Why Helena Bertinelli counts as the 3rd Batgirl (Thread)
I should just start by saying i don't think a new mantle holder needs the blessing of the previous one to "truly count".

I just think their heart needs to be in the right place and have the same spirit of the mantle.
The context is super important here.

It was during No Man's Land, Gotham's most dire time. Batman had left Gotham to fight as Bruce Wayne and the Bat-Family was told to stay out of Gotham.

Gotham was taken over by gangs and territory divided.
Who was left fighting to protect people? Huntress.

She did her best but people just didn't fear Huntress like they feared Batman.
The Bat symbol always had power but in No Man's Land territory was claimed by symbols.

She was out there fighting for Gotham when no one else was put there in it's mosy dire moments.
She altered her methods and beliefs in order to honor the Bat Symbol
At first she didn't go by Batgirl. Simply, The Bat.

(Arguably, Batman but as she explicitly The Bat, it'll be 12ish years and a different Helena before we get a woman taking the title of Batman)
At first she didn't go by Batgirl. Simply, The Bat.(Arguably, Batman but as she explicitly The Bat, it'll be 12ish years and a different Helena before we get a woman taking the title of Batman)
At first she didn't go by Batgirl. Simply, The Bat.(Arguably, Batman but as she explicitly The Bat, it'll be 12ish years and a different Helena before we get a woman taking the title of Batman)
Helena knew how Gotham worked and how to best be affective in protecting people.
When Batman Returns™ to Gotham, he ressumes being the main Bat in the Belfry. Helena refuses to stand down, even offering to change costumes.

Batman allows her to keep it on.
When Batman Returns™ to Gotham, he ressumes being the main Bat in the Belfry. Helena refuses to stand down, even offering to change costumes.Batman allows her to keep it on.
When Batman Returns™ to Gotham, he ressumes being the main Bat in the Belfry. Helena refuses to stand down, even offering to change costumes.Batman allows her to keep it on.
There is no big discussion about it but from this point on Batman starts reffering to her as Batgirl.
Helena also starts calling herself Batgirl.

I think this shows a great level of maturity and dedication to do this despite her personal issues with Batman.
Bruce had already previously observed her and saw that she was using honorable methods and doing a good job protecting Gotham with a Bat.
Bruce had already previously observed her and saw that she was using honorable methods and doing a good job protecting Gotham with a Bat.
Bruce had already previously observed her and saw that she was using honorable methods and doing a good job protecting Gotham with a Bat.
Bruce had already previously observed her and saw that she was using honorable methods and doing a good job protecting Gotham with a Bat.
Bruce had already previously observed her and saw that she was using honorable methods and doing a good job protecting Gotham with a Bat.
He even gave her a Batcave
Now get to why she was "fired" which is a misconceptions really.
"She may prove valuable down the line" remember Bruce saying that.

We're at the height of manipulative detached Bruce era.
Batman says she made 3 mistakes which well get to but she is warned, not fired.
Batman says she made 3 mistakes which well get to but she is warned, not fired.
Batman says she made 3 mistakes which well get to but she is warned, not fired.
Batman says she made 3 mistakes which well get to but she is warned, not fired.
Let's break down the "mistakes"

Disobeying and following him is the only real legitimate one and even that's debatable considering the lack of trust Bruce gave her drove her to it.
6 people died when she was hopelessly out number.

It would have been suicide. Bruce was the one that kept the other vigilantes out and sent her alone to a situation he wouldn't reasonably expect any other member of the family to tackle.
6 people died when she was hopelessly out number.It would have been suicide. Bruce was the one that kept the other vigilantes out and sent her alone to a situation he wouldn't reasonably expect any other member of the family to tackle.
6 people died when she was hopelessly out number.It would have been suicide. Bruce was the one that kept the other vigilantes out and sent her alone to a situation he wouldn't reasonably expect any other member of the family to tackle.
And staying unseen.

When Oracle herself was looking. Someone that would give Batman a hard time when trying to sneak up on her.
Why was Batman being so unreasonable?

"She may prove valuable down the line"
Much like his unfair treatment of Stephanie Brown, he was purposely harsh on her as part of a plan.

But unlike Stephanie, it wasn't to keep her safe. It was to install her into a gang to keep things in line.

Something she probably would have done if asked.
Much like his unfair treatment of Stephanie Brown, he was purposely harsh on her as part of a plan.But unlike Stephanie, it wasn't to keep her safe. It was to install her into a gang to keep things in line.Something she probably would have done if asked.
Much like his unfair treatment of Stephanie Brown, he was purposely harsh on her as part of a plan.But unlike Stephanie, it wasn't to keep her safe. It was to install her into a gang to keep things in line.Something she probably would have done if asked.
Much like his unfair treatment of Stephanie Brown, he was purposely harsh on her as part of a plan.But unlike Stephanie, it wasn't to keep her safe. It was to install her into a gang to keep things in line.Something she probably would have done if asked.
Helena goes right back to protecting the people of Gotham. Even facing down Joker's army alone.
Helena goes right back to protecting the people of Gotham. Even facing down Joker's army alone.
Helena goes right back to protecting the people of Gotham. Even facing down Joker's army alone.
If this doesn't sound like a Batgirl, i don't know what does.
From Batman's end it may have all been some plan.

But Helena saw Gotham needed a Bat. She was that Bat. She honored the mantle despite so much against her. It was real to her.
That's why she is the 3rd Batgirl to me.
That's why she is the 3rd Batgirl to me.
That's why she is the 3rd Batgirl to me.
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