Oracle: The Cure, Thoughts

I did manage to collect enough pennies and purchase some books. I received my first issue of ORACLE: THE CURE. I am really missing Birds of Prey (BoP). I realize it had lost many steps after the wonderful Gail Simone left to write the Amazonian Princess. I had hoped Tony Bedard would get the job long term, but the end was already in the works I suspect. So how was the first issue of Oracle?

I remember why I like Barbara Gordon. Beside being a beautiful red head, she is a character that was dealt an awful blow, yet in the hands of Chuck Dixon became the awesome coordinator of Agents to deal justice in the DCU. She is both intelligent and she can handle herself in a fight. All while being limited in certain mobility because of the injury from the Joker that took away the use of her legs.

While checking on Blogs I like, the Nerdy Bird (Another lovely Red Head by the way), wrote an outstanding post about Barbara Gordon and the possibility of her being cured. It also was a nice write up on just what Barbara means to many as a character. I can not do that issue justice, so I send you here for her excellent words; Has Boobs Reads Comics.

She did make me pause to think about why I like this character. Sometimes I don't like her. When she becomes Batman with breasts I dislike her. Too many writers want her to become a female version of the obsessive patriarch of the Bat Family. Sometimes it might be interesting, but when she is best I think is when she is thinking of alternative methods and ways to stop the baddies. The chair became an obstacle that she had surpassed. When she is written as doing that on a worldwide level it rocks.

So should she be cured? Should she become Batgirl again? Not really. One factor is that she has outgrown the Batgirl identity. Oracle is well above the young woman that began those many years ago. The walking again is iffy to me. It might be interesting, but what would be gained? More than likely the Calculator's daughter Wendy will be cured. Like the Brianiac virus back when the Huntress had first joined the BoP, it is a Red Herring to stir the fans into frenzy. Take note, at least two Bloggers have written that you know for sure if you are reading this post. I would rather see a new Birds of Prey type book, or bring Oracle back with Misfit and run with the Black Alice sibling story.

Whatever happens, I will probably be following. I like her as a character. I do miss the dynamic between her and Dinah though.

CBG