by Joshua H. Stulman

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is the latest addition to DC’s Cinematic Universe that debuts on February 6th! The film stars Margot Robbie returning to her role as Harley Quinn as well as a number of new DC femme fatals. The film is directed by Cathy Yan and continues Harley Quinn’s story from Suicide Squad (2016).

If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, Check it out below:

Birds of Prey is a comic that premiered in the mid-90’s during the “Batman Craze” era that saw a tremendous multi-media campaign that spanned Kenner Toys, Live Action Movies, an award winning animated series and a ton of Batman related merchandise. The original 1996 comic expanded the Batman Family of characters and featured a team up between the former Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, now known as the Oracle, and the Black Canary. The team quickly added the popular anti-hero, The Huntress, to round out their roster. This “all-girl” roster proved very successful and more characters have been added over the years including Lady Blackhawk, Dove, and the third Batgirl (Cassandra Cain).

Here’s a look at the comic origins of the characters featured in Birds Of Prey:

1. Black Canary (Dinah Lance)

Black Canary, Dinah Drake, first appeared during the 1940’s as one of the members of the Justice Society of America from Earth 2. Her daughter Dinah Laurel Lance picked up the mantle Black Canary on Earth-1 in modern time. her powers include a hyper-sonic scream and exceptional fighting skills. She has had a long standing relationship with the Green Arrow. Black Canary has been a member of the Justice League of America and more recently, Birds Of Prey.

2. Huntress

The Huntress (Helena Wayne) first appeared on Earth 2 as the adult child of Batman and Catwoman. After her death in the Crisis On Infinite Earths, the new Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) emerged. The daughter of a mafia crime boss, the Huntress fights for justice despite her dark upbringing. She is a master bowman. She served temporarily as Batgirl and is an associate of Batman. In the past she has been a member of the Justice League and early member of Birds of Prey.

3. Rene Montoya

Rene Montoya first debuted in the Batman Animated Series. She was later brought into regular DC Continuity in Batman #475. A tough police officer, Montoya rose through the ranks of the Gotham City Police Department. Montoya transitioned to becoming a super-heroine as the new Question. Later revealed to be a lesbian, Montoya struck up a relationship with Batwoman, Kate Kane.

4. Cassandra Cain

Cassandra Cain emerged during the No Man’s Land storyline in Batman comics that saw Gotham City abandoned due to a massive earthquake and gang warfare. She is the daughter of assassin David Cain and the ninja master, Lady Shiva. Cassandra adopted the identity of Batgirl to help restore order to Gotham. Found to be illiterate and mute, Cassandra was trained by Batman and the original Batgirl and now acts under the code name: Orphan.

5. Black Mask

The child of a wealthy rival family to the Wayne’s, Roman Sionis, becomes resentful of his family and engineers a plot to murder his parents and steal their wealth for himself. After inheriting his father’s cosmetic company, Sionis, ruins the company by rushing a new chemical product to market that ends up disfiguring hundreds of women. Turning to a life of crime, he adopts the identity of Black Mask and forms the False Face Society, whose members each wear unique masks. Black Mask’s origin and first appearance is in Batman # 386 (1985).

6. Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is perhaps the most iconic new Batman character from the past 40 years. Originally as a background character from the Batman: Animated Series. She quickly gained a popularity by TV viewers and became a regular feature on the cartoon series. However it wasn’t until 6 years later that she makes her debut in DC Comics during the No Man’s Land Storyline in Batman: Harley Quinn. Her cartoon origins as a psychiatrist manipulated by the Joker was not present in the DC Comics version but later these cartoon influences were merged with the comic book version of the character. A member of newest version of the Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn has previously had no connection to Birds of Prey, so it will be interesting to see how this group is formed in the new movie.

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn debuts on February 6th!

Joshua H. Stulman

Owner, Brooklycomicshop.com