Huntress: Batman Titles

[Mia]

I'm curious, can anyone tell me if Huntress will be making any appearances in any of the Batman books. Or has she just been written off?

Thanks.

[NewMutant]

She was featured in Birds of Prey till it was cancelled a few months ago. She was recently in Battle for the Cowl and Battle for the Cowl: the Network.

There is no longer book she is regularly featured in, but hopefully we'll get more guest appearances. I wouldn't be surprised if she appears in Detective with Question and Batwoman.

[Alexx1]

I'm curious, can anyone tell me if Huntress will be making any appearances in any of the Batman books. Or has she just been written off?

Thanks.

According to Marc, she'll be in his Manhunter co-feature in Batman: Streets of Gotham and I have a feeling now that she's available, she'll be showing up in Rucka's "Tec" at some point.

[Mia]

She was featured in Birds of Prey till it was cancelled a few months ago. She was recently in Battle for the Cowl and Battle for the Cowl: the Network.


Oh, can you expand on this a little? What did she do, or was her appearance just a panel?

[Karl O'Neill]

Never understood Huntress, but reading Kurt busiek;'s thoughts on her made me smile and made me appreciate her more.

I hope Kurt doesn't mind me posting this.
http://www.comicbloc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23294&page=284

The Huntress is a DC character, but that's not the same thing as exhibiting DC's signature style. She strikes me more as Batgirl done in a more Marvelesque idiom (more passion, anger and violence, fewer gimmicks and plot-oriented structural bits) that the Punisher done in a DCesque idiom.

The fit the Punisher into a DC idiom, you'd recreate the character in a way that could conceivably have been done at DC during the Silver Age. I'm not sure how you'd do it -- that DC sensibility is to a great degree a Julie Schwartz thing, and the Punisher isn't his sort of character at all. [Or, well, the Punisher is in some ways a Marvelized Batman, a vigilante spurred by his family's murder whose anger and passion drive him further across the line than the more tightly-controlled Bruce Wayne. But if you just undo that Marvel over-the-top stuff, you wind up with Batman, and they've already got him.]

You could draw inspiration from the Spectre -- make the Punisher a lawyer in Murder City who was killed but resurrected by a mysterious Voice to punish evildoers, with vast undefined powers (but essentially, that is the Spectre, so it's too close), or from, say, Rose & Thorn -- the Punisher is an upright lawyer in Murder City who has a split personality he doesn't know about that goes out and wreaks vengeance on the criminals who slip through the system. That's a bit like the Vigilante, but it's a start. Or, say, El Diablo -- the Punisher is a crime victim who's been left paralyzed, but at night his spirit roams as the Punisher. Or Deadman -- the murder victim who possesses criminals.

Thinking about that, it seems like ghosts come up a lot. So the Punisher's the ghost of a prosecuting DA (DC's more about the establishment than Marvel, so where Matt Murdock is a defense attorney, DC leans toward prosecutors) murdered by the One Hundred, but resurrected by a voice that says if he can punish them all he can go on to his eternal rest. As a ghost, he doesn't possess people, but he can reshape his ectoplasm to impersonate them, and he uses that power to sow dissension and mistrust in the underworld, leading them to expose themselves and get caught. He's a manipulator more than a violent vigilante, a character you could see starring in gimmicky crime stories written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Carmine Infantino. And he still works as a prosecutor, and has a relationship with a sharp-talking crime beat photographer, his fiancee, who wants to get married, but he can't because he's dead, and doesn't want to tell her...

That's not great, but that's a DC-ized Punisher -- something that restyles the concept into something that feels like DC could have published it back when. The Huntress, as she stands now, is a post-Crisis character, from when DC was trying to be more like Marvel anyway; she's owned by DC but is an attempt to make one of their characters more like the Punisher, which is the reverse of making the Punisher into a DC-style character.

kdb

[Mia]

Busiek is actually comparing Huntress to the Punisher? :rolleyes: Obviously he's never read anything about her. If anything Huntress is closer to Marvel's Elektra.

[Karl O'Neill]

Busiek is actually comparing Huntress to the Punisher? :rolleyes: Obviously he's never read anything about her. If anything Huntress is closer to Marvel's Elektra.

