This Forgotten DC TV Flop From The Early 2000s Was Actually Way Ahead of Its Time

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Currently, it seems as if superhero movies and shows are flooding our entertainment landscape, making it challenging to stay updated with all the new releases each year. While fans are hardly complaining about this abundance, older content can sometimes get overshadowed in the process. Prior to The Arrowverse, the most notable live-action DC series were often associated with Superman, particularly Smallville and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. However, there were other brave pioneers who ventured into this realm before the era of Marvel and DC blockbusters.

One intriguing illustration is “Birds of Prey,” which introduced beloved characters onto live-action stages as far back as 2002. This series, notably known by trivia enthusiasts for Mark Hamill’s (brief) alternate portrayal of the Joker, aimed to shatter conventions and innovate. Although it didn’t always succeed, fans appreciated its ambitious endeavors. It was a narrative filled with emotion and justice-seeking.

Birds of Prey” was a Warner Bros. production that Laeta Kalogridis oversaw. This series featured three beloved characters and wasn’t shy about taking an unconventional approach. The main cast included Ashley Scott (Helena Kyle/Huntress), Dina Meyer (Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle), and Rachel Skarsten (Dinah Redmond, later Lance). This series offered a unique perspective of Gotham, showcasing both the heroic characters and their infamous adversaries. Despite a promising start with good ratings, it unfortunately lasted only one season, consisting of 13 episodes. Over time, even dedicated viewers found themselves struggling to keep up with its progression.

New Gotham City, Old Gotham Problems

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but share my thoughts about “Birds of Prey”, a captivating tale set in a future not too far from our own, where Batman has mysteriously vanished, leaving behind an intriguing mystery that unfortunately remained unresolved. In the absence of the Dark Knight, Gotham’s beleaguered citizens found hope in none other than Barbara Gordon, now fully embracing her Oracle persona, taking charge to combat the city’s criminal underworld. With her feet firmly on the ground, she is joined by her allies Helena and Dinah, ready to defend Gotham City with every ounce of determination they possess.

In this show, I found myself immersed in fresh twists and turns – some echoing familiar tales, others forging new paths. One of the innovative aspects was the portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth (Ian Abercrombie) as Helena’s inherited butler, adding a unique twist to their relationship. The series also delved into the struggle of at least one police officer, grappling with the fine line between making a difference and crossing into vigilantism.

Regarding their origin stories, Barbara was fatally wounded by the Joker, marking the end of her journey as Batgirl. Helena, on the other hand, is the daughter of Catwoman and Batman, with her father’s absence being a mystery, while it’s clear that Catwoman has met her end. This leaves Dinah in the spotlight, stepping into the trio as a fresh addition – essentially, standing in for us viewers. You might notice that she hasn’t yet adopted her classic codename; perhaps with time, she would have grown into that role.

Birds Of Prey Tried Something New

As a devoted fan, I must say that Birds of Prey took a familiar narrative foundation and swiftly veered into uncharted waters. The backdrop even transformed, showcasing a shattered Gotham City: the remnants of Old Gotham, the rising New Gotham, and the lawless No Man’s Land. With Oracle steering the ship, the tale assumed a moody, noir-like atmosphere, leaning into that gritty, darker tone that DC Comics was renowned for in the early 2000s.

This film, “Birds of Prey,” paved a unique path by making it possible for a superhero series to be primarily driven by female characters. These characters were not defined solely by their romantic relationships; instead, they had rich personalities, goals, and struggles that went beyond this aspect. Additionally, the series introduced an engaging villain, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, who presents a fresh perspective on the character Harley Quinn, although she occasionally interacts with the DC Universe.

Birds of Prey and the Expanding DC Universe

It’s not really shocking that DC approved the production of Birds of Prey (2002), considering Smallville had already made its mark a year prior and was quite successful. Even though lightning rarely strikes twice, the entertainment world tends to be optimistic. Although Birds of Prey didn’t have any immediate connections to Smallville, it would eventually establish ties with the Arrowverse, which debuted several years later.

During the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover in the Arrowverse, Ashley Scott returned to play Helena once more. Sadly, the world that Helena originated from, Earth-203, was annihilated by the Anti-Monitor. This not only officially integrates the Birds of Prey into the Arrowverse timeline, but also eradicates it. Isn’t it ironic?

Regardless of perspective, “Birds of Prey” was undeniably audacious and risk-taking. Admittedly, not all elements and gambles proved successful, but we appreciate the initiative and can’t help but feel that the series didn’t get the opportunity to fully blossom. Alas, it remains a mystery what might have transpired with Batman or where the trio could have headed next.

At the moment, you can’t stream “Birds of Prey” from 2002, but it’s available for rental on various platforms such as YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-07-05 01:40