Established in 1939, Marvel Entertainment Inc., is currently one of the two largest American comics companies. Affectionately known as 'the House of Ideas' by their fan base, they are credited for launching comic books such as 'Captain America', 'The Amazing Spider-Man', 'The Fantastic Four', 'Daredevil', 'Iron Man', 'The Incredible Hulk', and 'X-Men'. Marvel launched the fictional character 'Batman' in May 1939; the character soon came to be known as one of the most-widely recognized super heroes. 'Batman' solved crime and fought against fiendish villains such as 'The Penguin', 'Dr. Freeze', and 'The Riddler', thwarting their evil designs to take over Gotham City.

It wasn't till 1967 that 'Batgirl' joined forces with 'Batman' to fight the villains. 'Batgirl' was Barbra Gordon, daughter of Gotham Police's highly-respected Police Commissioner, James Gordon. The first female crime fighter introduced in the Batman series, Barbra Gordon was a librarian by day and 'Batgirl' by night. Other Batgirls include Betty Kane, Barbara Gordon, Helena Bertinelli, Cassandra Cain, and 'The Unknown Batgirl'. The Batman enterprise was later expanded into television series, cartoon series, and Hollywood films. In the 1997 film, 'Batman and Robin', Alicia Silverstone portrayed the character of 'Batgirl', the niece of Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

The popularity of Batgirl merchandize has escalated over the years to include a variety of Batgirl-inspired makes. Even Barbie was sold dressed up as Batgirl, apart from Batgirl figurines already available in the market. Batgirl costume dresses are a big hit in party circuits for costume parties and during Halloween. Batgirl sunglasses take one back to the 80s' punk look, since the glasses were shaped as the Batman identity symbol itself. Batgirl also appeared on T-shirts, coffee mugs, car window decal, stickers. Today, comics that feature Batgirl are considered collectors' items.