We could start another thread if you like and let others discuss too? Positive constructive discussion:cool:

[Mia]

We could start another thread if you like and let others discuss too? Positive constructive discussion:cool:

No thanks. The original comparison is so ludicrous (and I'm not even saying this as a Huntress fan) that it doesn't even merit further discussion.

[dumbstruck]

I would definately go for more projects with Huntress as lead. Huntress: Year One was excellent.

[Mia]

I would definately go for more projects with Huntress as lead. Huntress: Year One was excellent.

It was okay...The characterisation was very good.

The reason I ask the question is that, from what I have seen on the boards. Everyone else in the Batverse seems to be getting a part in this story including new characters like Batwoman. But I have not heard anything about Huntress. So I was wondering if DC had more or less washed their hands of the character.

[FemGeek]

Hey Mia, nothing confirmed for Hunts as of yet. It was said at some con or other she would be appearing in Streets of Gotham, but solits dont point to that as yet. Streets looks to be just a Batman title right now. On the Batman board thing DC had in the offices, Huntress is placed under the heading 'at large', which implies no real plans for her just yet. She had a good enough appearance in BftC: The Network one-shot, though she was written back to her old kill-first-questions-later characterisation. I hope we'll see her sometime soon, but no real news yet.

[Kurt Busiek]

Busiek is actually comparing Huntress to the Punisher?

No, someone else was. I was saying she was more of a Marvelized Batgirl than a DC-ized Punisher.

But the context wasn't simply "what Marvel character is she most like," it was rather more complicated than that. And the message quoted was about how you'd "DC-ize" the Punisher, not much about the Huntress at all.

Obviously he's never read anything about her.

Heavens, no, I couldn't possibly have. I'm a newcomer to the character, having discovered her in ALL-STAR COMICS and DC SUPERSTARS in 1976.

kdb

[Kurt Busiek]

Never understood Huntress, but reading Kurt busiek;'s thoughts on her made me smile and made me appreciate her more.

Almost none of those thoughts were about the Huntress, though.

I hope Kurt doesn't mind me posting this.

I sorta wish you'd fixed the typos, but other than that, no problem.

kdb

[WorstThingUS]

Heavens, no, I couldn't possibly have. I'm a newcomer to the character, having discovered her in ALL-STAR COMICS and DC SUPERSTARS in 1976.

kdb

Which begs the question "Which Huntress are you talking about?" because Helena Wayne is not Helen Bertinelli.

[Kurt Busiek]

Which begs the question "Which Huntress are you talking about?" because Helena Wayne is not Helen Bertinelli.

As noted, I was talking about the Punisher, mostly.

But the Huntress I was talking about includes both the Helenas, since Helena Bertinelli is the post-Crisis reboot, created by Helena Wayne's most recent regular writer and her co-creator because Helena Wayne had been popular. I expect you know that, though.

I'd credit my Huntress knowledge back to Paula Brooks, but I only saw her for the first time in 1976, too. I guess I could throw in the Bobbi Morse Huntress, since I ran into her in 1975, but she didn't last under that name.

kdb

[ScottyQuick]

Busiek is actually comparing Huntress to the Punisher? :rolleyes: Obviously he's never read anything about her. If anything Huntress is closer to Marvel's Elektra.

LOLWUT?

The Huntress is a violent vigilante who sometimes believes she's in the right and kills people. I remember Gail Simone said something along the lines of how she's not only willing to cross the line, she'll put a bullet through it.

Elektra is an assassin who's addicted to her job, who knows all about murder as someone who's committed it and survived it.

[Kurt Busiek]

LOLWUT?

The Huntress is a violent vigilante who sometimes believes she's in the right and kills people. I remember Gail Simone said something along the lines of how she's not only willing to cross the line, she'll put a bullet through it.

Elektra is an assassin who's addicted to her job, who knows all about murder as someone who's committed it and survived it.

Elektra, as someone romantically-involved with a hero before he became a hero, whose father was killed by the police and who lost all hope, then became bitter and wound up in a life of crime, is directly based on Will Eisner's Sand Saref, of whom all that stuff is also true.

The Huntress, as an Italian-American whose family was gunned down by the mob and vowed revenge on organized crime, becoming a violent vigilante, clearly can't be compared at all to the Punisher, of whom all that stuff is also true.

