Warning: contains spoilers for Batgirls #5
The Bat-Family has only gotten larger as time has gone on and the Batgirls may be the most necessary members in the DC Universe. Stephanie Brown once revealed the role that she and her fellow Batgirls play in the Dark Knight's large army.
When Bruce Wayne set out to start his war on crime, there's no way he could have known it would expand into the massive operation that it is today. With multiple Robins, Batgirls, and a handful of other independent identities, Batman has created a well-oiled machine that keeps Gotham safe from the staggering number of villains that wish to do the city harm. He's even branched out with his own personal army of Batmen who recently returned. With so many members of the Bat-Family, there's a question of what each hero's role in the group is supposed to be. Sure, they're all making Gotham a better place, but the question is "How?". Turns out, one Bat-Family member knows exactly who she is and what she brings to the table.
In Batgirl #5 by Bryan Q Miller and Lee Garbett, Stephanie Brown finds her new position as Batgirl being challenged by Damian Wayne, who just returned as Robin. After tracking Stephanie down at her college, Damian says he's trying to understand what makes Steph tick. He critiques her lack of skills and says that unlike other Bat-Family members she doesn't seem particularly interested in vengeance. Stephanie tells the flummoxed Robin that the reason he's having trouble seeing what she's about is that she and Barbara aren't using the Batgirl identity in the same way that he uses Robin. According to Steph, she and Barbara believe that Batgirl can be used as a symbol of hope, something clearly lost on the young and angry hero.
It's no wonder that Damian can't wrap his head around the idea of heroes inspiring people, since he was still shaking off his conditioning from being raised by the League of Assassins. But true to Stephanie's word, she and Barbara make Batgirl into a hero that's more people-friendly, adding something that the Bat-Family desperately needs. Damian Wayne recently made peace with Cassandra Cain, so it only makes sense that he and Stephanie would get a moment.
While Robins are traditionally honored by being Batman's chief assistants, Batgirls get a privilege not bestowed on the Boys Wonder. They get to wear the ultimate symbol of the Dark Knight's authority, the Bat symbol. But unlike the Caped Crusader, they don't use the Bat to strike terror in the hearts of villains. Instead, they use the symbol to let people know that help has arrived and all will be well. There's enough people helping Bruce turn his insignia into something criminals should fear, but not enough using the same glyph to reassure innocents, an arguably more important job. The role of Batgirl gives the Bat-Family's most important symbol a much greater meaning in the DC Universe.
Batgirls #5 is available now from DC Comics!