Huntress (Helena Bertinelli)

Last updated
The Huntress
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli circa 2020).png
Helena Bertinelli as the Huntress, as depicted on the cover of Birds of Prey: Siren of Justice #1 (May 2020). Art by Emanuela Lupacchino (pencils) and Dave McCaig (inks and colors).
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance As Huntress:
The Huntress #1 (April 1989)
As Batgirl:
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83 (March 1999)
As Matron:
Nightwing (vol. 3) #30 (July 2014)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoHelena Rosa Bertinelli
Species Human
Team affiliations
Partnerships Batman
Dick Grayson
Barbara Gordon
Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance)
Tim Drake
Notable aliases Batgirl
Matron [1]
Helena Janice Bertinelli
The Crossbow Killer
Abilities
  • Highly skilled athlete and gymnast
  • Highly skilled armed and unarmed combatant; proficient with melee weaponry such as a battle-staff
  • Expert markswoman; proficiency in different kinds of ranged weaponry such as crossbow, throwing knives, etc.
  • Expert disguise

The Huntress (Helena Rosa Bertinelli) is an antiheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the third DC character to bear the name Huntress . Originally introduced as a new interpretation of Helena Wayne, no longer depicted as the future daughter of Batman and Catwoman as part of DC's post- Crisis on Infinite Earths relaunch, she was later established to be the modern-day equivalent, namesake, and predecessor of Helena Wayne. [2]

Contents

Huntress has been adapted into numerous media outside comics, including television series and films. Tara Strong and Amy Acker voice the character in Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Justice League Unlimited respectively, while Jessica De Gouw and Mary Elizabeth Winstead portray Huntress in Arrow and Birds of Prey . [3]

Publication history

Helena Bertinelli was introduced in The Huntress #1 (April 1989), written by Joey Cavalieri and drawn by Joe Staton, co-creator and long-time artist of the Helena Wayne Huntress. Staton recalled, "I think Paul [Levitz] realized that I felt my involvement with Helena had been abruptly cut short [by the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths ], so I was always in line to be a part of any reworking of the character. I don't recall how Joey Cavalieri came to be the writer on the Helena Bertinelli version, but I think we did some nice work on that run. Helena Bertinelli could never have the deep resonance of Helena Wayne, because she didn't have the whole Batman/Catwoman backstory at her command, but Joey worked her into a different mythos, that of the mob, also dark, noirish". [4]

Fictional character biography

Origin

Huntress series

Helena Bertinelli as the Huntress, in her original costume, as she appeared on a panel from a page of The Huntress #9 (October 1989). Art by the character's co-creator Joe Staton (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks), and Robbie Busch (colors). Huntress (Helena Bertinelli -circa 1989).png
Helena Bertinelli as the Huntress, in her original costume, as she appeared on a panel from a page of The Huntress #9 (October 1989). Art by the character's co-creator Joe Staton (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks), and Robbie Busch (colors).

In the 1989 Huntress series, Helena Bertinelli was born into one of New York City's most prominent mafia families. In this iteration of the character, she was kidnapped as a child (aged 6) and raped by a rival mafia Don purely to psychologically torture her father and is a withdrawn girl. Her parents, Guido and Carmela, send her to a boarding school and assign a bodyguard for her protection where she learns all forms of combat. After she witnesses the mob-ordered murder of her parents at the age of 19, she crusades to put an end to the Mafia. She travels, accompanied and trained by her bodyguard Sal, before returning to New York to make her debut as the Huntress. [5]

Cry for Blood

Huntress' origin was revised in 2000 in the six-issue Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood limited series written by Greg Rucka, art by Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty. Helena Rosa Bertinelli witnesses the murder of her entire family in their home when she is aged 8; a young Helena Rosa Bertinelli believes Franco Bertinelli to be her father, but her father is actually Santo Casamento, the don of a rival mafia family, who was carrying on an affair with Helena's mother, Maria. Helena is framed for two murders, which puts her in direct conflict with Batman and Nightwing. In an extended retreat with Richard Dragon and Vic Sage (The Question), she tries to achieve better emotional balance, returning to Gotham to confront her true father and learn more about her family's murder. She faces a choice between the more ethical woman she is becoming and the earlier Helena, who still hears the vengeance call as "blood cries for blood".

