The original Batgirl was created by Bob Kane in 1961. Betty Kane was the niece of Batwoman. Betty Cane was not a popular character during her first appearance in DC Comics. Batgirl became popular when ABC introduced Batman to TV in 1966. In this series, Batgirl was introduced as Barbara Gordon, the niece of Police Commissioner Gordon. In 1967, DC Comics reintroduced Batgirl as the niece of Commissioner Gordon as well. Barbara's mother Thelma died in a car accident when she was a young girl. Her father Roger became an alcoholic, and her uncle, James Gordon, gained custody of her when she was thirteen. She attended Gotham State University and graduated with a degree in library science. She was also accomplished in Juno, Karate, gymnastics and running.
Her journey as Batgirl began with an invitation to a costume ball. Barbara decided to go as Batgirl. On her way to the ball, she saw a villain, Killer Moth, trying to kidnap Bruce Wayne. She rescues Wayne, eventually helps to capture Killer Moth, and decides to lead a life as a masked superheroine helping to protect the community from crime. She continued to fight crime until she was shot by the Joker in the back, which paralyzed her (1989). Since she was confined to a wheelchair, Barbara continued as Oracle, a cyber-superheroine. She used her knowledge of computer skills to aid all of the superheroes in Gotham City and beyond. Two more Batgirls emerged in 1999. Helena Bertinelli, also known as the Huntress, becomes Batman II. Later in the same year, Batman and Oracle pass on the Batgirl mantle to an Asian-American assassin, who is mute.
Batgirl possesses no super natural powers, she has been trained beyond peak of physical fitness including great speed, flexibility and strength. Conditioning: Batgirl has received some training from The Batman but mostly utilizes her own training regiment increasing her flexible and agile techniques.