Big Barda
Big Barda is a female comic superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Big Barda was a female member of the New Gods who was an inhabitant of the world of Apokolips. (Mister Miracle v1 #4)
Granny groomed Barda to one day lead the Female Fury Battalion, a ferocious pack of women warriors. However, during a raid Barda met Scott Free, Darkseid's adopted son, and, sensing a peace about him, fell in love. Barda risked her own safety to help Scott escape from Apokolips. (Mister Miracle v1 #9)
Barda risks her own safety to work with the rebel cell led by the New God Himon. This comes directly after the murder of most of Himon's cell by the local authority, Wonderful Williki. This includes one of Barda's people, Auralie, who is tortured to death for dancing, a crime on Apokolips. Moments later, Himon kills Willik with a bomb. Barda, her Furies, Himon and Metron help Scott escape Apokolips. Darkseid himself calls for Scott to return but did not actually stop him, as Scott's escape can reignite his war with New Genesis. Barda, not emotionally prepared to escape herself, stays behind. (Mister Miracle v1 #9)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Big Barda
Typically, warriors of Apokolips were bred in the Gestation Labs where the genes of the chosen were provided and selected so that desired qualities were cultivated. Typically, such traits were cruelty, avarice, and ruthlessness. However, Barda was conceived naturally by her mother Big Breeda in an act of life but Darkseid had the child take away from her mother and placed in the Gestation Lab. In time, the child was then sent to Granny Goodness's Orphanage to be raised as a warrior where she was unaware of who her parents were with her instead being raised as a warrior. (Mister Miracle v2 #28)
Barda was in the Suicide Slums in Metropolis when she had her purse snatched. The mugger, who got away, was later killed by an Apokoliptan Ash-Crawler, who brought the purse to the depraved, disgusting, and evil, Sleez. Sleez then found Barda's Mega-Rod in the purse and used it against her when she came for it. Two days later, he forced Barda to wear a very short and skimpy outfit, barefoot and seemingly topless, and dance and perform implied sexual favors for him, while he filmed it all. Just when he was about to rape Barda, Superman arrived and tossed Sleez aside, helping Barda up from the floor, seeing as she had been forced to dance for quite awhile. Superman asked who she was, and if she was Wonder Woman under all the make-up. Brad took the distraction to grab the Mega-Rod and blast Superman repeatedly with it. Barda, who thought Superman was just another part in Sleez' scheme, almost killed Superman. But before she could act, Sleez took the Rod from Barda and dropped them both in a pit. (Action Comics v1 #591) Sleez then sold the tape of him and Barda to a store that specializes in 'adult entertainment'. Darkseid's agents somehow got ahold of the tape and Darkseid showed it to Mister Miracle. Mister Miracle then went to find Barda who was, along with Superman, being controlled by Sleez forced to make an 'adult movie' with Superman. Mister Miracle arrived, and Superman went after Sleez, who seemingly perished in an explosion. (Action Comics v1 #592)
With Apokolips and New Genesis merged by Highfather, he sent Mr. Miracle and Big Barda to inspect the barrier between worlds. Miracle apologized for their recent marital issues, and Barda assured him she’d heard it was normal for couples to go through rough times. She wondered if they’d been assigned to investigate the border to keep them from asking questions about why Highfather chose to bring the worlds together. They encountered Tigra and Thor emerging from Apokolips, and after some harsh words Barda engaged Thor in battle. They fought to a standstill until Miracle used his newfound god power to sap Thor’s power and then return it in a burst, leaving him unconscious. Tigra claimed that she’d brought Thor to New Genesis to hide him from Darkseid, who was trying to consolidate his power by stealing the powers of the Norse Gods. Once he regained consciousness Thor revealed that the Norse Gods were vulnerable because Odin had disappeared, and while Highfather put the motion to debate Miracle came up with a plan. He created a tether that would reach the Promethean Galaxy with the help of the Forever People, and together they found Odin trapped in the source wall. Serifan of the Forever People freed him with a cosmic pellet, and brought him to Highfather. They realized they might be too late when Darkseid assembled an armada of ships taken from the various worlds and pantheons he conquered, and aimed them at Earth. (Jack Kirby’s Fourth World v1 #3) The New Gods waged war against Darkseid’s armada to keep them from Earth, while Odin brought Metron, Miracle, Takion, and Beautiful Dreamer to Asgard to discuss the situation. Vykin returned from the front to confirm that aboard one of the ships was a doomsday device that could obliterate the universe, and he’d discovered that only the astro-force could contain it. The alien races no longer had hope after Darkseid slew their gods, and they wanted revenge against him and the entire universe. Highfather dared the unimaginable in deciding to resurrect Orion, the only man capable of harnessing the astro-force. He approached the Source, and the Black Rider appeared, warning him that although he would not interfere, Orion’s soul was not at rest, and it was a fool’s errand to play with a tortured soul. Highfather gravely said that he did what he must, and he had Takion communicate with the Source, reach into it, and pull out Orion. A massive explosion seemed to rock Earth. (Jack Kirby’s Fourth World v1 #4)
