Big Barda

Big Barda is a fictional DC Comics superheroine created by Jack Kirby, originally for The Fourth World series of titles.

She is the wife of superhero Mister Miracle. The two escaped from the planet Apokolips to Earth in order to find a peaceful life together.

In a reversal of the stereotyped female character then common at that time of her creation, Barda is physically more powerful than her husband and is more than willing to use that power in battle. For instance, Barda was originally the leader of a ferocious pack of female warriors called the Female Furies. As such, she possesses the great strength and endurance befitting a warrior for Darkseid. Although she came to share her husband's values of peace and justice, fighting is still her preferred response in the face of evil. She is very protective of Scott Free.

Big Barda is one of the tallest heroines in the DC comics universe, towering over the power house Wonder Woman and other heroes, both male and female, at 7-feet tall (among female DC heroes, she is equalled in height only by Grace Choi of the Outsiders, and surpassed in height only by heroines such as Elasti-Girl who are capable of changing their size).

A similar-looking character named Little Barda appears in the 21st issue of the 52 series as a member of the Teen Titans, although she leaves the group in that same issue; a picture of her with former members of the Titans has also been seen in the One Year Later storyline. Any relationship with Big Barda is unknown at this time. She is also rumoured to be joining the Birds of Prey in the coming months; she makes an appearance along with Manhunter in Birds of Prey #100.

Jack Kirby reportedly based Barda's physical appearance on Lainie Kazan as she appeared in an issue of Playboy.

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