Huntress: Year One

Huntress starred in her own six-issue biweekly Year One miniseries from May to July 2008 by Ivory Madison and Cliff Richards. [6] The story recounts and expands upon the beginning of Helena's vigilante career. She is in Sicily, days from turning 21 and receiving the inheritance from the murder of her family, which occurred before her eyes when she was eight years old. Learning more about her family's murder at the hands of boss Stefano Mandragora, [7] Helena adopts a costume disguise and weaponry to seek revenge, confronting not only the men who ordered her family's death but the assassin himself.

In the process, she establishes herself as angrier and more violent than a standard costumed hero, foreshadowing the conflicts with more mainstream heroes, predominantly Batman. She crosses paths with Barbara Gordon (destined, like Oracle, to be a close friend and colleague), Catwoman, and Batman, who will become partial mentor, partial antagonist during her subsequent career as a Gotham superhero. She states that her compulsion derives from the moment before her family was murdered when she believes she could have acted to save them. The story ends with her renouncing the Bertinelli legacy of crime and "baptizing" herself The Huntress. [8]

Relationship with Batman

Batman rarely accepts the Huntress, regarding her as unpredictable and violent. However, when Commissioner Gordon questions Batman about his attitude towards the Huntress, Batman replies, "You know exactly why I don't approve...You're not the only one she reminds of Barbara", in reference to Barbara Gordon, who had previously fought crime as Batgirl. [9] Others in the Batman family feel differently; for instance, Tim Drake has a good relationship with her. Early in his career, he works with the female vigilante and later clears her name in a murder case.

Huntress is briefly involved with the Justice League International when she happens upon a brainwashed Blue Beetle attempting to murder Maxwell Lord. [10] The League is impressed and asks her to join. Although League members help her on one of her own cases and she gets a tour of the group's New York City embassy, she never officially joins the team. [11]

During the League's restructuring following the Rock of Ages crisis, Batman sponsors Huntress' membership in the Justice League, [12] hoping that the influence of other heroes will mellow the Huntress, and for some time, Huntress is a respected member of the League. Under the guidance of heroes such as Superman, Helena grows in confidence, even playing a key role in defeating Solaris during the DC One Million storyline; inspired by the time capsules students in her class had been making, she realizes they had over 800 centuries to set up a plan that would result in Solaris's defeat in the future. She also helps the League defeat foes like Prometheus and encourages Green Lantern to fight the Queen Bee's hypno-pollen during her invasion of Earth. She is later forced to resign after Batman stops her from killing Prometheus while he is incapacitated. [13]

Career in Gotham

No Man's Land

In the 1999 No Man's Land storyline, an earthquake levels Gotham City. The United States government declares Gotham City a "No Man's Land" and Batman disappears. To bring order to the city, Huntress assumes the mantle of Batgirl, and she discovers criminals fear her more as Batgirl than they do as Huntress. [14] Batgirl fails to protect Batman's territory from Two-Face and his gang of more than 200 criminals, leading to an argument between her and Batman. Huntress refuses to follow Batman's exact orders and gives up the Batgirl costume. [15]

Huntress teams with former police officer Petit and his men, who had broken off from the group led by former commissioner James Gordon. Petit believed that extreme force was the only way to survive No Man's Land. Batman intentionally drove Huntress to join Petit, knowing she could keep Petit in line and prevent him from hurting innocent people. On Christmas Eve, the Joker attacks Petit's compound. Petit is killed and the Huntress stands her ground, barely surviving the attack as the Joker and his men overrun the compound. Batman and Nightwing intervene in time and Huntress is taken to a field hospital operated by forces who want to rebuild Gotham City.

Birds of Prey and the Outsiders

The Huntress, on the cover of Birds of Prey #57 (September 2003). Art by Ed Benes. Huntress-BOP57.jpg
The Huntress, on the cover of Birds of Prey #57 (September 2003). Art by Ed Benes.

