Big Barda
Created by Jack Kirby
+ History
Big Barda was born of the race of New Gods about 250 years ago, on the hell planet called Apokolips. She is a product of Granny Goodness's Home for Orphaned Youth, where the motto is "Die for Darkseid" (the planet's evil ruler). Barda was trained by Granny herself. A sadistic old crone, Granny knew the value of discipline by using punishment and total obedience as training methods. It was not long before Barda became the leader of the Female Fury Battalion, a group of women warriors who did Granny's bidding. During one raid, Barda met Scott Free, one of Darkseid's Elite Stormtroopers. She sensed a sort of peace about him and soon fell in love.
She could not forget him and, when the time came, she risked her own safety to help Scott escape from Apokolips. Eventually, Barda turned her back on Granny and came to Earth herself. (Mr. Miracle v.1 #4, 1971) Scott had become an escape artist called Mister Miracle and teamed with Oberon, his diminutive manager. Scott and Barda were soon married by Scott's father, the Highfather of New Genesis. (#18)
For a number of years, Barda followed Scott and Oberon on tour as Mister Miracle. Eventually they retired as superheroes and moved to Bailey, New Hampshire. (Mr. Miracle v.2 #1) Despite their best attempts, a normal life eluded them. Disasters plagued them constantly, so Barda, Scott, and Oberon finally left Baily and moved to a loft in Greenwich Village, New York. There Barda helped form a defense-training program for women called the New Female Furies. During this time, Barda was kidnapped along with Superman by Sleez. Sleez mind-controlled them and nearly forced the two to perform in an adult film. They were rescued by Mr. Miracle. (Action #592-593)
Though she came to Earth naive to its customs, she relishes her roles of wife and housekeeper. But when duty calls she never hesitates to assume the posture of a warrior. When Scott's joined the new Justice League, Barda participated in a few missions as well. (Justice League America #7, 28) After his time with the JLI was over, they left Earth for New Genesis. (Mr. Miracle, v.2 #28). As ever, they soon returned to Earth (Mr. Miracle v.3 #1-2) and took up a temporary residence aboard the Justice League Refuge. The couple underwent a brief separation due to Scott's lack of consideration for her feelings. (#4-5)
Next it was Barda's turn to join the Justice League. At Takion's order, she and fellow New God Orion were sent as agents of New Genesis to serve in the JLA. Takion predicted that a grave threat to Earth and felt that the New Gods should help out. (JLA #17)
Their mission was to help mobilize Earth's heroes against the coming of the omnipotent Mageddon. Once Mageddon was defeated, she and Orion resigned from the JLA. (JLA #41)
Barda and Scott currently reside in the suburbs of Connecticut and are active in adventuring. (Orion #25) She never hesitates to lend a hand to her friends when her power and expertise are in need. She has accompanied Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman to Apokolips to rescue Supergirl from Darkseid's clutches. (Superman/Batman #11, 12)
And most recently, she accepted an invitation from Oracle's to become her resident heavy-hitter in the Birds of Prey. (Birds of Prey #100)
Thanks to Tom Tomorrow
+ Powers
Barda possesses great natural strength, speed and endurance. She is surprisingly fast for her size, and is able to outrace most cars. Her stamina is superhuman and it takes nothing less than a grenade to give her a jolt.
Barda weilds the mega-Rod, which draws energy from her will and is an extension of her sprit. It can shoot power blasts that can level a building. It also has propulsion units that allow Barda to fly.
To anyone's knowledge, Barda has not yet undergone the Fourth World ritual to unlock her "god power."
Appearances + References
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