Birds of Prey (comics)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other meanings of the term, see Bird of prey (disambiguation).

Birds of Prey
Promotional cover to TPB Birds of Prey: Blood and Circuits. Cover art by Stephane Roux.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Showcase 96 #3 Mar 1996 Ongoing: Jan 1999
Created by	Chuck Dixon Gary Frank
In story information
Base(s)	Clocktower; Aerie One
Member(s)	Core members Oracle Black Canary Huntress Lady Blackhawk Misfit Rotating members Big Barda Black Alice Catwoman Manhunter Katana Lady Shiva Gypsy Hawkgirl Judomaster Power Girl Vixen Allies Blue Beetle Creote Green Arrow Green Arrow (Connor Hawke) Nightwing Wildcat

Birds of Prey is a comic book published by DC Comics that features the adventures of the superhero Oracle and her group of superheroines. The group is initially based in Gotham City and later operates in Metropolis and then once more to "Platinum Flats", California, a new locale introduced in Birds of Prey in 2008.

The series was conceived by Jordan B. Gorfinkel and originally written by Chuck Dixon. Gail Simone scripted the comic from issue #56 to #108. Sean McKeever was originally to replace Simone ^[1][2], but McKeever has since decided to leave the project, and will only write issues #113-117; Tony Bedard, who wrote issues #109-112, will become the title's regular writer starting with issue #118. ^[3]. Artists have included Butch Guice, Greg Land, Ed Benes, and Joe Bennett; Nicola Scott began a stint as artist with issue #100.

Despite the title of the series being Birds of Prey, the phrase is not mentioned in the book until issue #86, when one of the group's members, Zinda Blake, suggests that it might be a fitting name for the team. However, the other characters get sidetracked and do not respond to her suggestion. Oracle, the team's leader, refers to the group by that name in a conversation with the new Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes,^[4] and later within the series.^[5]

The team's greatest strength comes from Barbara's connections to other heroes across the DC Universe from her tenure as Batgirl, ranging from Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to specialized rosters adapted to best suit her present mission. After Black Canary's departure, Huntress remains as the staple member and field leader, alongside new "core members." Despite the all-female central roster, male allies of Barbara such as Nightwing, Wildcat, Savant, and Creote frequently assist missions.

Contents 1 Publication history 1.1 Chuck Dixon era 1.2 Gail Simone era 2 Membership 2.1 Main characters 2.2 Recurring characters 3 Running gags 4 Bibliography 5 Other media 5.1 TV series 5.2 Justice League Unlimited 6 Collections 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Publication history

[edit] Chuck Dixon era

The title series began with Chuck Dixon's one shot Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey (1996). Initially, the two heroines featured were Barbara Gordon ("Oracle" and formerly "Batgirl") and Dinah Lance ("Black Canary"). From the beginning, Canary was written as passionate and idealistic, and Oracle as more level-headed and pragmatic. In an interview with Comics Bulletin, Dixon described this choice as a fertile clash of values: "Oracle ... is very "means to an end" oriented. She sees that sometimes you have to kill to save lives. She's not comfortable with that but accepts it... That pragmatic aspect of Babs' character, contrasted with Dinah's more idealistic approach, is at the heart of this book."^[6]

[edit] Gail Simone era

When Gail Simone took over the series in 2003, she added The Huntress to the BoP lineup. In her first arc entitled Of Like Minds, Simone let Black Canary walk into a trap set by Brian Durlin, known as Savant and his assistant Creote. With Black Canary now critically injured and chained, Savant begins listing demands, the most significant of which is the true identity of Batman.^[7] In the end, Huntress, Canary, and Oracle defeat their enemies, and form a trio.