Huntress becomes involved with Oracle and Black Canary in the comic series Birds of Prey . She bonds with Black Canary when they oppose a man called Braun, who had seduced and left them both. Huntress continues to work with the group, although her relationship with Oracle is strained and sometimes antagonistic due to Huntress' recklessness and Barbara's controlling nature.

She is made one of Oracle's full-time agents in Birds of Prey #68, after responding immediately to Barbara's intercepted call for help (intended for Dinah Lance). With two active agents on rotation, the lighter workload allows for Oracle to set up day jobs for Huntress and Black Canary; as an elementary school teacher and florist, respectively. The realization of her childhood dream of teaching gives Helena a great sense of fulfillment and inspires her stronger sense of protectiveness. For a time her straightforwardness continues to put her at odds with Barbara and even the accommodating Dinah, but eventually, her selflessness and desire to help her colleagues without hesitation win their trust, and she becomes a valued and integral member of the team.

During the Birds of Prey "Hero Hunters" arc, Huntress realizes Oracle has been manipulating her psychologically to make her "behave" properly, in the same way, a teacher attempts to reform a troubled child [16] and leaves the group. She later rejoins along with newcomer Lady Blackhawk who becomes another core member for the team. Upon Black Canary's departure of the team in Birds of Prey #99, Huntress becomes Oracle's most senior and trusted operative and field commander.

Huntress appeared in the Hush storyline. She saves Batman's life from a criminal gang after he suffers a fractured skull in a fall. Batman realizes that she is "so much like I was when I started out", and "she's better than she knows..." In the story, Huntress continues a feud with The Scarecrow. She later appears with a new costume and equipment, paid for by Thomas Elliot. While under the influence of Scarecrow's fear toxin, she fights Catwoman, thinking her to be her old self and wants to be more like the Dark Knight.

Huntress is asked to fill in an empty spot for the Outsiders after Arsenal sustains major injuries on a mission. [17] She leaves the team after just one mission. [18]

One Year Later

Huntress, as she appeared on the cover of Birds of Prey. #123 (December 2008); art by Rafael Albuquerque Huntress (Helena Bertinelli circa 2008).png
Huntress, as she appeared on the cover of Birds of Prey. #123 (December 2008); art by Rafael Albuquerque

In 2006, the narratives of most DC Comics superhero series skipped one year. In the One Year Later stories, Huntress works with Oracle's group. With Black Canary's departure from the team (issue #99), in issue #100 Huntress becomes the team's field commander.

Huntress later returns to Gotham after the Birds disband, aiding Cassandra Cain in maintaining order after Gotham descends into chaos during the midst of the Battle for the Cowl event.

Joined by Lady Blackhawk and Grace Choi, Huntress later assists her then love interest Catman and his team the Secret Six in a massive supervillain battle to steal Neron's Get Out of Hell Free Card. [19]

Brightest Day

During the Brightest Day event, Oracle gathers the Birds of Prey back together in Gotham. In addition to getting the band back together, Oracle adds Hawk and Dove to the team. Huntress aids Black Canary (who had now left the Justice League), in a battle against a new villainess calling herself the White Canary. [20] The Birds soon strike up an uneasy alliance with the Penguin, who ultimately betrays them and severely injures Zinda and Hawk. He attempts to kill Huntress as well, but she and Dove easily defeat him. [21] While Dove takes Hawk and Zinda to a hospital, Huntress binds and gags the Penguin with duct tape, intending to take the villain prisoner to interrogate him. After being informed by Oracle that she has to leave the Penguin behind, Huntress considers murdering him in cold blood, but instead opts to leave him alive. [22]

The New 52

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In the relaunch issue of Worlds' Finest , the Huntress is Helena Wayne from Earth 2. The Helena Bertinelli existed, but was believed dead, with Helena Wayne taking on the supposedly-deceased Bertinelli's identity.

