Batgirl to keep Oracle backstory in DC relaunch

Barbara Gordon will retain her history as Oracle when she resumes her role as Batgirl.

DC Comics clarified that it does not plan to whitewash the last two decades of the character's history as a superhero with a disability.

"Some [events and continuity will be changed], some [won't]," said the publisher in a statement about its September relaunch.

"But many of the great stories remain. For example - Batgirl. 'The Killing Joke' still happened and she was Oracle. Now she will go through physical rehabilitation and become a more seasoned and nuanced character because she had these incredible and diverse experiences."

Gordon was famously left paralysed after being shot by the Joker in Alan Moore's celebrated Batman: The Killing Joke in 1988.

Gail Simone - who was writer on the Oracle-starring Birds of Prey and will pen the new Batgirl title - has defended the decision to restore Gordon's spine.

Batgirl will be the first solo, ongoing series to star the character. It will be released in September as part of the 52 new titles in the line-wide relaunch.