Batwoman & Batgirl Were Only Created To Be Love Interests

Batwoman and Batgirl are two of the strongest Bat-family members, as well as DC fan-favorites. They are tough, independent, hyper-intelligent, and can take on anything thrown at them. They share a rich history for overcoming horrible tragedy – the Joker for Batgirl and Red Alice for Batwoman – and serve as wonderful representations for disabled and LGBTQ groups. That’s why their golden-age origins are so bizarre and outdated to modern readers.

Like other superheroes, Batgirl is a mantle worn by several individuals. The most well-known Batgirl is Barbara Gordon, the police commissioner’s spunky, red-haired daughter, but other versions include Casandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Huntress, and Misfit. During the 1996 Birds of Prey comic run, Barbara was reimagined as the Oracle, and used her super-intelligence to help her crime-fighting female team while in a wheelchair. Her disability didn’t confine or weaken her, but transformed her into an iconic symbol of representation for DC fans.

Batwoman is also a mantle donned by many individuals: Brenna Wayne, Bette Kane, Elainna, and Kate Kane. Most fans are familiar with 2006’s Kate Kane’s Batwoman from 52#7. She’s teamed up with the Birds of Prey, Justice League, Batman, and Justice League Dark. Not only does she serve as a strong role model for female readers, but she’s also a celebrated lesbian DC character. Her origin involves being proudly gay and acting true to her personal identity, so how did two of the coolest Bat-family members start from such unfortunate beginnings?

In 1954, rumors were spreading that since Batman and Robin never had female love interests, they must be gay. The “solution” came in 1956’s Detective Comics#233, which welcomed Kathy Kane to the scene; her purpose was to be Batman’s love interest. Readers and censors could calm down. But wait, what about Robin? 1961’s Batman #139 introduced the ditzy Betty Kane, Kathy Kane’s niece. Now both Batman and Robin could have cute, straight counterparts, quashing any rumors that DC didn’t want floating around.

The storylines involving the batgals were light-hearted but shoe-horned the characters into archetypal roles of the ’50s and ’60s. They fought with makeup weapons and their good looks. Batgirl only appeared six times before getting canceled, further establishing that her presence had only been to straighten out the Bat-family. Bruce and Kathy even married at one point before she too was canceled.

1964 saw their last appearance as the original Kathy and Betty Kane. Next came the iconic introduction of 1967’s Detective Comics#359 Barbara Gordon. Batgirl was finally back, revamped and more or less treated as an equal to Batman and Robin. By popular demand, Batwoman also made a brief return in 1977’s Batman Family #10, but wouldn’t enjoy her complete rebirth until 2006. Their changing storylines highlighted the importance of updated views, representation, and character growth, though even these had to change with the times, and there have been many course corrections since in terms of how the characters are treated. Batgirl and Batwoman have far surpassed their origins, becoming essential members of the Bat-family, and many fans look forward to them being given even more publication attention in the future.

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