Big Barda
| Big Barda | |
|---|---|
Big Barda
Art by Stephane Roux. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Mister Miracle #4 (October 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer - artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Barda Free |
| Species | New God |
| Place of origin | Apokolips |
| Team affiliations |
New Gods Justice League Female Furies Birds of Prey |
| Abilities |
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Big Barda is a fictional comic book superheroine (although sometimes portrayed as a villain) appearing in books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Mister Miracle #4 (October 1971), and was created by Jack Kirby.
In a reversal of the stereotype associated with female characters at the time of her creation, Barda is physically more powerful than her husband, Mister Miracle, and very protective of him.
Jack Kirby based Barda's physical appearance on Lainie Kazan, who had recently appeared topless in Playboy.Mark Evanier, Kirby's assistant on the Fourth World comics, has stated, "Jack based some of his characters (not all) on people in his life or in the news... the characterization between Scott 'Mister Miracle' Free and Barda was based largely—though with tongue in cheek—on the interplay between Kirby and his wife Roz." Big Barda was ranked 75th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.
Barda is a member of the race known as the New Gods. She was born about 250 years ago, on Apokolips. Her mother was named Big Breeda, but Barda was taken away from her at an early age to be trained as a warrior. She was a product of Granny Goodness' Home for Orphaned Youth. Granny's motto is "Die for Darkseid" (the planet's evil ruler). Granny groomed Barda to one day lead the Female Fury Battalion, a ferocious pack of warrior women. However, during a raid, Barda meets Scott Free, Darkseid's adopted son, and, sensing a peace about him, fell in love.
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 was tortured to death for the 'crime' of dancing. Moments later, Himon kills Willik with a bomb. Barda, her Furies, Himon and Metron assist Scott in escaping Apokolips. Darkseid himself calls for Scott to return but doesn't actually stop him, as he wishes Scott to leave so a war with New Genesis can start. Barda doesn't leave at that point because she is not emotionally ready. Eventually, Barda completely turns her back on Granny Goodness and came to Earth herself. Scott has become an escape artist called Mister Miracle, and is teamed with Oberon, his diminutive manager. Oberon and Barda become close friends. For a while, Barda's Furies assist Scott in his showmanship efforts but they return to Apokolips by themselves. Scott and Barda are married by Scott's father, the Highfather of New Genesis.
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Wikipedia