Tracie started this - "The Killing Joke" is an interesting one to add, particularly with the recent debate amongst Gail Simone and other creators on Twitter this past week about that story and the "fridging" of Barbara Gordon that took place in that story. You can't deny it's impact, though. I hadn't heard this before but apparently Alan Moore is not a fan of that story or the fact that it was made into canon. Thank goodness guys like John Ostrander stepped up to raise Barbara to be such a great character as Oracle, in what could've otherwise resulted in her disappearing into obscurity. (but that may be a discussion for another thread)
Thoughts?
I don't really have anything to add past what Gail Simone addressed last week. It's a perspective I hadn't considered before, since I read "The Killing Joke" long after Oracle was established as the strong, intelligent character she is by folks like Ostrander, Chuck Dixon and Gail, herself, but Gail made a good point that the story itself really provides no sense of the character Barbara would become after this. She's purely used as a victim in the story. Crippled and humiliated just to rile up Jim Gordon.
ReplyDeleteOk, I started a new thread becuase This was a great can of worms to open.
ReplyDeleteI know that Moore wasn't intending it to be part of DC Continuity. But I feel he pushed DC to develope one of its best characters ever. She was never cared for as much as she has been, since becoming Oracle. Her diability gave her so much more dimension than she was ever given as Batgirl. I just think that when she was made originally as a side note to the "60's Batman" tv show... she became sidekick filler and was handled pretty flat. Much the same way Many of Dc's women were handled back then. (Sorry early 80's were dull to a lot of DC women)
I think Now a days, Creator's value these female characters more. Partly becuase there are a lot more female readers, but female creators too. Also Shows like Wonder Woman, and Super Friends and the Animated Batman, made fans of these characters, out of children who grew up with them. On the other side, I think Marvel figured this out quicker... with Strong female characters like Storm, Rogue, Jean Grey, Sue Storm, She-Hulk... Its not been until recently that I feel DC has caught up. (Exception.. Lois has always been a strong female.)
Ok Tracie... Attack!
I agree with your estimation of Oracle. She's a fantastic character and perhaps a better character than Barbara ever was in the cape and cowl but I can't say as though it was Alan Moore's INTENTION by having her shot, paralyzed and humiliated. It was just pure fortune that other creators stepped up to take Barbara in that new direction. There's nothing in "The Killing Joke" that sets up who Barbara becomes. She's a victim for victim's sake.
ReplyDelete(but YAY LOIS, though)
Oh no, sorry if I came off that way. I don't credit Moore with making Barbara into the character she became. But He pulled the trigger. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Ostrander, Dixion, Simone have made her awesome...