Birds of Prey (2002–2003)

In the future, long after the Batman has driven himself into exile, his legacy lives on in the form of the Birds of Prey--Black Canary, Oracle, and the Huntress.

Stars:

Ashley Scott, Dina Meyer, Rachel Skarsten

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ashley Scott	...	Helena Kyle (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Dina Meyer	...	Barbara Gordon (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Rachel Skarsten	...	Dinah Lance (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Shemar Moore	...	Jesse Reese (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Ian Abercrombie	...	Alfred Pennyworth (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Mia Sara	...	Dr. Harleen Quinzel (13 episodes, 2002-2003)
Shawn Christian	...	Wade Brixton (8 episodes, 2002-2003)

Storyline

New Gotham's Undercover Superhero Batman has disappeared leaving behind a daughter from his long-time love Catwoman. Her name is Helena the mysterious superhero known as "The Huntress". She has teamed up with the paralyzed hero "Batgirl" together they meet up with their next teammate Dinah Lance. Dinah is a telepath and psychic who had terrifying dreams about Batgirl's brutal accident. They must learn how to work together and become not only a team of superheroes but also a family.

---

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Psychic | Throwing Disc | Supernatural | Night Cityscape | 

---

Taglines:

Meet The New Batgirl.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Waner Home Entertainment - DVD site The WB

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

BOP

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television, DC Entertainment, Tollin/Robbins Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series was cancelled in January 2003, with 11 episodes aired. The producers were, however, allowed to film the final two episodes of their 13-episode commitment, and these episodes aired in February 2003, with the final episode retooled in order to close off the various storylines in the series, an unusual privilege for a cancelled series.

---

Quotes

Helena Kyle: [to Dinah] News Flash, it's high school. The closest thing our society has to institutionalized torture.

---

Crazy Credits

Although she is included in the opening credits of each episode, Mia Sara only appeared in about 1/3 of the episodes that were broadcast.

---

Connections

Spun-off from Batman Returns (1992)
Expands upon relationship between Batman and Catwoman featured in film. Catwoman featured in BOP wears same outfit as Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman in "Batman Returns".

---

Soundtracks

"Revolution"
Performed by Aimee Allen
Episode: {all episodes}

User Reviews

Another fresh look at the Batman Formulae

Birds of Prey is set years after Batman's final victory against The Joker; a battle with a terrible price. Catwoman was killed, and Batgirl (Dina Meyer) was confined to a wheelchair for life. Batman disappears...apparently, too stricken with grief to continue. In his absence, Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) becomes "The Oracle," acting as the eyes and ears of her protégée, The Huntress (Ashley Scott). The Huntress has a personal vendetta against the criminals of Gotham; she's Catwoman and Batman's daughter. So continues the Bat-legacy.

Enter `bird' #3: Dinah Lance (Rachel Skarsten), a young psychic who arrives to Gotham to explain the strange dreams she's been having. Of course, comic book buffs will know that Dinah Lance is the name of The Black Canary, thereby completing the "Birds of Prey" trio. However, for now, she's just a young novice, learning to be a super-heroine as the series progresses...

While comic-purists whine about comic-book inconsistencies, there is a lot to love about this "alternate" Bat-city. For one, their arch-nemesis is Harley Quinn (Mia Sara), who was once The Joker's main squeeze. The premiere also had the fun of Mark Hammil as the voice of the Joker, which he performs as brilliantly as he did in the cartoons. Best of all, though, is how The Huntress' eyes turn into feline slits before a fight; it may not be like The Huntress of comic lore, though who cares? It's a cool shot, plain and simple.

Regardless, some comic purists insist there is no way Catwoman and Batman had a child. What's the alternative, kiddies? That the rumors about Batman preferring the company of young boys are true.? Of course he and Selena Kyle were more than `just friends,' as we've seen in movies, TV, the comics, and even the cartoons. So yeah one thing led to another and Huntress was born. It could happen. Accept it.

Of course, you can never tell what series will be accepted by younger audiences. Back in the 1970's, "The Six Million Dollar Man" lasted four seasons, while "Bionic Woman" lasted only two; go figure. In today's pop culture, will a young Superman in "Smallville" be considered cooler than Batman's daughter in "Birds of Prey"? If so, that's a shame. There is a lot to like about this series. I look forward to seeing Birds of Prey as long as it lasts. I hope that's a long while.