For my part, I'd think that the Huntress can legitimately be compared with Batgirl, the Punisher, Elektra and various other characters with whom she shares similarities. It's not all that hard.

kdb

[Alexx1]

It's a shame DC's not doing more with Helena Bertinelli but I do agree to an extent that The Huntress is a bit similar to Marvel's Elektra especially in temperment and in her perception of the world and how it shapes her own beliefs which she then acts upon! I still believe if Huntress were a Marvel characters writers would love to write the hell out of her but unfortunately it seems DC and most there writer's (except for a few) don't seem to know what to do with her which is a crying shame. This character is terrific.

[ScottyQuick]

Elektra, as someone romantically-involved with a hero before he became a hero, whose father was killed by the police and who lost all hope, then became bitter and wound up in a life of crime, is directly based on Will Eisner's Sand Saref, of whom all that stuff is also true.

The Huntress, as an Italian-American whose family was gunned down by the mob and vowed revenge on organized crime, becoming a violent vigilante, clearly can't be compared at all to the Punisher, of whom all that stuff is also true.

For my part, I'd think that the Huntress can legitimately be compared with Batgirl, the Punisher, Elektra and various other characters with whom she shares similarities. It's not all that hard.

kdb

Really? That's pretty neat. I've never actually read any of Will Eisner's stuff (which I know I should, and I plan to, eventually), but that's cool.

But yeah, you can compare Helena and Elektra, but Helena isn't DC's Elektra. You can compare any characters with similarities, but that doesn't mean they're perfect analogues of each other.

[Captain Jim]

Oh, can you expand on this a little? What did she do, or was her appearance just a panel?

She was just window dressing in BFTC. The Network one-shot was very much like a Birds of Prey story, though as has already been mentioned, some think Huntress acted out of character.

[Frisky Dingo]

http://comics.ign.com/articles/988/988283p2.html

From Batman editor Mike Marts:

IGN Comics: How about Huntress? Will she be showing up anywhere soon?

Marts: We will see appearances by Huntress. I'm sure we'll see her in Streets of Gotham. We may see her in Detective. She's a character who is important to the Batman Universe, and I see her playing a role here and there.

So basically (to me) it seems like they don't really know what to do with her right now. Which sucks because I think she's a great character.

[JumpingJupiter]

I like the Huntress.

[nepenthes]

Huntress by Greg Rucka and MH Williams?.....yes please :biggrin:

[marvelprince]

Is it really that hard to see similarities between Huntress and Punisher? Both have had their families killed by the mob and became "lethal" heroes to enact vengeance. Such a close origin and mindset (though Helena is much more tempered than Frank).

The Elektra connection is tenuous at best. If anything I'd peg Cassie as an Elektra analogue cause though she doesn't kill she rarely speaks and the serious "ninja" skills much like her.

[Mia]

http://comics.ign.com/articles/988/988283p2.html

From Batman editor Mike Marts:


So basically (to me) it seems like they don't really know what to do with her right now. Which sucks because I think she's a great character.

I think so to, especially given her over all role in Gotham. The character seems to be dedicated to protecting the city, so it does not make sense for her to not be featured in this story.

But I guess with the heavy use of Batgirl and Batwoman her role has sort of become redundant. I am curious to see how she will be used in 'Tec. I hope it's substantial apart from getting into a territorial fighting match with Batwoman. Or teaming up Montoya.

[NewMutant]

Oh, can you expand on this a little? What did she do, or was her appearance just a panel?

As stated before, she was just wallpaper.

I think its interesting to say she is more of a Marvel character. I'm definitely a Marvel guy, and Huntress is one of, if not favorite DC character.

I also see some comparisons to Emma Frost. As a teacher who crosslines the line.

[JumpingJupiter]

I'm wondering why we are getting Batwoman but not much Huntress... Not that Kate Kane ain't cool and all... Just sayin'...

[Mia]

I'm wondering why we are getting Batwoman but not much Huntress... Not that Kate Kane ain't cool and all... Just sayin'...

Batwoman was created for purely politcally correct reasons. Didio wanted to add diversity to the DCU (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=72016). So they created a Jewish Lesbian crime fighter.

So what we wanted to do is have a DC Universe that was more reflective, not only of our readership, but as society as a whole. Everything that we’re doing, every step that we’re taking, we’ll keep on pushing that, not only because I think it’s the right thing to do, but also because it allows us to create those points of difference. The fact that the Blue Beetle is Hispanic allows you to include a different kind of sensibility into the story that we might not have had in another series. It’s the same thing with the new Atom being Asian. It should affect the storytelling in some way, because it allows us to give a different point of view, a different perspective. The same thing with Renee Montoya or Kate Kane being gay – that doesn’t matter who they are, but it does help give their stories a different point of view, a different perspective on the DCU that other characters might not have. It’s trying to attack these things on a personal level, so we can get much richer, more emotional stories from them.


