{"product_id":"never-a-sidekick-9781538192429","title":"Never a Sidekick","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplores the history of Batgirl\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003efrom her groundbreaking comics debut to her disappointing live-action appearances and beyond.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor over sixty years, every woman who took on the mantle of Batgirl has been a powerful, independent heroine, belying the sidekick status the name implies. Betty Kane, the original Bat-Girl, was a hero for young girls at a time when the genre was leaving them behind. Barbara Gordon embodied the values of the women's liberation movement and became a powerful figure in disability representation. Cassandra Cain was a woman of color in the traditionally monochromatic DC Comics universe. Stephanie Brown was a perpetual outsider, a voice for those who never belonged but kept trying regardless.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExploring the history of the Batgirls and their unconventional fans, \u003ci\u003eBatgirl and Beyond: The Dynamic History of the Heroines of Gotham City\u003c\/i\u003e showcases the turbulent evolution of the superhero industry and its female heroines, as well as the importance of the legions of fans who pushed the genre forward to become more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all. Tim Hanley traces how each Batgirl dealt with a litany of mistreatment from a publisher who didn't understand their distinct appeal and didn't care to learn. From erasure to benchings to grievous injury and even death, Batgirl has been subject to the genre's worst excessesand she has not fared much better on television or in movies. However, Batgirl always comes back stronger and more resilient, and has remained a staple in the DC universe for decades. A must-read for fans new and old, \u003ci\u003eBatgirl and Beyond \u003c\/i\u003eis a tribute to an iconic character and a call to action for media to better embrace and represent female heroes. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rowman \u0026 Littlefield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51041274495319,"sku":"9781538192429","price":34.82,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781538192429.jpg?v=1750949615","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/never-a-sidekick-9781538192429","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}