Helena Bertinelli of Earth Prime on the cover of Grayson Annual #1 (February 2015), art by Mikel Janin. New 52 Helena Bertinelli.jpg
Helena Bertinelli of Earth Prime on the cover of Grayson Annual #1 (February 2015), art by Mikel Janín.

The series Grayson, written by Tim Seeley and Tom King and released in 2014 revealed a new Prime Earth Helena Bertinelli in The New 52 continuity, appearing in the series as a spy and partner of Dick Grayson. [23] Prime Earth's Helena Bertinelli is revealed to be an agent of the organization Spyral, who is presumed dead by the outside world. This incarnation of the character is a dark skinned Italian-American woman to keep readers from confusing her with Helena Wayne of Earth 2 according to Grayson series writer Tim Seeley. [24] Her origin is expanded on in Grayson Annual #1 (February 2015). Helena is described as "the most wanted woman in the world", the granddaughter of Frank Bertinelli and the heir to "the entire Sicilian mob", who "disappeared" five years ago; her disappearance is legendary among criminals.

In the Agent of Spyral storyline she is the Matron of St. Hadrian's Boarding School for girls and a teacher herself. She rescues Leslie Thompsons from a raid by the Der Faust Die Kane (translating to "The Fist of Cain"), a depopulation terrorist cult made up of serial killers and hitmen. [25] During an interrogation, both the director of Spyral Minos and Helena learn of Batman's secret identity. Later, she is the individual that picks Dick Grayson as a candidate to join Spyral. Minos then enlists Dick Grayson as Agent 37 and Helena's partner. Both are tasked with the duty of retrieving the Paragon Organs, which formerly belonged to Paragon. Each organ grants a different power of the Justice League, but these organs are also highly sought by other intelligence organizations such as A.R.G.U.S and Checkmate. Both she and her partner encounter Midnighter, who attempts to foil Spyral's current agenda. [26]

Minos sends Helena and Dick to retrieve Paragon's brain, which holds Martian Manhunter's telepathic abilities, but they are too late. Dick later disappears and Helena learns that the Fist of Cain took the Brain and plans to attack a peace rally in Tel-Aviv and force people to kill each other. As she makes her way to Tel-Aviv, she later learns of her partner's fate with the use of Spyral's immense technological capabilities with Hypnos and informs them to send the current plans to Midnighter. As she arrives, she finds herself under psychic attack and due to the stress of previously using Hypnos to interrogate and locate her lost partner, she overworks herself. Dick and Midnighter assist. As Helena does her best to stop the crowd from killing each other, she ends up nearly killed by the Fist of Cain's leader, Christian Fleisher. She is saved by what appears to be Mister Minos. After the plan is foiled and Spyral retrieves the brain, she comments that she had various memory gaps from overworking herself mentally. Later, as part of Minos's endgame to out the secrets of Spyral, he shoots her with her own crossbow in an attempt to kill her. She survives and informs Grayson of Minos's plan to kill fellow Spyral Agent 1 (also "Tiger"). After Grayson rescues Agent 1, she reappears and seemingly kills the Minos, unaware that she actually killed a light composite of the real thing. [27]

Helena Bertinelli as Huntress on the cover of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6, art by Yanick Paquette. Huntressrebirth.png
Helena Bertinelli as Huntress on the cover of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6, art by Yanick Paquette.

In the aftermath of Minos's betrayal of Spyral and death at the hands of Agent Zero, Helena became the new Director of Spyral. [28] This however put her at odds with Grayson, who after Batman's disappearance after his battle with the Joker in "Endgame", began dismantling Spyral with the help of Agent 1, the Tiger. Grayson and Bertinelli were pawns in the twisted mind of Dr. Otto Netz, who used his two daughters to play the world's super-espionage agencies against each other in a bid to take over the body of someone he considered a worthy receptacle. Initially choosing Bertinelli, Netz then attacked Grayson's mind, but Grayson destroyed the villain mentally. In the aftermath, and as part of the DC Rebirth event, Helena left Spyral and assumed the mantle of Huntress, appearing in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey. [29]

