Comic Title: Secret Origins #20
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: November 1987
On Sale Date: August 11, 1987 Newsstand Date August 11, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #42

Newsstand Date August 11, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #122

Shipping Date July 21, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #122

Shipping Date July 21, 1987
Source: Focus, #1, Page BC

Copyright Date July 21, 1987
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1987
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Cover Price: $1.25
Page Count: 48
Editor: Roy Thomas

Title: "Flawed Gems"
Pages: 18

Feature(s):
Batgirl (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Barbara J. Kesel (Randall)
Penciller: Rick Leonardi
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Carl Gafford

Feature Character(s)

• Batgirl (Barbara "Babs" Gordon; first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Batman Annual #13; next appearance in Batgirl Special #1)

Supporting Character(s)

• Batman (in flashback during Batgirl's debut; last appearance in Secret Origins #44; next appearance in Secret Origins #39)
• Jim Gordon (in flashback; last appearance in Batman Annual #14; next appearance in Detective Comics #575)

Villain(s)

• A young thief (no further appearances)
• Killer Moth (in flashback; first post-Crisis appearance; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Roger C. Gordon and Thelma (Batgirl's parents; both die in flashback; no further appearances)
• Barbara Gordon (Batgirl's aunt; in flashback; last appearance in Batman Annual #14; no further appearances)
• James Gordon, Jr. (Batgirl's cousin; in flashback; last appearance in Batman Annual #14; no further appearances)
• Marcy (Barbara's childhood friend; in flashback; next appearance in Batgirl Special #1)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Batman (first meeting with Babs Gordon; last appearance in Batman Annual #14; next appearance in Detective Comics #575)
• Barbara Gordon (as a young girl; earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Secret Origins #20)
• Batgirl (during her debut; last appearance in Secret Origins #20; next appearance in Batman Annual #13)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Robin (in flashback)
• Cormorant (in flashback)

Comments:
This issue is the first post-Crisis appearance of Batgirl. The post-Crisis Batgirl is considered to be entirely independent from her Earth-1 counterpart. This story establishes that the Post-Crisis Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Roger and Thelma Gordon. Unlike her Earth-1 counterpart, she is not the daughter of Jim Gordon. In the Post-Crisis continuity, she was adopted by her uncle Jim Gordon following the death of her parents.

Synopsis:
While chasing a young thief through the streets of Gotham City, Batgirl reflects on her life. Her mother Thelma was killed in a car accident while she was still a child. Her father, Roger, then drank himself to death. Barbara was then sent to Gotham to live with her uncle Jim Gordon and was eventually adopted.

She quickly became fascinated with Gordon's police files and witnessed an early meeting between her uncle and Batman. Inspired, Barbara dedicated herself to pursuing mental and physical studies. She went to college at 16 and earned a Master's degree. She then took a job as a librarian.

On the way to a costume party dressed in a Batgirl outfit, Barbara spotted Killer Moth attempting to kidnap Bruce Wayne. She stopped the crooks and met Batman again. The encounter prompted her to begin a career as Batgirl.

Back in the present, Batgirl apprehends the thief. The young boy reminds her of herself, so she lets him go with a warning after retrieving the book which he stole.