The origin of Batgirl! | BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES | "Shadow of the Bat" Pt 1 & 2 Reaction

First watch of Batman: The Animated Series! I'm completely new to the DCU. Welcome to this journey!
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[@freefall945]

Batgirl is the best example of a "distaff" character (genderswap for the sake of selling toys to girls) actually gaining her own identity and becoming independently interesting rather than feeling like 'batman but a girl', which is the sad fate of many such creations cranked out for market appeal. Everyone loves Barbara Gordon, especially this DCAU version.

[@nathancruz9172]

That’s my favorite batgirl.

[@jasoncripe4059]

Yes I totally agree. They did a great job with her.

[@giosbizarreart9048]

Barbara is alright but Cassandra is the goat

[@personaldove]

@@nathancruz9172 Her and Robins chemistry was amazing.

[@no1guy825]

the Statue of Liberty technically isn't there, but the statuette with the scales is the goddess Themis, used to personify Justice and presented in some courtrooms

[@TheAmazingWebhead]

This was a fun two parter! Batgirl’s origin is great and while it’s a different take than how she became a hero than in the comics it’s still follows the same idea of Barbara deciding to do something and step in to help. There are great Batgirl stories as well as ones of her as Oracle. Also the start of the Dick/Barbara relationship which is a thing in most versions of having flirtatious banter and a on again off again romance.

[@fynnthefox9078]

It's implied that Jim may know that Barbara is Batgirl, but he doesn't say. Kinda like Captain Stacy with Spider-Man. Also it was mentioned that Mason got short-term amnesia from hitting his head.

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

Gil was left in a coma, thus never revealing the truth about Barbara.

[@bgvo4373]

They probably didn’t think Batgirl would reappear, so he basically never appears again.

[@demianoff]

You're not wrong though, that is technically a statue of liberty since it's called Gotham's Lady Liberty statue

[@sasamichan]

Batgirl was 1st in the Addam West show. Not the 1st hero with that name, a different one was created to prove Banman and Robin were strait , but ever since Batman 66 she's been Barbera. Even if the name is passed down to other girls since then. Batgirl year One comes up a lot when looking up her comics. Her Origin in many things ties her to the criminal Killer Moth who is not used in TAS. Her back story as a gymnast is also often part of her

[@freefall945]

I think by the end of this Bruce and Dick know Babs is Batgirl but that's it. Gil ended up in a coma - but also, even if he didn't, he seems to genuinely hesitate when he discovered it was her... if they'd said that he didn't get coma'd but just didn't rat her out for fear of her getting hurt, I'd believe it. Especially in DCAU, where villains frequently are given glimpses of redemption they are rarely afforded in cartoons and movies.

[@RealCalebClay]

Dick doesn't find out until the day he quits being Robin

[@mikebottomlesspitdunham2954]

Dick definitely had no clue.

[@LordNifty]

There is an episode where James Gordon does strongly imply that he knows Barbara is Batgirl, but I don't want to say which for spoiler reasons.

[@Temple277]

A fun fact, the name of the episode: " shadow of the bat" is probably a reference to a comic book series of the same name called: "Batman: Shadow of the bat", Just pointing out probably a great easter egg! ( i say probably since i dunno if its a direct reference, but it looks like it so 🤷.)

[@robbiemason9113]

I love this Batgirl Origin. Definitely recommend reading Batgirl Year One. It's also a fun cute origin and you really get to spend more time with Barbara.

[@lexofpower2822]

Such a great comic! That and Robin Year one are also great. I need to read Nightwing Year One too.

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

Concerning Gordon not knowing... it's implied he knew pretty much knew right away, but he didn't say her name out loud to protect her. Wouldn't do to out her in front of Two-Face. He simply doesn't tell Barbara because he respects that she's a grown woman and can make her own decisions... even if those are decisions that would reasonably scare any father half to death.

[@TrippyStefTV]

Fun fact:Bullock is voiced by the same actor who plays Joe Barbaro in Mafia 2:) “Back me up Vito.” Lol

[@cooperlittle3859]

THIS is the definitive batgirl origin. Better than the comics in my opinion. Batgirl year one is good too

[@missingaspect7721]

Fun fact, the statue is called the lady of Gotham

[@Narutoanime16g]

No one knows Barbra is batgirl the guy on the boat she beat up is in a coma

[@raybirdman]

Bruce totally knows that Barb is Batgirl. He’s just not letting on.

[@masterbeast-sz1yq]

@Raymond Fernandes fax

[@stevetheduck1425]

The Barbara Gordon Batgirl origin is as you might expect, she's at a costume ball, as 'Batman but a girl', and a minor Batman villain from the 1940s named Killer Moth tries to rob everyone there. A version of this happens later in the animated series, and that explains where Bab's shorter 'bum-freezer' cape comes from.