The explosion was an illusion, the most powerful Dreamer had ever cast, and it left the aliens off-balance. Highfather had Takion communicate with the Source to bestow some of its power on Orion, restoring him to full strength. Lightray, Barda, and some of the Forever People breached the ship where the oblivion bomb was kept, but Darkseid appeared aand told the aliens they were foolish to attempt to destroy his universe. He used the omega beam to erase them from existence, but as he faded the captain of the ship activated the oblivion bomb. Orion deactivated it with the astro-force, and Darkseid disappeared. Highfather and the New Gods made a peace with the aliens, allowing them to chose among their ranks for new deities to worship so their lives could have fulfillment. Darkseid met Orion on a nearby asteroid as the alien armada left in peace, and told him he recognized something different, yet familiar in him since he’d returned from the Source. He asked his son how he’d deal with the aliens, and Orion responded by destroying every last ship with the astro-force. Darkseid said he finally felt like he had a son. (Jack Kirby’s Fourth World v1 #5) Highfather and company learned that the alien armadas returning to their worlds had been destroyed, and Takion suspected Orion because the wrecked ships contained traces of astro-force. Orion denied his wrongdoing, but Metron told the others he’d witnessed it. Before they could decide what to do next Lonar arrived, telling the New Gods that the Female Furies had tunneled beneath Genesis and killed Harmon, god of music. Barda felt personally responsible for her old charges, and led the strike force into the tunnel the Furies created. The heroes fought bravely, and Orion joined in, slaughtering countless Parademons over Mr. Miracle’s objections. Orion said he never appreciated the gifts Darkseid gave him, but staid his hand when he fought Bernadeth, sister of Desaad. She recognized something familiar in him. Darkseid appeared, and readied to use the omega effect to kill Orioin and release the presence he came back from the Source with, although that defied prophecy. Takion ordered him to stand down, and knowing Takion was the will of the Source Darkseid complied. Takion used his power to release the corrupting influence from Orion, which turned out to be Desaad. (Jack Kirby’s Fourth World v1 #6)
After leaving the Justice League, she and Scott set up a home for themselves in Connecticut with their location being known to Batman. The Trinity came to Barda's home to have her open a Boom Tube to Apokolips so that they could rescue Kara Zor-El who had been captured by Darkseid's forces. (Superman/Batman v1 #11)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Big Barda
Some time after the events of the Darkseid War, Big Barda and Mister Miracle's lives were affected by the Anti-Life Equation. This caused Barda and Scot to remain together even though they separated at the end of the War. In this perception of reality, Darkseid was again the ruler of Apokolips and was currently at war with New Genesis. Highfather seemingly died in the war which caused Barda and Scot to join the war and defend New Genesis. After battling Darkseid's armies and meeting Orion, who was now Highfather, Barda and Scot opened a Boom Tube to Granny Goodness, where she greeted them with jell-o. Granny expected Barda and Scot to negotiate a peace treaty, but at night, the duo sneaks out to confront Granny. As Granny was attempting to convince Scot that there was a prophecy that Darkseid can be killed by his own son, Barda killed her. (Mister Miracle v4 #3) After Granny's death and whilst, Barda was sleeping and Scot witnessed Lightray apparently killing Forager. Barda proceeded to tend to Scot's wounds due to his confrontation with Orion. Lightray was there informing Scot of his trial when Barda beat him up because he declared Scot was an agent of Darkseid. The trial commenced when Orion arrived at the scene. Barda was then forced to hold back Scot from beating up Orion during his trial and he declared Scot guilty punishable by execution. After spending their 'last day' together, Barda and Scot go to New Genesis to confront Orion. Barda revealed she was pregnant just before they discover Orion's bloodied corpse. Orion's 'death' appeared to be the cause of Darkseid. Months after Orion's apparent death, Barda gave birth to their first son; Jacob Free. (Mister Miracle v4 #7) As the New Genesis and Apokolips war rages on and Barda and Scot take care of their son, the duo eventually makes their way to Apokolips to end the war. They offer to trade their son, Jacob. They trick Darkseid, but he knocks down Barda and fights Scot. She helps Scot defeat Darkseid and the cause of this reality is revealed to be Metron, who was disguised as Desaad. Following these events, Barda reveals she's pregnant again and gives birth to a daughter. (Mister Miracle v4 #12)
