Batman: The Animated Series 10 Best Characters

Unlike in DC comics continuity, when B:TAS started, Barbara Gordon had not been shot and paralyzed by the Joker, an act which would eventually turn her into Oracle, information broker and team support for the Bat-family.

In the show, Barbara was the daughter of Commissioner Jim Gordon, who hints at knowing about his daughter's nocturnal adventures, but never confirms it. Barbara started out as a college student with Dick Grayson, eventually becoming an information technologist for the Gotham Police, aiding her work with Batman immensely.

While Batgirl had been depicted in both TV and animation before, her character was generally limited, seen as a lesser sidekick to both Batman and Robin. B:TAS' Batgirl was a competent crimefighter, either on her own or while teamed with Batman (and even Supergirl, in one episode.) She was an intelligent and observant woman as well as an excellent gymnast and hand-to-hand fighter.

Her character actually played a major role in the change between the original B:TAS and the revamped New Batman Adventures; her identity as Batgirl was a secret to Dick Grayson, but not to Bruce. This tension is what finally pushed Dick to leave Batman and become Nightwing.

Both Melissa Gilbert and Tara Strong brought different aspects to their portrayals of Batgirl, but both of them conveyed her as confident, strong, and equal to Batman or Robin, laying a foundation for future female animated heroes.