[@jonnyparr4375]

Batgirl of Burnside and that entire run is pretty iconic as far as comic recommendations go.

[@michaelash8552]

Barbara Gordon is the 2nd Batgirl in DC Comics history but probably the most well known Batgirl. We've had about 6 so far with a couple having their own comic book title. There was a 9 issue series called "Batgirl: Year One" that is about Barbara as Batgirl. It has been collected into a trade. Most of Barbara as Batgirl stories were in the Silver Age(1956-1969) and Bronze Age( 1970 to 1985) and generally either backup stories in Batman comics or part of anthology titles like "The Batman Family" comics. Barbara take on another prominent role in later DC comics, that role does get reconned in more recent books and she's back to being Batgirl at some point. This show take Barbara in a different direction than the comics so she ends up at a different place in this universe.

[@hopeonelove4703]

The second batgirl? Who is the first?

[@dcarterm8371]

@@hopeonelove4703 Betty Kane

[@jamesstutz6907]

​@@dcarterm8371The one with the usage of guns.

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Nice 2-part intro to Batgirl, and interestingly the last 2-part episode in the whole show's run. Two-Face is perhaps the rogue best-equipped to corrupt the law from within, orchestrating a subtle power play that the likes of the Joker probably wouldn't have the patience for. He's like a lethal hybrid of Joker and Thorne.

[@stevetheduck1425]

There have been many Bat-Girls and Batgirls, with many origins, beginning with Kate Kane (Batwoman)'s kid sidekick, who was a blonde tennis star still in school. The comics character has been re-defined, Oracled and de-Oracled so often it's easy to get lost, so luckily we have the BTAS and DCAU Batgirl, who, while animated, also appears in the comics, and is now the gold standard.

[@JW666]

Bruce knows, but Gordon doesn't know.

[@matthewmckinnon-gray9957]

Thanks for the great reaction! I agree with the people recommending Bat Girl: Year One recommendations. It’s a nice fun retelling of her origin. There’s also the “Batgirl of Burnside” era from the late 2000s. You might also want to try the 3rd Season of the 1966 Batman TV show. Barbara was created because the producers of the 60s TV show asked DC to add a new female character.

[@gibbs615]

I always did love this version of Batgirl/Barbara Gordon! She's so cute feisty and spunky😘😂 Anyway that Gil was just another Gotham freak trying to grab glory the dishonest way by framing Gordon. Good thing he got what he deserved at the end!

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

Gil is in a coma. You missed the line where they state that

[@Michael.3109]

Hell Yeah Batmeg is back. 👋It's always nice to watch a Video from You and then Batman too, it couldn't be better. Thanks Meg for another exciting Episode. Have a nice Evening/Day and lovely Greetings to You and your Sweeties 🥰🥰

[@jenslangheinrich402]

I recommend the Batgirl Year 1 TPB.

[@robertobustios9485]

more of these Batman TAS and Superman TAS reaction videos please

[@passarovoador6662]

Barbara Gordon in the DCAU Oh boy, here we go

[@andre1999o]

Man, it's SUCH a shame that the Batgirl movie got cancelled, because it looked really cool.

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

if the new flash movie with supergirl does well, maybe it'll get another chance.

[@andre1999o]

@@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935 Unlikely. I believed I read somewhere that Warner Bros had all the footage deleted.

[@nathancruz9172]

16:43-16:46 Gil is too stupid enough to know Barbara is batgirl. My imagining batgirl talking to Gil: consider yourself dumped!

[@Narutoanime16g]

There’s tons of batgirl comics you should check out & these episodes had a lot in em, Barbra becoming her own hero, Bruce undercover, two face scheme in politics & Gordon in jail loved it . shouldn’t she have a crush on him but it’s still weird like Barbra isn’t even out of college yet

[@jaredwiggins539]

MegMage Reacts thing about this incarnation/version of Two-Face often/usually he has a secret way out/hidden exit somewhere in hideouts!

[@Polymathically]

I watched all of BTAS when it originally aired, as with the rest of the DCAU. Let's just say you bring up some interesting questions. In the meantime, this was a fun introduction to Batgirl, and you'll soon see how her presence changes the dynamic of the show.

[@otaku-sempai2197]

Barbara Gordon represents one of Dick Grayson's two greatest romances in the comics (Starffire of the Teen Titans being the other). If you want to see it blossom in the context of the DCAU then you really need to watch the animated movie Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero. I just wish that their relationship had allowed to continue into WB's The New Batman Adventures.

