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Betty Kane/Bat-Girl to Bette Kane/Flamebird

 

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Betty Kane, the original Bat-Girl, was introduced 60 years ago in Batman #139 (April 1961). She became Bat-Girl when she discovered that her aunt Kathy Kane was Batwoman, and convinced the superheroine to train her as a sidekick. A creation of Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, she and Kathy were developed in part as crime fighting associates and as love interests for Batman and Robin.

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Betty had a few appearances in the early ‘60s, but editor Julius Schwartz shelved her, and a few other characters, when the Batman books headed in a new direction. In the ‘70s, she joined the Teen Titans West for a brief period.

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In post-Crisis continuity, she was reintroduced as Mary Elizabeth “Bette” Kane using the identity of Flamebird. This version was a spoiled debutante and tennis star who saw Robin on the news and decided to become a masked figure to get his attention. Using her martial arts and gymnastic skills, she joined the Titans West, but when Robin remained uninterested, she quit the team. Finding her previous life to be unfulfilling, she tried to get back on the team, but was unsuccessful.

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Later she helped Beast Boy when someone was committing crimes and framing him for them. Together Flamebird and Beast Boy worked on a Young Justice mission, then she worked alongside the Teen Titans to stop Doctor Light.

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During Infinite Crisis, she helped in the fight against Superboy-Prime and was among the heroes who fought the Society’s invasion of Metropolis. In her most recent incarnation in DC Rebirth, Bette is studying at the US Military Academy. She stays in touch with Kate Kane/Batwoman (who is her cousin in the new continuity) and Julia Pennyworth.

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Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's TwitterFacebookYouTube, or Instagram for more character profiles! And if you're interested in more Batgirl tales, head to your local comic shop and check out the following.

 

DC COMICS
BATGIRL THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01
(W) Gardner Fox, Mike Friedrich, Frank Robbins, Dennis O'Neil, Bob Rozakis, Elliot S. Maggin (A) Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane, Don Heck, Mike Grell, Frank Springer, Bob Brown, Jos? Luis Garc?a-L?pez, Pablo Marcos, Curt Swan, Jose Delbo, Irv Novick, Dick Giordano, Vince Colletta, Sid Greene, Murphy Anderson, Frank Giacoia (CA) Karl Kerschl
Throughout the 1970s, Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, was one of DC's most popular heroes. Now, the adventures of Gotham City's greatest heroine are collected in an oversize omnibus collection, BATGIRL: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1! This massive title features numerous appearances by Batman and Robin and collects DETECTIVE COMICS #359, #363, #369, #371, #384-385, #388-389, #392-393, #396-397, #400-401, #404-424, #481-499, #501-502, #505-506, #508-510, #512-519, BATMAN #197 and BATMAN FAMILY #1, #3-7 and #9-11.
In Shops: Dec 20, 2017
SRP: $99.99
DC PREVIEWS Page #138
DC COMICS
BATGIRL RETURNS OMNIBUS HC
At last, DC collects the entire run of Batgirl adventures from the New 52 written by best-selling author Gail Simone! In these stories, Barbara Gordon has regained the ability to walk-but as a crime-fighter she must prove herself to Batman and the other heroes of Gotham City all over again! Along the way, she'll have to face the threat of the ruthless vigilante known as Knightfall, stop her own brother, James Gordon Jr., from wreaking havoc on the city as the Joker-inspired Killer Clown, and much more. Collects Batgirl #0-34, Batgirl Annual #1 and 2, Batgirl: Futures End #1, and more!
SRP: $99.99
DC COMICS
BATGIRL A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS HC
(W) Gardner Fox, Chuck Dixon, Kelley Puckett, Gail Simone, Bill Finger, Scott Beatty, Frank Robbins, Bob Rozakis, Barbara Randall, John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Greg Rucka, Dylan Horrocks, Bryan Q. Miller, Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher (A) Carmine Infantino, Damion Scott, Cameron Stewart, Babs Tarr, Sheldon Moldoff, Charles Paris, Sid Greene, Gil Kane, Don Heck, Irv Novick, Vince Colletta, Trevor Von Eeden, Rodin Rodriguez, Barry Kitson, Bruce D. Patterson, Brian Stelfreeze, Karl Story, Greg Land, Drew Geraci, Mike Deodato, Sean Parsons, Robert Campanella, Rick Leonardi, Jesse Delperdang, Tim Levins, Lee Garbett, Dan Davis, Aaron Sowd, Trevor Scott, Pere Perez, Ed Benes (A/CA) Marcos Martin, Alvaro Lopez
Some of Batgirl's greatest adventures are collected in this new hardcover! Using her brain to outsmart her opponents, Batgirl stands strong against her enemies. Whether working with a team or venturing out on her own, Batgirl's adaptability to situations makes her one of the most versatile and popular characters in the DC Universe.
In Shops: Feb 15, 2017
SRP: $39.99
DC PREVIEWS Page #128
 
DC COMICS
SUPERMAN NIGHTWING AND FLAMEBIRD HC VOL 01
(W) Greg Rucka (A) Various (CA) Andrew Robinson
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Eddy Barrows, Pere P rez, Ruy Jos , Diego Olmos, J lio Ferreira and others
Cover by Andrew Robinson

In Superman's absence, two new heroes arrive on Earth from out of Kryptonian lore in this new hardcover collecting ACTION COMICS #875-879 and ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #12!
Following the startling events of "New Krypton," Earth finds itself without Superman! And this world without a Superman is a very dangerous place indeed. The only thing standing between the good (and the not-so-good) citizens of Earth and the shadow of doom are the all-new Nightwing and Flamebird. But who are these two heroes who have taken their names from legends of Krypton's past?
Advance-solicited; on sale March 17 o 168 pg, FC, $24.99 US
In Shops: Mar 17, 2010
SRP: $24.99
DC PREVIEWS Page #91
 
DC COMICS
SUPERMAN NIGHTWING AND FLAMEBIRD TP VOL 02
(W) Various (A) Bit, Pere P?rez (CA) Alex Garner
  Written by GREG RUCKA, JAMES ROBINSON and ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by PERE PEREZ and BIT
Cover by ALEX GARNER
Following the startling events of "New Krypton," the only thing standing between Earth and impending doom are the all-new Nightwing and Flamebird! Collected from ACTION COMICS #883-889!
In Shops: Oct 12, 2011
SRP: $17.99
DC PREVIEWS Page #123
 

This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.

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