adam West. Linking her in as the daughter of previously-establishedpolice commissioner James Gordon, the new iteration of Batgirl was renamed andinitiated into both the comic book and the television series in 1967. She wenton to become so popular that she almost won her own spinoff show. Once written into the comics, Barbara Gordon worked as a librarian – a nowiconic role for a female superhero who defies society's rules. Today, Gordon isconsidered in part responsible for the redefinition of the librarian profession,as she represents it as a valuable and honorable career. However, in 1988,following the editorial retirement of the character's Batgirl persona in BatgirlSpecial #1, the graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke depicts the Jokershooting her in her civilian identity, resulting in her loss of mobility. Insubsequent stories, Batgirl was reestablished as a technical advisor, computerexpert and information broker known as Oracle.There has been much academic, feminist and other important discourse surroundingBatgirl since her inception in the 1960s. Read more about her role and character here [https://batman.fandom.com/wiki/Barbara_Gordon].