Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Just-Us League of Supertoons

Batduck proved a popular parody paving the way for a full on Justice League homage on Tiny Toons Adventures in 1992 during a segment of New Class Day titled Just-Us League of Supertoons.In the adventure, Batduck and Decoy were asked to join the League composed of Superbun,Wonder Babs, Little Dasher, Hawk Loon, Aquamutt, Pink Canary, Keen Arrow, and Scentana (extra points for the Zatanna homage). The invitation was revoked when the League realized Batduck had no powers.

Arrow Lands its Black Canary

The role of Dinah "Laurel" Lance has fallen to Katie Cassidy.  Apparently she has a track record on CW shows, but not being in their prime demographic, I haven't seen her on Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, or even Supernatural. I have to say, this is a step up from the Smallville or Birds of Prey Dinah's. Mo word yet on whether or not she will bellow the canary cry this fall.

Black Canary Will Sing on the CW

Its official, the Green Arrow pilot simply titled Arrow is shooting forward and thanks to The TV Addict, we have some casting details including a call for Dinah Lance AKA Black Canary who made her last live action foray in the ill fated Birds of Prey series. The character is described as:

Dinah “Laurel” Lance: 28 years old, smart sexy, Laurel is a legal aid attorney determined to use her life as a one-woman war against the 1% following the death of her younger sister Sara. A sister, who as luck would have it, just so happened to have died aboard Oliver’s yacht. 

Onscreen History of Black Canary

Black Canary made her debut in the pages of Flash Comics #86 in 1947. The sonic screamer joined the Justice Society of America, the original superhero team. Sometime in the 80's Black Canary was reimagined as two separate characters, with the modern Justice Leaguer Black Canary Dinah Lance as the daughter of the original Canary Dinah Drake.

More Music on Brave and the Bolds Horizon

Hear it here first, the song "Birds of Prey" from the upcoming episode "The Mask of Matches Malone!"

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Birds of Prey

Before it was a series, Birds of Prey was a comic book focusing on Oracle's (AKA Batgirl) team of female superheroes. The series adapted the idea into a pseudo Smallville spinoff set in the future. Each episode of the series conveniently opened with an explanation of the twisted premise of the show.

Legend tells of a caped crusader, Batman, guardian of New Gotham, and his one true love, Catwoman, the queen of the criminal underworld.


Their passion left behind something extraordinary, a daughter, Huntress. Half metahuman, she has taken up her father's mantel and under cover of the night, fights to protect the innocent and helpless.

Joining her in this struggle, Oracle, who was once Batman's protégé, Batgirl.

She was caught in the crossfire of the war between Batman and Joker, now she fights crime a different way, a master of the cyber-realms and mentor and trainer to heroes.

Together, they have taken in a young runaway, Dinah, a metahuman herself with powers to open hidden doors to the mind, powers that she is only beginning to explore. Together, these three are the protectors of New Gotham - the Birds of Prey.

The main baddie of the 13 episode series was none other than Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Huntress' therapist! Dun Dun Dun...

Back in the day, the comic book Huntress really was the daughter of Batman and Catwoman (though not so in current continuity), but I am pretty sure that Catwoman never had actual super powers (unless you are talking about the Halle Berry version, and I pray you aren't) . Also, Dinah Lance was the Black Canary (not her daughter) and I don't recall her having Jean Grey powers. Aside from Haley and the Joker cameo, a couple of other notable Batman villains showed up along the way: Lady Shiva and Clayface. Also, we did get to actually see Batgirl in action. Overall, the series was more of a future elseworld than a "Batman show" which in spite of decent ratings was canceled after just half a season.

Up Next: Calling All Titans!

