<P> Although not appearing in the television show, Batgirl does appear in some of the merchandise produced for the show using her design from The Adventures of Batman and the Bronze Age comics . </P> <P> Barbara Gordon has appeared in Bruce Timm's DC animated universe, with Batgirl voiced by Melissa Gilbert in Batman: The Animated Series, by Mary Kay Bergman in the animated movie Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, by Tara Strong for The New Batman Adventures, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, and Gotham Girls and by Stockard Channing during the first two seasons of Batman Beyond and by Angie Harmon during the last season and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker . </P> <P> In Batman: The Animated Series, Barbara Gordon is introduced in the two - part episode "Heart of Steel" voiced by Melissa Gilbert, where she assists Batman in saving her father James Gordon from the evil A.I. supercomputer HARDAC (although Fox Kids' original broadcast order has her first appearance in the episode "I Am the Night"). She makes her first appearance as Batgirl in the two - part episode "Shadow of the Bat" in which Commissioner Gordon is framed for corruption . Barbara asks Batman to appear at a public rally to support Gordon but the Dark Knight declines, citing more important things to do in investigating who framed Gordon . Barbara then decides to impersonate Batman at the rally, intending only to be seen in the shadows . But when there is a drive - by shooting, she leaps into action to assist . Robin appears as well and attempts to grab her, accidentally ripping the back of her mask which causes her hair to spill out . When media articles the next day ask the question "Who is Batgirl?", Barbara decides she can accomplish her goal with greater ease as Batgirl than as a civilian and redesigns her costume as a more contrast from Batman's . Her Batgirl costume is exactly the same from The Adventures of Batman and from the Bronze Age comics, but with blue gloves and boots to reflect Batman's costume . She discovers that Gill Mason of the GCPD (under Two - Face's orders) is behind the frame - up and goes to rescue her father, only to complicate the rescue already underway by Batman and Robin . In the end, Batgirl is the one who captures Mason . Although Batman had been critical of her at first, he changes his mind after witnessing her capabilities . Barbara's final appearance is in the episode "Batgirl Returns" in which she is seen having a flirting relationship with her classmate Dick Grayson at Gotham State University . In the movie Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, Barbara Gordon appears a central character and her age is revealed to be 20 . Her voice actress, Melissa Gilbert is replaced by Mary Kay Bergman . She is first seen wearing her Batgirl costume while fighting a thug . She is then kidnapped by an associate of Mr. Freeze because she is an exact match for a transplant needed to save Nora Fries . The bulk of the film showcases Barbara using her skills to evade Mr. Freeze while trying to escape his hideout . Despite being against Mr. Freeze, Barbara admits that she feels sorry for Nora and is willing to do the transfusion but only in a hospital . Eventually, Batman and Robin locate her, and the three of them manage to destroy Mr. Freeze's hideout and escape . It is also shown in this film that Barbara is in a relationship with Dick Grayson . </P> <P> During The New Batman Adventures, Barbara Gordon appears as Batgirl as a recurring character . Her original voice actress, Melissa Gilbert, is replaced by Tara Strong . Batgirl is eventually allowed into the Batcave and becomes a main character and is Batman's main partner . Batgirl was made an addition to the cast with producer Bruce Timm stating, "The consumer products division and the people at the WB wanted to make sure kids would watch the show, so they strongly suggested we include Batgirl and Tim Drake (as Robin) as a way of courting young girl audiences as well as young boys...We liked the Batgirl character and I certainly didn't mind putting her in the show ." It is also shown in the series that her previous relationship with Dick Grayson did not last . The episode "You Scratch My Back" emphasized this, portraying her relationship with Nightwing as strenuous . The episode "Over the Edge" also implies this as Nightwing states that he "can't believe it ended like this for us or Barbara". The episode "Girls' Night Out" establishes Batgirl and Supergirl (Kara Kent) as close friends . Along with all other characters in the series, Barbara's civilian and superhero identity were redesigned . Her Batgirl costume was changed to a black body suit with yellow gloves and boots to match her original comic book design seen in Detective Comics #359 . In the movie Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Barbara Gordon appears briefly when she calls Bruce Wayne to find out who Batwoman is . She expresses jealousy and Bruce dodges the issue by faking cellular phone problems . This is the only scene in which Gordon appears and hints a crush on Bruce which she expresses with hinting that she misses him . </P>

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