Author Simone commented on the new lineup, saying that each character provided a foil for the two others: "Babs and Dinah respect each other tremendously, and each is capable of great things the other is not. Dinah's not just Oracle's legs, sometimes, she's her conscience, or her muse, or just her best friend. And Oracle is far more to Dinah than just the mission controller. They trust each other, and out of that, there's a friendship that they believe in. Huntress... I see Helena as someone who is not a loner completely by choice. Dinah is so accepting, and so open, that Helena sees an opportunity to be part of something without having to force her way in. There's friction, because once Helena puts the mask on, she's really not very good fitting in. But she likes that they're giving her a chance. Whether she blows it or not, you'll have to keep reading."^[8] Simone was appreciative of her work, saying BoP editor Lysa Hawkins "was looking for a slightly tougher Birds of Prey and asked me to submit a proposal. I have a huge fondness for Babs and Dinah both, so it's a bit of a dream come true. I'm really excited by the art, which is very sleek and sexy, with a nice dark tone, by Supergirl star Ed Benes.^[9]

The Huntress later meets Oracle in person for the first time while rescuing her from a potentially life threatening situation during the Sensei & Student storyline.^[10] The US government had become aware of the existence of Oracle and formatted a list of suspects to interrogate, one of whom was Barbara. Without any form of due process, two federal agents imply they believe she is the Oracle and that if any evidence is brought to light she will be tried for treason against the United States of America.^[11] Once again, Oracle relies on the Huntress when no other allies are available.

While Oracle and Huntress share a long history of animosity with one another, Black Canary eventually inspires Oracle to employ her as a full-time agent. The budding friendship is cut short during the Hero Hunters arc. In the final issue of the storyline, the Huntress realizes Oracle has been manipulating her psychologically in order to make her "behave" properly, in the same way a teacher attempts to reform a troubled child.^[12] Despite Oracle’s remorse for her actions, Huntress temporarily departs from the group. She later rejoins the team, once again as s full-time agent along with newcomer Lady Blackhawk. Although the personnel on Oracle's team grows and changes, Huntress and Lady Blackhawk remain core agents.

When BoP approached the century mark, Simone used the issues #99 and #100 to shake up the lineup. She let Black Canary leave the team with her ward, a little girl called "Sin", and used a prison break arc to introduce superhumanly strong Big Barda, pacifist Judomaster, and rascally Misfit into the new squad, and with the new Spy Smasher as an ambiguous Jack Bauer-like anti-heroine and Lois Lane cornering Oracle into almost giving away her secret identity. Again, the characters were chosen to provide a foil for each other, and affirmed her love for her characters: "The team is a group of individuals, quite unlike the friendship between Dinah, Helena, and Babs. And any team with Barda on it automatically has a certain bull in a China shop tremble, and I love that... The characters don’t apologize for being asskickers, nor for being smart, nor for being sexy, nor for being sexual, for that matter. There are always going to be some people who find that not to their taste, but at the same time, BoP regularly brings in people who don’t otherwise read mainstream comics, a whole audience that may not pick up any other superhero titles, and I love that niche, that little area between good taste and utter shamelessness."^[13] Finally, Simone stated her agony of leaving the book; "I miss the characters in all the books I’ve worked on. Writing the last issue of Birds of Prey I’m doing was actually physically painful."^[14]

[edit] Membership

[edit] Main characters

• Oracle (Barbara Gordon) — formerly known as Batgirl, who was paralyzed below the hips as a result of an attack by the Joker. She is the founder and brains of the team, possessing a massive information network, a photographic memory, and expert hacking and programming skills. Oracle's identity and appearance are protected by the highest level of secrecy. She is also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant.
• Black Canary (Dinah Lance) — a tough, but good-natured and idealistic streetfighter. Barbara and Dinah are best friends (Barbara having helped Dinah through low periods in Dinah's life) and form the nucleus of the team. In addition to her metapower, an ultrasonic attack known as the "Canary Cry", she is also a highly skilled martial artist. She officially departed the team in issue #99.
• Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) — avenger-turned-vigilante. Prone to use of excessive force, this former mafia princess was devastated at a young age when her family was killed in a mob hit. Trained by her assassin cousin in the art of violence, she declared war on the mob in the name of justice.
• Lady Blackhawk (Zinda Blake) — time-displaced 1940s character, Zinda serves as the team's aviatrix and pilot of the Aerie One. She is an expert marksman, well trained with handling various types of firearms.
• Misfit (Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe) — teenage orphan with teleportation powers, her persistent appearances are initially a nuisance to Oracle, although Barbara's attitude gradually softens. After Barbara discovers her homelessness and personal tragedy, she formally invites her to become a member of the Birds.

