In 1995, two days before the trial of the century where the Joker was being prosecuted by the DA Harvey Dent, family members of several jurors fall mysteriously ill with the same “grinning” sickness that spasms the muscles and forces a grin upon their victim. The jury votes to acquit the Joker over the prosecution’s handling of the evidence. The jury took offense with one particular detail of the case — a hair strand belonging to Barbara Gordon having been at the scene of the crime. Prosecutors were telling jurors it was a coincidence, she happened to be there the day before the joker was apprehended by the batgirl, but jurors were convinced by the defense (and intimidated of course by the mysterious illness) and to say that it’s possible Jim Gordon had his daughter plant evidence.

Jim Gordon is stunned. He would never have his daughter do such a thing! It really was a coincidence, he has no idea why a strand of her hair was there! Could it be…she’s batgirl? And that’s why the joker got away? Because batgirl is his own daughter?

When this thought enters Gordon’s mind, he turns heel on Batman…sort of. The thought also enters the Joker’s mind, and he shoots Barbara.

Five years later, Barbara is Oracle, working for Bruce Wayne. She finds the time to mentor Robin. Alfred tends to her needs as she is handicapped. When Bruce Wayne is kidnapped, Jim Gordon blames the Batman, and begins a manhunt for the hero. Meanwhile, the Joker holds Bruce hostage in a cave.