Warning: SPOILERS for Batman #85
Throughout his time with the cape and cowl, Batman has seen a lot of his former allies struggle. In his most recent run, Batman has seen a new hero find her footing after experiencing serious trauma. Fortunately, he’s ready to forgive Gotham Girl and give her a serious power-up.
Gotham Girl first appeared in the very first issue of Tom King’s Batman run. Along with her brother using the name Gotham, the two mysteriously gain superpowers and protect Gotham. There’s a catch, as the powers they gained shorten their lives significantly. After Gotham dies using up all of his power against the Justice League, Gotham Girl is overcome with grief. It’s later revealed her powers were granted by Bane’s venom.
In Batman #85, King’s last issue on the series before transitioning to his Batman/Catwoman miniseries, Batman and Gotham Girl climb atop a crane and have a meaningful conversation about their past. While Gotham Girl urges Batman to be happy and to marry Catwoman, Batman wants to know how he can help her now that Bane is gone. Batman feels responsible for the pain Gotham Girl has suffered and wants to help her. She says she’s fine and appreciates all he’s done for her.
Batman reveals he’s got a gift for Gotham Girl. As she jokes about getting a wedding invite, Batman pulls out a piece of platinum kryptonite. In Batman: Secret Files #1, Superman gives Batman the special kryptonite, which has the powers of granting anybody who touches it Supes immeasurable powers. Batman struggles with what to do with the powers, but ultimately, he settles to give it to Gotham Girl. He tells Gotham Girl she’s been through a lot, knows how to fly and is a good kid. She accepts, and is granted Superman’s powers.
It might seem like an odd choice for Batman to give Gotham Girl that much power, but it’s a nice conclusion to King’s story. Gotham Girl always wanted to help people she just used the wrong methods to obtain her power. Without Bane’s venom, she didn’t have the same powers she once had. Now with platinum kryptonite, she’s back at full power and deservedly so. Batman tells her “there are no good deaths. But there are good lives. Let’s try to live one of those.” It’s a tender, earned moment between the two heroes.
It can be argued that the platinum kryptonite was a MacGuffin to bring Gotham Girl back to her former superpowered self, but honestly, it totally works in this case. Batman is often portrayed as a cold, calculated hero, but its moments like the one he shared with Gotham Girl that truly makes him the hero he is. Batman feels responsible for Gotham Girl’s struggles and path and wanted to help. Giving her powers (instead of himself) is a deeply heroic gesture.