Batman Serial * Batman and Robin Serial * Batman '66 TV * Batman '66 Movie * Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder * Batman on Scooby Doo * Batman the Super Friend * The New Adventures of Batman * Batman '89 * Batman Returns * Batman: The Animated Series * Batman: Mask of the Phantasm * Batman Forever * Batman and Robin * The New Batman Adventures * Boo Wonder * Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero * Batman Beyond * Gotham Girls * Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker * Batman on Justice League * DCAU Crossovers * Birds of Prey *

* Special Musical Edition * Special Christmas Edition * Special OnStar Edition

Who Will Be Passing Through Smallville

After 8 seasons, Smallville has served more as a hub of super-tourist activity than a rural getaway. During the first 8 season, 14 superheroes, 20 supervillains, and 17 other supporting characters from the DC universe have sauntered through Smallville or neighboring Metropolis. Highlights include Lex Luthor and Superman (of course), Brainiac, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Supergirl, and Doomsday (Most of whom have dated Lois Lane, have spent the night in the local coffee shop's upstairs apartment, or both). The graph lists the number of visits by heroes, villains, and supporting DC characters by season. Only the initial visit is counted, recurring visits are not tracked.

Many more have their travel plans in order to stop by for season 9 (Major Zod - an alternate time line younger version of General Zod, Metallo, Roulette, The Wonder Twins - no word yet on Gleek, The Justice Society, and Speedy are all booked for the first half of the season), making it a contender for the busiest season to date. We will save a discussion of Smallville stunt casting (Wonder Women, Supermen, etc) for another day. For more detailed information about who has come and gone, see the table below.

SEASON	CHARACTER	EPISODE TITLE	ROLE
1	Superman	Pilot	Superhero
1	Lex Luthor	Pilot	Supervillain
1	Jonathan Kent	Pilot	Supporting Character
1	Lana Lang	Pilot	Supporting Character
1	Martha Kent	Pilot	Supporting Character
1	Pete Ross	Pilot	Supporting Character
2	Jor-El	Calling	Supporting Character
2	Maggie Sawyer	Insurgence	Supporting Character
3	Morgan Edge	Exile	Supervillain
3	Claire Foster	Perry	Supporting Character
3	Perry White	Perry	Supporting Character
4	Impulse	Run	Superhero
4	Krypto	Krypto	Superhero
4	Mister Mxyzptlk	Jinx	Supervillain
4	Bridgette Crosby	Crusade	Supporting Character
4	Lois Lane	Crusade	Supporting Character
4	Lucy Lane	Lucy	Supporting Character
4	Sam Lane	Gone	Supporting Character
5	Acrata AKA Andrea Rojas	Vengeance	Superhero
5	Aquaman	Aqua	Superhero
5	Cyborg	Cyborg	Superhero
5	Aethyr	Arrival	Supervillain
5	Milton Fine / Brainiac	Arrival	Supervillain
5	General Zod	Vessel	Supervillain
5	Nam-Ek	Arrival	Supervillain
6	Martian Manhunter	Labyrinth	Superhero
6	Green Arrow	Sneeze	Superhero
6	Bizarro	Phantom	Supervillain
6	Jimmy Olsen	Zod	Supporting Character
7	Black Canary	Siren	Superhero
7	Supergirl	Bizarro	Superhero
7	Vandal Savage	Cure	Supervillain
7	Zorl-El	Lara	Supervillain
7	Lara-El	Lara	Supporting Character
8	Lightning Lad	Legion	Superhero
8	Saturn Girl	Legion	Superhero
8	Cosmic Boy	Legion	Superhero
8	Zatanna	Hex	Superhero
8	Plastique	Plastique	Supervillain
8	Bruno Mannheim	Stilletto	Supervillain
8	Doomsday	Plastique	Supervillain
8	Faora	Bloodline	Supervillain
8	Livewire	Injustice	Supervillain
8	Maxima	Instinct	Supervillain
8	Neutron	Injustice	Supervillain
8	Parasite	Injustice	Supervillain
8	Persuader	Legion	Supervillain
8	Toyman	Requiem	Supervillain
8	Dan Turpin	Bulletproof	Supporting Character
8	Emil Hamilton	Bulletproof	Supporting Character
8	Mercy Graves / Tessmacher	Odyssey	Supporting Character
9	Zan	Idol	Superhero
9	Jayna	Idol	Superhero
9	Speedy	Crossfire	Superhero
9	JSA	Society	Superhero
9	Major Zod	Savior	Supervillain
9	Metallo	Metallo	Supervillain
9	Roulette	Roulette	Supervillain