[edit] Recurring characters

• Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) — The daughter of assassin David Cain and Lady Shiva, she is her mother's equal as a martial artist. In current DC continuity, Cain was the third crimefighter to call herself Batgirl. She temporarily relinquished the name, but after a brief period under mind control, has retaken the title.
• Big Barda (Barda Free) - a New God from the planet Apokolips and former member of the Female Furies and later member of the Justice League. Her husband is Justice League International member Mister Miracle (Scott Free). The character was killed off in Death of the New Gods, and officially recognized within this series in Birds of Prey #112.
• Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) — A former Justice Leaguer with a crush on Barbara. Kord is murdered in Countdown to Infinite Crisis, and the main characters visit his grave in Valhalla Cemetery in Birds of Prey #96.
• Catwoman (Selina Kyle) — A feline-styled anti-heroine, Selina has cooperated with the team on several operations.
• Creote — A former KGB agent, Creote is a devoted servant and only friend to Savant; he is also secretly in love with his master.
• Gypsy (Cindy Reynolds) — Gypsy debuts at the end of Birds of Prey #92. She is a metahuman and her powers include creating illusions, camouflaging herself, and others near her, to blend into any background.
• Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) - Oracle first solicits her assistance in issue #104 in dealing with the Secret Six, for which Oracle rewards her with a car. Throughout the Russian arc, Hawkgirl serves as a team member and develops a rivalry with Secret Six member Scandal.
• Jade Canary (Sandra Wu-San) — The assassin more commonly known as Lady Shiva took Dinah's spot on the Birds of Prey team as of One Year Later, calling herself the Jade Canary. After the conditions behind the switch she arranged with the Black Canary had been met, she departed from the team. In a final act, she acquired a new apprentice to train, in the form of Bethany Thorne, Crime Doctor's daughter.
• Josh — A rental car agent who bargained with Huntress — information in exchange for a date. After reluctantly agreeing and (surprisingly) sleeping with him, Huntress has used Josh as an agent in some of her easier tasks against the mob.
• Judomaster - In issue #100, a new female Judomaster joins the Birds of Prey after being invited by Oracle.
• Katana - Katana assists in rescuing Oracle from Senator Pullman. Oracle gave her a card and the promise of a favor if ever required.
• Manhunter (Kate Spencer) - In issue #100, Manhunter joins the Birds of Prey after being invited by Oracle.
• Nightwing (Dick Grayson) — Dashing crimefighter and the original Robin, Dick enjoyed a mutual teenage crush on Barbara that once blossomed into a steamy romance, but has crumbled despite continued strong feelings on both sides. Recently, Barbara and Dick reconciled. As they did, Dick dropped to one knee and proposed; a tearful Barbara said "yes." As of One Year Later, the engagement has been mutually put on hold.
• Power Girl (Karen Starr aka Kara Zor-L) — Power Girl was Oracle's first operative, before she took in Black Canary. This first partnership was doomed since Power Girl was unable to save a shipload of people. She has worked occasionally with Oracle in subsequent episodes but the two have a very poor relationship; she was invited to return to the team in Issue #100 but stated she would do so "when Hell freezes over", despite begrudgingly appearing before and since to assist Oracle. The animosity between them parallels the traditional Batgirl/Supergirl friendship.
• Savant (Brian Durlin) — Spoiled heir to an enormous fortune, Savant moved to Gotham to become a self-styled vigilante. After kidnapping and brutally torturing Black Canary, he was defeated by the Birds. Oracle made the questionable decision to rehabilitate him, mainly in order to keep his data files on hundreds of real villains. Like his namesake, he is a genius; however, due to a chemical imbalance he exhibits a non-linear memory. Savant has also exhibited feelings for Oracle, probably rooted in his envy of her computer skills.
• The Secret Six — Following their initial appearance, members of the Secret Six have appeared repeatedly in Birds of Prey. The team composed of Catman, Deadshot, Ragdoll, Scandal Savage, Knockout, and Harley Quinn act as foils to the Birds on one shared mission. Catman and Huntress are potential romantic interests, Scandal finds an enemy in Hawkgirl, and Barda and Knockout have a longstanding rivalry.
• Spy Smasher (Katarina Armstrong) — An old college rival of Oracle's, Spy Smasher boasts a significant number of government and intelligence connections which she uses to manipulate Barbara. Trying to usurp Oracle's team, the two come to confrontation over the status of the Birds of Prey. She is also an expert marksman.
• Vixen (Mari Jiwi McCabe) — An international supermodel and former Justice League and Suicide Squad member, Mari was born in Africa. She inherited her family's "Tantu" totem, a necklace granting the wearer the ability to channel the skills/abilities of any animal. Vixen has been a field agent for Oracle, accompanying Huntress to the Pacific Northwest to stop a meta-human worshipping cult.
• Wildcat (Ted Grant) — Former professional boxer and current member of the Justice Society, Ted serves as a mentor to Dinah and has helped her on several missions.

