10 Most Inappropriate Batman Storylines

5. Batgirl's Vanity Gets In The Way - Batgirl's Costume Cut-Ups

Batman The Animated Series Batgirl
DC Comics

Throughout 1968's Batgirl's Costume Cut-Ups, Barbara Gordon messes up in several big moments, all because she's worried about how she looks. Or, as Babs herself puts it, her "instinctive female reaction".

First up, the Sports Spoiler Gang escape after Batgirl stops to fix her skewed headgear. After that, the same villainous group escape another time after Gordon stops to wipe mud off her face. In a third meeting between these parties, Barbara again pauses in battle due to a small tear in her tights.

Fortunately for Batgirl, this tights tear and subsequent small exposure of leggy flesh causes the Sports Spoiler Gang to stop in their tracks to take a glance at the heroine's "gams"; a stop that gives Batman and Robin just enough time to crack the skulls of these rogues.

Reflecting back on this tale - from Detective Comics #371 - its ridiculous to see how heavy it leaned into Barbara's biggest weakness being that she was a vain female who was only ever concerned with looking good. Even at the end of the story, when Batgirl helps save the day, it's only down to her looks and body.

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