WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Batman #100, by James Tynion IV, Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey and Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
Since DC's New 52 launched in 2011, Barbara Gordon has acted in her original superhero identity as Batgirl. While that's still her most famous role, Barbara's return to that identity proved controversial for fans of her two decades as Oracle.
However, in the finale to "Joker War" in Batman #100, Barbara resumes her role as Oracle for the final battle. At the start of the issue, Barbara returns to her iconic Gotham Clock Tower headquarters. The original Batgirl activates all of the tower's systems, starts up the Bat-computer, gains access to the city's surveillance cameras, maps the location of the Bat-Family, shuts down all of the bat-vehicles and overrides police dispatch. "Oracle is back online," she declares.
Through the police dispatch frequency, Oracle broadcasts to the entire city. Barbara warns Gotham's citizens about the Joker's attack, and tells them to stay indoors. In one final message, Oracle instills hope in Gotham's people by saying they don't need a Bat-Signal to know help is on the way.
Barbara's broadcast is powerful enough to get Commissioner Bullock's attention. Indeed, Oracle gets Bullock to resign and urge his fellow police officers to help those in need, despite the mayor's orders. For the rest of the issue, Oracle acts as a line of communication for the Bat-Family, watching out for the heroes when they need it.
Considering recent events in Barbara's career as Batgirl, a return to her Oracle identity might be just what she needs. For example, Batgirl #49, by Cecil Castellucci and Robbi Rodriguez, saw Barbara start to seriously think about quitting her role as Batgirl. Barbara's brother, James Gordon Jr., jumped off a building to silence one of his darker personas, and Batgirl couldn't save him.
Experiencing this trauma was more than enough to convince Barbara that she couldn't continue as Batgirl for the moment. As Oracle, however, Barbara would certainly be in a different position. Rather than dealing with the harsh dangers of fieldwork, Barbara would be situated to keep other heroes informed and alert from a distance.
Oracle, as a watchful observer, could help other heroes who need an extra set of eyes instead of living a solitary life as Batgirl. In doing so, Barbara could act as a guiding light for the Bat-Family and stay connected to those closest to her. This role also appeals more to Barbara's keen analytical mind, as opposed to the more violent life as Batgirl.
Barbara isn't the only person who would benefit from a return to her Oracle identity, either. As Oracle, Barbara can help the entire Bat-Family, and she could give former Batgirls Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown a chance to step into the spotlight. These two crime-fighters are in the perfect position to step in for Barbara, considering their own recent adventures, which saw them adopt Bat-Symbols and Batgirl-esque costumes while fighting Hench Master and his goons. As fan-favorites during their respective tenures in the Batgirl tights, Cassandra and Stephanie are ideal candidates to inherit Barbara's role.
Perhaps these two can begin a new venture as partners, with both Cassandra and Stephanie acting as Batgirl. Their relationship as good friends certainly suits this potential dynamic. The legacy of Batgirl could also move forward with Barbara's guidance. Before the "New 52" reboot, Oracle was a sort of mentor for both Cassandra and Stephanie at certain points in time.
If Oracle were to return in full capacity, she could once more guide those two Batgirls in their adventures. No matter where this may take her, Barbara Gordon's return as Oracle helped guide Gotham through one of its darkest nights, and she could be the guiding light of the Bat-Family's future.
0 Links