Barbara (called "Babs" by her editor and boyfriend, Jim Murray) was a reporter for the Daily Clarion and friend of Grant Richmond. Told by Jim to go on a date with the crime-fighting Mad Hatter and uncover his secret identity, Barbara had no idea it was secretly Grant. While out investigating a lead on a criminal named Hunky Henders, Barbara was caught and had to be rescued by the Mad Hatter (although, to be fair, he had already been captured and had to free himself first).