Batman #139: Bat-Girl

Quick answer

Batman #139: Bat-Girl stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1961-04-30 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman, Bette Kane, Bull's-Eye, Casey the Cop and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

This Silver Age adventure features the very first appearance of Batgirl! "The Blue Bowman" Batman and Robin go up against the Signalman in a new costume and now calling himself Blue Bowman. The duo discover that while in prison, the Signalman met Bulls-Eye, a criminal who adopted Green Arrow's trick arrow motif but altered it slightly by committing crimes instead of stopping them. Inspired, Signalman followed suit and decided to adopt the persona of Blue Bowman. The Caped Crusader tries to bring the Blue Bowman to justice but is thwarted by the trick arrows again and again until Batman adopts a counter measure; trick batarangs! Blue Bowman is quickly defeated and returns to jail. "The Island of 1,000 Traps" In pursuit of the nefarious George Milo, Batman and Robin risk their lives on the Island of 1,000 traps. "Bat-Girl!" When Batman, Robin and Batwoman find themselves trapped in a circle of electricity and at the mercy of the Cobra Gang, all seems lost until a newcomer swings onto the scene. Batgirl makes her debut and saves her costumed colleagues in the process. Suspecting she knows who the girl behind the mask is, Kathy (Batwoman) Kane is not surprised to learn that Batgirl is her neice, Betty. Not only does the Boy Wonder now have a female counterpart, perhaps here is his first love interest?

Characters listed for this issue

B

BatmanOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

B

Bette KaneOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

B

Bull's-EyeOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

C

Casey the CopOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Nightwing (Dick Grayson)The first Robin, all grown up. Acrobat, detective, leader. The best of Batman without the da…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Commissioner Gordon (James Gordon)The one good cop in a corrupt city. Keeps the GCPD running and the Bat-Signal lit. Never los…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

K

Kathy KaneOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

S

SignalmanOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

W

Warden WillisOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›