DC Rebirth

At the beginning of the DC Rebirth era, Helena takes the name of Huntress and crosses paths with Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Black Canary (Dinah Lance) in Gotham City. Issue #4 details her origin story as a mafia princess seeking revenge for her family's murders, and she is now tracking Santo Cassamento, who masterminded the murders. She works with the Birds of Prey to track down an impostor who is masquerading as Oracle, Batgirl's former hacker alias. Soon after, she discovers her mother, Maria Bertinelli has survived that fateful night and was now in charge of the operation, who tells her what had really happened: Maria had fallen in love with Santo, and wanting to get away from her husband, she and Santo organized his murder, but Santo went ahead and killed Helena's older brother as well, much to Maria's grief, and she also vowed revenge. Upon hearing this, Helena decides not to kill Santo, but arrests him and Maria, who had become a powerful crime boss. After the arrest, Helena joins the Birds of Prey, and becomes a new teacher at a local school.

Skills, abilities, and resources

Similarly to Batman, Huntress possess no inherent super-powers and instead relies on her natural abilities. An expert martial artist, Huntress has mastered several unspecified martial arts and is considered a superb gymnast. She is also an expert on various weaponry and is a skilled marksman, able to use weaponry such as a bullwhip, crossbows, and throwing weapons (blades, darts, boomerangs, arrows, etc.). Her skills were suited enough to surprise and garner some praise from one of DC Universe's master martial artists, Lady Shiva. [30] [31] Huntress is also noted for her high pain tolerance, being able to withstand a beating from aforementioned assassin, giving her the title of "Iron Owl". [30]

Among her strongest skills is her ability to disguise herself, her mastery allowing her to portray herself as a wide range of people and personalities and is capable enough to convince a serial killer of being their relative in one instance. [31] Huntress's New 52 incarnation retains similar skills and abilities with some newer ones: a former agent of Spyral, she possess extensive espionage training with ties to a network of spies and informants. Her time as a agent of Spyral also made her an expert helicopter pilot and motorcyclist. [32]

Among the weaponry Helena possess is a customized crossbow, her preferred weapon of choice. [31] [32] She also utilizes a customized motorcycle as her main mode of transportation. [32]

Other versions

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Huntress joined with the Amazons' Furies. [33]

Earth 2

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPublished dateISBN
Huntress: Darknight Daughter [34] DC Super Stars #17, Batman Family #18-20, Wonder Woman #271-287, 289-290, 294-295January 2007 978-1401209131
Robin Vol. 2: TriumphantRobin III: Cry of the Huntress #1-6 and Batman #465, 467-469, Robin II: The Jokers Wild #1-4March 2016 978-1401260897
Nightwing/HuntressNightwing/Huntress #1-4March 2008 978-1401201272
Huntress: Year OneHuntress: Year One #1-6February 2009 978-1401221263
Batman: CataclysmBatman: Huntress/Spoiler - Blunt Trauma #1 and Batman #553-554, Detective Comics #719-721, Batman Shadow of the Bat #73-74, Nightwing (vol. 2) #19-20, Catwoman (vol. 2) #56-57, Robin (vol. 2) #52-53, Azrael #40, Batman Chronicles #12, Batman Blackgate #1, Batman Arkham Asylum Tales of Madness #1June 1999 978-1563895272
Batman/Huntress - Cry for Blood [35] Batman/Huntress - Cry for Blood #1-6March 2002 978-1840233957
Huntress: Crossbow at the CrossroadsHuntress (vol. 3) #1-6November 2012 978-1401237332

In other media

Television

Film

Video games

Miscellaneous

Reception and analysis

In the view of Michael Eury and Gina Misiroglu, the character of Helena Bertinelli was introduced and given her own series to capitalize on the popularity of the previous Huntress, Helena Wayne, after that character was eliminated in DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths series. While The Huntress was cancelled after 19 issues, "the heroine has maintained a profile through numerous guest appearances in other Batman titles", as well as in a number of other media. [44]

