Among the characters who have taken on the mantle of Each version of Batgirl takes a different approach to the role than the one before her – but the debate about who is the "best" often comes down to just Barbara and Cassie, and it is worth taking a closer look at what makes each of them the potential GOAT.

Cassandra Cain has established herself as a fan-favorite DC hero over the past several years, while Barbara Gordon is the classic version of the character. There are certainly some interesting similarities between the two, but it is their differences in the Batgirl role that perhaps best exemplify what they each bring to the DC Universe.

While one can argue about who was the better Batgirl, both provide intriguing takes on the character, and serve to make the role a consistently intriguing one to read over the years.

Barbara Gordon & Cassandra Cain's Respective Strengths As Batgirl, Explained

Barbara Gordon is among the best fighter in the DC Universe.

Cassandra Cain, conversely, is one of the best combatants within the DC Universe. Her skills in reading body language give her an almost supernatural aptitude for combat, suring the skills of Batman himself. But Cassandra Cain is far from invincible, as she has been bested in combat before. Additionally, her ability to read body language works strongest against other humans, as Cassandra consistently has difficulty fighting against opponents such as androids or enhanced animals. And while her abilities make her a strong fighter, they also cause her to struggle in every other aspect of her life.

Barbara & Cassandra Both Thrive As Batgirl, Making Them Essential To Batman Lore

The Role Meant Different Things To Each

Both Barbara and Cassandra are worthy of taking on the identity of Batgirl, and they find their strengths in different places. Neither makes for the perfect Batgirl, and what each one may lack, the other one more than makes up for. The pair famously worked together in Cassandra Cain’s Batgirl run from 2000, during Barbara’s tenure as Oracle, and this dynamic is on display in the book. And within their own narratives, the role of Batgirl means something unique to them. Barbara was a self-made heroine with it, while Cassandra used it to celebrate legacy.

Both Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain have proven to be the most memorable figures to wear the mantle of Batgirl in its long history.

So, while either character could arguably claim the title of "best" Batgirl, depending on different criteria, both Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain have proven to be the most memorable figures to wear the mantle of Batgirl in its long history. Barbara’s Batgirl is one of the most brilliant minds in the Bat-Family, whereas Cassandra is one of the most talented fighters in the Bat-Family. Both have done justice to the mantle of Batgirl, and both have succeeded as heroes in their own right.