Despite his self-ascribed role as a lone vigilante, Batman has always operated with a large support network of allies and sidekicks that watch his back. The Bat-Family has grown over the decades, with multiple characters taking on the mantles of Batgirl and Robin. Barbara Gordon is the first and most famous Batgirl, but there was another who served briefly under the cowl and is unfairly forgotten— Stephanie Brown.
Stephanie has a storied past with Bat-Family, primarily in her vigilante guise of Spoiler, though she has often been disregarded as a full member of Batman's entourage. Daughter of the supervillain, Cluemaster, she took on the identity initially to bring her father to justice. This wound up bringing her into contact with the third Robin, Tim Drake.
The two developed a deep attraction to each other. When Stephanie discovered she was pregnant from an ex-boyfriend while still in high school, Tim stepped up and helped her through the entire experience— even assisting her through the process of putting her daughter up for adoption.
For a brief period, she took up the mantle of Robin from Tim, who was forced into civilian life for a time. However, her time as Robin ended in tragedy, and Stephanie was believed dead at the hands of Black Mask. Stephanie survived though, and eventually returned to Gotham as Spoiler.
During her crimefighting career, Stephanie became friends with then-Batgirl Cassandra Cain. Believing Bruce was dead, Cassandra was disillusioned and gave Stephanie her Batgirl costume. Without attempting to contact any of the Bat-Family, Stephanie went to work as the new Batgirl.
Her time as Batgirl coincided with Grant Morrison's era, specifically post-Batman R.I.P. and Final Crisis when Bruce was lost in time and Dick Grayson was operating as Batman. Dick became aware of her activities as Batgirl and let Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl, know what was happening.
Barbara, then still paralyzed and operating as Oracle, took it upon herself to try and dissuade Stephanie from being a vigilante. She saw Stephanie as too impetuous and remembered her doomed period as Robin. But Stephanie couldn't be talked down.
The key to Stephanie, and one of the things that made her so special as Batgirl, was her bright personality and optimism despite the incredible hardships she has endured. She made for a great fit as Batgirl during this time, offsetting the gloom cast in the absence of Bruce Wayne with her enthusiasm and upbeat nature.
Barbara and Stephanie independently uncovered a dangerous recreational drug called "Thrill" which was manufactured by Scarecrow and Stephanie's old foe, Black Mask. The two worked together to stop them, finding that they could count on one another.
After this, Barbara decided to mentor Stephanie full time. Barbara gifted Stephanie a new Batgirl costume and even took a job as an assistant professor at her college to stay nearby. The pair formed a strong bond from their shared legacy of Batgirl and similar, complex romances with their respective Robins -- Dick Grayson and Tim Drake.
When Bruce finally returned, Stephanie learned that Cassandra passed on the mantle of Batgirl to her under his instruction, in the event of his death or disappearance. She had finally been accepted as a full member of the Bat-Family. But unfortunately, her time as Batgirl was not to last.
Shortly after Bruce's return, Flashpoint and the New 52 were launched which wiped Stephanie's story clean and completely reintroduced the character. Post-DC Rebirth, with some of her past restored, she is back to operating as Spoiler -- though her ties with the Bat-Family had become rocky once again.
Recently, Stephanie found herself back in the fold. The "Joker War Zone" storyline has found Bruce needing all the help he can get. He turned to both Stephanie and Cassandra (now operating as Orphan) to join him. They've both accepted and have even begun to fight crime with the bat symbol on their chests.
Bruce takes that symbol and the responsibility behind it very seriously. Seeing Stephanie fighting as Spoiler with that symbol is a sign that after years of being overlooked and underestimated, she is finally being given the proper acknowledgment of her contributions to the Bat-Family's war on crime. Stephanie Brown hasn't had a chance to shine like this since her days as Batgirl and she deserves another turn in the spotlight.