Sophie Bonadè characterized Helena Bertinelli is an ambiguous female character since, unlike the other members of the Bat-Family, she does not hesitate to kill. Together with her predecessor Helena Wayne she is at the forefront of a very marked increase in the number of female characters in the catalog of the publisher DC Comics in the second half of the 1980s. She is a typical character of "Bad Girl Art": She is a woman of action, has an ambiguous morality and is scantily clothed. Among the new characters appearing the Batman universe during that time, the Huntress is the only superheroine, and the second female character in the Bat family to get her own comic series. [45]

Marc DiPaolo called Helena Bertinelli's story a "retreat from psychological darkness into the light" and saw her "as a commentary on the Punisher" and "corrective to his pernicious influence": While she was initially also motivated by revenge, "she was ultimately rehabilitated" and "renounced murder" as a means in her crime fighting. [46]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poison Ivy (character)</span> Comic book character

Poison Ivy is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, she debuted in Batman #181 and has become one of the superhero Batman's most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Grayson</span> Fictional DC Comics superhero

Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman, Teen Titans and Justice League. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940 as the original and most popular incarnation of 'Robin', Batman's crime-fighting partner. He is the eldest child of Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter ego, the first child to be adopted by Batman. In Tales of the Teen Titans #44, the character, after becoming an adult, retires his role as Robin and assumes the persona of Nightwing. Grayson has donned the cape and cowl to replace Wayne as Batman; his most notable spell followed Wayne's supposed death in Final Crisis, and sees Grayson adopt Damian Wayne, Bruce's biological son and his adoptive younger brother, as his Robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birds of Prey (team)</span> American comic series and superhero team

The Birds of Prey is a superhero team featured in several American comic book series, miniseries, and special editions published by DC Comics since 1996. The book's premise originated as a partnership between Black Canary and Barbara Gordon, who had adopted the codename Oracle at the time, but has expanded to include additional superheroines. The team name "Birds of Prey" was attributed to DC assistant editor Frank Pittarese in the text page of the first issue. The group is initially based in Gotham City and later operates in Metropolis and then relocates once more to "Platinum Flats", California, a new locale introduced in Birds of Prey in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Canary</span> DC comics fictional character

Black Canary is the name of two superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. As one of the earliest female superheroes in the DC Comics universe, the character has made numerous appearances in prominent team-up titles, including the Justice Society of America and Justice League of America. The Black Canary persona has been adopted by two individuals, portrayed as a legacy heroes with a mother-daughter relationship between the two. Following DC's New 52 initiative, Black Canary was briefly amalgamated as a single character before the mother-and-daughter dynamic was restored to continuity, the history formerly established retroactively added as part of the second Black Canary's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batgirl</span> Comic book superheroine

Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. The character Betty Kane was introduced into publication in 1961 by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff as Bat-Girl, and was replaced in 1967 by Barbara Gordon, who became the most iconic Batgirl. The character debuted in Detective Comics #359 by writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino, introduced as the niece/adoptive daughter of police commissioner James Gordon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Gordon</span> DC Comics character

Barbara Gordon is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The character was created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino. Dozier, the producer of the 1960s Batman television series, requested Schwartz to call for a new female counterpart to the superhero Batman that could be introduced into publication and the third season of the show simultaneously. The character subsequently made her first comic-book appearance as Batgirl in Detective Comics #359, titled "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" in January 1967, by Fox and Infantino, allowing her to be introduced into the television series, portrayed by actress Yvonne Craig, in the season 3 premiere "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin", in September that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassandra Cain</span> American comics superhero

Cassandra Cain is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. Created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott, Cassandra Cain first appeared in Batman #567. The character is one of several who have assumed the role of Batgirl. Over the years, she has also assumed the names of Black Bat and Orphan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Shiva</span> Fictional character

Lady Shiva is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5. Over time, she has become more closely associated with Batman and related characters, both as an enemy and an ally. She is a Chinese/Japanese martial arts grandmaster and one of the most skilled combatants in the DC Universe. She is an assassin-for-hire who specializes in killing her targets with her bare hands, and is the mother of Cassandra Cain, aka Batgirl.

