Big Barda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Barda |
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Big Barda, art by Stephane Roux.
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Mister Miracle #4 (October 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer - artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Barda Free |
| Species | New God |
| Place of origin | Apokolips |
| Team affiliations | New Gods Justice League Female Furies Birds of Prey |
| Abilities |
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Big Barda is a powerful superheroine from DC Comics. She sometimes acts as a villain, but is mostly a hero. She first appeared in the comic book Mister Miracle #4 in October 1971. The famous comic book creator Jack Kirby created her. He based her look on actress Lainie Kazan. Kirby's assistant, Mark Evanier, said that the relationship between Big Barda and Scott Free was inspired by Jack Kirby and his wife, Roz.
Contents
Big Barda's Story: From Apokolips to Earth
Barda is one of the New Gods, a special group of beings. She was born on a harsh planet called Apokolips about 250 years ago. When she was very young, she was taken from her mother, Big Breeda. She was then trained to be a warrior at Granny Goodness' Home for Orphaned Youth. Granny Goodness wanted Barda to become the leader of the Female Furies, a tough group of warrior women.
However, during a mission, Barda met Scott Free, who was the adopted son of the evil ruler Darkseid. Barda felt a sense of peace from Scott and fell in love with him.
Barda bravely worked with a rebel group led by the New God Himon. After many of Himon's team were defeated by Wonderful Williki, Himon used a bomb to defeat Williki. Barda, her Furies, Himon, and Metron helped Scott escape from Apokolips. Darkseid allowed Scott to leave because his escape could restart a war with another planet, New Genesis. Barda stayed behind for a while, but eventually, she left Granny Goodness and came to Earth.
On Earth, Barda found Scott, who had become the escape artist known as Mister Miracle. He worked with his small manager, Oberon. Barda and Oberon became good friends. For a time, Barda's Furies helped Scott with his shows, but they later returned to Apokolips. Scott and Barda were married by Scott's birth father, the Highfather of New Genesis.
For many years, Barda traveled with Scott and Oberon. They tried to live a normal life in New Hampshire, but it was hard. They faced many challenges, so they moved to a loft in Greenwich Village. There, Barda started a defense training program for women called the New Female Furies.
Joining the Justice League
Even though Barda was new to Earth's ways, she enjoyed being a wife and homemaker. But when duty called, she was always ready to fight. When Scott joined the Justice League, Barda also helped on several missions.
Once, while training Fire, Barda's powerful weapon, the Mega-Rod, was stolen from her car. With help from Scott and Huntress, she got it back. But not before many innocent people were hurt by someone who couldn't control the Mega-Rod's power.
Barda also led a Justice League mission to rescue Scott when he was lost in space. He had been sold to Granny Goodness by Manga Khan. Her teammates included Martian Manhunter, Rocket Red, and G'nort. To stop them, Manga Khan hired Lobo, paying him with dolphin food. Lobo almost defeated them, but Barda teleported him away.
For a time, Barda thought Scott had died in a battle with Despero. But it was actually a robot copy that was destroyed as part of Manga Khan's plan.
After their time with the Justice League, Barda and Scott left Earth for New Genesis. But they soon returned and lived temporarily on the Justice League Refuge. During this time, they separated briefly because Scott didn't consider her feelings enough. Barda later died, but she was brought back to life when Scott gained great cosmic power.
Barda also served as a member of the Justice League on her own. She and fellow New God Orion were sent by Takion to help Earth's heroes fight a big threat called Mageddon. They also helped with other Justice League missions. After Mageddon was defeated, Barda and Orion left the Justice League.
Life After the League
Barda and Scott then lived in the suburbs of Connecticut. They continued to be active adventurers. Barda was always ready to help her friends when her strength and skills were needed.
Barda went with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to Apokolips to save Supergirl from Darkseid. She also accepted an invitation from Oracle to join the Birds of Prey, a team of heroines.
A character named Little Barda appeared in the comic series 52 as a member of the Teen Titans. Her connection to Big Barda is not known, but she also escaped from Apokolips.
In a fight with the Secret Six, Barda fought Knockout, another former Female Fury. Their long fight ended in a tie.
Big Barda was killed in the first issue of Death of the New Gods. Her funeral was in the second issue. It was later revealed that Infinity-Man was the killer. He was killing all the New Gods to start a new age of gods.
In Final Crisis #7, Barda is shown standing with Lightray and Highfather in front of a reborn New Genesis.
Big Barda in The New 52
In The New 52, a reboot of the DC Universe in 2011, Big Barda and Scott are seen on Earth 2. They later appear with their friends in Supertown. Batman asked Big Barda and Mister Miracle to help Los Angeles when floods threatened the coasts.
