Betty Kane/Bat-Girl to Bette Kane/Flamebird
May 01, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, 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.
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
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!
This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.
