Warning: Contains SPOILERS forBirds of Prey #12
Summary
Plenty of members of theJustice Leaguecome from dark or tragic beginnings, but few members of the World’s Greatest Heroes have overcome more suffering thanBig Bardaherself. As the former leader ofDarkseid’selite Female Furies, Barda was once a tool for the greatest evil in the DC Universe. These days, she’s a true hero, but even her allies have caught on to her dangerous potential – and her unbreakable spirit.
Birds of Prey#12 by Kelly Thompson, Javier Pina, Sophie Campbell, and Gavin Guidry reunites the team with Barbara Gordon in a cartoonish variation of the Pocket Dimension in which the team is trapped. As part of their escape plan, it’s up to Barda to cause a distraction asshe smashes her surroundings with a proper supervillain monologue.
Unaware of Barda’s heritage, Sin Lance wonders aloud if they need to be concerned over how naturally this destruction comes to the New God, only for Black Canary to reply, “…Not so long as she’s on our side.” If things had gone differently for Big Barda,she very well could have been a major Justice League enemyinstead of a key member of a number of DC superhero teams.
Darkseid’s Ex-Minion Is Still a Threat to the Justice League Thanks to Her Dark Power
Very few have escaped from Darkseid and Apokolips, but one Justice League hero did–and they still represent a grave threat to the heroes.
Big Barda Was Darkseid’s Ultimate Soldier
The Justice League Hero Broke Free of Her Programming
While the mid-fight quip is treated as fun dialogue, this interaction does say a lot about Barda as a character and everything she’s gone through. A warrior born and bredin the horrors of Darkseid’s planet, Apokolips, Barda has both witnessed and experienced horrors untold. Not only was she able to survive such darkness, but she rose through the ranks to becomethe leader of Apokolips’ most elite fighting force— all to give her power on Apokolips up for her personal freedom and for her love, Mister Miracle.
Big Barda may not be one of the Justice League’s most consistent members, but her heroism cannot be denied by anyone who knows her story.
Considering this troubled past, the steps that Barda has taken to fight for good cannot be overstated. Raised in total darkness, she’s made it her life’s mission to fight for good. Whether it’s alone, alongside her husband, alongside the Birds of Prey, oreven alongside the Justice League, Barda actively chooses good every day of her life – an impressive feat considering the darkness from which she was birthed. And while it’s clear that she can still tap into that darkness if need be, it’s also proven thatBarda doesn’t let her dark past define her.
Big Barda’s Past with Darkseid Doesn’t Define Her
This Bird of Prey Never Gives In
Big Barda may not be one of the Justice League’s most consistent members, but her heroism cannot be denied by anyone who knows her story. Born in Hell to serve the Devil, the former Female Fury instead chooses to protect the innocent and serve justice instead. This connection toDarkseidis a darkness that would no doubt consume a lesser warrior, but for aJustice Leaguehero likeBig Barda, it’s simply motivation to keep fighting the good fight – and to kick a lot of butt while doing so.
Darkseid
Darkseid is a tyrannical supervillain in DC Comics, ruling the hellish planet Apokolips. He seeks the Anti-Life Equation to control all sentient life and eliminate free will across the universe. With immense strength, energy manipulation, and Omega Beams that disintegrate targets, Darkseid is a relentless foe of Superman, the Justice League, New Gods, and free people everywhere.