[@futuramayeah]

Meg, that statue might be the Statue of Justice, because Justice is blind and in Batman Forever that statue had a blindfold?

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

I think in the late 70's it was revealed that Gordon always knew she was Batgirl, only pretending not to, waiting for her to be the one to tell him. In the 80's it's been implied a few times that Gordon might know Bruce is Batman, but offically the story is that despite being friends with Bruce and Batman, he doesn't realize they're the same.

[@kyletonarella4353]

Put a pin on that district attorney that Barbara was arguing with, it'll become important in a later episode

[@avace917]

Isn't this great? I was already 21 when the series started. I wish these were on when I was a kid

[@rogertemple7193]

Hey Meg, i'm kind of late getting on today but I just watched you watch and react to this episode of Batman: the Animated Series with the origin of Batgirl and i remember seeing this awhile ago and hadn't seen it since then and Thanks for showing this today you are the greatest Meg. -🤠👑 I hope that you are doing great and having a magnificent week so far and always great to see you on whether it is playing a game or reacting to a tv show or movie you really brighten up my day when you are on Thank You Meg.👑🤠

[@otaviofonseca9659]

Watch Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker!

[@Rocket1377]

She'll get there eventually, but she needs to watch the Batman Beyond tv show first.

[@skywalker_7567]

Hey, just thought I’d recommend Deathstroke: Knights and Dragons (the movie). He’s the character from origins and is considered DC’s best mercenary, and one of Batman greatest opponents. It’s R and very gory, but it’s worth it to understand the character

[@toddsmitts]

The one problem I had with this episode is that I couldn't believe Two-Face didn't see through Baman's "Matches Malone" disguise, after Harvey and Bruce had been friends for years. Did that explosion mess up his sight in one eye? I really liked the Batgirl theme, though.

[@Ahturos]

I think this is Bruce´s best disguise in the show, really can´t regonize him.

[@fynnthefox9078]

"I know Bruce Wayne, if he's Batman, then I'm the King of England!"

[@joeltappenden4785]

Hey great video keep them coming

[@johnpittsii7524]

Hi Meg hope you are having an great and awesome day ❤

[@lithiumgreen105]

One of the great things about this show is that it doesn’t compromise its characters. Barbara’s progression into Batgirl was a natural one, and, most importantly, it came through her own accord. Batgirl, next to Wonder Woman, is one of the greatest female superheroes because of her strong feminist attitudes. Unlike Batman and Robin, she didn’t have a tragic moment in her life that led to her heroic turn. She CHOSE to be a superhero, regardless of anyone else’s opinions, and she is clearly having fun being Batgirl. I’ve always found this to be a hugely compelling part of Barbara’s character, and I’m glad the show was able to do her character justice even for just a handful of episodes.

[@stevetheduck1425]

Batgirl's talents are her extraordinary athleticism, agility and most of all, her total-recall memory, something that was transferred to The Huntress when she first appeared, then was forgotten, replaced by computers as she became Oracle. In the Batman Animated series, she can be seen working a Police Headquarters and being in charge of co-ordinating dozens of cases, which she can quote from instantly. She has 'mundane superpowers', much like Batman and Robin.

[@justinfrank6511]

maaaan i hope you watch batman beyond its a continuation to this series

[@Stelly777]

You should read Batgirl year 1

[@barmanproductions7546]

If you what to read any Batgirl comics start with Batgirl Year One.

[@stevetheduck1425]

Better to start with the earliest appearances, those of Kate Kane's side-kick, then the 1966 Batgirl inspired by the TV series, then on in her own adventures in Detective Comics (showing her tentative relationship with Supergirl, way ahead of it's time), and follow it up to her becoming Oracle and forming the Birds of Prey team. After that I lost interest and don't know what happened, but she's changed about every two years.

[@raybirdman]

If you like strong female characters in the DC universe, you should start watching Young Justice. You’ll be happily rewarded for the time you put into it.

[@thomasdelaney8194]

You should read batgirl year one batgirl new 52 or even birds of prey

[@LeighMet]

Mason is in a coma

[@Eduardo-yj5cd]

What' up with The Dark Knight Rises reaction?

[@joshuacampbell7493]

Speaking of Batman, watch The Dark Knight Rises & The Batman 2022.

[@JustShin11]

She already has plans to watch the dark knight rises so no worries.

[@danzetterstrom7917]

Also she has also already seen The Batman

[@Narutoanime16g]

She saw The Batman in theaters & is gonna see rises soon

[@omenakev1077]

To my vote I’d find Batgirl my least favorite DCAU character. Just my opinion

[@marlonclark1896]

ok but out of curiosity why is she your least favorite character?