Interview

Super heroine on wheels

When Batman is away, apparently a trio of babes takes care of business. On "Birds of Prey" (WB, Wednesdays, 9 p.m. ET), three corseted crusaders (think Charlie's Angels in latex) now defend Gotham. Dina Meyer, 33, plays the leader, a wheelchair-bound Batgirl, who, after being shot by the Joker, reinvents herself as Oracle. We recently spoke with her:

We see a trend with disabled superheroes: Ben Affleck is blind in the upcoming "Daredevil". How does Oracle deal with being disabled?
It's not about being handicapped. She uses her disability to become stronger.

How so?
I'm not playing a typical superhero, because I'm not out kicking [butt]. I'm like this information broker of New Gotham.

Describe your wheelchair.
It's streamlined and cool and fast, and it has pretty blue lights on it. [It] was made for me. It was form-fitted to my bottom. [Laughs.] It's a Batmochair!

Plus, you make it look sexy!
I'm trying not to surrender to the chair. And perhaps that's what makes it sexy.

What's the hardest part about your role?
You can't just rely on certain physical things you would normally rely on as an actress. ... It is the greatest challenge to date.

But Oracle is an expert in Escrima -- stick fighting.
I love it! On my lunch break, you'll usually find me in the training room sparring. I just really dig it.

Will we ever see Oracle walk?
You'll see me walk as Batgirl [in flashbacks]. Being a master of weaponry and cybernetics and the genius that she is, I would think anything is possible.

What's it like to wear those tight getups?
Heavy. The cape must weigh about 15 pounds!

-- Elizabeth Kaye McCall