Which is fine. But I think she should get her own miniseries. Not hijack 'Tec for 12 whole issues.

[ScottyQuick]

So you'd rather have another monthly starring Dick-as-Batman then one starring a new character?

[WorstThingUS]

So you'd rather have another monthly starring Dick-as-Batman then one starring a new character?

Given how many titles Batman, has a zillion titles with Dick in the role seems to be a requirement. Me, I'm still pulling for a new Birds of Prey. Sorry, but all the Bat-women (Oracle, Batgirl, Batwoman, The Huntress, even Misfit in her Batman t-shirt) in one city? How can you not!?!

[Astonishing X-Fan]

To the people saying Huntress is a "lethal" hero...do you actually read the stories she's in? She's rarely killed...especially when it comes to her more recent history.

She's nothing like the Punisher in that respect.

[dumbstruck]

To the people saying Huntress is a "lethal" hero...do you actually read the stories she's in? She's rarely killed...especially when it comes to her more recent history.

She's nothing like the Punisher in that respect.


That's because there's conveniently usually a Bat-somebody around to stop her. She has no qualms about doing it. Batman stopped her from killing Prometheus, thus booting her out of the JLA. Batman stopped her at the end of Year One. Batgirl stopped her in BftC. I'm sure Robin probably stopped her during her many appearances in Dixon's Robin run.

[beetlebum]

You know, it's not uncommon for someone to use another referent in literature in order to get a point across, or to paint a picture in someone else's mind.

It's kind of like comparing Marx with Hegel (even though Hegel was more spiritual, and Marx clearly wasn't) or comparing Flem Snopes (of Barn Burning) to Maggie Johnson (from Everyday Use by Alice Walker). Even though they don't have everything in common, contrasting them is still valid and useful and can give great insight.

I have no problems with comparing Helena to Frank Castiglione, or Elektra Natchios, as long as the key differences between them are emphasised.

In Helena and Frank's case, they share similar backgrounds, including the fact that they have both been the victims of mafia violence, so it is inevitable that they will be compared to one another. And (as someone else pointed out earlier in the thread) Helena has shown the tendency to use lethal force, but has mostly been prevented from doing so.

As for Huntress and Elektra, they are both from countries that border the Mediterranean sea, and where religious affiliation is an inextricable part of the cultural identity of the respective nations they hail from.

The main differences are while Catholicism plays a large in Helena's life, Elektra has never been depicted as a devout Orthodox Christian. But they are both morally complex, willing to use lethal force, yet balancing that out by giving others succour when in need (think of all the times Elektra has aided Daredevil.)

And they both witnessed the death of their parents in front of their eyes, and sought martial arts so they could protect themselves in the future. And they both trained with specific individuals (Uncle Sal, Stick), that is, before Elektra became affiliated with the Hand.

So I can see the comparisons there.

Going back to Helena, I thought she might be making an appearance in Streets of Gotham?

I hope she will. I'd like to see DC develop her more, and inclusions in books will allow that to happen. Huntress is one of those characters that has so much potential, but has yet to see that potential actualised.

[beetlebum]

Huntress by Greg Rucka and MH Williams?.....yes please :biggrin:

I sooo second this.

[WorstThingUS]

That's because there's conveniently usually a Bat-somebody around to stop her. She has no qualms about doing it. Batman stopped her from killing Prometheus, thus booting her out of the JLA. Batman stopped her at the end of Year One. Batgirl stopped her in BftC. I'm sure Robin probably stopped her during her many appearances in Dixon's Robin run.

She killed during Year One and she arranged the murder of her biological father in Cry For Blood, which caused The Question to end his relationship with her---and I'm still waiting for her to notice he's dead.

[Alexx1]

and I'm still waiting for her to notice he's dead.


You too, huh! Think we'll ever get it? Maybe Rucka will give it to us in "Tec". I really liked Vic and Helena as friends AND a couple!

As for Huntress lethal side, let's also not forget the cult leader she attempted to kill but her crossbow jammed!