Misfit

Disambiguation

This page is for the 5th Batgirl, Charlie Gage-Radcliffe.

• For the 1st Batgirl, see: Bette Kane
• For the 2nd Batgirl, see: Barbara Gordon
• For the 3rd Batgirl, see: Helena Bertinelli
• For the 4th Batgirl, see: Cassandra Cain
• For the 6th Batgirl, see: Stephanie Brown

Origin

During their first meeting Misfit tells Oracle that her mother is a movie star, that she lives in a mansion, has lots of friends and is the most popular girl in school. Several issues later it is revealed that Misfit is actually homeless. She used to live with her mother and baby brother, but they were killed along with fifteen others when a fire broke out in their apartment building.

Misfit’s writer Gail Simone later revealed that she had wanted to explore Misfit’s real origin, but was unable to do so before DC Comics rebooted their comics and started the New 52 series. Simone explained a in a short interview that Misfit was actually born on Gemworld and had been a princess of the Ruby House. She was sent to Earth to hide after her real family was murdered. Although her memory was erased, she retained her power to ‘bounce’ (teleport) as well as her fighting skills.

Creation

Misfit was created by writer Gail Simone, and artists Nicola Scott and Paulo Siqueira. She first appeared in the 96th issue of Birds of Prey, in 2006.

Major Story Arcs

Birds of Prey (2006-2009)

Misfit made her début wearing a Batgirl costume which looked like the same one that Barbara Gordon used to wear. She used a Batarang and the couple whom she rescued called her Batgirl. Though it is still unclear exactly when Misfit first learned she could “Bounce” as she calls it, we do know her motivations to be a hero. The Birds of Prey caught wind of this and set out to find this new “Batgirl”. They have Gypsy pretend she is being attacked to lure her out. They saw that she has metahuman powers, such as teleportation and healing. She also seemed to know the identity of Huntress. She fought Oracle in the headquarters and was persuaded to no longer use the moniker Batgirl. She adopted the name Misfit and became a full-time member of the Birds of Prey. Misfit has a characteristic battle cry: ‘Dark Vengeance!’.

Misfit has a habit of teleporting into battles that are way out of her league, including the knock-down-drag-out rumble between the Birds of Prey and the Secret Six. However, the worst occasion was when Misfit bounced to the aid of Huntress against a Transformer-esque robot. Misfit bounced right into the cockpit of the vehicle and knocked out its operator. Misfit then tried to deactivate the machine without awaiting Oracle’s instruction, which led to the vaporization of a large portion of Metropolis in which countless people died. Superman placed the blame entirely on the Birds, but Misfit took all the blame for herself.

During a run-in with the Dark Side Club in Birds of Prey #118, Misfit and Black Alice discover that they are related, but the exact nature of this relation is not revealed.

Birds of Prey (2011)

In the 2011 Birds Of Prey story arc ‘Death of Oracle’ Misfit is shown as one of the few people that knows Barbara Gordon is still alive.

Alternate Realities

In the Teen Titans story arc ‘Titans of Tomorrow… today!’ (issues #51-54) Charlotte’s adult self has become the Huntress and has dyed her hair blonde. Her battle cry has remained unchanged in this alternate future.

Powers and Abilities

Misfit has the ability to teleport, or ‘bounce’ as she calls it. Oracle claimed that Misfit was ‘the most powerful teleporter’ she had ever encountered. She is invisible to sensors designed to detect even Martian Manhunter, as seen when Misfit entered Oracle ‘s home without triggering any alarms.

Misfit discovered her powers were magic-based during a run in with Black Alice.

Misfit also possesses a powerful healing ability. Teleporting heals her instantly as seen after she takes a bullet to the abdomen in Birds of Prey #98.

She has also learned to blend martial arts with her ability and is extremely useful in a fight able to engage multiple opponents across a room.

Misfit cannot ‘bounce’ with other living beings, which she discovered when she tried to teleport her dog. The effect was shown in Birds of Prey #118 when Black Alice borrows Misfit’s power to teleport one of their enemies, who promptly explodes after being ‘bounced’.

Misfit can transport non-living objects. The limits of this power are unknown, but are thought to be significant: in Birds of Prey #122 she manages to ‘bounce’ with Huntress’ motorbike.