Big Barda's Amazing Powers and Skills
Barda is a New God, which means she is a super-powered being. These beings gained their amazing abilities from being close to something called the Source. This gives Barda incredible strength, similar to Wonder Woman. She is also very tough and hard to hurt, almost invulnerable. She is resistant to diseases and most poisons.
Because she was trained by Granny Goodness as a Female Fury, Barda is an expert fighter. She is skilled with swords and in hand-to-hand combat. Her fighting skills, combined with her strength, make her a match for powerful heroes like Wonder Woman.
In battle, Barda wears special Apokoliptian battle armor. This armor makes her even tougher. She also uses a high-tech weapon called the "Mega-Rod." This weapon can:
- Create "boom tubes" for teleportation over long distances.
- Propel her high into the air.
- Release powerful energy blasts that can even affect Superman.
- For a short time, the Mega-Rod can also increase the gravity around someone.
Other Comic Book Versions of Big Barda
Kingdom Come
In the comic series Kingdom Come, which shows a possible future for DC heroes, Barda (who now has an eye-patch) and Scott Free work to teach people on Apokolips to think for themselves. They have a daughter named Avia, who uses a mega-rod like her mother.
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
In The Dark Knight Strikes Again, a character named Hot Gates pretends to be "Big Barda" and declares herself ruler of Columbus, Ohio.
Superman/Batman
In Superman/Batman #24, there is a male version of Big Barda from a universe where genders are swapped. He is called "Big Bard" and is married to Miss Miracle.
JLA: Another Nail
In ', Barda becomes a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Her power ring has joined with her Mother Box, making her a very unique Green Lantern. Mister Miracle's mind also lives inside the ring, and he can appear as a ghostly green figure.
Batman Beyond
Barda appears in the Batman Beyond comics, which are based on the animated series. She is part of the Justice League when Terry McGinnis is Batman. Her origin story is similar to the main comics, but it happens later in time.
DC Bombshells
In the DC Comics Bombshells stories, "Big" Barda Free is part of Amanda Waller's Bombshells project. She is also in a romantic relationship with Kimiyo Hoshi. Her backstory shows she was a Female Fury on Apokolips. While looking for new worlds, Barda met Kimiyo and fell in love. This led her to leave the Furies and become one of Earth's protectors.
Big Barda in Movies and TV Shows
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- Big Barda made a brief appearance in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Apokolips...Now!".
- In the animated series Batman Beyond, Barda (voiced by Farrah Forke) is a member of the Justice League in the future. She doesn't trust Batman (Terry McGinnis) at first. But after he saves her and the Justice League, she gains respect for him.
- Big Barda also appeared in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Ties That Bind", again voiced by Farrah Forke. In this episode, Granny Goodness kidnaps Oberon. Barda and Mister Miracle have to rescue Kalibak to get Oberon back. With help from Flash, they save Kalibak and trick Granny Goodness. After Oberon is safe, Barda punches Granny Goodness in the face!
- Big Barda appeared in Batman: The Brave and the Bold in the episode "Last Bat on Earth!", voiced by Diane Delano. Mister Miracle mentions her while he and Batman are in a trap. After Mister Miracle escapes, Barda tells him, "You know what would be a real miracle? If you would finally clean out the garage." She also had a brief appearance in "The Siege of Starro!".
- Big Barda appeared in the DC Super Hero Girls TV special Super Hero High, voiced by Misty Lee. She was a Female Fury sent by Granny Goodness. Big Barda showed interest in leaving the Furies to attend Super Hero High.
- Big Barda appeared in Justice League Action, voiced by Laura Post. In one episode, she helps Batman find Superman. In another, she is captured by Darkseid to get Mister Miracle to appear.
- Big Barda appeared in Young Justice: Outsiders, voiced by Grey Griffin.
Film Appearances
- Big Barda appeared in the animated movie Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, voiced by Julianne Grossman. She helps Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman rescue Supergirl from Darkseid.
- An alternate version of Barda appeared in Justice League: Gods and Monsters.
- Big Barda appeared in DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year, DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games and DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis, voiced by Misty Lee.
- Big Barda and Mister Miracle were planned to appear in a New Gods live-action movie, but the project was canceled.
Video Games
- A statue of Big Barda is in the Hall of Justice stage in Injustice: Gods Among Us.
- Big Barda appears in the online game DC Universe Online. She and Mister Miracle lead heroes to find Old Gods relics.
- Big Barda is a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced by Diane Delano.
Toys
- Big Barda was the 76th figure in the DC Comics Super Hero Collection.
Images for kids
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Big Barda in Superman: The Animated Series (left) and Batman Beyond (right). Both appearances were used in Justice League Unlimited.
See also
In Spanish: Big Barda para niños
