Big Barda

Big Barda
Big Barda as depicted in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #2 (April 1985). Art by Jack Kirby and Greg Theakston.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceMister Miracle #4 (October 1971)
Created byJack Kirby (writer-artist)
In-story information
Alter egoBarda Free
SpeciesNew God
Place of originApokolips
Team affiliationsNew Gods
Justice League
Female Furies
Birds of Prey
Partnerships
Abilities
  • Immortality
  • Superhuman strength, durability, reflexes, agility, stamina and speed
  • Master hand-to-hand combatant
  • Expert with various types of weaponry
  • Battle armor and wields a mega-rod

Big Barda is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Mister Miracle #4 (October 1971), and was created by Jack Kirby.[1] She was raised as a member of the New Gods, but left to become a hero.

Jack Kirby based Barda's physical appearance on Lainie Kazan, who had recently appeared topless in Playboy.[2] Mark Evanier, Kirby's assistant on the Fourth World comics, has explained the genesis of the character: "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".[3]

  1. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). "Big Barda". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  2. ^ Ro, Ronin (July 2004). Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution. Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-58234-345-4.
  3. ^ "The Jack F.A.Q." Povonline.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-15.