[edit] Running gags

Birds of Prey features several running gags involving team members:

• Black Canary has little proficiency – and even less interest – in computers.
• Lady Blackhawk has a strong like for (but not addiction to) alcoholic beverages; in Birds of Prey #100 she claims she can order beer in 30 languages.

[edit] Bibliography

• Showcase 96 #3 (Mar 1996)
• Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey #1 (1996)
• Birds of Prey: Manhunt #1-4 (Sep-Dec 1996)
• Birds of Prey: Revolution #1 (1997)
• Birds of Prey: Wolves #1 (Oct 1997)
• Birds of Prey: Batgirl #1 (Feb 1998)
• Birds of Prey: The Ravens #1 (Jun 1998)
• Birds of Prey (monthly series, Jan 1999 - ongoing)
• Birds of Prey: Secret Files and Origins 2003 (Aug 2003)

[edit] Other media

[edit] TV series

Main article: Birds of Prey (TV series)

The comic was loosely adapted to a television series, Birds of Prey. Set in an alternate future of the DC Universe, the show starred Dina Meyer as Oracle and Ashley Scott as Huntress, established partners in New Gotham. Meyer's Oracle was the paralyzed former Batgirl; Scott's Huntress was the daughter of Batman and a metahuman Catwoman, and as such exhibited feline powers.

Joined in the pilot episode by a young psychic runaway named Dinah (played by Rachel Skarsten), the team spent 13 episodes stopping various metahuman threats such as Huntress' old high school friend Shiva and a thinly-veiled Nightwing knockoff, the dangerous "Darkstrike" (previously known as "Nightstrike" until the similarity to Nightwing prompted the change). Other main cast members included Shemar Moore as Huntress' love interest Detective Jake Reese, and Mia Sara as the villainous Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn). Lori Loughlin was a notable guest star, playing Dinah's metahuman mother: the Black Canary.

The theme song was "Revolution" by Aimee Allen, and the show was developed by Laeta Kalogridis.

[edit] Justice League Unlimited

Gail Simone scripted the Justice League Unlimited episode "Double Date." She originally intended the episode to feature a temporarily house-bound Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) contacting Huntress and Black Canary to complete a case for her, but a character rights issue necessitated removing Barbara from the story and taking it in a different direction (showcasing the Huntress/Question team).[1]

[edit] Collections

• Birds of Prey (2002) - collects Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey, Birds of Prey: Manhunt, Birds of Prey: Revolution, and a story from Showcase '96 #3.
• Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies (2003) - collects Birds of Prey: Wolves, Bird of Prey: Batgirl and Birds of Prey #1 - 5.
• Nightwing: The Hunt for Oracle - includes #20-21
• Batman: Officer Down - includes #27.
• Batman: Bruce Wayne - Murderer? - includes material from #39 - 40.
• Batman: Bruce Wayne - Fugitive - includes #41 and 43.
• Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds (2004); (#56 - 61).
• Birds of Prey: Sensei & Student (2005); (#62 - 68).
• Birds of Prey: Between Dark & Dawn (2006); (#69 - 75).
• Birds of Prey: The Battle Within (2006); (#76 - 85).
• Birds of Prey: Perfect Pitch (2007); (#86 - 90 and #92 - 95).
• Birds of Prey: Blood and Circuits (2007); (#96 - 103).
• Birds of Prey: Dead of Winter (2008); (#104 - 108).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Canary Noir (Birds of Prey fansite)
• Cosmic Teams entry
• GAIL SIMONE ON BIRDS OF PREY #104, Newsarama
• Birds of Prey origin at www.dccomics.com