Justice League's Underrated Powerhouse Doesn't Even Need a Weapon to Win a Fight

Warning: Contains spoilers for Birds of Prey #9!

Summary Big Barda proves she doesn't need her Mega-Rod to be a major threat in a fight.

The Mega-Rod is a significant part of Barda's history and incredible powers.

Barda is an underappreciated powerhouse in the Justice League and Birds of Prey teams.

As a member of both the Justice League and the Birds of Prey, Big Barda has repeatedly proven that she’s one of DC’s strongest powerhouse characters. After losing her iconic Mega-Rod weapon in the latest Birds of Prey issue, Barda confidently proclaims that she wouldn’t need the weapon to take down one of her powerful teammates. Her New God powers and bold personality make her one of the publisher’s great heavy-hitters.

While the Birds of Prey continue their search-and-rescue mission for Barbara Gordon in Birds of Prey #9 by Kelly Thompson, Jonathan Case, and Gavin Guidry, they enter a mysterious portal that takes most of them to a strange new world. However, team member Meridian and Big Barda’s Mega-Rod are rejected by the portal, leaving the New God weaponless in this unfamiliar environment.

When Vixen teases Barda about losing her iconic weapon multiple times, Barda brashly reminds her teammate that she’s powerful enough to best her in a fight without any assistance. While the winner of that match-up is still debatable, Barda’s confidence in her fighting ability proves that she’s a truly formidable opponent.

Related DC’s BARDA Gives The New God Warrior A Graphic Novel of Her Own (Exclusive) Screen Rant has all the details on Barda, a new YA graphic novel that reveals the backstory of the iconic New God and her path to self-discovery.

The Mega-Powerful Mega-Rod Is an Essential Part of Big Barda’s History

Big Barda Was Created by Comics Legend Jack Kirby

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Big Barda’s weapon of choice has famously been the Mega-Rod since her very first appearance in 1971, but she makes it clear that she can handle herself all on her own. Both Big Barda and her legendary weapon made their DC Comics debut in Mister Miracle #4 by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta, as the New God and leader of the Female Furies left Apokolips to rescue her longtime love interest Scott Free on Earth. Though Big Barda has abilities like immortality, super-strength, and superhuman durability and stamina, the Mega-Rod definitely adds to Barda’s power level in the DC Universe.

While the Mega-Rod would be a worthy weapon for any superhero to have in their arsenal, Barda’s ultra-formidable powers make her a major threat, regardless of her weaponry at hand.

The Mega-Rod can not only create strong energy attacks and concussive blasts, but it can also act as a teleportation device. It can create Apokolips-style boom tubes, which help Big Barda and her allies travel light years in an instant. As the Birds of Prey enter unfamiliar territory and are thrust into unfamiliar worlds, it’s easy to see why the mysterious villain would want to separate Barda from this powerful weapon. However, Barda boldly proclaims that she doesn’t need the Rod to be a deadly threat in her own right.

Big Barda Is an Underappreciated Powerhouse of the Justice League and Birds of Prey

Barda's Tenure on Both Teams Highlights Her Key Status in the DCU

Big Barda is an extremely powerful character on her own but works best in a team, having led the Female Furies and currently being one of the best parts of the current Birds of Prey run. While she has previously been a member of the Justice League, Barda and some of the other Birds are largely underutilized on what should be DC’s premier team. Barda’s power could compete with Wonder Woman, and their combined powerhouse efforts should be seen more often in the pages of DC Comics.

While the Mega-Rod would be a worthy weapon for any superhero to have in their arsenal, Barda’s ultra-formidable powers make her a major threat, regardless of her weaponry at hand. Her assertive confidence in her abilities further proves just how handily she could win any fight presented to her, even against her powerful teammates. With her connections to the Justice League, the Birds of Prey, the New Gods, and beyond, Big Barda is the true secret weapon that many of these DC teams need to succeed.

Birds of Prey #9 is available now from DC Comics.