Birds of Prey is an American superhero television series that was developed by Laeta Kalogridis for The WB and is loosely based on the DC Comics series of the same name. The series takes place in a Gotham City abandoned by Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renee Montoya</span> DC Comics character

Renee Maria Montoya is a character appearing in media of DC Comics. The character was created by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Mitch Brian for Batman: The Animated Series and was preemptively introduced into mainstream comics before the airing of her animated debut in 1992 in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) series Batman: The Animated Series, voiced by Ingrid Oliu, and later Liane Schirmer.

<i>Manhunter</i> (Kate Spencer) Comics character

Manhunter (Kate Spencer) is a fictional superheroine appearing in DC Comics. She is the eighth DC Comics character to be given the name Manhunter, but was the first woman. The character first appears in Manhunter (vol. 3) #1 (October 2004) and was promoted by DC Comics as relevant to the popular Identity Crisis limited series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntress (Helena Wayne)</span> Comics character

The Huntress, also known as Helena Wayne, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is the daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of an alternate universe established in the early 1960s and referred to as "Earth-Two", where the Golden Age stories took place. A modern-day predecessor of Helena Wayne as Huntress with no blood-relation to Batman or Catwoman, Helena Bertinelli, was additionally co-created by the character's co-creator Joe Staton in 1989, originally intended as a reinvention of the character following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, before being retconned as different characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misfit (DC Comics)</span> Comics character

Misfit is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe. She first appeared in Birds of Prey #96 as a wannabe Batgirl, before taking on her own identity as Misfit.

Originally created in 1967, the fictional comic book character Barbara Gordon has been adapted into various other forms of media. The character has appeared in both live action and animated television series and films, as well as in video games in her alter-egos as both Batgirl and Oracle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntress (DC Comics)</span> Several fictional characters in the DC comics universe

The Huntress is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. The two best-known women to bear the Huntress name are Helena Bertinelli and Helena Wayne, the latter being from an alternate universe. Although Helena Wayne and Helena Bertinelli are both superheroes, the Huntress of the Golden Age was a supervillain.

Batwoman is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the first DC character to bear the name "Batwoman". She was created by writer Edmond Hamilton and artist Sheldon Moldoff under the direction of editor Jack Schiff, as part of an ongoing effort to expand Batman's cast of supporting characters. Batwoman began appearing in DC Comics stories beginning with Detective Comics #233 (1956), in which she was introduced as a love interest for Batman in order to combat the allegations of Batman's homosexuality arising from the controversial book Seduction of the Innocent (1954). When Julius Schwartz became editor of the Batman-related comic in 1964, he removed non-essential characters including Kathy Kane, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite, and Ace the Bat-Hound. Later, the 1985 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths retroactively established that Batwoman's existence was on an Earth separate from DC's main continuity.

Black Canary is a DC Comics superhero who has appeared across a range of live-action and animated television shows, as well as in several video games. Originally the pseudo name of the character Dinah Drake, the mantle was later passed on to her daughter, Dinah Laurel Lance. Both characters have appeared in different comic continuations and in other media, but the character has also been known by other names. She is usually portrayed as a proficient fighter, using martial arts as well as her trademark sonic scream or "Canary Cry".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batwoman</span> Comics character

Batwoman is a name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies of Batman similarly to Batgirl. The original version of the character, Kathy Kane, was first created by writer Edmond Hamilton and artist Sheldon Moldoff under the direction of editor Jack Schiff as a love interest in an attempt to combat allegations of Batman's homosexuality arising from the controversial book, Seduction of the Innocent.

<i>Grayson</i> (comic book) Comic book

Grayson is a 2014–2016 spy comic book ongoing series published by DC Comics about the character Dick Grayson leaving behind his superhero life to become an agent of the fictional spy agency Spyral. The series was initially written by Tim Seeley and Tom King, with art by Mikel Janín and Stephen Mooney. The creative team departed the series after issue #17, with Seeley working on Nightwing and King & Janín on Batman for the impending DC Rebirth relaunch; from issue #18 onwards, the series was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly with art by Roge Antonio.