After Superman was framed and rendered comatose, Big Barda joined the group of heroes heading towards Mars to confront their mysterious enemy. The heroes met and fought Doctor Manhattan, but they were easily defeated. (Doomsday Clock v1 #9)
She was given a Justice League membership card, along with the majority of the superhero community on Earth, as part of the new expanded Justice League Unlimited team. (Justice League Unlimited v2 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Big Barda was depicted as a towering, physically imposing woman, standing well above average human height, with a muscular yet statuesque build that reflected her years of warrior training on Apokolips. She had long dark hair, often worn under her distinctive battle helmet, which was adorned with angular metallic ridges. Her standard costume included gleaming, high-tech Apokoliptian armor with blue and gold plating, a red cape, and her Mega-Rod, a weapon that was both a symbol of her authority and her favored tool in battle. (Mister Miracle v1 #4)
In personality, Barda was portrayed as disciplined, commanding, and fiercely protective of those she cared for. Though trained as a ruthless warrior under Granny Goodness, she showed independence of spirit and the ability to defy Apokoliptian indoctrination. Her relationship with Scott Free revealed a more compassionate and loyal side, as she tempered her battle-hardened nature with empathy and devotion. Barda often displayed a blunt and straightforward demeanor, unafraid to challenge both allies and enemies alike. (Mister Miracle v1 #6)
She came to meet Scott Free when the two of them were pupils of Granny Goodness on Apokolips. (Mister Miracle v1 #4)
Her and Scott later had a daughter who they named Olivia Free. (The New Gods v1 #1)
Big Barda was the daughter of the red-haired beautiful Apokoliptian warrior Big Breeda. She was her mother's first natural born child born from love but the young Barda was taken away to be raised in the gestation labs where she was unaware of her parentage or lineage. (Mister Miracle v2 #28)
Powers and abilities
As a New God, she possessed the abilities of inhabitants from the planet Apokolips. (Mister Miracle v1 #4) In powers, Big Barda possessed immense superhuman strength, endurance, and durability, honed through her upbringing on Apokolips and years of combat training as leader of the Female Furies. She could lift and strike with force sufficient to demolish massive structures and withstand attacks that would cripple or kill most beings. (Mister Miracle v1 #9)
She also survived a blast of heat vision from Superwoman without any real damage. (Justice League v2 #47)
Such was her strength that she could easily catch a large trunk in mid-flight and tear it apart with her hands with ease. It was said that she had the strength of 20 men. (Mister Miracle v1 #4) She can crush a Mother Box with a single hand and has overpowered Stompa without much trouble. (DC Love Is a Battlefield v1 #1)
In addition to her natural physical might, she wielded advanced weaponry. (Mister Miracle v1 #9) She was armed with the Mega-Rod that was capable of firing energy blasts, computations, and transportation. With it, she could use the rod to help scan for people and guide her to them. Big Barda was also have the rod configure itself to allow her to fly through the air. (Mister Miracle v1 #4) It could fire powerful energy blasts, generate concussive force, and enable her to fly or teleport across vast distances. Combined with her strategic combat training, these abilities made her one of the most formidable warriors of her era. (Mister Miracle v1 #9)
Notes
- Big Barda was created by Jack Kirby where she made her first appearance in Mister Miracle v1 #4 (October, 1971).
- In Comics Buyer's Guide Presents: 100 Sexiest Women in Comics (2011), Big Barda was ranked 75th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Big Barda appeared in the animated television series starting in the teaser for the episode "Last Bat on Earth!" where she was voiced by actress Diane Delano.
- In Justice League Action, Big Barda appeared in the animated television series where she was voiced by actress Laura Post.
- In Young Justice, Big Barda appeared initially as an antagonist in the animated television series third season Outsiders starting from the episode "Influence" where she was voiced by actress Grey Griffin.
Films
- In Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Big Barda appeared in the animated film where she was voiced by actress Julianne Grossman.
Video games
- In DC Universe Online, Big Barda was introduced in the setting of the MMORPG video game during the 'Halls of Power' DLC trilogy.
Appearances
- Mister Miracle v1: (1971)
- New Gods v1:
- Action Comics v1:
- Superman/Batman v1:
- Justice League v2:
External Links
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