References

  1. Grayson #1
  2. Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 49–50. ISBN   9780345501066.
  3. "Margot Robbie Reveals Full 'Birds of Prey' Title: 'The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn'". thehollywoodreporter. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  4. Callahan, Timothy (February 2010). "The Huntress: The Daughter of the Bat and the Cat". Back Issue! (#38). TwoMorrows Publishing: 71–78.
  5. Huntress #1 (April 1989)
  6. Steve Ekstrom IVORY MADISON: TALKING ABOUT HUNTRESS: YEAR ONE NEWSARAMA March 10, 2008 http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=149603 Archived 2008-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Huntress: Year One #2 (July 2008)
  8. Huntress: Year One #6 (September 2008)
  9. Batman Chronicles #1 (July 1991)
  10. Justice League America #26 (May 1989)
  11. Justice League America #30 (September 1989)
  12. JLA Secret Files #2 (August 1998)
  13. JLA #40 (April 2000)
  14. Batman: No Man's Land #0
  15. Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120
  16. Simone, Gail ( w ). Birds of Prey,no. 80(May 2005).DC Comics.
  17. Outsiders (vol. 3) #8
  18. Outsiders (vol. 3) #12
  19. Secret Six (vol. 2) #7
  20. Birds of Prey (vol. 2) #1-2
  21. Birds of Prey (vol. 2) #4
  22. Birds of Prey (vol. 2) #5
  23. Rodgers, Vaneta (May 14, 2014). "GRAYSON Creators: Super-Spy DICK WILL Carry Gun, Have a Surprise Partner". Newsarama. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  24. Rogers, Vaneta (10 July 2014). ""SPOILERS! GRAYSON Writers Establish HELENA & DICK's New Status Quo & MIDNIGHTER's Role"". Newsarama.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  25. Nightwing (vol. 3) #30
  26. Grayson #1-4, Annual #1; Secret Origins #8
  27. Grayson #5-8
  28. McDonald, Joshua (March 17, 2015). "June 2015 Solicitations". Batman-News. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  29. Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Rebirth #1
  30. 1 2 Simone, Gail (2011). Birds of Prey : end run. Ed Benes, Inc DC Comics. New York: DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-4012-3131-6. OCLC   666229319.
  31. 1 2 3 Who's Who in the DC Universe #6. DC Comics. 1991.
  32. 1 2 3 Scott, Melanie (2019). DC ultimate character guide (New ed.). New York, New York. ISBN   978-1-4654-7975-4. OCLC   1089398386.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  33. Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #2 (July 2011)
  34. Reprinted in 2020 as Huntress: Origins ( ISBN   978-1-77950-072-4)
  35. Following the release of the Birds of Prey film, this was reprinted in 2020 with the title Birds of Prey: Huntress.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 "Huntress Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 14, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  37. "THE OFFICIAL HUNTRESS UPDATE". Marc Guggenheim. February 2015.
  38. D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 26, 2018). "'Birds Of Prey' Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Wins Role Of Huntress; Jurnee Smollett-Bell Is Black Canary". Deadline. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  39. Eisen, Andrew; Ferrarello, Scott. "Characters - LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  40. Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  41. Michael, Jon; Veness, John. "Characters - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  42. "The Batman and Robin Adventures #19 - Duty of the Huntress (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  43. "Justice League Unlimited #2 - Poker Face (Issue)". Comic Vine. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  44. Eury, Michael; Misiroglu, Gina (2012). "The Huntress". In Misiroglu, Gina (ed.). The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons an Hollywood Heroes (2nd ed.). Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 186–187. ISBN   978-1-57859-375-0.
  45. Bonadè, Sophie (3 December 2019). Des superhéroïnes à Gotham City: une étude de la (re)définition des rôles genrés dans l'univers de Batman (PDF) (PhD) (in French). Université Paris-Saclay. pp. 133, 135, 145. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  46. DiPaolo, Marc (2011). War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film. McFarland & Company. p. 129. ISBN   978-0-7864-4718-3.